The 10 key issues V’landys must address as NRL’s first executive chairman

The Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 17, 2026

Peter V’landys will have unprecedented power when his new role is rubber-stamped. But he will also have a long to-do list.

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From centre court to a courtroom: Match officials sue Tennis Australia

Sep 17, 2026

From centre court to a courtroom: Match officials sue Tennis Australia

The Australian Open organiser is being taken to the Federal Court by a leading umpire and former match official who allege they were unlawfully dismissed.

‘You fall back in love and trust them again’: How Swans are winning back their fans

Sep 17, 2026

‘You fall back in love and trust them again’: How Swans are winning back their fans

A Swans fan since birth, Sally Edmiston considered cancelling her membership in the days after the Pullman Hotel scandal. Then she saw something that drew her back in.

AFL preliminary final teams and expert tips: Skipper’s replacement named; Lions make a key call

Sep 17, 2026

AFL preliminary final teams and expert tips: Skipper’s replacement named; Lions make a key call

Here are the all-important teams and expert tips for the cut-throat games on Friday and Saturday.

It’s not easy losing Greene: Skipper isn’t the only Giant heading for the exit at GWS

Sep 17, 2026

It’s not easy losing Greene: Skipper isn’t the only Giant heading for the exit at GWS

Giants captain Toby Greene has decided to join Geelong, ending his 15-year career with the expansion club.

Trindall ready for Roosters hammering

Sep 17, 2026

Trindall ready for Roosters hammering

Sharks five-eighth Braydon Trindall knows his injured shoulder will be tested on Saturday night against the Roosters.

Lions make key call after defender’s fitness test; Plugger’s first words after preliminary final heroics

Sep 17, 2026

Lions make key call after defender’s fitness test; Plugger’s first words after preliminary final heroics

Chris Fagan has options for the match-up with Hawks star Nick Watson. Meanwhile, the mayhem that followed Sydney’s historic preliminary final victory over Essendon 30 years ago didn’t exactly make everybody happy.

Costa Rican international defender Julio Cascante joins Melbourne City

Sep 17, 2026

Costa Rican international defender Julio Cascante joins Melbourne City

Melbourne City has signed experienced Costa Rican international defender Julio Cascante, who has been without a club since January.

Legends in awe of 'dialled in' Ponga

Sep 17, 2026

Legends in awe of 'dialled in' Ponga

Knights legend Andrew Johns speaks about the turnaround in Kalyn Ponga's mindset this season.

'If not Marnus, who?': Aussie Test great on No.3 debate

Sep 17, 2026

'If not Marnus, who?': Aussie Test great on No.3 debate

Former Australia cricket selector Merv Hughes has given insight into the battle facing under-pressure Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne.

Wallaroos eye win against 'physical, flamboyant' French

Sep 17, 2026

Wallaroos eye win against 'physical, flamboyant' French

The Wallaroos, who took plenty from a last-start battle with world-beating England, can return to the winner's circle in France.

Cristian Volpato: Court battle looms for Socceroos star after drug test

Sep 17, 2026

Cristian Volpato: Court battle looms for Socceroos star after drug test

The 22-year-old returned a positive roadside reading for cocaine after he was pulled over by police after driving at 109km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Tahs set succession plan, RA courts ownership interest

Sep 17, 2026

Tahs set succession plan, RA courts ownership interest

Stephen Hoiles and Wycliff Palu have been confirmed as Michael Cheika's NSW Waratahs assistants as the club again attracts private ownership interest.

The first Immortal? Where four-time champion’s legacy places her in history

Sep 17, 2026

The first Immortal? Where four-time champion’s legacy places her in history

Cast an eye to the future and consider who the first rugby league Immortal of the women’s game may be. Ali Brigginshaw must be at the front of the debate.

Pride looks for targets below Everest shadow for King’s Secret

Sep 17, 2026

Pride looks for targets below Everest shadow for King’s Secret

Trainer Joe Pride hopes for another eye-catching finish from King’s Secret against elite opposition on Saturday before chasing easier options in the spring.

United veteran admits NBL title fire is still 'raging'

Sep 17, 2026

United veteran admits NBL title fire is still 'raging'

NBL veteran Chris Goulding has eyes on only one prize after Melbourne United pulled together a star-studded roster under new coach Jacob Chance.

'My inspiration': the 10 players set to decide who wins the grand final

Sep 17, 2026

'My inspiration': the 10 players set to decide who wins the grand final

The most-important player from every team in every grade.

Giants deny they're rebuilding after Greene's exit

Sep 17, 2026

Giants deny they're rebuilding after Greene's exit

GWS are describing a list overhaul, headlined by Toby Greene leaving for Geelong, as resetting rather than rebuilding.

Flanagan not opposed to vacant Tigers gig

Sep 17, 2026

Flanagan not opposed to vacant Tigers gig

Shane Flanagan reveals why he is not opposed to applying for the vacant assistant coaching job at the Wests Tigers.

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says point guard position will be played ‘by committee’ in season opener

Sep 17, 2026

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says point guard position will be played ‘by committee’ in season opener

Perth Wildcats coach John Rillie says his side’s point guard position will be played “by committee” in Saturday’s NBL season opener, with two key backcourt pieces unable to take to the floor.

Sleepy Hollow to evil empire: how Cats beat the system

Sep 17, 2026

Sleepy Hollow to evil empire: how Cats beat the system

Toby Greene's looming move from GWS to Geelong is the latest in a string of draft and trade successes for the perennial powerhouse Cats.

Joey's advice to target injured players

Sep 17, 2026

Joey's advice to target injured players

Andrew Johns says current NRL players need to do a better job targeting injured rivals, with Braydon Trindall and Nathan Cleary both playing wounded.

Cox gives nod to Swans fans amid challenging period

Sep 17, 2026

Cox gives nod to Swans fans amid challenging period

Sydney coach Dean Cox acknowledges the support of Swans fans as the club continues to navigate a difficult time, with a preliminary final against Fremantle looming.

Fans' chants show faith restored in bulked-up Hipwood

Sep 17, 2026

Fans' chants show faith restored in bulked-up Hipwood

Aware of the criticism the Lions stalwart has copped, Chris Fagan was moved by the crowd chanting Eric Hipwood's name during their finals defeat of Adelaide.

AFL finals: Sydney opt for one bold selection but against another

Sep 17, 2026

AFL finals: Sydney opt for one bold selection but against another

A long-awaited return headlines Sydney’s preliminary final team, but the Swans have resisted making too many changes to their winning formula.

Gillingham’s injury crisis has created a problem Ainsworth won’t mind

Sep 17, 2026

Gillingham’s injury crisis has created a problem Ainsworth won’t mind

Gillingham’s youngsters are making such an impression that some of the club’s senior players could find it difficult to win their shirts back.

Scoop in September: The brutal internal email that heralded a club great’s exit

Sep 17, 2026

Scoop in September: The brutal internal email that heralded a club great’s exit

When the time came to tell the football world that Toby Greene wanted to leave the Giants, a club boss decided the occasion deserved something special.

Subbies rugby player hit with three-year ban after contact with referee in grand final

Sep 17, 2026

Subbies rugby player hit with three-year ban after contact with referee in grand final

A Hunters Hill player has been suspended for 42 matches after being found guilty of making contact with a referee during last weekend’s Subbies decider.

This issue 'infuriates the locals'. Canberra sports want it fixed urgently

Sep 17, 2026

This issue 'infuriates the locals'. Canberra sports want it fixed urgently

The latest news and gossip from around the grounds in Canberra.

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Sep 17, 2026

Pfieffer takes fresh approach to Ice Kool in Melbourne spring audition

Trainer David Pfieffer wants to see Ice Kool back to his best at Randwick on Saturday before taking him to Melbourne for straight-track features this spring.

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Sep 17, 2026

Stable confident Chilly Girl will fire with clear running in Tea Rose

Chilly Girl was shaded in the Furious Stakes but the run has given co-trainer Sterling Alexiou confidence she can thrive up front over 1400m in the Tea Rose.

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Sep 17, 2026

McInerney to return but free agent Amartey will miss Swans’ prelim final

Coach Dean Cox has been forced into making two changes for Friday night’s clash with Fremantle, while key forward Joel Amartey has been overlooked.

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sep 17, 2026

'Backing him in': Swans make selection call for finals

Sydney winger Justin McInerney and forward Joel Amartey are fit again, but coach Dean Cox will gamble on only one for their finals clash against Fremantle.

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Sep 17, 2026

AFL finals: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell on the ‘punch’ to the face his side needed

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell says a round 22 face-punching triggered the mirror-looking the Hawks needed to earn a preliminary final shot.

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

Sep 17, 2026

The big intrigue that’s looming for Brownlow night

There’s an almost certain winner for this year’s count. But there’s a secondary question that is very much up in the air.

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Sep 17, 2026

GWS skipper to depart after 15 years

Toby Greene has informed the GWS Giants that he will depart the club at the season's end to pursue an opportunity with Geelong.

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Sep 17, 2026

The 'wake-up call' that helped Hawks prep for prelim

Thrashed by Brisbane last month, Hawthorn have surged into a home preliminary final and will be out to right some wrongs when they host the Lions at the MCG.

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Sep 17, 2026

Chris Fagan dismisses previous blowout as Brisbane Lions prepare for Hawthorn preliminary final

Lions coach Chris Fagan has torn up the form guide, insisting Brisbane’s dominant August win over Hawthorn counts for nothing.

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

Sep 17, 2026

What do these Raiders have in common? The answer to an NRL trivia question

The Raiders kick off their NRLW finals campaign on Friday night.

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

Sep 17, 2026

‘He’ll tear you apart’: Why Dane Gagai knew he couldn’t take a backward step against Latrell Mitchell

The 35-year-old Knights centre knew there was only one way to survive his battle with good mate Mitchell in the elimination final.

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

Sep 17, 2026

Rockhampton's Olympic venue confirmed

The Fitzroy River in Rockhampton has been given the green light to host the Olympic and Paralympic rowing events.

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