Sydney Football Fever – Sports Roundup with Dylan Beaumont
This Post written/ filed by Dylan Beaumont
Aussie Rules Grand Final
AFL
Outside of the NRL’s two massive preliminary finals this weekend, it is a big week for non-Victorians, with the AFL Grand Final hosting two interstate teams for the first time since 2006. The Sydney Swans will enter Saturday afternoon as close favourites against the Brisbane Lions, in a season where they led the ladder for majority of the season. Brisbane will be without key ruckman Oscar McInerney, who is forced to miss the clash after dislocating his shoulder last Saturday in their win over Geelong.
The Swans have rediscovered their ripe form from the first three quarters of the season, extending their current win streak to five in the 36-point preliminary victory last week against Port Adelaide. Star midfielders Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden will need to lead from the forefront this week in a bid to win their first premiership since 2012. The drought has been eight years longer for Brisbane, who have also had to wait another year for their chance to win a flag after their heartbreaking four point loss against Collingwood in 2023.
-Sydney Kings will play twice this round, beginning in Perth on Friday night
Basketball:
In the NBL, the Sydney Kings will play twice this round, beginning in Perth on Friday night, before travelling across the country to host for the first time this season when they face the top of the table Illawarra Hawks on Sunday at 2:30pm. Jaylen Adams started his year convincingly with 25 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the victory over the Adelaide 36ers last week while Xavier Cooks chimed in with 19 points and 13 rebounds. The Hawks breezed past the Cairns Taipans 102-75 with 20 points and 12 rebounds from forward Darius Days.
Around the league, reigning premiers Tasmania dropped their first game to Melbourne United and will be looking for retribution on Saturday night as they play them for a second consecutive time. The Perth Wildcats top scored for the round with 106 points against the South-East Melbourne Phoenix in an eight point win, with 29 points from Keanu Pinder and 26 from Bryce Cotton, while the New Zealand Breakers held on for a 91-87 victory against the Brisbane Bullets behind Sam Mennenga (22 points) and Parker Jackson-Cartwright (20 points).
AtC
Racing at Randwick-ATC images
-Horse Racing
The James Squire Golden Rose will be in full effect on Saturday, with Broadsiding (Ridden by James McDonald) creeping in as an early favourite. The horse has won its last four races and is considered the top tip by experts. Traffic Warden is also prominent among pundits, winning in its return after 18 weeks off, while widely talked about Australian horse, Storm Boy, out of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable has captured attention from all angles. It holds heightened expectations for the race as third favourite. The event will begin at 4:05 on Saturday afternoon.
Craig Williams’ endeavours to secure the Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes will be answered on Friday night at Moonee Valley in a competitive field. Williams’ ride Growing Empire has won four on the trot and enters as an early favourite ahead of I Wish I Win, Estriella and Hayasugi close behind. Williams has ridden two of the previous five winners and will tie the proverbial Gary Willetts for three victories should he beat everyone over the finish line. The race will be a good indication for a potential field at the Everest, which runs on the 19th of October.
-Latest Soccer News
Manchester United’s struggles to score have continued overnight in the Europa League with a 1-1 draw against FC Twente. The Reds had 19 shots to seven but only found the back of the net once through midfielder Christian Eriksen. They will now suit up against rivals Tottenham on Monday morning in a highly anticipated English Premier League clash.
Manchester City will unveil week six of the Premier League against Newcastle on Saturday night as they try to extend the distance between Liverpool in second position, who will play Wolverhampton. Aston Villa are also tied second and will be favourites on the road against new inductees Ipswich Town. Winless sides Crystal Palace and Everton will also match up at Goodison Park in an attempt to clock their first win of the season.
Watch American Football on Prime Video
American Football:
After three weeks through the NFL, five undefeated teams remain in an injury-riddledseason. Round four will kick off on Friday morning between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants rebounded from their 0-2 start last week, defeating the Cleveland Browns behind highly criticised quarterback
Daniel Jones and emerging rookie Malik Nabers, who has taken the American football world by storm through his first three weeks. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys rallied late to fall short by three points in a 28-25 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Wide receiver Ceedee Lamb has not yet found the scintillating form he was in last season but is still producing quality routes for quarterback Dak Prescott. Monday morning’s slate is highlighted by a mouth-watering match between division rivals Green Bay and Minnesota, with quarterback Sam Darnold re-capturing the form which touted him as number three pick in 2018. The undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers will play an unpredictable Indianapolis Colts side, while Patrick Mahomes
will look to keep his undefeated Chiefs in good stead against the Chargers. Josh Allen and his Buffalo Bills are passing through the season unerringly; however, they’ll have a major test against the Baltimore Ravens who finally secured a win under their belt.
