‘There is still a chip on my shoulder': Tuipulotu ready to seal the series in Melbourne
Next Saturday, Sione will return to Melbourne for the first time in at least three years with the chance to win a Test series against the country he grew up in. But he's keen to stress, it's not personal.
'I think if you asked me when I first moved from Melbourne I would say 'yeah, it is personal and I think there is still a chip on my shoulder',' Tuipulotu said.
'I feel like that's what has got me to this point is having that chip on my shoulder, but in terms of being bitter about Australian rugby I feel like not at all, mate.
'I always say I wasn't good enough to play for the Wallabies when I was in Melbourne, it wasn't a selection problem, I wasn't good enough.
'That's plain and simple but I owe everything to Scottish rugby and now I get a chance to go back to Melbourne and play in my home city and hopefully close out a Test series.'
Tuipulotu will have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family at the MCG, including his Scottish grandmother Jaqueline Thomson who famously travelled back to her homeland to catch up with Sione and Mosese ahead of the Wallabies' Test against Scotland last November.
In Brisbane, Tuipulotu was reunited with Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii whom he tussled with last year in Edinburgh, after the former Roosters star was injured making a tackle.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Matildas superstar still can't get used to 'insane' cereal box moment
Matildas superstar Mackenzie Arnold is still coming to terms with seeing herself on a cereal box, but she hopes it's a sign that the times are a-changing for women in sport. Arnold has been selected as an "Aussie icon" ambassador for Milo and its new strawberry-flavoured cereal that the goalkeeper actually helped develop. Before she was a world-class goalkeeper, Arnold hadn't seen women in sport given such promotion, but with the onset of the "Matildas effect" following the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, athletes like her hold influence like never before. Tickets to Matildas games are in demand, the players' own social media accounts have massive followings, contracts now attract higher salaries, and the sporting participation boom inspired by the Matildas in recent years - particularly for girls and women - is well-documented. So it makes sense brands would want to align themselves with top women athletes like Arnold, who is currently playing for US club, Portland Thorns FC. Still, from humble beginnings in the old W-League playing in front of small crowds, to selling out stadiums and becoming a hero to millions of Aussie kids, it's a bit of an adjustment for Arnold to see her face on products at the supermarket. "It's insane," she told The Canberra Times from Portland during a mid-season international break. "Growing up seeing other athletes on cereal boxes, you never really think that's going to be you, and now I get it to do it with Milo as well, which is something I always grew up on - it's pretty surreal to me. "I still don't look at myself as an Australian icon. "Opportunities like this just came after the World Cup, and I think it really showed us, and little girls and boys as well, what actually is possible now. "When I was a kid, I don't really remember women athletes on cereal boxes, so to be that person and hopefully inspire the younger generation after me is really special." Arnold has seen firsthand how the Matildas' march to the Women's World Cup semi-final two years ago was a turning point. "The world has really taken off with women's sport," she said. "You can see at the Euros that are playing at the moment, the amount of exposure they're getting and publicity - it's crazy to see, and I think it's only going to get bigger. "I would have loved to have been a young kid coming through at this stage, for sure. Still got a long way to go, but it's definitely heading in the right direction." In the Arnold household, as a child, the glovewoman used to have arguments with her brother over which flavour was best - chocolate or strawberry. She'd go for a strawberry milkshake and strawberry donut, while he'd go for the chocolate option. Decades later when Arnold was asked by Milo to taste-test the final strawberry flavour that would be used in its limited edition cereal, she was elated. "They sent me some samples and I chose which one I liked," she said. "I've actually given it to some of my teammates in Portland, and they obviously don't know much about Milo, but for them to enjoy it says a lot. "I'm hoping everyone else likes it in Australia as well." Last year, after a four-season stint in England with West Ham United, Arnold joined the Thorns in the USA's NWSL competition. However, injury setbacks have prevented her from playing consistently in the last 12 months. Having overcome triceps and calf injuries, Arnold is now healthy again and gearing up for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March. Under new coach Joe Montemurro, Arnold is aiming to lift the Matildas back to world-beating form after a "disappointing" Olympics campaign in Paris. "The Asian Cup is very important for us," she said. "It's another major tournament that we want to win, and then that takes us into the World Cup again the following year. So it's a big couple [of] years. "I've only had one camp with Joe, but from what I experienced, it's going to be a lot more intense. "He knows our Australian players a lot more, and our strengths. I think he's going to take advantage of that style of play we like, make it fast and intense, so we can really go after it. "The Olympics was quite disappointing for us, and we never wanted to finish the tournament like that, especially after the success that we had at the 2023 World Cup. "So we're looking to get back into form now, especially having Joe in. We know that we've got a consistent coach that's going to be there a while, we're going to buy into how he wants to play, and our first test will be the Asian Cup, so it'll be interesting." Arnold expects Australia to get behind the Matildas again when the Asian Cup rolls around, too, which will be a huge advantage for the squad. "You can see how much the home fans helped us at the World Cup and really got us over the line in some of those games that were close," she said. "So we're really excited to have another major tournament back home in front of our fans and hopefully we can do one better than we did at the World Cup and win that for them." Matildas superstar Mackenzie Arnold is still coming to terms with seeing herself on a cereal box, but she hopes it's a sign that the times are a-changing for women in sport. Arnold has been selected as an "Aussie icon" ambassador for Milo and its new strawberry-flavoured cereal that the goalkeeper actually helped develop. Before she was a world-class goalkeeper, Arnold hadn't seen women in sport given such promotion, but with the onset of the "Matildas effect" following the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, athletes like her hold influence like never before. Tickets to Matildas games are in demand, the players' own social media accounts have massive followings, contracts now attract higher salaries, and the sporting participation boom inspired by the Matildas in recent years - particularly for girls and women - is well-documented. So it makes sense brands would want to align themselves with top women athletes like Arnold, who is currently playing for US club, Portland Thorns FC. Still, from humble beginnings in the old W-League playing in front of small crowds, to selling out stadiums and becoming a hero to millions of Aussie kids, it's a bit of an adjustment for Arnold to see her face on products at the supermarket. "It's insane," she told The Canberra Times from Portland during a mid-season international break. "Growing up seeing other athletes on cereal boxes, you never really think that's going to be you, and now I get it to do it with Milo as well, which is something I always grew up on - it's pretty surreal to me. "I still don't look at myself as an Australian icon. "Opportunities like this just came after the World Cup, and I think it really showed us, and little girls and boys as well, what actually is possible now. "When I was a kid, I don't really remember women athletes on cereal boxes, so to be that person and hopefully inspire the younger generation after me is really special." Arnold has seen firsthand how the Matildas' march to the Women's World Cup semi-final two years ago was a turning point. "The world has really taken off with women's sport," she said. "You can see at the Euros that are playing at the moment, the amount of exposure they're getting and publicity - it's crazy to see, and I think it's only going to get bigger. "I would have loved to have been a young kid coming through at this stage, for sure. Still got a long way to go, but it's definitely heading in the right direction." In the Arnold household, as a child, the glovewoman used to have arguments with her brother over which flavour was best - chocolate or strawberry. She'd go for a strawberry milkshake and strawberry donut, while he'd go for the chocolate option. Decades later when Arnold was asked by Milo to taste-test the final strawberry flavour that would be used in its limited edition cereal, she was elated. "They sent me some samples and I chose which one I liked," she said. "I've actually given it to some of my teammates in Portland, and they obviously don't know much about Milo, but for them to enjoy it says a lot. "I'm hoping everyone else likes it in Australia as well." Last year, after a four-season stint in England with West Ham United, Arnold joined the Thorns in the USA's NWSL competition. However, injury setbacks have prevented her from playing consistently in the last 12 months. Having overcome triceps and calf injuries, Arnold is now healthy again and gearing up for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March. Under new coach Joe Montemurro, Arnold is aiming to lift the Matildas back to world-beating form after a "disappointing" Olympics campaign in Paris. "The Asian Cup is very important for us," she said. "It's another major tournament that we want to win, and then that takes us into the World Cup again the following year. So it's a big couple [of] years. "I've only had one camp with Joe, but from what I experienced, it's going to be a lot more intense. "He knows our Australian players a lot more, and our strengths. I think he's going to take advantage of that style of play we like, make it fast and intense, so we can really go after it. "The Olympics was quite disappointing for us, and we never wanted to finish the tournament like that, especially after the success that we had at the 2023 World Cup. "So we're looking to get back into form now, especially having Joe in. We know that we've got a consistent coach that's going to be there a while, we're going to buy into how he wants to play, and our first test will be the Asian Cup, so it'll be interesting." Arnold expects Australia to get behind the Matildas again when the Asian Cup rolls around, too, which will be a huge advantage for the squad. "You can see how much the home fans helped us at the World Cup and really got us over the line in some of those games that were close," she said. "So we're really excited to have another major tournament back home in front of our fans and hopefully we can do one better than we did at the World Cup and win that for them." Matildas superstar Mackenzie Arnold is still coming to terms with seeing herself on a cereal box, but she hopes it's a sign that the times are a-changing for women in sport. Arnold has been selected as an "Aussie icon" ambassador for Milo and its new strawberry-flavoured cereal that the goalkeeper actually helped develop. Before she was a world-class goalkeeper, Arnold hadn't seen women in sport given such promotion, but with the onset of the "Matildas effect" following the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, athletes like her hold influence like never before. Tickets to Matildas games are in demand, the players' own social media accounts have massive followings, contracts now attract higher salaries, and the sporting participation boom inspired by the Matildas in recent years - particularly for girls and women - is well-documented. So it makes sense brands would want to align themselves with top women athletes like Arnold, who is currently playing for US club, Portland Thorns FC. Still, from humble beginnings in the old W-League playing in front of small crowds, to selling out stadiums and becoming a hero to millions of Aussie kids, it's a bit of an adjustment for Arnold to see her face on products at the supermarket. "It's insane," she told The Canberra Times from Portland during a mid-season international break. "Growing up seeing other athletes on cereal boxes, you never really think that's going to be you, and now I get it to do it with Milo as well, which is something I always grew up on - it's pretty surreal to me. "I still don't look at myself as an Australian icon. "Opportunities like this just came after the World Cup, and I think it really showed us, and little girls and boys as well, what actually is possible now. "When I was a kid, I don't really remember women athletes on cereal boxes, so to be that person and hopefully inspire the younger generation after me is really special." Arnold has seen firsthand how the Matildas' march to the Women's World Cup semi-final two years ago was a turning point. "The world has really taken off with women's sport," she said. "You can see at the Euros that are playing at the moment, the amount of exposure they're getting and publicity - it's crazy to see, and I think it's only going to get bigger. "I would have loved to have been a young kid coming through at this stage, for sure. Still got a long way to go, but it's definitely heading in the right direction." In the Arnold household, as a child, the glovewoman used to have arguments with her brother over which flavour was best - chocolate or strawberry. She'd go for a strawberry milkshake and strawberry donut, while he'd go for the chocolate option. Decades later when Arnold was asked by Milo to taste-test the final strawberry flavour that would be used in its limited edition cereal, she was elated. "They sent me some samples and I chose which one I liked," she said. "I've actually given it to some of my teammates in Portland, and they obviously don't know much about Milo, but for them to enjoy it says a lot. "I'm hoping everyone else likes it in Australia as well." Last year, after a four-season stint in England with West Ham United, Arnold joined the Thorns in the USA's NWSL competition. However, injury setbacks have prevented her from playing consistently in the last 12 months. Having overcome triceps and calf injuries, Arnold is now healthy again and gearing up for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March. Under new coach Joe Montemurro, Arnold is aiming to lift the Matildas back to world-beating form after a "disappointing" Olympics campaign in Paris. "The Asian Cup is very important for us," she said. "It's another major tournament that we want to win, and then that takes us into the World Cup again the following year. So it's a big couple [of] years. "I've only had one camp with Joe, but from what I experienced, it's going to be a lot more intense. "He knows our Australian players a lot more, and our strengths. I think he's going to take advantage of that style of play we like, make it fast and intense, so we can really go after it. "The Olympics was quite disappointing for us, and we never wanted to finish the tournament like that, especially after the success that we had at the 2023 World Cup. "So we're looking to get back into form now, especially having Joe in. We know that we've got a consistent coach that's going to be there a while, we're going to buy into how he wants to play, and our first test will be the Asian Cup, so it'll be interesting." Arnold expects Australia to get behind the Matildas again when the Asian Cup rolls around, too, which will be a huge advantage for the squad. "You can see how much the home fans helped us at the World Cup and really got us over the line in some of those games that were close," she said. "So we're really excited to have another major tournament back home in front of our fans and hopefully we can do one better than we did at the World Cup and win that for them." Matildas superstar Mackenzie Arnold is still coming to terms with seeing herself on a cereal box, but she hopes it's a sign that the times are a-changing for women in sport. Arnold has been selected as an "Aussie icon" ambassador for Milo and its new strawberry-flavoured cereal that the goalkeeper actually helped develop. Before she was a world-class goalkeeper, Arnold hadn't seen women in sport given such promotion, but with the onset of the "Matildas effect" following the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia, athletes like her hold influence like never before. Tickets to Matildas games are in demand, the players' own social media accounts have massive followings, contracts now attract higher salaries, and the sporting participation boom inspired by the Matildas in recent years - particularly for girls and women - is well-documented. So it makes sense brands would want to align themselves with top women athletes like Arnold, who is currently playing for US club, Portland Thorns FC. Still, from humble beginnings in the old W-League playing in front of small crowds, to selling out stadiums and becoming a hero to millions of Aussie kids, it's a bit of an adjustment for Arnold to see her face on products at the supermarket. "It's insane," she told The Canberra Times from Portland during a mid-season international break. "Growing up seeing other athletes on cereal boxes, you never really think that's going to be you, and now I get it to do it with Milo as well, which is something I always grew up on - it's pretty surreal to me. "I still don't look at myself as an Australian icon. "Opportunities like this just came after the World Cup, and I think it really showed us, and little girls and boys as well, what actually is possible now. "When I was a kid, I don't really remember women athletes on cereal boxes, so to be that person and hopefully inspire the younger generation after me is really special." Arnold has seen firsthand how the Matildas' march to the Women's World Cup semi-final two years ago was a turning point. "The world has really taken off with women's sport," she said. "You can see at the Euros that are playing at the moment, the amount of exposure they're getting and publicity - it's crazy to see, and I think it's only going to get bigger. "I would have loved to have been a young kid coming through at this stage, for sure. Still got a long way to go, but it's definitely heading in the right direction." In the Arnold household, as a child, the glovewoman used to have arguments with her brother over which flavour was best - chocolate or strawberry. She'd go for a strawberry milkshake and strawberry donut, while he'd go for the chocolate option. Decades later when Arnold was asked by Milo to taste-test the final strawberry flavour that would be used in its limited edition cereal, she was elated. "They sent me some samples and I chose which one I liked," she said. "I've actually given it to some of my teammates in Portland, and they obviously don't know much about Milo, but for them to enjoy it says a lot. "I'm hoping everyone else likes it in Australia as well." Last year, after a four-season stint in England with West Ham United, Arnold joined the Thorns in the USA's NWSL competition. However, injury setbacks have prevented her from playing consistently in the last 12 months. Having overcome triceps and calf injuries, Arnold is now healthy again and gearing up for the Women's Asian Cup in Australia in March. Under new coach Joe Montemurro, Arnold is aiming to lift the Matildas back to world-beating form after a "disappointing" Olympics campaign in Paris. "The Asian Cup is very important for us," she said. "It's another major tournament that we want to win, and then that takes us into the World Cup again the following year. So it's a big couple [of] years. "I've only had one camp with Joe, but from what I experienced, it's going to be a lot more intense. "He knows our Australian players a lot more, and our strengths. I think he's going to take advantage of that style of play we like, make it fast and intense, so we can really go after it. "The Olympics was quite disappointing for us, and we never wanted to finish the tournament like that, especially after the success that we had at the 2023 World Cup. "So we're looking to get back into form now, especially having Joe in. We know that we've got a consistent coach that's going to be there a while, we're going to buy into how he wants to play, and our first test will be the Asian Cup, so it'll be interesting." Arnold expects Australia to get behind the Matildas again when the Asian Cup rolls around, too, which will be a huge advantage for the squad. "You can see how much the home fans helped us at the World Cup and really got us over the line in some of those games that were close," she said. "So we're really excited to have another major tournament back home in front of our fans and hopefully we can do one better than we did at the World Cup and win that for them."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Retiring champion Docherty's words for Carlton star
Beloved Carlton champion Sam Docherty has used his retirement announcement to apologise to Patrick Cripps for the pair not having the chance to lift a premiership cup together. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG this Thursday night. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to be an integral part of Carlton for the last decade, also becoming one of the most popular and respected players in the AFL. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. Docherty's remarkable return for round one of the 2022 season, just nine months after starting chemotherapy, will go down as the defining moment of his career and one of the most inspiring in the AFL this century. Growing up supporting Carlton, Docherty was desperate to play in the Blues' first AFL premiership since 1995. After being drafted by Brisbane in 2011 and playing 13 games for the Lions, Docherty moved to Carlton for the 2014 season. Tragically, Docherty's father Eddie suffered a fatal heart attack while the recently turned 20-year-old was away was on his first pre-season camp with Carlton in Arizona. The versatile Docherty started at Princes Park the same year Cripps did. The pair captained the club together from 2019-21, before Cripps became the sole skipper amid Docherty's health battles. "We've had a solid dream together for the last 10 to 12 years about where we wanted to take this footy club," Docherty told Cripps. "I'm sorry I don't get that moment that we've dreamed of. "It's something that I've chased with you and wanted to have with you for the whole time I've been at the club, and that's all our goal has ever been. "Hopefully you get the success you deserve across your career." For all of the challenges Docherty had to overcome, he was a superb player when given the chance. A John Nicholls medallist as Carlton's best-and-fairest in 2016, he was named All-Australian in 2017. But at the peak of his powers, Docherty suffered back-to-back knee reconstructions that ruled him out for the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons. Coming off a brilliant run to the preliminary final in 2023 - Carlton's best result in 23 years - Docherty ruptured his ACL for a third time in the opening game of 2024. But he remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat against the Brisbane Lions just six months later. "I remember having a conversation with Vossy (Carlton coach Michael Voss) last year before I attempted the six-month ACL," Docherty recalled. "It was around like, 'If this goes you're done'. "I kind of accepted that, but I thought that if that happened, that kind of epitomised my career in a way. "I feel like I left it all out there and put my heart and soul into the footy club." Docherty opened his retirement press conference by speaking for almost 10 minutes before taking any questions. It was standing room only as Docherty's family - wife Natalie and their two children, Ruby and Myles - the entire Carlton playing list, football department, current and incoming chief executives Brian Cook and Graham Wright attended. Voss sat in the front row, having been his first coach at the Lions in 2012, then his last at Carlton. In between, Docherty was coached by Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton, and David Teague. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration." Beloved Carlton champion Sam Docherty has used his retirement announcement to apologise to Patrick Cripps for the pair not having the chance to lift a premiership cup together. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG this Thursday night. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to be an integral part of Carlton for the last decade, also becoming one of the most popular and respected players in the AFL. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. Docherty's remarkable return for round one of the 2022 season, just nine months after starting chemotherapy, will go down as the defining moment of his career and one of the most inspiring in the AFL this century. Growing up supporting Carlton, Docherty was desperate to play in the Blues' first AFL premiership since 1995. After being drafted by Brisbane in 2011 and playing 13 games for the Lions, Docherty moved to Carlton for the 2014 season. Tragically, Docherty's father Eddie suffered a fatal heart attack while the recently turned 20-year-old was away was on his first pre-season camp with Carlton in Arizona. The versatile Docherty started at Princes Park the same year Cripps did. The pair captained the club together from 2019-21, before Cripps became the sole skipper amid Docherty's health battles. "We've had a solid dream together for the last 10 to 12 years about where we wanted to take this footy club," Docherty told Cripps. "I'm sorry I don't get that moment that we've dreamed of. "It's something that I've chased with you and wanted to have with you for the whole time I've been at the club, and that's all our goal has ever been. "Hopefully you get the success you deserve across your career." For all of the challenges Docherty had to overcome, he was a superb player when given the chance. A John Nicholls medallist as Carlton's best-and-fairest in 2016, he was named All-Australian in 2017. But at the peak of his powers, Docherty suffered back-to-back knee reconstructions that ruled him out for the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons. Coming off a brilliant run to the preliminary final in 2023 - Carlton's best result in 23 years - Docherty ruptured his ACL for a third time in the opening game of 2024. But he remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat against the Brisbane Lions just six months later. "I remember having a conversation with Vossy (Carlton coach Michael Voss) last year before I attempted the six-month ACL," Docherty recalled. "It was around like, 'If this goes you're done'. "I kind of accepted that, but I thought that if that happened, that kind of epitomised my career in a way. "I feel like I left it all out there and put my heart and soul into the footy club." Docherty opened his retirement press conference by speaking for almost 10 minutes before taking any questions. It was standing room only as Docherty's family - wife Natalie and their two children, Ruby and Myles - the entire Carlton playing list, football department, current and incoming chief executives Brian Cook and Graham Wright attended. Voss sat in the front row, having been his first coach at the Lions in 2012, then his last at Carlton. In between, Docherty was coached by Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton, and David Teague. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration." Beloved Carlton champion Sam Docherty has used his retirement announcement to apologise to Patrick Cripps for the pair not having the chance to lift a premiership cup together. The inspirational 31-year-old will play his 184th and final game when the Blues face Hawthorn at the MCG this Thursday night. Docherty has defied major adversity in his life to be an integral part of Carlton for the last decade, also becoming one of the most popular and respected players in the AFL. He has twice beaten testicular cancer, leading him to become a member of the Peter Mac Cancer Foundation board. Docherty's remarkable return for round one of the 2022 season, just nine months after starting chemotherapy, will go down as the defining moment of his career and one of the most inspiring in the AFL this century. Growing up supporting Carlton, Docherty was desperate to play in the Blues' first AFL premiership since 1995. After being drafted by Brisbane in 2011 and playing 13 games for the Lions, Docherty moved to Carlton for the 2014 season. Tragically, Docherty's father Eddie suffered a fatal heart attack while the recently turned 20-year-old was away was on his first pre-season camp with Carlton in Arizona. The versatile Docherty started at Princes Park the same year Cripps did. The pair captained the club together from 2019-21, before Cripps became the sole skipper amid Docherty's health battles. "We've had a solid dream together for the last 10 to 12 years about where we wanted to take this footy club," Docherty told Cripps. "I'm sorry I don't get that moment that we've dreamed of. "It's something that I've chased with you and wanted to have with you for the whole time I've been at the club, and that's all our goal has ever been. "Hopefully you get the success you deserve across your career." For all of the challenges Docherty had to overcome, he was a superb player when given the chance. A John Nicholls medallist as Carlton's best-and-fairest in 2016, he was named All-Australian in 2017. But at the peak of his powers, Docherty suffered back-to-back knee reconstructions that ruled him out for the entire 2018 and 2019 seasons. Coming off a brilliant run to the preliminary final in 2023 - Carlton's best result in 23 years - Docherty ruptured his ACL for a third time in the opening game of 2024. But he remarkably returned for the Blues' elimination final defeat against the Brisbane Lions just six months later. "I remember having a conversation with Vossy (Carlton coach Michael Voss) last year before I attempted the six-month ACL," Docherty recalled. "It was around like, 'If this goes you're done'. "I kind of accepted that, but I thought that if that happened, that kind of epitomised my career in a way. "I feel like I left it all out there and put my heart and soul into the footy club." Docherty opened his retirement press conference by speaking for almost 10 minutes before taking any questions. It was standing room only as Docherty's family - wife Natalie and their two children, Ruby and Myles - the entire Carlton playing list, football department, current and incoming chief executives Brian Cook and Graham Wright attended. Voss sat in the front row, having been his first coach at the Lions in 2012, then his last at Carlton. In between, Docherty was coached by Mick Malthouse, Brendon Bolton, and David Teague. "For every challenge Sam has faced, he has turned it into a triumph," Voss said. "I still remember clear as day the first face-to-face conversation I had with Sam at the back end of 2021: we went for a walk and he told me he was going to play in round one in a few months' time. "To see him defy the odds and do that, to kick that goal against the Tigers - that typifies what a remarkable mindset he has. "What he has done and will keep doing in the community continues to be an inspiration."
West Australian
an hour ago
- West Australian
Jo Lual-Acuil: Perth Wildcats sign former Melbourne United star on a two-year NBL contract
Perth Wildcats have been rewarded for their patience and persistence when chasing an Australian marquee player for next season after star big man Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr signed a two-year deal. The Wildcats were determined to sign a big name Australian following the departure of Keanu Pinder and struck gold by signing the former Melbourne United centre. Lual Acuil was picked in the All-NBL First Team in 2022 and is a massive signing for the Wildcats. Having preached patience with the club's roster build, Wildcats basketball operations manager Danny Mills said he was thrilled to sign a player with the talent of Lual Acuil. 'We identified Jo early in free agency as someone who would be a perfect fit for what we are building,' Mills said. 'He is a proven winner at NBL level, has played against top competition internationally, and is still performing at an elite level. Beyond the stats, Jo is an exceptional teammate and professional. He will have a major presence on and off the floor.' The West Aussie will join imports Kristian Doolittle and Dylan Windler as the biggest names at the club, and Perth is still on the hunt for an import guard for their starting five. Coach John Rillie said having Lual Acuil would give the team more weapons at both ends of the floor. 'JLA is one of the elite talents in the league, so it's exciting for us to add him to our roster,' Rillie said. 'He has tasted success in this league, so he understands what is needed to win in the NBL. 'He can impact the game at both ends of the floor. Protecting the rim and rebounding. While offensively his ability to score in the paint and stretch the floor will always get the opponent's respect.' Lual-Acuil didn't play in the NBL last season, so his return is significant for both the Wildcats and the league. He said having the opportunity to play for the Wildcats for the first time was huge for his career. 'I'm excited to be coming back home,' Lual-Acuil said. 'This is the city where I fell in love with the game. I grew up in Perth watching the Wildcats and now I'm looking forward to being part of it. 'I've always enjoyed playing at RAC Arena, I can't wait to run out there in front of the Red Army and get to work with JR and the guys.'
