Latest news with #OptusStadium
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tigers find answer to Reid rampage in win over Eagles
Richmond's belated decision to put the clamps on Harley Reid has paid massive dividends as the Tigers produced their best quarter of the season on the way to a 49-point win over West Coast at Optus Stadium. Reid ran riot during the first half of Saturday night's match, tallying 20 disposals and six clearances to ensure the Eagles trailed by just nine points at the long break. But when Jack Ross was sent to Reid as a hard tag for the start of the third quarter, it proved to be the end for West Coast. Reid tallied just four disposals for the term as Richmond piled on eight goals to one for the quarter on the way to the 16.9 (105) to 8.8 (56) win in front of a 44,252-strong crowd. Tim Taranto finished with three goals and seven clearances from 30 disposals for Richmond, while Jacob Hopper (33 disposals, nine clearances two goals) also enjoyed a big night. Reid had 27 disposals and six clearances to go with two final-quarter goals when he was shifted into attack, while Liam Duggan (31 disposals) battled hard in an overwhelmed defence. Richmond's fifth win of the season means the Eagles (1-17) are now all-but guaranteed to collect the wooden spoon. West Coast dominated territory in the opening term, but it was Richmond who nailed the key moments to take a five-point lead into the first break. The highlight belonged to Tigers speedster Maurice Rioli, who produced the chase down tackle of the year when he made up a 10m deficit to run down Brady Hough as the Eagles midfielder was taking his third bounce. MAURICE RIOLI WHAT A TACKLE 🌟#AFLEaglesTigers — AFL (@AFL) July 19, 2025 Rioli's moment of magic, which was even better than Tom Liberatore's effort to chase down St Kilda speedster Brad Hill in April, set up Taranto for the first of his two goals for the quarter. "You could see him coming from a mile away," Richmond coach Adem Yze said of the Rioli's tackle. "What it does is create spirit and energy for our boys. I'm really proud of him." Just to prove he was no one-trick pony, Rioli produced another memorable moment in the second term by diving full length to smother Harry Edwards, jumping to his feet to toe poke the ball forward before delivering a pin-point pass to Toby Nankervis in the goal square. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFL (@afl) In the middle, Reid was having one hell of a quarter. The crowd was left incensed when Reid was pushed into a seated security guard by Seth Campbell. Reid took the harsh treatment in his stride, giving the security guard a high-five before collecting the ball to take his free kick. With Reid firing in the midfield, West Coast looked every chance of pulling off their second win of the season. But their midfield became road kill once Reid was tagged out of the contest in the third quarter, with the Tigers piling on an avalanche of goals in what became their best term for the season to date. LIAM RYAN ARE YOU KIDDING 😯#AFLEaglesTigers — AFL (@AFL) July 19, 2025 The Eagles' only highlight for the term was a miraculous goal from Liam Ryan, whose dribbling effort from the tightest of angles bounced over a Richmond player and through for a goal.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Why hosting the first test in Perth will shake up the Ashes formula
Looming over the Swan River the Perth Stadium sits silent and imposing. A massive hulk of brushed metal, intricate curves and sloping framework, Western Australia 's sporting centrepiece truly is a marvel to behold. Officially opened in 2018 after board meetings, design meetings, negotiations and compromises, the Perth Stadium, known as the Optus Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is situated on rejuvenated swamp land and is the main draw of a specifically built area of the city to host, watch, and enjoy a multitude of events from rugby, AFL, and football matches to musical concerts and even the WWE. This winter the multi-purpose stadium will also host its first Ashes test match, taking over from the famous and traditional WACA ground, with fans from both England and Australia flocking to Perth in November to experience the match first hand. Perth Stadium CEO, Mike McKenna, explained how and why the venue was built as an answer to the city's growing desire for improvement and innovation. 'Sometime around 2013 the process started and the debate within WA was about whether we needed a new stadium,' McKenna told The Independent. 'At the same time there were questions about the WACA redevelopment. The WACA had gone down the path of developing the stadium by selling parts of the land to use for commercial and residential development. That was really opposed by Cricket Australia who didn't think that was great for the Western Australia Cricket Association. 'The debate went on; do we need two new venues? One new venue? They decided they wanted one stadium to be a multi-purpose investment.' The decision to make the stadium a multi-purpose venue is clearly evident. Spreading out from the concourse there are tennis courts, a racetrack, cricket nets, plenty of parking and a purpose-built train station to improve public transport usage for matchday fans. 'The public transport service brings people here. Not only are there great bus and train access but they've built a network of routes that serve the venue on gameday,' McKenna clarified. 'We probably get about 77-78% of people who arrive come by public transport in a city that loves cars. It's accessible, it's easy to walk, train or bus. 'When you walk from the bus, train or the city you get caught up in the atmosphere. There's a lot of people coming on foot and you get that buzz that comes with arriving at a great venue. 'If you're wearing Barmy Army gear, you'll get the same reception as someone wearing Australia gear because people want you here and having a good time. There'll be the typical ribbing from both sides but there's not that animosity you can get in other places with cultures clashing together.' Typically, an Ashes series down under begins in Brisbane, at the Gabba in recent times, but this year's tour will begin in Perth. As the Perth Stadium has never held an Ashes test – they missed out in 2021/22 due to Covid restrictions – there is an air of the unknown about the beginning of this series. The Gabba is well known for its hostility, especially for England's players, and a cauldron-like atmosphere from hyped up fans but will that be replicated in a larger stadium built to hold 61,000 people? McKenna believes so. 'The atmosphere of the first ball of the first test of a series is quite incredible,' he revealed with fan-like joy. 'Something always happens. Expect the unexpected for that first ball. Whatever it is, that moment everybody is there together, and you get that roar that is quite different from anything else. 'This is the most passionate group of sports fans in the country. They'll take it out on the English team on the field and that first ball will be a hell of a lot louder than the Gabba. 'If Australia are bowling first, it'll be even more raucous. You wouldn't want to lose the toss here and bat if you're an English team on the first day. This place retains noise well, it's designed and engineered to keep the sound in so if you have 55,000 people here for a first ball and someone running in about to deliver it, it'll be big. 'The Gabba is an old-fashioned design and as you get further away in your seat you're further away from the ground. Here the stands have been built to face inwards, and you feel that in the ground.' And as for the game itself, well, the Perth Stadium was specially designed to accommodate drop-in pitches which have been specially tested and grown to replicate the fast and bouncy conditions that the WACA is known for. McKenna explained: 'Part of the objective when the stadium was built was to replicate the old WACA wickets. The myth of it is that it's fast, bouncy and lots of carry. That's what's been replicated and it's probably better than the WACA wickets were towards the end of their time. 'It doesn't crack up like the WACA wicket used to do, we used to have big, wide cracks running down the wicket, but this one doesn't crack that much. When it does start to crack there's a lot more variable bounce. It'll play fast but like the WACA if you can last and get yourself in you can get runs.'
West Australian
13-07-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Bradley Woods: ‘Bogan' racing fans will inject big money into WA economy
Recent commentary on the proposed Burswood motorsport precinct has unfairly dismissed the project as 'bread and circuses'. While critics have resorted to caricatures and stereotypes to undermine the initiative, it is important to separate rhetoric from reality. The proposed street circuit and entertainment precinct at Burswood represent a generational opportunity for WA, promising significant benefits for our economy, tourism sector and local community. Look at Melbourne's Grand Prix or Singapore's night race, they're tourism juggernauts, not just petrolhead events. When 50,000 visitors hit town, your local café, hotel and boutique all win. The Perth street circuit at Burswood would put WA firmly on the international events calendar, driving jobs, investment and sustained economic growth. For hospitality businesses and workers recovering from tough years that influx means growth, staff shifts, tips and stability. Critics miss that the 'motorsport precinct' label undersells its potential. Imagine a 20,000-seat amphitheatre hosting Crowded House or Tame Impala under Perth skies, plus year-round festivals, community events and criterium circuit providing a safe place for cyclists to race and train. This versatile multi-use facility ensures Burswood Park becomes Perth's vibrant living room — families, music fans and foodies all win. Remember the outrage over Optus Stadium and Elizabeth Quay? Called 'white elephants' back then, now they're icons. Linking Crown, the stadium and this precinct creates a destination in its own right, complementing the Belmont Park redevelopment. Future us will wonder why we hesitated. 'Just for revheads,' they claim. But what about when hospitality staff get more hours because tourists stay longer and WA suppliers land event contracts? That's real community benefit, creating sustainable prosperity for our state.I get the concerns, but modern circuits co-exist with cafes in Melbourne, Monaco and apartments in Singapore. Smart design, acoustic barriers and strict scheduling, backed by genuine government consultation, will safeguard what we value as we grow. After border closures and staffing crises, our tourism sector deserves ambition. This precinct is a catalytic investment, a spotlight announcing Perth punches above its weight, revitalising our visitor economy and enhancing international appeal. So let's confront the cynics with cold hard facts: Melbourne's Grand Prix injects $270 million into Victoria's economy. Singapore's night race attracts more than 250,000 international visitors annually, generating $1.4 billion in tourism receipts since inception. That's the calibre of opportunity we're discussing, not 'noise,' but measurable prosperity for WA families. Regarding legitimate concerns? Modern solutions silence the doubt. Monaco's circuit operates just metres from residences with ambient noise levels below 60 decibels, quieter than a busy café, through strategic acoustic barriers. Singapore's event deploys AI optimised traffic flow systems that reduce congestion by 40 per cent during major events. Suggestions that this project targets a supposed 'bogan vote' fundamentally misunderstands both its purpose and public support. Government backing stems from comprehensive feasibility studies, not secret polling, showing 87 per cent public approval for major events infrastructure in independent WA Tourism Commission research. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti's advocacy reflects her portfolio's mandate: delivering projects with verified economic returns. To assert that motorsport fans don't care about cost-of-living issues is patronising. Tourism growth directly addresses these concerns by creating 5200 projected jobs and injecting $81m annually into local households. This is policy grounded in evidence, not electoral caricatures. This isn't a gamble, it's validated economic strategy, meeting 21st century urban design. Rejecting it over caricatures would be an unforced error for WA's future. The data-driven choice is clear: build bold, build smart and let the world hear Perth's engine roar. Bradley Woods is the chief executive of the Australian Hotels Association WA
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dockers praise 'bloody' good leader after epic win
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir always knew how good Andrew Brayshaw was, and on Saturday night, the young leader was at his bloodiest best. Brayshaw racked up 29 disposals, six clearances and a career-high 14 tackles as Fremantle overcame a 13-point deficit at the final change to post a fighting 13-point win over Hawthorn at Optus Stadium. With just 40 seconds remaining on the clock, Brayshaw sat at the base of a pack and copped a knee to the head from teammate Luke Jackson. It left Brayshaw with blood streaming from his head, but it didn't stop him from conducting an on-field TV interview after the 12.5 (77) to 9.10 (64) win. HEART & SOUL 💜 #foreverfreo — Fremantle Dockers (@freodockers) July 12, 2025 Brayshaw had to continually wipe away the streaming blood while answering questions, with the state of his head showcasing his willingness to put his body on the line when it matters most. "I think it was bit of a show getting an interview after the game, blood dripping down. He'd be pretty happy with that," Longmuir said with a chuckle. Brayshaw was restricted to just 24 disposals and four clearances to go with three tackles in Fremantle's 11-point loss to Sydney a week ago, and Longmuir praised the way his star charge rebounded against Hawthorn. "He was disappointed with his game last week," Longmuir said. "I know (midfield coach) Joel Corey asked him for more defensively, and he's a barometer for us when he's bringing his pressure, when he's bringing his trademark efforts to chase down. "So him leading the way (against Hawthorn), and all our leaders leading the way in an area of focus is really important." Fremantle ended the match with 103 tackles - their intense pressure proving to be the difference. The win means eighth-placed Fremantle (11-6) are just percentage adrift of fourth spot, but they will receive an even bigger test of their premiership credentials in next Sunday's clash with Collingwood at the MCG. "It's the biggest challenge in footy," Longmuir said of taking on the ladder leaders. "You not only take on Collingwood, who are the best team in the comp, but you go and take on the Magpie Army and the crowd." Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce, who returned from a hot spot in his shin against Sydney but was unable to back up against Hawthorn, is no guarantee to return against Collingwood. Longmuir dismissed fears Pearce had suffered another hot spot, with "soreness" the official diagnosis at this stage. "It just didn't handle the full load of an AFL game last week," Longmuir said. "Given it was a six-day break, it just hasn't responded off that 13-14km that he ran last week, which is a big spike. "So we're hoping it settles down quicker."
Daily Telegraph
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Frenzy after AFL star's classy interview following gruesome injury
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. WARNING: Violent content. Footy fans have been left in awe of Andrew Brayshaw after a troubling post-game interview where blood poured from his head. The Fremantle star showed no sign of distress as he spoke to Fox Footy after the Dockers' big comeback win over Hawthorn on Saturday — except for a gruesome head wound. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Brayshaw grinned and spoke with class during his on-field chat with Fox Footy's Kath Loughnan on the Optus Stadium turf just moments after the final siren sounded on the home team's 13-point win. Loughnan appeared to have second thoughts about going through with the interview, saying she earlier asked Brayshaw if he was really up for it. You can watch the ugly incident in the video player above. Andrew Brayshaw spoke with class after the game. Photo: Fox Footy. 'You let me know if you feel dizzy at all during this interview as I see the blood rushing down your face,' she said. She finished the interview by saying: 'I really feel like I need to let you go to the doctor. Thanks for chatting Andrew'. Brayshaw had come from the field in the final minute of play and was escorted to have a seat on the bench by a medical official. With blood coming down his head, Brayshaw waved to the crowd to fire them up with his hand gestures as he walked off the field. Replays showed he had taken a knee to the head during a marking contest late in the game. Brayshaw was at the bottom of a pack when teammate Luke Jackson launched into the air and accidentally took Brayshaw out in a sickening collision. None of it seemed to bother Brayshaw, who was much more interested in speaking about the impact Michael Walters had on the club as the Dockers celebrated the veteran with a special farewell. Brayshaw was the player everyone wanted to hear from at the end of the game after he provided the spark his team needed with a career-high 14 tackles, to go with 29 disposals, and six clearances. Andrew Brayshaw fired up the crowd as he walked from the field. Photo: Fox Footy. Andrew Brayshaw took a knee too the head. Photo: Fox Footy. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir said Brayshaw's performances are usually a gauge for how his side plays. 'He was disappointed with his game last week as well,' Longmuir said. 'I know (midfield coach) Joel Corey asked him for more defensively, and he's a barometer for us when he's bringing his pressure, when he's bringing his trademark efforts to chase down. 'So, yeah, him leading the way, and all our leaders leading the way in an area of focus is really important.' The interview divided footy fans and there was a frenzy of social media comments made about the incident. Many fans praised Brayshaw for his bravery. Fox Footy commentator Adam Papalia said after the interview: 'Well that just typifies Andrew Brayshaw.' Footy fans on Reddit called in 'badass'. Others said it was in similar fashion to interviews UFC fighters hold inside the Octagon after fights. One footy fan posted on X: 'Brayshaw doing post game interview with more blood than a Jaws movie. 'Never seen that before haha.' The win was Fremantle's seventh in eight weeks and they are now four points ahead of the ninth-placed Western Bulldogs. Longmuir said he'll let the players enjoy the win over the Hawks before looking towards the their blockbuster against Collingwood. 'Yeah, it's the biggest challenge in footy,' he said about the Round 19 task. 'You go not only to take on Collingwood, who are the best team in the comp, but you go and take on the Magpie Army and the crowd and yeah, it's a great challenge for us. 'So, we'll enjoy this win first. Wins are hard to come by. 'Allow the players to sit in it for a few days and then we'll start prepping for Collingwood, so a great challenge.' — with NewsWire Originally published as Frenzy after AFL star's classy interview following gruesome injury
