Payne puts contrasting Spring Champion hopes to the test in Gloaming

The Sydney Morning Herald - Oct 8, 2026

Veteran trainer David Payne is keen to continue his hot streak with three-year-old when Proxima Dea and Persian Wonder go on trial for higher goals on Saturday.

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Mega gallery: Goals galore and peg pranks as best hockey players in Australia come to Lyneham

Oct 9, 2026

Mega gallery: Goals galore and peg pranks as best hockey players in Australia come to Lyneham

Check out the best pics from the junior hockey nationals in Canberra.

Bill proposed to end blanket military service exemption for Asian Games champions

Oct 9, 2026

Bill proposed to end blanket military service exemption for Asian Games champions

A bill has been proposed in the National Assembly to end the automatic military service exemption for Asian Games gold medalists, following controversy sparked by Korean participants in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. The bill, submitted by Rep. Joo Ho-young and nine other lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party, seeks to remove Asian Games gold medals as a standalone qualification for alternative military service under the arts and sports personnel program. The program, under the Military Service Act, allows eligible athletes to fulfill their military obligations by continuing their sporting careers rather than serving on active duty. Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists currently qualify. The bill would retain eligibility for Olympic medalists. It would also create a route for people recognized as having significantly enhanced the country’s international standing through achievements in arts or sports to qualify with Cabinet approval. “In some Asian Games sports, the composition of teams and standards of competition vary considerably. Yet gold medalists uniform

Back to part-time jobs: Athletes in less popular sports face harsh realities

Oct 9, 2026

Back to part-time jobs: Athletes in less popular sports face harsh realities

For athletes in less popular sports, life after the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games can be harsh. Once the competition is over, they must return to demanding jobs to make a living. Kim Geon-myeong, 32, a member of Korea’s kabaddi team, worked as a sanitation worker while preparing for the Asian Games, squeezing in training sessions before and after work even after making the national team. He took up kabaddi at the suggestion of Lee Jang-gun, 34, a senior from his university and one of the country’s leading players. After failing to make the national team for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Kim considered his career options before taking a job as a sanitation worker for the Geumjeong District Office in Busan. There are no professional kabaddi teams in Korea. National team members hold different jobs, making it difficult even to coordinate team training sessions. Korean kabaddi gained public attention after winning silver at the 2018 Asian Games and Lee, its most recognizable player, appeared on television variety shows. However, the sport’s infrastructure remains und

Brandon Borrello named Western Sydney Wanderers captain as club targets wooden spoon redemption

Oct 9, 2026

Brandon Borrello named Western Sydney Wanderers captain as club targets wooden spoon redemption

Socceroo Brandon Borrello has been handed the Wanderers captaincy as the club seeks to bounce back from a poor season.

Australia at risk of sports brain drain ahead of home Olympics as AIS cuts jobs

Oct 9, 2026

Australia at risk of sports brain drain ahead of home Olympics as AIS cuts jobs

Just six years out from the Brisbane Games, Australia’s sporting bodies are facing dozens of job cuts, putting decades of expertise and the futures of athletes at risk.

Rating the Wallabies and All Blacks ahead of Eden Park showdown

Oct 9, 2026

Rating the Wallabies and All Blacks ahead of Eden Park showdown

It’s on again. Australia arrive at Eden Park full of confidence, aiming to end their curse at the famous ground under new coach Les Kiss.

Ponga has gone to the ‘dark side’. He finally feels at home

Oct 9, 2026

Ponga has gone to the ‘dark side’. He finally feels at home

After a decade of waiting to reach the “pinnacle” of rugby league, Kalyn Ponga is set to make his debut for New Zealand in Thursday’s World Cup opener against the Kangaroos.

NSW take control over Tasmania with Davies double-ton

Oct 9, 2026

NSW take control over Tasmania with Davies double-ton

Tasmania are on the back foot heading into day three of their Sheffield Shield clash with NSW following centuries from Ollie Davies and Jack Edwards.

Tom Morris had a crack about coverage of St Kilda. He didn’t tell the full story

Oct 9, 2026

Tom Morris had a crack about coverage of St Kilda. He didn’t tell the full story

The Saints’ problems are much bigger than departing coach Nick Dal Santo.

North board approved mammoth Blakey offer amid police investigation

Oct 9, 2026

North board approved mammoth Blakey offer amid police investigation

Nick Blakey, who is poised to become one of the highest-paid players in the competition, on Friday nominated North Melbourne as his preferred destination. Meantime, Zak Butters is a Bulldog on a $17 million deal that is the largest on aggregate in AFL history.

Teen hopes to break long drought of female Supercar drivers as rookie shocks in qualifying

Oct 9, 2026

Teen hopes to break long drought of female Supercar drivers as rookie shocks in qualifying

Alice Buckley is the only female driver in the Super2 series, and is hoping to become the first full-time Supercars driver since 2019.

Maddinson return falls flat before Australia fightback

Oct 9, 2026

Maddinson return falls flat before Australia fightback

Australia have fought to 6-187 on the opening day of the first Test against South Africa, with Matt Renshaw and Pat Cummins saving the tourists' blushes.

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