Good evening!

As a sports fan, it’s sometimes hard to know whether you’d like to see a tight contest or an absolute drubbing.

I guess it depends on the context.

I’m not sure anyone, even fans of Jake Paul, enjoyed watching a 58-year-old Mike Tyson hobble around the ring trying to avoid an opponent 31 years younger than him.

On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Wallabies thump Wales this morning, even though they might just be the worst Welsh team in history.

I’ve got 10 seconds

Stat of the day

50 million
The number of households that tuned in to Netflix to watch the boxing match between Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor. It’s “likely” the most-watched live women’s sporting event in U.S. history, according to Netflix. Serrano and Taylor’s fight, which was won by Taylor after 10 rounds, was the co-main event alongside Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson, which 60 million households watched.

Quote of the day

"I just tried to understand whatever works best for each opponent. It was a very high-level tournament from my side. At times, I couldn't play better."
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner on beating American Taylor Fritz to win the prestigious end-of-year ATP Finals tournament. The 23-year-old is the first Italian to win the tournament, and the first player since Ivan Lendl in 1986 to do so without dropping a single set. Sinner won $US4.8 million ($AU7.4 million)  in prize money for his efforts — the largest winnings for any tournament on tour.

Random fact of the day

Carbrook Golf Club in Queensland is the only known golf course to have hosted bull sharks in its water hazards. During flooding in the 1990s, six sharks were swept from a neighbouring river into a large lake alongside the course’s 14th hole. While one shark was illegally fished out, the others spent 17 years in the lake before going missing after another flooding event.

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In case you missed it…

🎾 Australia’s women’s tennis team is out of the Billie Jean King Cup after losing to Slovakia. Kimberly Birrell and Ajla Tomljanovic both lost their matches, meaning Australia exited the international tournament earlier than expected. Tomljanovic, who is Australia’s top-ranked women’s player, looked to be struggling with a knee injury as she lost in straight sets. The Billie Jean King Cup is an international team tournament held annually. Australia last won the title in 1974. 

⛳ Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has finished his season with a win at the DP World Tour Championship. The DP World Tour is golf’s European tour. After a year with some near misses at major tournaments, McIlroy said: "I know how people are going to view my year, and I'm going to view it similarly, but I still need to remember I won four times and won a sixth Race to Dubai… What I've learned is, it doesn't have to be important for everyone else. I think what I did today is very meaningful for me personally.”

🏀 The  NBL is investigating a courtside incident during Melbourne United’s 113-93 victory over the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday. An altercation between spectators and Adelaide 36ers players and staff was filmed by courtside cameras. Four spectators were asked to leave the venue and two players, Shea Ili and Montrezl Harrell, were ejected from the game.

🏀 Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has been fined $US100,000 ($AU154,000) by the NBA for using homophobic language. The 23-year-old used what was described by the NBA as "offensive and derogatory" language during an interview after his team’s 115-114 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Hornets coach Charles Lee said: "As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone. Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us."

I’ve got 1 minute

Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide Power advance to Preliminary Finals

The Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide have secured their places in next weekend’s AFLW Preliminary Finals, after respective wins over the Fremantle Dockers and Hawthorn.

Adelaide Crows v Fremantle Dockers

The Crows hosted the Dockers in Adelaide and beat the visitors 49-12 to advance to the club’s sixth Preliminary Final. The Crows led the match from the outset and were ahead by 29 points at half-time. As temperatures soared to 35 degrees, the heat policy - requiring longer breaks between quarters - was enforced.

The Dockers never found their way into the match and finished with one goal and six behinds. While Fremantle’s season is over, Adelaide is now set to take on Brisbane this weekend for a place in the grand final.

Port Adelaide v Hawthorn

Port Adelaide came from 22 points behind at the beginning of the fourth quarter to upset Hawthorn 50-49. Gemma Houghton and Abbey Dowrick starred for the Power with both players recording two goals and 13 disposals.

Port Adelaide, who finished sixth on the ladder at the end of the regular season, will head to a Preliminary Final next weekend as underdogs against the undefeated North Melbourne Kangaroos.

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Wallabies win against Wales to make it two from two on Spring Tour

The Wallabies have handed Wales a record 11th straight defeat with a 52-20 drubbing in Cardiff.

Wallabies v Wales

The Wallabies showed prolific try-scoring ability to walk over the top of a vulnerable Welsh side in the second half of the match. In the first half, Australia raced out to an early 19-0 lead through tries from fullback Tom Wright, second-row Nick Frost, and hooker Matt Faessler. Wales managed to work their way back into contention with a try and two penalties and by half-time, the margin was just six points.

Samu Kerevi, playing his 50th Test and back in the side for the first time since the 2023 World Cup, received a yellow card just after half-time for dangerous contact. The card was upgraded to red and the Wallabies were forced to play without a man for 20 minutes. The Aussies showed resolve and scored 21 unanswered points during this period.

The 52-point haul is the first time the Aussies have scored more than 50 since 2017. Wright was the player of the match with three tries. Faessler also scored three and became the first Wallabies hooker to do so.

What they said

Captain Alan Alaalatoa said: "Very proud. It was really special. For us to connect like the way that we did today out there under pressure was massive for our group. And I think we're going to go a long way from that".

Wales coach Warren Gatland said: “There’s so much negativity around the game, what’s been happening on the field and regionally wise and financial and stuff. Whatever the best decision is for us to make a change to get some positivity in the game I’d support that 100%. If that means me [leaving] I’m comfortable with that.”

Around the grounds

On Friday, Ireland edged out Argentina 22-19 in Dublin.

On Saturday, South Africa beat England 29-20 in London. It’s the third straight loss for the English after being beaten by the All Blacks and Wallabies in the two weeks before.

The All Blacks played France and suffered the first defeat of their Northern tour, losing 30-29 in front of 80,000 at Stade de France.

What’s next?

The Wallabies travel to Edinburgh to play Scotland. The last time the two sides played was at the same venue in 2022, where the Wallabies won 16-15. Scotland have won two of their three Autumn Internationals thus far, beating Portugal and Fiji and losing to South Africa.

ICYMI: TDA Sport has a new game on Instagram called Blurdle. IYKYK.
Today’s answer: Jannik Sinner
Useless clue: Saint (Get it? Email me if you do.)

A deep dive powered by Deakin University

From plate to podium: Nutrition for young athletes

Peak performance isn't just about rigorous training, physical skills and genetics – it’s also about nutrition.

Whether you’re chasing gold or just looking to optimise your health, Dr Dominique Condo, a researcher and lecturer from Deakin’s School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, says that “proper nutrition is key.”

Nutrition has the power to make or break your athletic performance, and according to Dr. Condo, there are three key ingredients for a winning plate:

1. A balanced diet

Young athletes need a well-balanced diet that is rich in carbohydrates for slow-burning energy, proteins for muscle repair and growth, and fats for overall health. Picture a colourful plate full of fruits and veggies!

2. Hydrate

Unfortunately, the ‘eight glasses of water a day’ trick might not cut it! “It’s important to understand the demands of the sport and individual factors, including thirst, that may impact hydration needs,” Dr Condo said. Proper hydration depends on factors like body size, climate, activity level and overall health.

3. Meal timings

“Meal timing is just as important as what the meal is made of,” Dr Condo advises. “Eating a nutritious meal 2-3 hours pre-exercise or competition will allow for the food to be digested and able to be used as energy.”

Think beyond the field. Study sport at Deakin.

Looking forward…(All times are AEDT)

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