Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottom has announced he will retire at the end of this AFL season.

The 35-year-old debuted for the Magpies in 2009, the same year ‘I Gotta Feeling’ by The Black Eyed Peas topped the charts.

Since then he has played 373 games and won two premierships, all with Collingwood.

With the Magpies still in finals contention this season, there’s still a chance he could add a third flag to his collection.

🏉 The Sydney Roosters have moved to the top of the NRL ladder after defeating the Penrith Panthers 12-6 on Thursday night. Veteran playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans led the Roosters in attack, scoring both tries. Hours later, Cherry-Evans announced via a statement released by the Roosters that he will leave the NRL at the end of the season to join Hull FC in England’s Super League. Before the move, he will look to win his second NRL premiership after his first in 2011 with the Manly Sea Eagles. 

🏉 The first round of the AFLW continued on Thursday night with the Melbourne Demons beating Hawthorn 60-41. Melbourne, who made it to the preliminary final last season, were boosted by strong performances from Liv Purcell (32 disposals) and Mia Austin (4 goals). The next match of the round will see two-time reigning premiers North Melbourne host Geelong on Saturday at 1pm, with the Kangaroos looking to extend a 27-match winning streak which stretches back to 2024. 

⛳ Australian golfer Jessica Bang has died in Bangkok at age 18, nearly two weeks after collapsing with a brain haemorrhage. The teenager was in Thailand for the KLPGA Tour's International Qualifying Tournament when she was hospitalised on 1 August, undergoing emergency surgery before being placed on life support. Bang claimed her first professional title in February, winning the NSW Open regional qualifier in only her fifth start on tour.

🏀 The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers have been sold for a record $US12.5 billion ($AU17.7 billion) to a consortium of venture capitalist Josh Kushner and former Disney CEO Bob Iger, according to ESPN. Owner Mark Walter had bought the franchise just 14 months ago for $US10 billion ($AU14.2 billion). The deal still requires NBA board approval. In other NBA news, nine-time  All-Star and 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook has announced his retirement after 18 seasons in the league. Westbrook holds the NBA record for career triple doubles with 209. A triple double requires players to reach double digits in three different statistical categories (e.g. rebounds, points, assists).

Talking points: The Wallabies host Japan in Townsville for the second Test of their two-match series, leading 1-0 after a 35-32 win in Osaka last weekend. Les Kiss has made several changes to Australia’s starting side, delivering on his promise to test different combinations in the lead-up to next year’s World Cup. Most notably, Carter Gordon returns at five-eighth in place of Declan Meredith, who struggled to assert himself in the playmaker role last week. Kiss also makes his home debut as head coach and looks to extend his win-loss record to 2-0. The Wallabies have never lost to Japan across eight previous senior men’s Tests.

How to watch: Kick-off is at 3:15pm on Saturday 15 August. You can watch the match on Channel 9, 9Now, and Stan Sport.

Talking points: Bangladesh put themselves in a strong early position on Day 1 in Darwin, with fast bowler Hasan Mahmud claiming a career-best six wickets for 55 runs to help bowl Australia all out for 198 runs. Steve Smith top-scored for the hosts with 71. Bangladesh then reached 96/1 at stumps. This series is Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia in 23 years. They have never beaten Australia in a test on home soil. This Test also sees the reunion of Australia’s frontline bowling attack which includes Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, who last bowled together over a year ago.

How to watch: Play runs through to Monday 17 August, starting at 10.30am (AEST) daily. You can watch the Test on Channel 7, 7Plus, Foxtel, and Kayo.

Talking points: Day 2 finals began at 12pm (AEST) today at the Pan-Pacific Championships in Irvine, California. It’s the first time the meet has been held since 2018 after the 2022 edition was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Lani Pallister headlined Australia’s Day 1 results, taking gold ahead of Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh in the women’s 200m freestyle and silver in the women’s 1500m freestyle behind American swimming great Katie Ledecky. Australia’s Sam Short also won gold in the men’s 800m freestyle ahead of American three-time Olympic champion Bobby Finke. Saturday’s women’s 400m freestyle will be one to watch as Pallister goes head-to-head with Ledecky and McIntosh.

How to watch: The meet will continue through the weekend with finals beginning at 12pm (AEST) on Saturday and Sunday. You can watch the swimming on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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