Yesterday, we asked you about the AFL’s decision to replace the centre bounce with a throw-up.

Around three-quarters of you said the league is wrong, calling it an integral part of the game.

The centre bounce wasn’t the only tradition to be left in the past this week. 

Yesterday evening, Geelong apologised for its Mad Monday celebrations, after players drew backlash for costumes and social media posts just days after their Grand Final loss. 

As we reported earlier this week, star midfielder Bailey Smith posted an image of himself and captain Patrick Dangerfield with a caption referencing ‘Brokeback Mountain’. He also posted a picture of Max Holmes dressed as journalist Caroline Wilson, captioning it “caro has never looked better. 💦😩”. 

The club labelled it “a significant error of judgement” and confirmed post-season events “will not continue in this current form.”

2
The number of times that rugby league stars James Tedesco and Tamika Upton have both been awarded the Dally M, the game's highest individual honour. Sydney Roosters fullback Tedesco, who last won the award in 2019, won the voting by a huge margin of 22 votes ahead of Panthers playmaker Nathan Cleary. Meanwhile, Brisbane Broncos fullback Upton is the first player in NRLW history to have won the award twice.

"It feels like the right time for me to step away from Test rugby. There's a number of good young props coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what's going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
Wallabies veteran James Slipper announcing that this Saturday’s Rugby Championship match against the All Blacks will be his final Test for Australia. The 36-year-old prop retires as Australia’s most-capped player with 150 Tests, including a record 21 Rugby World Cup appearances across four tournaments. Slipper will continue at Super Rugby level with the Brumbies, while the Wallabies prepare to usher in a new generation of front-rowers.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to become the first NFL (American football) team to play in two countries outside of North America in the same season. Last weekend, the Vikings lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland. This weekend, they will take on the Cleveland Browns in London at the home ground of the English Premier League’s Spurs.

🏏 Australia’s men’s cricket team powered to their 15th win in their last 17 T20 internationals, chasing down New Zealand’s 181 with ease at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand. The match marked the first of three T20Is between the two sides, with the winner of the series set to claim the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. New Zealand’s Tim Robinson scored 106 not out to keep the Black Caps in the contest after they slipped to 3-6, but Australian skipper Mitch Marsh stole the show with a blistering 85 runs. He was supported by Travis Head (31) and Matt Short (29), as the Aussies got home with 23 balls to spare. The series continues at Bay Oval on Friday and Saturday.

🎾 Jannik Sinner beat American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open final to win his 21st career title and build momentum ahead of the Shanghai Masters. The Italian world number two defeated Australian Alex de Minaur in the semifinal, winning his 11th match in a row against the Demon. In the women’s draw, the Round of 16 saw some upsets, with Britain’s world No.81 Sonay Kartal knocking out world No.5 Mirra Andreeva to reach her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal, and American 16th seed Emma Navarro defeating the tournament’s top seed Iga Świątek. 

⚽ Matildas star Mary Fowler has signed a one-year contract extension with Women’s Super League club Manchester City. The 22-year-old, who has been with the English club in 2022, said: "City has felt like home for me for quite a while now so to continue this journey with them, I'm really proud to do that." Fowler is recovering from a knee injury and will be hoping to return to full fitness in time for Australia’s 2026 Asian Cup campaign beginning in March.

🏟️ Australian para-athlete Rheed McCracken picked up his second silver medal at the World Para Athletics Championships, finishing just behind Thailand’s Chaiwat Rattana in the 100m T34. The result comes after also placing second to Rattana in the 400m earlier this week, continuing their close rivalry on the international stage. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Briseis Brittain made her international debut in the 200m T38 heats, with the Arnhem Land teenager now turning her focus to the 400m later this week. She said: “I like Cathy Freeman, she was really amazing and talented. I want to be like her… I’m so excited to do the 400m just like Cathy, that’s on this Saturday.”

Game day, weekend getaway, or long-haul adventure – Samsonite’s got you (and your gear) covered

Samsonite has dropped fresh new arrivals that blend durability with style – Think the sleek Upscape set for maximum packing power, the eco-friendly Proxis™ Circular made from bio-circular materials, and the iconic C-Lite in a limited-edition Colourburst finish.

With lightweight designs, shock-absorbing wheels, and interiors crafted from recycled materials, these suitcases are built to go the distance. Whether you’re heading interstate for sport or flying further afield, Samsonite makes travel smooth, smart, and seriously stylish.

Australia’s Women’s World Cup defence is off to a strong start after an 89-run win over world number four New Zealand in Indore, India. 

Here’s what to know.

Ashleigh Gardner was the player of the match, rescuing the Aussies from a shaky start and posting a career-best score of 115 runs off 83 balls. In doing so, she became the first woman to score a World Cup century batting at No.6 or lower. She found key support from Phoebe Litchfield (45) at the top and Kim Garth (38) late, helping Australia set a total of 326 runs.

In reply, White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine fought bravely with 112 runs in her final World Cup campaign, but lacked support as New Zealand fell for 237. Annabel Sutherland led Australia’s bowling attack with figures of 3-26. The win gives Australia their first points of the tournament as they head to Colombo to face Sri Lanka on 4 October.

Gardner said: “I had some clear plans when I got into the middle. I wanted to score as many runs as possible because we needed a big total here. We bat deep so we had the freedom and confidence within our group to play freely. This is going to be a trend in this World Cup.”

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The WNBA Finals tip off on Saturday (AEST) with the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury set to battle in a best-of-seven series for the 2025 championship. 

Here’s your preview.

For the first time, the Aces and Mercury will face off in the Finals. After back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, Las Vegas is chasing a third title in four years. Phoenix returns to the big stage for the first time since 2021, when they were beaten by the Chicago Sky. The last time the Mercury won a WNBA championship was in 2014. 

In the four times these two teams played each other during the regular season, the Aces won three times. Two of those matches were decided by a margin of just three points, demonstrating that the Mercury do have the ability to push the Aces all the way. 

Both teams rely on a star trio. For Las Vegas, it’s A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, all proven champions. Phoenix turns to Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who have hit form at the right time. Wilson has dominated past matchups with Thomas, but the Mercury’s group has momentum.

On paper, these teams are evenly matched, both averaging more than 82 points per game. The difference could come down to depth and composure. The Aces have the experience and are favourites to win for that reason, but if Phoenix’s underdog spirit carries them through the late moments, they could pull off one of the great Finals upsets.

The Aces have been tested in this year’s finals series. They scraped past the Seattle Storm in round one, and in the semi-finals, they needed overtime in the fifth and final game to defeat the Indiana Fever. Four-time MVP A’ja Wilson led the way, scoring 35 points in the decider.

Phoenix have had a stunning run to the Finals, eliminating defending champions the New York Liberty in round one before taking down the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, winning three straight comeback games in the semi-finals. With Thomas stepping up as their new leader, the Mercury arrive in Las Vegas full of belief.

The first match of the series tips off on Saturday at 10:00am (AEST). You can watch the WNBA Finals on Kayo, Foxtel, or with a WNBA subscription.