Sport
Updated
AFL 2025
Rioli’s Showdown fate to be decided as AFL probes his alleged threats against opponents
Rioli and Power officials met with the AFL for two hours, and a decision about whether he plays in Saturday night’s Showdown will be made on Thursday.
- by Sam McClure, Michael Gleeson and Andrew Wu
Marnus firms to pip Konstas for opening role as Australian squad for Test final takes shape
- by Daniel Brettig and Tom Decent
AFL
AFL briefing
AFL 2025
Magpies make wholesale changes for Perth trip; Silvagni on track to return from hand surgery
Collingwood will be without four of their premiership stars for Thursday night’s clash against Fremantle in Perth, with one struggling midfielder-forward remaining in Melbourne to work on regaining full fitness. Meanwhile, the Blues hope to have Jack Silvagni back for their spicy clash with St Kilda.
- by Jon Pierik and Andrew Wu
Why this son of a Carlton gun has the option to join the Tigers
Cody is the son of former high-flying Blue Andrew Walker, who retired in August 2016, and an exciting father-son prospect in the 2026 national draft. But that’s not the end of the story.
- by Peter Ryan
Updated
AFL 2025
Watson the latest player caught giving the middle-finger salute, as Sicily and Hawks have the last laugh
- by Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
AFL club powerbrokers
AFL 2025
A multimillionaire who calls the coach in his hour of need: Inside St Kilda’s network of rich-listers and celebs
- by Sam McClure
Insight & Analysis
In failing to sanction Rioli, the AFL is flipping players the bird
Though the AFL has happily fined players for giving the finger this year in pantomime moments of by-play, it decided against fining Willie Rioli for allegations of a post-match threat. They choose their moments to be offended most at Docklands.
Michael Gleeson
Sports columnist
The AFL’s powerbrokers
Every AFL club has a network of influencers who make things happen through their wealth, fame or political connections. This is our series on the people who have shaped their footy teams in the modern era.
Illicit drugs can attract a four-year ban, but Rabada only got a month. This is why
There is a lot of flex in global rules about illicit drug use among athletes. Former WADA director-general David Howman explains why
Daniel Brettig
The Age chief cricket writer
Cricket
Marnus firms to pip Konstas for opening role as Australian squad for Test final takes shape
- by Daniel Brettig and Tom Decent
Analysis
Test cricket
Illicit drugs can attract a four-year ban, but Rabada only got a month. This is why
- by Daniel Brettig
Updated
Australian cricket
Rabada free to face Australia in Lord’s Test final after one-month drugs ban
- by Daniel Brettig
Soccer
Basketball
Updated
Opals
‘Fearful of sneezing’: How this Australian star came back from spinal fusion and a broken leg
The champion basketballer was in so much pain from spinal fractures that she did not realise she was also playing with a broken leg.
- by Brittany Busch
Basketball Australia to investigate conflict of interest claims in billionaires’ stoush
The governing body has been asked by the sport’s international federation to investigate claims of conflicts of interest made about NBL supremo Larry Kestelman.
- by Chris Barrett
Racing
Tennis
Opinion
Doping
Purcell ban shows how much grey exists between the black and white of tennis
The punishment given to Australian player Max Purcell is ludicrous when compared to the other high-profile doping bans the sport has seen in the past year.
- by John Millman
The 12-year-old Aussie who’s named after Novak Djokovic and has Alex de Minaur on speed dial
Novak Palombo has the right first name on his journey to becoming a professional tennis star, and his incredible junior feats have caught Alex de Minaur’s eye.
- by Marc McGowan
NRL
Opinion
State of Origin
Why one call will define Laurie Daley’s second coming as Blues coach
- by Andrew Johns
Also in Sport
Players union says Netball Australia bullying investigation wasn’t up to scratch
Former Firebirds player Remi Kamo has criticised an independent investigation that found her bullying allegations were not substantiated, but the governing body says the case is closed.
- by Billie Eder
Blicavs' long road back
Sara Blicavs had spinal fusion surgery and disc replacement. A year later, she's back playing for the Opals, even though the surgery carried a risk that she would not be able to walk again. Source: Victorian Institute of Sport
