Opinion
AFL 2024
The worries for Essendon heading to September
In Four Points this week: the loss to Melbourne highlighted areas of concern for the Bombers, who flattered to deceive against the Pies. Plus, Collingwood’s draft gamble looks like coming unstuck and Carlton must move to a one-ruck system.
- by Michael Gleeson
Latest
How Torrie Lewis became Australia’s fastest woman
She could have been a gymnast, and she could have represented England or Jamaica. But “sliding doors″ moments set Lewis to run for Australia in Paris.
- by Michael Gleeson
Updated
Paris 2024
Records tumble on eve of Olympics, including one that stood since 1987, as athletics team finalised
The women’s high jump world record stood at 2.09 metres for 37 years until it was broken at the weekend at the same meet where Australian runner Jess Hull set a blistering pace of her own only to be up against a rival who also set a new world record.
- by Michael Gleeson
Opinion
AFL 2024
Heeney didn’t mean to hit Saint high. It should still be graded intentional
In Four Points this week: when to worry after a shock defeat, and when to stay calm; a Brownlow favourite should be out of contention; Jack Lukosius embodies the Suns’ road woes; and the Tigers become the frontrunners for the top pick in the draft.
- by Michael Gleeson
Why Australia’s fastest woman won’t compete in the Olympics’ fastest race
Sprint sensation Torrie Lewis is Australia’s fastest woman over 100 metres, but she won’t compete in the blue-ribbon event at Paris.
- by Michael Gleeson
Four Points
AFL 2024
Dons sit in the top four, but here’s why their issues go far beyond a few controversial umpiring calls
Umpiring decisions went against Essendon in the loss to Geelong, but coach Brad Scott seemed rightly less interested in what the umpires did or didn’t do than what his players didn’t do.
- by Michael Gleeson
Marathon mums: How having children made Australia’s Olympic runners stronger
Even mothers who can’t comprehend having two-and-a-half hours to themselves, let alone running 42 kilometres in that time, can relate to a couple of the qualities required for marathon running: “patience and an ability to suffer”.
- by Michael Gleeson
Eye to the future: AFL clubs expected to be able to trade two years of picks
Clubs will be allowed to trade draft picks two years in advance under mooted AFL changes that could come in as soon as this year, while trading salary-cap space for draft picks is also on the agenda.
- by Michael Gleeson
Anti-doping watchdog clears AFL, urges players’ hair testing results to be made public
Sport Integrity Australia warned the AFL must bolster its “intelligence capability to manage emerging threats to the game’s integrity” through illicit drugs, but found the program highlighted by Andrew Wilkie was not against anti-doping rules.
- by Michael Gleeson
Four Points
AFL 2024
Why Fagan’s Lions can still roar into the four
Not only can the Brisbane Lions still make the AFL’s top four, they deserve to, given the way they’re playing.
- by Michael Gleeson
The ‘super shoes’ that could help break more records in Paris – before they’re banned
Chunky, high-tech track shoes have produced world-beating race times – but they’re on their last lap.
- by Michael Gleeson