NRL 2025 LIVE updates: Sandon Smith recalled as Roosters fight for top eight spot
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7.30pm
King Ted for Dally M
I declared it a while back, but who will deny Roosters fullback James Tedesco the Dally M?
Early leader Luke Metcalf has gone down with a season-ending knee injury, while another contender, Melbourne fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, continues to battle a calf injury.
Can you think of anyone else in the race. That's right, I'll be waiting. In the press box. With no more food. Or water.
7.27pm
No Victor
Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley told journalists at the Beer Footy and Food Festival launch at Henson Park he would be touch-and-go with his dodgy left shoulder – then he is not only not named, but ruled out the next month by coach Trent Robinson.
If there is a silver lining with the extended time on the sidelines, it's the fact Radley can continue to work on his cognitive skills and 'work' his brai after a string of concussions.
We asked the 'Enforcer' who had impressed him most this year at Easts, and he was quick to nominate Naufahu Whyte.
Still on Henson Park, get down to the 'Ninth Wonder' on Saturday afternoon to watch the almighty Newtown Jets while enjoying good tucker and brew.
7.24pm
Welcome to Allianz
Howdy all. Welcome to the SMH blog. Who have we got tonight?
The Roosters looked ready to steam over the top of Cronulla last week, then ran out of steam. They were out-muscled, and there were simply too many errors.
The Storm lost at home against Manly, and now missing Nelson Asofa-Solomona (suspension), while Cameron Munster is in Queensland for his father's funeral on Friday.
How many times do Melbourne drop two on the bounce? They need a win to keep their top-two hopes alive. The Chookies need a victory to keep their finals' dream alive.
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Herald Sun
10 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Nathan Buckley says Jordan De Goey can be a finals wildcard
Super Saturday has a title fight to round out the slate of footy, but there's plenty of intriguing games to sink your teeth into. Fox Footy expert Nathan Buckley dives into each of the biggest talking points in Saturday's games. MELBOURNE V WEST COAST, 1.20PM Marvel Stadium # It's always interesting to see how a team responds from the result the week before and Melbourne is on watch, despite facing a team they should easily account for. The Giants showed on Thursday night that a half-time spray may only be a short-term fix. The Demons' capitulation in the last quarter overshadowed what had been a strong performance in the first three quarters against St Kilda. Can't do anything about what has been, still plenty to achieve in the last month so it's time to get to work again. # West Coast just hasn't been able to win enough ball through the midfield this year which has made life difficult for either end of the ground. Their contested ball numbers have been poor, winning this stat only once this year and averaging 18 less against their opposition every week. If you can't win it, you can keep it, so that is the first box that needs to be ticked against the Dees to see the rest of their game have a chance at blossoming. # Kysaiah Pickett's form this year has been exceptional. His best football has been on display in his team's wins which highlights the impact he has. It also shows the improvement that is still there to be gained as when he drops off, so do the Dees. Those sort of comparisons make him a prime candidate for attention from the opposition and he should expect it in some shape or form. # Tim Kelly's performance in the Derby was encouraging last week. He was back hunting the football through the midfield and his workrate to get to the contest was much improved. When moving well he swoops on loose ball contests with grace and poise. It was good to see some of this back in his game and the Eagles would love for that to be on show again today. FAST FACT: Melbourne has lost seven of its past eight games. But the Demons have won five of their past six clashes with West Coast. GOLD COAST V RICHMOND, 4.10PM People's First Stadium # The Suns have shown their absolute best and their low water mark in the last three weeks against very good opposition. This week they meet their coach's old club in a match-up they will be expected to dominate. The Suns' connection inside F50 was lethal against the Lions last week and with multiple threats in the front half, they were able to hit the scoreboard consistently across the game kicking five goals in each quarter on the way to a comprehensive win. # Richmond's list build has allowed their young and talented future to be supported by the hardened experienced past and present. In almost every line there is an experienced leader who has accepted the task at hand and is leading with effort and energy. This is a feather in the cap, not just to those players but also to the coach who has been able to harness these attributes and reframe their challenge to get consistent investment from his charges. # Matt Rowell has won 15-plus clearances three times so far in his 103 games. To put that into context, the only other player to have done that three times is Brett Ratten. FAST FACT: Richmond upset Gold Coast by 11 points at Marvel Stadium in round 6. Tigers Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper shared 62 disposals between in the match. SYDNEY V ESSENDON, 4:10PM SCG # Sydney's momentum was evident leading into half-time of their game last week. They were on song and on the charge until the Giants' third quarter onslaught put an abrupt end to it. With close to a full bill of health now, it has come too little too late for the Swans in 2025 but they still have the ability to shape the Top 8 between now and season's end. Back on their home deck and against a vulnerable opponent is a chance to impose their best football and take some satisfaction out of the tail end of the season. # Essendon will field a 14th debutant this week in a sure sign of how undermanned the Bombers are right now. It won't be easy against the Swans, but they need to look at little wins as a focus going forward, including winning quarters. The Bombers have won only three quarters since round 16, which is the fewest in the competition in that time. # Sydney took only three marks inside 50 last round – its equal-fewest on record. Will Hayward took all three marks – booting three goals. He'll miss this week, so the Swans will need more players to step up and give the ball distributors not only a target to kick to, but a target who can take a grab. FAST FACT: Essendon has lost its past eight games by an average margin of 44 points per match. The Bombers have not kicked more than 11 goals in any of those clashes. COLLINGWOOD V BRISBANE, 7.35PM MCG # Two of the modern heavyweight teams meet in a marquee fixture that will have a profound influence on the make up of the final 4 with home ground advantage and the double chance still there to earn and to lose for both. The Pies have proven human in recent weeks with good opposition doing just enough to get over the line against them. They have missed Jeremy Howe's leadership in the back half as well as the big frame of Billy Frampton so buffering that with trademark pressure upfield will go a long way to getting the game on their terms. # The Lions left Peoples First Stadium last week with their tails between their legs. In a result that we rarely see, the Lions' midfield was outmuscled and outworked by the hungry Suns. I'll be looking for Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage to return to their stellar form and lift their team's intensity around the contest. How this experienced cohort responds will define their team's prospects in September. This is a game the Lions need to win, so expect a finals-like intensity to the fixture. # Brisbane's vaunted new go-forward offence will be tested by the Pies' defensive integrity. A lot of this is imposed by the Pies with their controlled ball use that sets them up for turnover defence. How do the Lions create broken play opportunities and prevent the Pies from slowing the game down? They need to bring fierce pressure in their front half and prevent the first mark being taken to allow the release of pressure and with ball in hand, be prepared to take the longest contest directly to goal … and quickly. # Jordan De Goey has endured what could only be described as a broken season without any momentum or consistency. Performing with this preparation is a challenge he and the Pies will need to face – and pass – in the coming months. De Goey is one of the best trainers I have seen and track watchers have noticed the return of his power and intensity in training drills over the past fortnight. Great signs for what he may provide as a centre forward wildcard come finals time. When a clearance or contest needs to be won or a moment arrives, De Goey has proven that he can rise to it … that ability separates teams in big games. FAST FACT: Collingwood has won the past four meetings between these two teams. Magpie Nick Daicos collected five Brownlow Medal votes from the two home-and-away battles against the Lions last year.
The Australian
12 hours ago
- The Australian
Field of dreams: Racing Victoria has time to unlock Oaklands potential
Racing Victoria has a luxury of time and potential to make right decisions on its multimillion dollar Oaklands Park dream field. A changed Melbourne racing infrastructure landscape, since RV paid $25.3m in late 2022 for the green wedge-zoned land, has afforded the regulator options. The 400-hectare site, close to Melbourne Airport, was bought to potentially build an equine super-centre, including racecourse and training complex. The future of Sandown Racecourse was uncertain at the time, while a second track at Caulfield was yet to be developed. The Valley redevelopment is also set to start this year. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The green field, bound by Oaklands, Craigieburn and Mickleham roads, is three times the size of Flemington Racecourse precinct and six-times Rosehill Gardens in Sydney. Residential estates and developments have crept closer to RV's prized parcel of land, which is also inside a proposed State Government outer ring road project. RV chief executive Aaron Morrison has sought internal and external expert advice on the North-West Land 'looking for the best option'. 'What is the best and greatest use of that site?' Morrison said. 'Unless there is a very specific reason why that patch of grass would make the best training facility, it may be we're better off holding and looking at our other options.' Morrison confirmed a new racecourse development at Oaklands was 'unlikely'. 'We're constantly looking at what's the right footprint,' Morrison said. 'Operating footprint from a racing perspective, a training perspective … we now look at it and go 'we don't need another racetrack really?' 'It's unlikely we're going to develop anything for racing … perhaps we may need it for training. 'The most obvious consideration is training and opportunity to build a whole equine ecosystem around it (vet centre, equine industry education). 'Right now, we don't have an absolute pressing need for it.' Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos • Hayes brothers aim to challenge Maher for metro title Major centres Southside (Cranbourne and Pakenham), Flemington, Ballarat and Mornington currently host the majority of Melbourne racing stables. Flemington, the only training centre left in the heart of Melbourne following the closure of the Caulfield complex, has lease agreements in place to 2030. 'We're accommodating training across the state pretty well and we're starting to really look at (Oaklands) and say, well, is it the best use of industry funds to spend $100m-$120m developing a greenfield site?' Morrison said. 'Do we need it (new training centre) at the moment? Not, not at the moment. 'While Flemington retains training on their site, we don't have a burning need to go and redevelop (Oaklands) just yet.' Racing Victoria's Oaklands landholding. Picture: George Sal / Racing Photos • Brad Waters' best bets, race-by-race analysis for Flemington on Saturday Morrison said investment in existing training centres could be more beneficial to the industry. 'The good news is that asset has got a lot of value,' Morrison said. 'Certainly worth far more than when we bought it and with any reasonable rezoning it is worth quite a lot more. 'For now … might be its best value to the industry, sitting on an asset worth quite a lot of value. 'We bought it for $25m, right now, undeveloped, it'd be at least double that. 'Maybe more and then depending on rezoning, the potential is a lot more.' • Bedggood set for another drought-breaking win at Flemington A future fund nest egg of about $65m and valuable media assets underpin 'the strength of the Victorian industry'. 'We're not here to make profit for profit's sake,' Morrison said. 'Everything we do is to be reinvested back into supporting, sustaining and growing the racing industry and all the participants involved in it.' Morrison echoed Victoria Racing Club in wanting horse training to continue at Flemington beyond 2030. 'It's great to have a permanent horse presence in the CBD,' Morrison said. Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
The Australian
12 hours ago
- The Australian
Blake Shinn wins 2024-25 Melbourne jockeys' premiership
The last metropolitan race of the season turned out to be a metaphor of the Melbourne jockeys' premiership battle for champion rider Craig Williams. Williams put up a strong fight in the last months of the season but was unable to reel in reigning Scobie Breasley Medallist Blake Shinn, missing the opportunity to join record holder Damien Oliver on 10 Melbourne jockeys' premierships. Shinn led Williams by seven wins at the start of Wednesday's Sandown meeting but neither rider added to their tally on the final metropolitan race day of 2024/25. Williams had eight rides at Sandown but was narrowly denied a consolation win in the last race when his mount Makdane was shaded on the line by $41 outsider Superstock. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Shinn finished the season on 74 wins to Williams' 67 but the latter topped the Melbourne prizemoney tally with his 381 mounts reaping more than $12.9m on city tracks. Daniel Stackhouse was third on 48 wins. Shinn's premiership triumph was his third in Melbourne while he is the only jockey to have won Melbourne and Sydney jockey's titles, winning the Sydney crown in 2007/08. Shinn will also claim the Victorian Jockeys' Premiership, which includes metropolitan and provincial wins after Thursday's season finale at Sale. • 'We were the common enemy': How Morrison united Victorian racing The all-powerful Ciaron Maher stable took out the Melbourne trainers' premiership with 113 wins, 44 ahead of the Ben, Will and JD Hayes team. Maher also won the national trainers' premiership with 329½ wins, 52½ in front of Chris Waller. Young jockey Tom Prebble emulated his father Brett when he claimed the Melbourne apprentices' title by one win over Jaylah Kennedy. Brett Prebble won the Melbourne apprentices' crown in the mid-1990s before embarking on a stellar career that included more than 500 wins in Hong Kong and the 2012 Melbourne Cup on Green Moon.
