A major announcement from a tennis icon, Patrick Cripps suspension rules him out of the regular season, tickets go on sale for the seventh edition of the AFLW and Canberra Raiders coach, Ricky Stuart is handed a ban.
Serena Williams to ‘evolve away from tennis’ after US open
Tennis icon, Serena Williams has announced that she will “evolve away from tennis” at the completion if this year’s US open.
“There comes a time in life where we have to decide to move in a different direction … but now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mum,” The 40-year-old told her 15.1 million followers on Instagram
Williams will be looking to win her first grand slam since the 2017 Australian Open, and 24th overall at the US open, which begins on 29August.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York. But I’m going to try,” Williams said.
More blues for Carlton – Patrick Cripps’ suspension upheld
Carlton has been dealt with a massive blow heading into the final two rounds of the home and away season, after captain and superstar midfielder Patrick Cripps two-match suspension was upheld at the tribunal last night.
Carlton challenged the initial two-week ban, after arguing that the act which left Callum Ah Chee concussed was a pure contest, and “not a bump.”
The 27-year-old Cripps has recaptured his best form this season, averaging over 27 disposals per game, and was amongst the favourites for the Brownlow medal before this suspension made him ineligible.
It’s an even bigger blow for the Blues who will take on reigning premiers Melbourne on Saturday night, and the red-hot Collingwood Magpies the following Sunday.
Given how close the competition is, it is likely that the Blues will need to win at least one of these matches to make the finals for the first time since 2013.
Tickets for revamped AFLW competition on sale this afternoon
The seventh edition of the AFLW competition is coming up, with general public tickets going on sale from 2pm AEST today.
After beginning as an eight-team competition back in 2017, the league has now evolved where all 18 AFL clubs will be represented in the upcoming AFLW season.
Carlton and Collingwood will kick off the season on 25 August, with a 10-week home and away season and four-week finals series to follow.
The Adelaide Crows will go into the as reigning premiers, but will do so without two-time premiership player, Erin Phillips, who will captain expansion team, Port Adelaide this season.
NRL coach handed one match ban after bizarre post game outburst
Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has been handed a $25,000 fine and one match suspension after describing Jaeman Salmon from the Penrith Panthers as a “weak gutted dog.”
The 55-year-old Stuart has become the first NRL coach to be handed a suspension from the league and will be unable to partake in any club activities for a full week as of 4pm AEST yesterday afternoon.
The comments came from Stuart after Salmon responded to a Tom Starling tackle with a kick.
“I have had history with that kid (Salmon). I know that kid very well … he was a weak gutted dog as a kid and he hasn’t changed now. He is a weak gutted dog person now,” Stuart told reporters.
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