Geoff Parkes's Blog, page 11

AFL News: Merrett out of Dons captains function, Dees’ brutal Steven May call, Pies make Bobby Hill decision for prelim

Essendon captain Zach Merrett has been scratched from a planned Bombers captains function just days before his scheduled appearance, amid the skipper’s controversial attempted exit from the club.

Merrett’s future has dominated discussion in recent weeks, with the five-time best and fairest winner desperate to secure a trade to Hawthorn and relationships between the captain, his teammates and the Bombers in general strained to breaking point.

The 29-year old is seen as unlikely to attend th...

Roosters show some backbone with much-vaunted culture by showing Radley the door

It should come as no surprise to anyone, even Victor Radley, that the Roosters have shown him the door.

Despite having two years left on his contract, the club has told Radley that he should explore options elsewhere in the NRL or Super League.

Translation: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

The NRL’s leading newsbreaker, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Michael Chammas, reported earlier on Wednesday evening that the Roosters had informed Radley’s manager that he was free to leave.

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NRL News: Young reveals key detail in Walsh stoush, Storm get huge Hughes boost, ex-Origin star to face Kangaroos

Canberra forward Hudson Young won’t back down from his taunting of opponents if they make an error while revealing that he didn’t say anything to Reece Walsh before the Brisbane fullback headbutted him.

Young was controversially sent to the sin bin along with Walsh even though the Raiders star only laughed at Walsh following a Broncos error as he got in his face.

Walsh responded by leading with his forehead into Young’s chin and pushing him over.

The match review committee fined Walsh f...

AFL News: Devils cop stadium blow as Buckley commits, new club in Merrett race, SANFL captain quits

Adelaide have joined Hawthorn in the race for Zach Merrett, amid yet more fallout from the Essendon skipper’s ugly attempt to force his way out of the Bombers.

Yet more reports have continued to deteriorate relationships between the five-time Crichton Medallist and the club he has represented in 251 games, with a report from Caroline Wilson on Seven’s The Agenda Setters that he disrespected Essendon AFLW players by interrupting training leaving the 29-year old furious at the Bombers for leaki...

ACL Two: Tai Po vs. Macarthur preview

Two years after making the AFC Cup’s ASEAN zonal final and pushing eventual winners Central Coast Mariners to the brink, Macarthur FC are back in Asia and hungry to take the Champions League Two by storm. This time around, the Bulls’ continental voyage starts over 7,000 miles from home with a trip to face reigning Hong Kong Premier League champions Tai Po FC. Before Group E action officially gets underway at Mong Kok Stadium, let’s size up how these teams are looking going in and how Macarthur c...

Super Rugby AUS round two teams: Beale back in XV for Brumbies, Campbell shifted to 10 as Wallaby cops ban

With The Rugby Championship having a fallow week and the Wallaroos out of the World Cup, the inaugural Super Rugby AUS competition takes centre stage in Australian rugby.

While Joe Schmidt is wrapping his players in cotton wool, there’s still plenty of big names and rising stars to look out for in round two of the Super Rugby AUS competition.

Read on for all the team news.

All matches are live on Stan Sport.

Western Force vs ACT Brumbies at Tompkins Park. Kick-off: 4pm AEST, Satu...

McDonald warns against Cummins ‘over-reaction’ but admits skipper might not play every Ashes Test

Australia’s injured captain Pat Cummins will play a “significant” part in the Ashes but may not feature in all five Tests, coach Andrew McDonald says.

McDonald concedes uncertainty remains around Cummins amid the skipper’s back injury.

But he dismissed speculation Cummins could miss the highly-anticipated Test series against England starting on November 21 in Perth.

“We’re confident that he’s going to partake in the Ashes so I think to sensationalise that he’s not would be an over-react...

Wham, bam, century to Sam as young gun fires off reminder to Test selectors with Indian stunner

Sam Konstas is not ready to hand back his Test spot just yet.

His answer was loud and clear on the opening day of Australia A’s four-day clash with India A at the Ekjana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, where he struck an undefeated 101 before tea.

His century, compiled with another young protege in the making in Campbell Kellaway (88), had taken Australia A to a daunting 0-198 at the second break on Tuesday.

With scores of 3, 5, 25, 0, 17 and 0 against the West Indies, the teenager was sent...

‘Short 8 ball’: Police to present explosive Smith texts to Radley as Souths star faces drug and betting charges

South Sydney star Brandon Smith will front Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday to face the music over an incident involving Victor Radley evidence of a series of text messages that he allegedly sent to his former Roosters teammate will be presented.

The New Zealand Test representative has been charged wiuth unlawfully supplying a dangerous drug and using or disclosing inside knowledge for betting.

Police will allege Smith supplied Radley with cocaine for the back-rower’s trip to the Su...

Australian players are way undervalued: Can Nestory and his young Socceroo mates change the story?

I’ve spent hundreds of hours on European fan forums defending Australian players.

There’s a bizarre fan prejudice against our lot – especially in Britain – despite the fact that the club owners see massive value. They appreciate that Australian players are cheap in contrast with Euro or British players. In other words, they will pay much less for the same quality. That makes our players attractive.

If you want proof, look no further than the English Championship where there are currently 1...