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Mercury
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Fremantle vs. St Kilda: All the news and updates from the Dockers' win
St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says the 'circadian rhythm' of Fremantle and St Kilda's midfield was behind why he didn't send Marcus Windhager to Caleb Serong or Andrew Brayshaw. Despite no tag, the Saints' collective midfield was able to keep the Docker duo quiet for much of the game. That pair had just seven possessions between them in the first term. Serong had only 10 in the first three quarters, before adding another eight and four clearances in an important fourth-quarter performance. Lyon said he didn't use a tag, not even in the final term when the Dockers fought back from 14 points down. 'There weren't any lockdowns,' he said. 'Jack Steele just went and played, and (James) Macrae went and played, and Windhager played on the wing. 'The one that got tightest attention was (Shai) Bolton when he went forward with (Liam) Stocker. So yeah, no, no lockdowns. 'We didn't even lock down in the last quarter. 'Maybe it's just sometimes you match up with pretty well. Maybe it's just the circadian rhythm of Saints versus Dockers.' Lyon also said he has no issue with the umpires stopping play to check on the welfare of injured players. The umpires called halt to the game checked on players twice during the Saints 12-point loss to Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday night. But both were in very different circumstance. They stopped it once in the second quarter to check on Fremantle forward Josh Treacy, who copped a knee to the ribs from Saints youngster Alix Tauru. The Saints had the ball and were running forward, and Treacy stayed on the ground. The ball was bounced. In the third quarter, they waited until a stop in play, when a behind was scored, before checking on St Kilda's Marcus Windhager and sent him for a HIA. Windhager had no interest leaving the ground and was back amongst the action within a couple of minutes. But Ross didn't seem too concerned. 'I can find trouble with the best of them, right?' he said. 'I'm a bit uninformed by the whole situation, so it's very difficult. 'Player welfare has got to be absolute number one. 'And I think if that's the principle and that was adhered to, well then, it's the right call.' RUCK DUO OVERCOMES ROSS LYON MASTERCLASS Ross Lyon came so close to orchestrating a win in his return to Optus Stadium on Sunday to play Fremantle for the first time since parting ways with the Dockers at the end of 2019. The Saints had a huge crack, leading by 14 points early in the final term. But Fremantle kicked five of the last five goals of the game, including Luke Jackson's after the siren, to win by 12 points. The 11.15 (81) to 9.15 (69) victory, which amazingly included the goal posts being hit nine times, was the Dockers sixth in a row, the first time they've managed that since 2022. That year, they went deep in the season, losing to Collingwood in a Semi-final. Fremantle's inability to produce big wins is starting to hurt them though. They're now sixth on the ladder, with 10 wins, the same as third-placed Adelaide Crows. But the Crows, Geelong and Hawthorn all have 10 wins also, but all have better percentages. A week ago, the Dockers were 37 points up against Essendon at three-quarter-time and couldn't run on with it, winning by 41. They beat North Melbourne by just six points a week earlier. Nearly all sides in top eight have now played 15 games, with the exception of the Gold Coast, on 14. The seventh placed Suns are only one win further adrift and Fremantle, and them, plus the seventh-placed Western Bulldogs, have better percentages than the Dockers. After winning three of their first four games, the Saints have managed a 2-9 record since. RECIPE IS RIGHT St Kilda trailed by three points at quarter-time, despite having had two more scoring shots. The Saints were inaccurate though, their 1.5 was costly. But it was a similar game to the round 8 clash at Marvel Stadium which the Saints won by 61-points. That day, Lyon's team dominated clearances and contested possession. We're talking 28 more clearances and 48 more contested possessions. At quarter-time on Sunday, the Saints led clearances 14-6, despite Luke Jackson and Sean Darcy giving the Dockers a 20-3 advantage in hit outs. They also led the contested possession count. Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw had just 18 and 15 disposals respectively the last time these sides met. At quarter-time on Sunday, the classy pair was restricted to just seven disposals between them. By the end of the game though, they'd combined for 43. LEAP OF FAITH You have to feel for young Saints defender Alix Tauru. Midway through the last term, when trailing by just four points, his turnover in defence resulted in Dockers forward Isiah Dudley kicking a goal. The margin went to 10 points and the Saints never regained the lead. Before then, Tauru, in just his AFL second game, had done little wrong. His courage at contests was as good as any on the ground and his spoiling elite. He finished with 14. He's just the type of player coach Lyon would love. MOMENT OF GENIUS Saints ruck Rowan Marshall hands his hands full with Darcy and Jackson. The hit outs all went Fremantle's way, 52-26. The clearances went with the Saints, 46-31. Marshall's tactic of dragging one of the Dockers talls forward might have landed him a goal-of-the-year contender. Late in the second term, he kicked an opportunists goal from a stoppages in the Saints goal square. Instead of trying to win the hit out against Darcy, he kicked the ball out of the air straight through the goals, to give the Saints a two-point lead. Originally published as Fremantle vs. St Kilda: All the news and updates from the Dockers' win over the Saints
Mercury
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Mercury
NRL 2025: Kevin Proctor knocked out at RUNIT event by Jordan Simi in Dubai
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Former NRL veteran and 22 Test Kiwis forward Kevin Proctor was sensationally knocked out in scary scenes by social media influencer Jordan Simi at RUNIT 02 in Dubai overnight. The pair took part in an exhibition run it straight challenge at the big-money event early on Sunday morning, Australian time. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. In footage posted to social media, Proctor, who is defending, drives his right shoulder into the ball-carrying Simi. But the former Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans second-rower comes off second best, as he spins in the air after contact and lands heavily on the ground. Proctor appears to be knocked out as he hits the floor, with his arms and legs going stiff in sickening scenes. A small crew of medics and officials rush to the 36-year-old's side as he struggles to sit back up. Watch the brutal collision in the video above Kevin Proctor knocked out at RUNIT event in Dubai. Picture: Supplied/Instagram A former lower grade rugby league player, Simi is also an artist and has become a social media influencer. He also stepped into the boxing ring opposite Justin Hodges in 2022, losing a four-round unanimous decision. Proctor played 283 NRL games for the Storm and Titans in a 15-year footy career. He was sacked by the Titans after he posted a video to his Instagram story of himself vaping in the toilets during the halftime break of the Titans' loss to the Bulldogs in 2022. Kevin Proctor had a long career in the NRL. (Photo by) Proctor wasn't playing, but was 19th man when he captioned the video: 'Not the halftime vape'. He quickly deleted it, but was soon released by the Titans. One of the most controversial new combat sports on the planet, RUNIT staged its second event in Dubai, just a month after a New Zealand teenager died after playing a run it straight style game with friends. RUNIT and its deep-pocketed investors and sponsors flew eight athletes to Dubai, with $200,000 on offer for first place, while second took home $50,000 and third prize was $25,000.
Mercury
9 hours ago
- Mercury
Deadly wire trap set on Jarrahdale mountain biking track
Don't miss out on the headlines from WA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Detectives from the WA Police Force are seeking urgent information to catch a perpetrator who laid a deadly wire trap on a bush track near Perth. A metal wire was suspended about chest and neck height between two trees across the track, and at least one person has been seriously injured. Armadale detectives reported that a 47-year-old man who rode his mountain bike along the track was struck by the wire and sustained a serious laceration and bruising across his right bicep. The police believe that several more victims may have been hurt by the trap, and police are asking for them to come forward and make a report. The cowardly trap was laid along a bush track near Jubb Road in Jarrahdale some time around Tuesday, 24 June. The track is less than an hour from Perth. Anyone with information about the person responsible for installing the trap has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers, while anyone with footage or images from the area can upload evidence to a digital link. Social media commenters from the Armadale community called out the trap as 'attempted manslaughter' that could have killed someone. 'Take this one seriously, this doesn't discriminate. Literally targeting anyone with the intent to kill at that height,' one commenter wrote. Police believe that more people may have been injured by the trap. It is not the first wire trap set near the western capital. An incident in 2019 saw a 17-year-old was lashed across his legs when attempting to remove a steel cable strung across a suburban street. Another trap was set in December 2016, with barbed wire strung across a street in High Wycombe. In that incident a teenage girl was trapped in the wire while on an evening jog. Originally published as WA Police seek information after deadly trap set on Jarrahdale bush track
Mercury
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mercury
Nikita Tszyu announces the birth of his first baby, a daughter named Curiosity
Don't miss out on the headlines from Boxing/MMA. Followed categories will be added to My News. Nikita Tszyu welcomed the birth of his first child late last week, a daughter named Curiosity. Tszyu and his wife, also named Nikita, confirmed the heart-warming news on Saturday night via social media. 'Curiosity Tszyu,' the boxer wrote on Instagram. 'Named after the NASA Mars Rover, Curiosity. 'Curiosity is the passion that drives us through our everyday lives. 'It is this powerful force of curiosity which has led humans to become explorers, scientists, historians & artists. 'Curiosity is the everlasting flame burning in all of us that compels us to ask questions, to wonder, to learn, to grow and to know. 'As parents, we hope our daughter's name will give her the courage and strength to explore life without fear. 'May her own curious mind be the guiding compass leading the way as she grows to understand herself and the world around her. 'As Curiosity's parents, we vow to nurture her spirit of adventure and use the principles of the Japanese Bushidō 'The Way of The Warrior' as a guide to raising her.' While older brother Tim prepares for his world title rematch against Sebastian Fundora on July 19, the intensely private Nikita kept the impending birth of his daughter a closely guarded secret. The couple were married in a surprise, low key ceremony in January, with the Nikita later revealing to CODE Sports that he made their wedding rings himself. 'I melted the silver and made it in my garage – I forged it myself,' he said. 'I did my ring and her ring. I had to do about 10 different rings because I had to shape it and everything. 'I learned the art form, or how to do it in a weekend and I got the rings created in two more days. 'I'm a smelter now.' Tszyu hasn't fought since his fight of the year win over Koen Mazoudier last August, with a hand injury keeping him sidelined at the start of the year. The 27-year-old is been slated to step back in the ring in August, with a potential showdown opposite Michael Zerafa later in the year, although nothing has been confirmed. Originally published as Nikita Tszyu announces the birth of his first baby, a daughter named Curiosity
Mercury
a day ago
- Sport
- Mercury
Hawthorn v North Melbourne AFL round 16: News, updates, result
North Melbourne have been disgraced by Hawthorn at their home away from home in Tasmania. And even when the Devils enter the AFL in 2028, don't expect the Hawks to step aside. Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Hawthorn's mid season revival clicked into another gear as some magic from 'The Wizard' and evergreen Jack Gunston continued to turn back the clock after they spearheaded the Hawks to a 23.12 (150) to 9.11 (65) win over North Melbourne at Launceston on Saturday. Fellow forward Mabior Chol also delivered one of his best AFL games with five goals, including a belter from the boundary, as the Hawks confirmed they're returning to their best. Gunston kicked a career-best seven goals in his 272nd game, and Watson's starring first half included a goal of the year contender in Hawthorn's ruthless win. Jai Newcombe (27 touches, nine clearances) and Karl Amon (33 touches) also ran rampant for Hawthorn as the Roos took a couple of giant strides backwards after building up plenty of goodwill in a strong last few weeks. Hawthorn has beaten North Melbourne by a combined 209 points in their past two clashes at Launceston. The Hawks booted 26 goals in a 124-point victory over the Roos in the final round of last year. 'We needed to get going. We've been playing some good footy the last couple of weeks, but it was time to put the foot down,' Gunston told Fox Footy. 'I think we had a really good spread of goalkickers and spread the load. It was good to kick straight for once.' — Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) June 28, 2025 Hawks coach Sam Mitchell said Gunston is now reaping the benefits of his 'selfless' work being a virtual coach on and off the field the past two years. 'I'm really rapt for him because he's put in an enormous amount of work without reward,' Mitchell said. 'The work he's done the past couple of years, he's committed to helping other people. (Even today) he gave away two kicks inside 50 when he had kicked six, and everyone was very well versed he'd never kicked seven before. 'I was pretty happy for him when he did get there. He played in a manner which is very coach-like in helping players around him, and he's getting the reward for the selfless work he's done the past couple of years.' The Hawks face the welcome prospect of fitting an embarrassment of riches in their forward line after Mitch Lewis impressed in his first game for Box Hill on Saturday since injuring his ACL in round 17 last year. Calsher Dear was also a standout in the reserves after stress fractures in his back delayed his start to the season, while Max Ramsden stood up in the seniors with three goals. 'It's a selection squeeze for down the road but I won't be thinking about that tonight, that's for sure,' Mitchell said. Searching for a ninth straight victory at UTAS Stadium, the Hawks belted the Roos in every effort statistic to set up a match-winning 51-point halftime lead. North Melbourne's contested and clearance numbers have been strong recently in winning three games and drawing another against Brisbane its past six games. But in the first half Hawthorn smashed them in inside 50s (36-18), clearances (27-18) tackles (32-18) and contested possessions (73-52) on their way to a third straight win. The Roos were only slightly more competitive in the second half in another brutal reality check for their long-suffering fans. The Hawks are now fourth on the live ladder after one of their best displays of the season. On the other hand North Melbourne was meek and uncompetitive, especially in the first half, as the Hawks seemingly found space whenever they liked in an emphatic performance. The Roos also lost to Hawthorn by 124 points in the final round of last season at Launceston, and their recent form line suggested a much more competitive performance was in store. Instead they delivered arguably their most disappointing display of the year so far. After a mid season hiccup where they dropped games against Gold Coast, Brisbane and Collingwood, the Hawks look to have regained their mojo with subsequent wins over the Bulldogs, Adelaide and North Melbourne. Their transition from defence to attack was electric at times against a North Melbourne side who offered little defensive resistance. WIZARD CONJURES GOAL OF THE YEAR CONTENDER They call Nick Watson 'The Wizard' for a reason. He kicked one of the goals of the season in the first quarter after bursting out of a centre bounce and handballed to Jai Newcombe, before icing the deal after getting it back from his star teammate. But he showed how enigmatic he is by missing another first quarter shot from 25 metres out straight in front after receiving a dubious free kick. The goalsneak brushed that off to kick another two goals before halftime and help slam the door shut on the Roos. Jack Gunston's incredible season also shows no signs of slowing down after he kicked an equal career high six goals. Mitch Lewis made his return from injury in the VFL on Saturday, but Gunston, Mabior Chol (five goals) and Watson could make him work hard to break back into the forward line. WARDLAW'S DRAMAS CONTINUE North Melbourne's forgettable day was exacerbated further after prime mover George Wardlaw was forced off after suffering a suspected concussion. Wardlaw was subbed off in the second quarter after he was hit be a legal Conor Nash bump. It's the 21-year-old's third concussion the past two years, and the Kangaroos will take every possible precaution with one of their most valuable assets. Asked if Wardlaw may need a longer break, Roos coach Alastair Clarkson said: 'It's not up to me to decide that, the medicos will work that out with his recovery. 'He's combative in the way he plays and it's going to happen from time to time. 'He's OK, I spoke to him in the rooms and he can remember the game and that sort of stuff. 'The protocols suggest he had to come out of the game so he'll miss the Bulldogs game which is unfortunate, but hopefully he gets back on the park pretty soon.' It added an exclamation point to a dirty afternoon for the Roos, who simply didn't compete with Hawthorn. After several weeks of strong form many felt they may have finally turned a corner, but the result exposed the still sizeable gap between them and the AFL's best teams. The display is horrible timing before their 100th birthday celebrations against the Bulldogs on Thursday night. LAUNCESTON TENURE SET TO CONTINUE Hawks fans will be happy to know their team's ultra successful time playing in Launceston doesn't look like ending soon. Just before the first bounce on Saturday, Tasmania premier Jeremy Rockliff announced the Liberals would guarantee a minimum of six AFL games per year post 2027. The Hawks' current deal expires after that season, just before the Tasmania Devils are scheduled to enter the league in 2028. It will include delivering a minimum of six Tasmania Devils/Hawthorn AFL games, as well as AFLW games and a number of Devils VFL and VFLW games. The Hawks have always maintained they would love to keep a blueprint in Tasmania even after the Devils begin playing. And why not after just securing a ninth straight win at UTAS Stadium? From a personal point of view I definitely want to keep playing here,' Mitchell said. 'We feel like it's a homely place, I brought my family down for this trip coming into school holidays. 'Being able to experience Tassie is an important part of what this club has done for a quarter of a century, and I hope we can continue to do that. 'I know everyone's very positive about this new team, but they're still going to be the enemy.' SCOREBOARD HAWTHORN 5.5 13.8 17.11 2312 (150) NORTH MELBOURNE 2.3 5.5 6.7 9.11 (65) GOALS Hawthorn: Gunston 7, Chol 5, Watson 3, Ramsden 3, Ginnivan 2, Macdonald 2, Moore, North Melbourne: Larkey 5, Fisher, Curtis, Hansen Jnr, Konstanty BEST Hawthorn: Gunston, Chol, Newcombe, Amon, Watson, Meek North Melbourne: Davies-Uniacke, Larkey, Parker, Xerri, McKercher, Daniel Injuries North Melbourne: George Wardlaw (concussion), Luke McDonald (AC joint) Hawthorn: Nil Crowd: 13,827 JON TUXWORTH'S VOTES 3 Mabior Chol 2 Jack Gunston 1 Jai Newcombe Originally published as Hawthorn destroy North Melbourne by 85 points in Tasmania AFL Melbourne will be sweating on the availability of Steven May after his arm collected Ben Ainsworth in the head. Plus a Swan has been banned after Friday night's fiery contest. AFL A young Demon copped a stray elbow from an umpire on a bloody and bruising day for Melbourne against the Gold Coast Suns.
