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ABC News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Nicho Hynes settling into fitting Cronulla Sharks role as NRL pressure cooker comes for Dylan Brown
Hey reader. Relax the muscles in your face. Did you feel that? That instant change in tension? That's what it felt like watching Nicho Hynes on Friday night. Only two-and-a-half years removed from his shock Dally M Medal win, Hynes has endured a lifetime of scrutiny and criticism. Some of it has been warranted, some of it has been ridiculously outsized, but It's the burden that comes with being named the NRL's best player. Photo shows Roosters fullback James Tedesco fends off Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. The Roosters beat the Dolphins 36-26 on the back of a massive James Tedesco performance after Nicho Hynes led the Sharks to a 28-18 win over the Eels in the Magic Round opener. Throw in some untimely injuries, At 28 years old, Hynes isn't exactly a new-comer, but that 2022 Dally M season was his first as a full-time starter and halfback. He's still a relative newcomer to the most important position on the field. Hell, he only played his 100th NRL game in last season's preliminary final loss to eventual premiers Penrith. So, watching him orchestrate Cronulla's professional win over Parramatta to kick off Magic Round felt outsized. It wasn't the greatest win in club history — the Sharks weren't even underdogs — but still Hynes had doubters to silence, as he does seemingly every match. Cronulla halves Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall have found a groove as a two-pronged attack. ( Getty Images: Hannah Peters ) It came five days after "I haven't heard about him for about four or five weeks, which means he's playing well," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said after the 28-18 win over the Eels. "Last week there's some criticism there from not icing the game, which is all good, it's fair and reasonable. I don't think he has an issue. "But he stepped up, he smashes one from 50m, one lick of paint away from having his moment in the sun. He doesn't get it and he still stepped back up time after time after time when the game's on the line." ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the and seasons in 2025. On Friday he had three try assists in a complete performance that can't be quantified by sheer numbers. "He's in a really good place. He's doing so many good things for our team," captain Cameron McInnes said. " Even when he doesn't have the ball in his hands he's controlling everything. Really happy for him. " It came against fellow 2024 State of Origin halfback Mitchell Moses, who had an as-good if not better night. But mercifully, this was never framed as a play-off for a spot in the NSW side. With Moses, Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai duking it out for the halves spots in Laurie Daley's Blues for the men's series opener at the end of the month, Hynes is happy to focus on himself and the teammates he plays with every week. Photo shows A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey. "Just looking forward to playing each and every week, rock up to training, trying to get better and just very happy," he told Fox on Friday night. Even "I haven't felt any of that pressure, just going out and knowing my process through the week and going out and playing footy that's freed me up to play some of my best footy." After all, representative honours are nice, but the clubs are the ones that pay the players. Those team colours are the ones that are most synonymous with the individual. Dylan Brown is already being measured against his future price tag. ( Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris ) Hynes had a post-match chat with Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown, who is starting to feel a similar weight of expectation thanks to Just like it's not Hynes's fault that the 2022 Dally M panel saw fit to give him 38 votes and Tedesco 33, But alas, every move he makes is now in a spotlight shone through a million-dollar-man prism. Billie Jean King once famously said "pressure is a privilege" — even more so when it's accompanied by seven-figure remuneration — but knowing the truth of that statement doesn't necessarily protect you from the reality. ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines. There's a reason names like Greg Norman and Jana Novotna can belong to legends of their sports and still be synonymous with famous flame-outs. All the platitudes in the world, no matter how pithy, will not save you from being crushed if you feel like you're 5,000 fathoms down. You need support, you need care, you may need an internal realignment of what truly matters to you. It looks like Nicho Hynes is starting to get there, and it's great news for the Sharks, the NRL and, most importantly, the man himself. The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
ABC News
26-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
'Single biggest investment' in WNBL sees players' minimum wages increase by 104 per cent
Former Opals captain Tess Madgen has hailed the WNBL's ground-breaking new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) as 'phenomenal', and a 'long time coming". The four-year deal will see minimum wages increase by 104 per cent over the next four years, and has been labelled the "single biggest investment in the history of the WNBL" by CEO of the Australian Basketball Players' Association (ABPA), Jacob Holmes. The current minimum wage for a WNBL player is $23,000, which will increase to $46,952 by 2028/29, equalling the pro-rata rate for men's players on the minimum wage. 'I didn't think I would see that happen while I was still alive," Madgen told ABC Sport. "For too long, women who play sport professionally within Australia have been undervalued. Former Opals captain Tess Madgen says it's smart business sense to invest in women's sport. ( Getty Images: Corbis/Tim Clayton ) "So it has been awesome to see all the key stakeholders get together to make sure players are getting what they deserve." The deal, which also sees teams' salary caps increase by 8 per cent per year, comes at a time when women's basketball has skyrocketed in popularity globally. Some have credited this to once-in-a-generation talent and WNBA player Caitlin Clark, with Madgen arguing the 'Clark effect' proves investing in women's sport is a savvy decision. 'Businesses and investors can see, not just with basketball, but also with what the Matildas did at the World Cup, that it's not just the right thing to invest in women's sport, it's actually a smart thing to do,' she said. Most players still working part-time jobs Bec Cole, a two-time WNBL champion with the Southside Flyers, agreed that the deal would 'change the game' at a time when women's basketball is undergoing significant overhaul in Australia. Cole believes the deal will have a huge impact on players who've had to juggle study and work with playing. ( AAP: Morgan Hancock ) The WNBL is now owned by a consortium led by Robyn Denholm's Wollemi Capital Group Syndicate, and Larry Kestelman's NBL, with Basketball Australia retaining a minority stake. The leadership change had instigated frank conversations about the state of the WNBL, with players continuing to call for improvement in sub-par wages and conditions. Photo shows A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey. 'The wage increase is so great to see, because we have athletes who put in the time and hours and work just as hard as the men and people in other sporting codes, but they're taking on part-time jobs or studying because they can't pay their way,' Cole told ABC Sport. Cole explained that from a roster of 12 contracted players, most teams would currently have only three to five players with the luxury of dedicating full-time hours to basketball. Cole is one of those 'fortunate enough' to be able to focus on training and recovery alone, and says she is regularly 'inspired' by her teammates' professionalism while juggling multiple responsibilities. 'I don't know how they do it, because the league is getting more professional, and we are doing all these hours, but the money wasn't quite matching up to it,' she said. It's hoped the changes will allow more players to become full-time professionals. ( AAP: James Ross ) 'So for future generations to actually be able to say they choose basketball, because they can do this as a profession, makes me so happy.' CEO of the ABPA, Jacob Holmes, confirmed that most WNBL players continue to work part-time jobs to support their basketball careers. 'We want to see that change,' Holmes said, noting that many Australian basketballers have continued their careers overseas for lack of opportunity. 'The opportunity to stay and be a full-time professional is really important, and that's what we'd like to progress to from this agreement onwards, because this is just the foundation, and there's still more work to be done.' More support for mental health, wellbeing The deal will also see improvements to a range of player conditions, including greater investment in mental health support and career development, as well as contract protection insurance payments for injured players. Bendigo Spirit won the championship last season. ( Getty Images: Ian Hitchcock ) Madgen, who last year retired from the national team, as well as the WNBL, said this was critical in light of the game's rising popularity. 'That comes with new levels of pressure, like social media expectations and more visibility,' she said. 'So I'm really happy the CBA invests in the wellbeing and development of players off the court, so they can have an identity away from basketball as well. 'Too often, when players retire from whatever sport they do, they go through mental health battles and have a bit of an identity crisis… so it's really important that we set them up well for retirement.' The changes will come into effect for the 2025/26 season which will tip off later in the year. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Minjee Lee leads Australian charge at season-opening major in Texas
Minjee Lee has proven the saving grace as Australia's golf stars endured a tough start to the first women's major of the year in Texas. Lee once again battled an uncooperative putter but still wound up still in the mix after hitting 17 straight greens before thunderstorms forced the suspension of her first round at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. China's Yan Liu and South Korean Haeran Ryu set the pace with 7-under-par 65s. Lee was easily the best of the Australians, edging her way to 2-under through 17 holes with two birdies late on an otherwise rueful day. Loading Twitter content She was in an eight-way share of 16th place when her round was halted. The dual major champion was unable to cash in on a typically supreme display of ball-striking, a three-putt bogey on her second hole — the par-four 11th — setting the tone for a frustrating day on the greens. But Lee showed true grit to hang tough as some of golf's biggest names floundered. World number one and defending champion Nelly Korda will need some round-two magic just to make the halfway cut after opening with a shocking 5-over 77 to be tied for 118th in the 132-player field. Photo shows A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey. Of the seven Australians, Gabriela Ruffels was the next best after Lee in a tie for 34th after rallying with two birdies in her last three holes for a level-par 72. World number five Hannah Green cut a dejected figure after only managing a 1-over 73. Having not been a contender at a major in years, Green had planned to grind her way to a decent start but instead leaked three shots on the back nine following a promising 2-under outward run. Steph Kyriacou (74) also has work to do to make the cut, while fellow Sydneysider Cassie Porter carded a 2-over on her major championship debut. Grace Kim was 3-over through 16 holes, with Hira Naveed posting a disappointing 6-over 78 after entering the week confident of contending after missing the cut on her major debut last year. AAP
ABC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Canterbury Bulldogs face multiple NRL suspensions after first loss to Brisbane Broncos
The Canterbury Bulldogs have copped another blow after their first loss of the season, with three players facing a combined nine weeks on the sidelines due to suspensions. Brisbane ended the Bulldogs's 6-0 start to the year with a 42-18 win at a rain-soaked Lang Park on Thursday night, during which three Bulldogs were sent to the sin-bin. Winger Marcelo Montoya was binned for a high shot on Broncos back rower Brendan Piakura, but it appeared to be as much about repeated offences as the severity of the contact, and he was not cited. ABC Sport is live blogging every round of the and seasons in 2025. Broncos winger Deine Mariner was also binned late in the game for a high tackle on Viliame Kikau but escaped the match review committee's wrath. Dogs forwards Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran were not so lucky for their high shots, and five-eighth Matt Burton was also charged with a grade-two careless high tackle on Billy Walters. Photo shows Bronson Xerri and Jacob Preston stand on the field after the Bulldogs' loss to Brisbane. Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo says he is equal parts "proud" and "filthy" with his team after their perfect start to the season was undone by the Brisbane Broncos. Tupouniua was the hardest hit, cited for a shoulder charge and lifting his knees into the tackler's head, both on Piakura. The off-season recruit from the Roosters was offered three games for the shoulder charge and two weeks for the high knees with early guilty pleas, with one week added to each if he fights the charges. Curran is facing a three-week ban if he pleads guilty to a shoulder charge on Payne Haas and Burton can accept a one-game ban for his high tackle on Walters. Canterbury utility Kurt Mann told ABC Sport a number of the reported incidents were "pretty unavoidable" as players slipped over in the wet. "I guess it's the way the game is going," he said. " Some people don't really agree with it, a lot of people probably wouldn't, but that's just the way it is now. " Photo shows A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey. Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was non-committal when asked if the sin-binnings were too harsh but admitted it was not an easy game to watch. "I don't know. There was so much going on tonight and no flow to the game," he said. "It was one of those games that was hard to watch to be honest. It was a ball-ache to watch for me so I am sure everyone else felt the same. "I put that down to us trying too hard. We have been pretty disciplined for long periods so we can fix it." The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe ABC/AAP
ABC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Liverpool's Premier League title within reach as Arsenal gifts Crystal Palace late equaliser
Arsenal has kept Liverpool's Premier League title-winning champagne on ice but only just as it was twice pegged back to draw 2-2 at home by Crystal Palace. First-half goals by Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard looked like being enough for a lacklustre Arsenal against a lively Palace side which earlier equalised with an Eberechi Eze volley. But there was a late twist as Palace substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta pounced on a lazy pass at the back from William Saliba, leaving intended recipient Martin Ødegaard sprawled on the turf as Mateta produced a superb chipped finish over Arsenal keeper David Raya from outside the box in the 83rd minute. The draw left second-placed Arsenal on 67 points with four games remaining, meaning it can only match the 79 of Liverpool, which still has five games to play. Had Arsenal lost, Liverpool would have won the title but they can now seal it with just a draw against Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday (Monday morning AEST). Both Arsenal and Palace have huge cup semifinal games looming: Arsenal in the Champions League at home to Paris St Germain next Tuesday and Palace this Saturday against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. Twelfth-placed Palace could have been excused if they were distracted by what will be the biggest game of their season. Instead, it was Arsenal who were off the pace as they drew for the 13th time in the league this season and fifth time in eight — a statistic that has allowed Liverpool to all but mathematically wrap up a record-equalling 20th English title. Palace, who left key players Mateta and Ismaila Sarr on the bench but still fielded Eze, will have taken great heart from their display as they prepare for Villa. Photo shows A stylised graphic with three silhouettes of unidentified a female footballer, tennis player, basketballer ABC Sport and Deakin University have partnered to produce the first ABC Elite Athletes in Australian Women's Sport Survey. Eze took his goal brilliantly, connecting with Adam Wharton's corner to bounce a volley in off the post past Raya. But the best was saved to last as If Liverpool can avoid losing to Spurs, they will lock up their first title since breaking a 30-year drought in 2020 and end Manchester City's run of four straight. The ABC of SPORT Sports content to make you think... or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe Reuters
