Latest news with #COVID-affected
West Australian
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Amazon announces new AFL documentary series headed by Drive to Survive producers
Star Fremantle players will be part of a new landmark Amazon series as the AFL looks to cash in on the explosion of sports documentaries. The as-yet-named series will be produced by the same company behind the hugely popular Drive to Survive, which has seen a massive surge in popularity for Formula One. According to SEN, the company is already in Australia and working with five clubs inlcuding Fremantle as well as GWS, Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions. It will not be the first time the streaming giant has worked with the league, having produced Marking Their Mark in 2021 which followed four players throughout the COVID-affected 2020 season, including West Coast star Nic Naitanui as well as several coaches. Much like that series, this new production is set to focus on the personal journey of several star players at each club rather than the team as a whole. Given Fremantle is on the verge of finals after one of their biggest wins in club history, it could be the perfect time for the club to showcase some of its inner workings. It has not yet been revealed which Dockers have been followed around, but forward Sam Switkowski firmly ruled himself out of contention. 'I can't say it will involve me too much,' he joked. 'I haven't noticed any extra cameras or anything like that, so I'm not too sure who will be in it. 'It will be good for the club, good for the sport as a whole, to be able to see a little bit more of what goes on for our fans and members.'
Perth Now
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Star Dockers to feature in new Amazon doco
The new AFL boss has demanded his own office. Star Fremantle players will be part of a new landmark Amazon series as the AFL looks to cash in on the explosion of sports documentaries. The as-yet-named series will be produced by the same company behind the hugely popular Drive to Survive, which has seen a massive surge in popularity for Formula One. According to SEN, the company is already in Australia and working with five clubs inlcuding Fremantle as well as GWS, Western Bulldogs, Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions. It will not be the first time the streaming giant has worked with the league, having produced Marking Their Mark in 2021 which followed four players throughout the COVID-affected 2020 season, including West Coast star Nic Naitanui as well as several coaches. Much like that series, this new production is set to focus on the personal journey of several star players at each club rather than the team as a whole. Given Fremantle is on the verge of finals after one of their biggest wins in club history, it could be the perfect time for the club to showcase some of its inner workings. It has not yet been revealed which Dockers have been followed around, but forward Sam Switkowski firmly ruled himself out of contention. 'I can't say it will involve me too much,' he joked. 'I haven't noticed any extra cameras or anything like that, so I'm not too sure who will be in it. 'It will be good for the club, good for the sport as a whole, to be able to see a little bit more of what goes on for our fans and members.'
The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Tough-as-teak Giant lauded ahead of AFL milestone
Lachie Whitfield had already won a club best and fairest award and made an AFL All-Australian team when Adam Kingsley became GWS senior coach. Kingsley arrived at the Giants in late 2022 thinking he had a reasonable handle on one of the leagues' best half-backs. But Whitfield, who will return from injury and reach his 250th milestone in Saturday's massive home game against Geelong, had a surprise for his new coach. "The one thing that probably surprised me, coming here, was just how hard and tough he is as a half-back," Kingsley said this week. "He probably had the perception, he's probably a little bit more outside, the beautiful skills, the run and carry and all that sort of stuff. "There are not too many who are as tough as him in the contest, playing that role. "Sometimes that works against him, but most of the time it's pretty good for us." Whitfield made his second All-Australian team last year and is among three big inclusions for this game, reflecting its great importance for the two top-eight teams. Giants key forward Jesse Hogan, who kicked seven goals in the round-10 win over the Cats in Geelong, is also back. Bailey Smith was a late withdrawal for the third time this season and he will add considerable pace and skill to Geelong's midfield. Giants tagger Toby Bedford is certain to spend time on either Smith or fellow in-form onballer Max Holmes, and maybe alternate between them. One of the features of the match between the fourth-placed Cats and eighth-placed Giants will be the two key forwards - Hogan at one end and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron at the other. Cameron kicked his 700th goal last week and leads the Coleman Medal, which Hogan won last year. Cameron won the Coleman Medal in 2019, when he was still at GWS. While the Cats spearhead is having a great season, he sprayed 4.5 in last weekend's home win over Richmond. A quirk of the Giants' Engie Stadium home is that they are definitely more accurate than opponents in their goalkicking at the venue. "It is a difficult ground - the wind swirls a little bit - open at one end, closed at the other. The fact that we practise here and spend time here probably helps us, I would imagine," Kingsley said. "It certainly doesn't hurt us. "We have some pretty good goalkickers, too. That always helps." Dylan Buckley could go to Cameron - but the Giants key defender is recovering from a rolled ankle and it was unclear earlier this week whether he would be ready for Saturday's clash. While the Giants are a game and percentage below Geelong on the ladder, they have won their last three matchups - oddly, all at GMHBA Stadium. This will be the first time since round one of the COVID-affected 2020 season that the Giants will host the Cats. Cameron kicked three goals for GWS that day as they won by 32 points. Lachie Whitfield had already won a club best and fairest award and made an AFL All-Australian team when Adam Kingsley became GWS senior coach. Kingsley arrived at the Giants in late 2022 thinking he had a reasonable handle on one of the leagues' best half-backs. But Whitfield, who will return from injury and reach his 250th milestone in Saturday's massive home game against Geelong, had a surprise for his new coach. "The one thing that probably surprised me, coming here, was just how hard and tough he is as a half-back," Kingsley said this week. "He probably had the perception, he's probably a little bit more outside, the beautiful skills, the run and carry and all that sort of stuff. "There are not too many who are as tough as him in the contest, playing that role. "Sometimes that works against him, but most of the time it's pretty good for us." Whitfield made his second All-Australian team last year and is among three big inclusions for this game, reflecting its great importance for the two top-eight teams. Giants key forward Jesse Hogan, who kicked seven goals in the round-10 win over the Cats in Geelong, is also back. Bailey Smith was a late withdrawal for the third time this season and he will add considerable pace and skill to Geelong's midfield. Giants tagger Toby Bedford is certain to spend time on either Smith or fellow in-form onballer Max Holmes, and maybe alternate between them. One of the features of the match between the fourth-placed Cats and eighth-placed Giants will be the two key forwards - Hogan at one end and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron at the other. Cameron kicked his 700th goal last week and leads the Coleman Medal, which Hogan won last year. Cameron won the Coleman Medal in 2019, when he was still at GWS. While the Cats spearhead is having a great season, he sprayed 4.5 in last weekend's home win over Richmond. A quirk of the Giants' Engie Stadium home is that they are definitely more accurate than opponents in their goalkicking at the venue. "It is a difficult ground - the wind swirls a little bit - open at one end, closed at the other. The fact that we practise here and spend time here probably helps us, I would imagine," Kingsley said. "It certainly doesn't hurt us. "We have some pretty good goalkickers, too. That always helps." Dylan Buckley could go to Cameron - but the Giants key defender is recovering from a rolled ankle and it was unclear earlier this week whether he would be ready for Saturday's clash. While the Giants are a game and percentage below Geelong on the ladder, they have won their last three matchups - oddly, all at GMHBA Stadium. This will be the first time since round one of the COVID-affected 2020 season that the Giants will host the Cats. Cameron kicked three goals for GWS that day as they won by 32 points. Lachie Whitfield had already won a club best and fairest award and made an AFL All-Australian team when Adam Kingsley became GWS senior coach. Kingsley arrived at the Giants in late 2022 thinking he had a reasonable handle on one of the leagues' best half-backs. But Whitfield, who will return from injury and reach his 250th milestone in Saturday's massive home game against Geelong, had a surprise for his new coach. "The one thing that probably surprised me, coming here, was just how hard and tough he is as a half-back," Kingsley said this week. "He probably had the perception, he's probably a little bit more outside, the beautiful skills, the run and carry and all that sort of stuff. "There are not too many who are as tough as him in the contest, playing that role. "Sometimes that works against him, but most of the time it's pretty good for us." Whitfield made his second All-Australian team last year and is among three big inclusions for this game, reflecting its great importance for the two top-eight teams. Giants key forward Jesse Hogan, who kicked seven goals in the round-10 win over the Cats in Geelong, is also back. Bailey Smith was a late withdrawal for the third time this season and he will add considerable pace and skill to Geelong's midfield. Giants tagger Toby Bedford is certain to spend time on either Smith or fellow in-form onballer Max Holmes, and maybe alternate between them. One of the features of the match between the fourth-placed Cats and eighth-placed Giants will be the two key forwards - Hogan at one end and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron at the other. Cameron kicked his 700th goal last week and leads the Coleman Medal, which Hogan won last year. Cameron won the Coleman Medal in 2019, when he was still at GWS. While the Cats spearhead is having a great season, he sprayed 4.5 in last weekend's home win over Richmond. A quirk of the Giants' Engie Stadium home is that they are definitely more accurate than opponents in their goalkicking at the venue. "It is a difficult ground - the wind swirls a little bit - open at one end, closed at the other. The fact that we practise here and spend time here probably helps us, I would imagine," Kingsley said. "It certainly doesn't hurt us. "We have some pretty good goalkickers, too. That always helps." Dylan Buckley could go to Cameron - but the Giants key defender is recovering from a rolled ankle and it was unclear earlier this week whether he would be ready for Saturday's clash. While the Giants are a game and percentage below Geelong on the ladder, they have won their last three matchups - oddly, all at GMHBA Stadium. This will be the first time since round one of the COVID-affected 2020 season that the Giants will host the Cats. Cameron kicked three goals for GWS that day as they won by 32 points.
Perth Now
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Tough-as-teak Giant lauded ahead of AFL milestone
Lachie Whitfield had already won a club best and fairest award and made an AFL All-Australian team when Adam Kingsley became GWS senior coach. Kingsley arrived at the Giants in late 2022 thinking he had a reasonable handle on one of the leagues' best half-backs. But Whitfield, who will return from injury and reach his 250th milestone in Saturday's massive home game against Geelong, had a surprise for his new coach. "The one thing that probably surprised me, coming here, was just how hard and tough he is as a half-back," Kingsley said this week. "He probably had the perception, he's probably a little bit more outside, the beautiful skills, the run and carry and all that sort of stuff. "There are not too many who are as tough as him in the contest, playing that role. "Sometimes that works against him, but most of the time it's pretty good for us." Whitfield made his second All-Australian team last year and is among three big inclusions for this game, reflecting its great importance for the two top-eight teams. Giants key forward Jesse Hogan, who kicked seven goals in the round-10 win over the Cats in Geelong, is also back. Bailey Smith was a late withdrawal for the third time this season and he will add considerable pace and skill to Geelong's midfield. Giants tagger Toby Bedford is certain to spend time on either Smith or fellow in-form onballer Max Holmes, and maybe alternate between them. One of the features of the match between the fourth-placed Cats and eighth-placed Giants will be the two key forwards - Hogan at one end and Geelong star Jeremy Cameron at the other. Cameron kicked his 700th goal last week and leads the Coleman Medal, which Hogan won last year. Cameron won the Coleman Medal in 2019, when he was still at GWS. While the Cats spearhead is having a great season, he sprayed 4.5 in last weekend's home win over Richmond. A quirk of the Giants' Engie Stadium home is that they are definitely more accurate than opponents in their goalkicking at the venue. "It is a difficult ground - the wind swirls a little bit - open at one end, closed at the other. The fact that we practise here and spend time here probably helps us, I would imagine," Kingsley said. "It certainly doesn't hurt us. "We have some pretty good goalkickers, too. That always helps." Dylan Buckley could go to Cameron - but the Giants key defender is recovering from a rolled ankle and it was unclear earlier this week whether he would be ready for Saturday's clash. While the Giants are a game and percentage below Geelong on the ladder, they have won their last three matchups - oddly, all at GMHBA Stadium. This will be the first time since round one of the COVID-affected 2020 season that the Giants will host the Cats. Cameron kicked three goals for GWS that day as they won by 32 points.
Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Ratings surge for NBA Finals Game 7 after early slump
Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) passes the ball againstIndiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) attempts a shot against the Indiana Pacers during game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) with head coach Mark Daigneault after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder lift the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy as they celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS Jun 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate after winning game seven of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images REUTERS NEW YORK - Game 7 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers averaged 16.4 million viewers on Sunday, making it the most-watched Finals game in six years, the league said on Monday. The Thunder beat the Pacers 103-91 to clinch the title in a physical affair that unravelled for Indiana in the second half after point guard Tyrese Haliburton left with an Achilles injury early in the game. The viewership was welcome news for the NBA after the clash of two small-market teams yielded disappointing ratings early in the best-of-seven series. The Game 1 opener averaged 8.91 million viewers on ABC, according to Sports Media Watch, the lowest viewership for the Finals opener in the Nielsen era, outside of the two COVID-affected seasons. The series that was short on starpower ended with the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander capping one of the best individual seasons in NBA history. The 26-year-old became only the fourth player - and the first since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 - to earn the scoring title as well as league and Finals MVP honours in the same season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
