Suns stay entrenched in top four
AFL: Gold Coast have continued their stunning start to the season with a strong performance against St Kilda to stay entrenched in the top four.
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News.com.au
13 minutes ago
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell addresses James Sicily's injury concern
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell has cleared the air over the injury concern to star captain James Sicily. Mitchell last week strongly defended the fitness of Sicily for him to later be ruled out for at least the next two weeks with a hip-abdominal issue. Sicily will miss the Hawks' season-shaping matches with Western Bulldogs on Thursday night and Adelaide next Friday. Mitchell conceded his comments 'didn't age too well' but doubled down on his previous stance of Sicily playing uninjured. 'We have management of lots of different players across the season of course, and at no point has he been a chance to not play,' Mitchell said. 'That was my frustration last week. It didn't age too well, obviously … at no point have we even considered not playing him, it hasn't even been close. 'There's injuries where 'is he going to get to the line? Is he going to be able to play this week?' He's never been in that category, he's definitely been playing every week – obviously it doesn't age well when it comes out like that. 'He got something that we didn't expect, it's been tracking, getting slightly better each week. His numbers on the screen have been getting slightly better. 'Then this week he had a big progression, so we need to get him right.' Mitchell said Sicily's injury concern had nothing to do with the groin and was in a 'higher spot'. The injury, according to Mitchell, can be 'unpredictable' but he still expected Sicily to return on time for Hawthorn's match with North Melbourne after the bye. 'You don't see that (the injury) often, we have had one recently a couple of years ago which can settle down in a couple weeks, but they can take a little bit longer,' he said. 'We're hopeful the two weeks can be a maximum. He would probably play the third we hope, but there's a bye then, so on the other side of the bye hopefully we get him back. 'One of the downsides of the injury is that he hasn't been able to train a lot. While playing has never been a risk, his actual training consistency hasn't been there. 'Obviously, that makes it a little bit tougher to perform on the weekend, but he's such a proud sort of guy he's always trying to train, always trying to do a bit more.'
ABC News
35 minutes ago
- ABC News
World Cup hero Cortnee Vine 'on the radar' for Matildas recall
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro has hinted Women's World Cup hero Cortnee Vine may be in line for a recall to the national squad. Winger Vine catapulted to stardom when she scored the winning spot-kick in the Matildas' epic penalty shootout win over France at the 2023 World Cup. Back then, Vine was also lighting up A-League Women with Sydney FC. But between taking a mental health break, injuries and a difficult start to life in the NWSL with North Carolina Courage, the 27-year-old has not played for the Matildas since the Paris Olympics. Montemurro plans to reach out to Vine, along with other players in the wider Matildas selection frame. "Cortnee's definitely on the radar," he said. "We'll get to the heart of getting her back in the fray and hopefully we can build her into the Asian Cup also." Montemurro watched on in Canberra on Monday night as an array of other attackers made their own cases ahead of the Asian Cup. Amy Sayer scored a well-taken brace in the 4-1 win over Argentina. Kahli Johnson notched a goal and an assist across her first two matches, while A-League Women Golden Boot winner Holly McNamara is also highly rated. "It's interesting that everyone's talking about the next cycle and the aging squad," Montemurro said. Montemurro has been helped by Tom Sermanni testing and developing players during his stint as interim coach. "It's actually made my job a little bit easier in terms of profiling players and understanding what level some of the players are at and then thinking about how we can marry the two," he said. Montemurro will be in charge of the Matildas for their upcoming friendlies against Slovenia and Panama in Perth. AAP
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Young gun harness driver Jordan Leedham seizing opportunities in James Herbertson's absence
Emerging young Victorian driver Jordan Leedham is seizing the moment. With Australia's premier driver, the Victorian-based James Herbertson, holidaying overseas, Leedham is making the most of some increased opportunities. The 22-year-old snared two wins a second and a third at Melton last Saturday night, taking his tally of wins to 16 since returning from a suspension from driving on May 9. 'It's the most exciting time in my career and what I've worked hard for,' Leedham said. 'Not long ago, I'd have been driving at Mildura Friday, but now I'm at Melton and Geelong and with good books of drives, too. 'I'm having a fantastic run. There's no doubt 'Herbie' (Herbertson) being away has opened a big opportunity for me. 'When he gets back, I'll have to tell him how good he looked driving in the US and Sweden and he should head back there.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leedham's momentum started to build when he teamed with his 'bosses' Andy and Kate Gath for the biggest win of his career aboard $81 outsider Kitzbuhel Delight in the $200,000 Nutrien 2YO final at Melton on April 11. 'It was a great time to get my name in lights when Herbie was about to go away. Unfortunately, I was suspended for the first two weeks after he went away, but I hit the ground running as soon as I got back,' he said. Now Leedham, who boasts 309 career wins, has grabbed the attention of Australia's most dominant stable, Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin again. 'It's about two years since I've driven for them and, as you'd expect, you've got to earn your stripes to drive their horses,' he said. Leedham will take the reins on Stewart's exciting Meteor Moth, a winner of eight of his 11 starts, in race two at Melton on Saturday night. • Champion pacer takes massive Leap outside comfort zone The recent splurge has Leedham on target to smash his personal best of 79 wins in a season at a strike of 13 per cent in 2022. He's already driven 41 winners this year at 15 per cent. Nine of those wins have been metropolitan level to put him equal fifth on the metropolitan driver's premiership, just eight wins behind the leader, Kate Gath. 'It's been especially rewarding to pick up drives for stables I haven't driven for before or rarely do. I've really noticed it over the past two months,' Leedham said. 'For so long it was a buzz if I got one or two drives at Melton, now I'm getting books or four, five or six drives.' Given Leedham has worked for 'Team Gath' for about four years, it's no surprise his two favourites come from the powerful Long Forest stable. 'Yambukian is number one now. He's been great to me. And Watts Up Partytime would be a clear second,' he said. Leedham boasts two wins and six placings on Yambukian, while he has partnered Watts Up Partyime to four wins. 'Andy and Kate have been great supporters and it's always a thrill to drive a winner for them,' he said.
