Have you ever thought about what it would be like to catch a ball from space? I hadn’t either until today.

Last year, Australian Steve Hirst broke the record for the highest altitude catch of an American football. The ball was dropped from a helicopter at a height of 227 metres, eclipsing the record of 221 metres set by former Carlton star Brendan Fevola.

The cost? A torn ligament in his thumb and some bad swelling.

2
The number of points separating the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne United in Game Two of the NBL Finals last night. The Hawks’ Tyler Harvey scored a three-pointer with six seconds to go to seal the win for his side. The series is now tied at one match apiece, with both teams winning away from home. Game three of the best-of-five series will be played on Sunday evening. 

"It hasn't sunk in yet. This is an incredible day and an incredible feeling."
Australian skier Charlotte Wilson speaking to the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) after winning gold in the dual moguls at an Olympic test event. On her way to gold, Wilson beat the top four ranked women’s mogul skiers, eventually taking out the final against world number one Jaelin Kauf. The event was held on next year’s Olympic course in Livigno, Italy. 

Current International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is the only person to hold the role that has won an Olympic gold medal. Bach won a gold medal in fencing (team foil) at the Montreal Olympics in 1976.

🏉 Australian rugby sevens legend Charlotte Caslick is set to make her women’s Super Rugby debut this weekend for the Queensland Reds. Caslick is switching to the 15-a-side format ahead of the women’s Rugby World Cup later this year. Caslick said: "If we can set this pathway, get girls playing both sevens and 15s, it puts the Australian side in a good place. We saw what the Matildas did in their World Cup in Australia… we can grow the sport and get fans on board." The Reds will play the NSW Waratahs on Sunday in round three of the women’s Super Rugby competition. 

🏀 Adam Caporn has been named as the coach of the Boomers, Australia’s men’s basketball team. Caporn has previously served as the side’s assistant coach and will replace Brian Goorjian. He is currently working in the U.S. as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Washington Wizards. The 42-year-old West Australian said: "It is an incredible honour to be part of the Boomers program. To step into the role of head coach is truly a dream come true".

⚽ Arsenal, Real Madrid, Aston Villa, and Borussia Dortmund have all progressed to the quarterfinals of the Champions League following this morning’s fixtures. While Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Dortmund all progressed with relative ease,- Real Madrid won a controversial penalty shootout against Spanish rival Atletico Madrid to advance. Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez had a penalty disallowed after a video review found his left foot touched the ball before he kicked the penalty with his right foot. Real Madrid won the shootout 4-2. The quarterfinals will be played next month. 

🏏 Former cricketer and commentator Stuart MacGill has been found guilty of participating in the supply of cocaine. MacGill, who pleaded not guilty, played for Australia’s Test team from 1998 to 2008. Police alleged he set up a meeting between his then-cocaine dealer and his brother-in-law to facilitate drug dealing. MacGill denied setting up the men’s meeting with this intention, telling the court “there was no indication” his brother-in-law was involved in selling drugs. The matter came to police attention when MacGill was allegedly kidnapped in 2021 after a deal between the two other men went wrong. 

Alex de Minaur has been knocked out of Indian Wells, losing to Argentina’s top-ranked player Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets. Here’s what else is happening at tennis’ ‘fifth major’.

Beating de Minaur was sweet revenge for Cerundolo, after the world number 10 eliminated him from the Australian Open earlier this year. Cerundolo, the tournament’s 29th seed, advances to the quarter-finals where he will play two-time defending Indian Wells champion Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard, who has been strong all tournament, is the favourite to win as the highest remaining seed.

British player Jack Draper also advanced to the quarter-finals via an upset, beating world number four Taylor Fritz in a straight-sets victory. Draper is the 13th seed and will be put to the test against American 11th seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.

Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor is the only unseeded player remaining in the men’s draw. He will play Norway’s 12th seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinal tomorrow.

World number three Coco Gauff was knocked out of the women’s singles draw after losing to Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. The Tokyo Olympic champion came back from a set down to beat Gauff 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on centre court at Indian Wells to secure her place as the only unseeded player in the quarter-finals.

The top two seeds, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek, have looked as strong as ever, with neither player dropping a set en route to the quarterfinals. Świątek is set to play eighth seed and last year’s Olympic Champion Qinwen Zheng in the quarters, while Sabalenka will face 24th seed Liudmila Samsonova.

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The AFL has denied breaching player confidentiality after it submitted the names of 51 players to Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) for targeted drug testing. The Players’ Association (AFLPA) has taken issue with the AFL’s targeted testing and requested the process of compiling the 51 names be revealed.

The AFL and AFLPA have reportedly been negotiating an updated drug testing policy for the players. Negotiations between the two parties were stalled when the AFLPA learnt about the 51 names disclosed to SIA for targeted testing by the AFL.

AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh told the Herald Sun earlier this week: “There is this issue around the 51 players that have been reported to SIA, and we have asked the AFL to explain that to us”.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon responded to Marsh’s request for clarification by declaring that the AFL did not use the results from confidential hair tests but compiled the list based on intelligence gathered by the organisation throughout the year.

Former player Nathan Buckley has also been outspoken on the issue. Buckley has said the current AFL drug testing system ‘enables’ players to take illicit drugs and play professional football.

Dillon told The Herald Sun: “I want to be very clear that the results of hair tests have not been disclosed to any third parties. Under the anti-doping code we work with Sports Integrity Australia, and players are tested all throughout the year. As part of that we gather intelligence throughout the year from police, federal police and Sports Integrity Australia and our own integrity unit. We use that intelligence to put together a list of athletes which should be drug tested under the anti-doping code.”

Play hard, and protect your skin

During sport, sweat, dirt, and sun exposure can damage your skin, causing acne, irritation, sunburn, and long-term harm. Protecting your skin with products like the Swisse Balance Skincare range helps maintain healthy skin.

Cleanse with the Swisse Skincare Salicylic Acid Daily Balance Cleansing Gel, to wash away sweat and bacteria built up during physical activity. 

Moisturise with the Swisse Skincare Ceramides B3 Daily Balance Moisturiser, and hydrate to protect your skin from sun damage.

Reduce the appearance of sweat-related breakouts with the Swisse Blemish Remedy Fast-Acting Drying Lotion. 

Experience the difference and try the Swisse Balance Skincare range for yourself.