Man. United boss Louis van Gaal walks out on media

5:02 AM   Prickly Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has walked out of his pre-match news conference after five minutes after calling on the assembled media to apologise for their treatment of him.

Broncos, Titans, Cowboys

Roberts ends speculation with Broncos deal

Fresh start: James Roberts is heading to Brisbane.

Michael Carayannis 10:59 AM   The James Roberts saga has ended with the outside back rejecting a return to his former club South Sydney to remain in Queensland and join the Broncos.

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Roberts rejects Dragons move

Decision time: Gold Coast Titans outside back James Roberts is on the verge of picking a new team.

Michael Carayannis   The race to sign James Roberts is down to two clubs after St George Illawarra were told he would not be joining the Dragons next season.

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Parker backs Walters as Maroons coach

Maroons man: Kevin Walters is now favourite to be Queensland coach.

Green can coach, says Parker, but Walters is next in line.

League HQ

Jeff Lima determined to prove he can still cut it in the NRL

Canberra Raiders player Jeff Lima with his three daughters, from left, Giaan, 5, Mataua, 4, and Bobbie, seven months, at their family home in Garran.

Jon Tuxworth 10:51 PM   Canberra Raiders recruit Jeff Lima believes his new team is on the fast track to emulating the revered culture at former club Melbourne Storm.

Aaron Woods backed by senior Wests Tigers players as new captain

"Woodsy is there because we trust him to be our leader": Dene Halatau, left, with Chris Lawrence, captain Aaron Woods and coach Jason Taylor.

Matt Encarnacion 8:09 PM   Wests Tigers vice-captain Dene Halatau has revealed that the club's new seven-man leadership group played a major role in the appointment of Aaron Woods as skipper.

Bris Lions, Gold Coast Suns

Marvellous Magpie memories

Collingwood v Richmond, Round 20, 1978.

Rohan Connolly   Which games do you rate as Collingwood's five best home-and-away wins of the modern era? Here's our selection.

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Close seeks happier landing

Michael Close of the Lions reacts in pain after a knee injury during a round two match against North Melbourne on April 12.

Daniel Cherny   Back-page news in April, Michael Close now just wants a decent run at an AFL career.

AFL

Cream of Cats' winning crop

Geelong players celebrate Jimmy Bartel's point after the siren to win the game.

Rohan Connolly 2:16 PM   Geelong has won three flags and some big finals in the last eight years alone. But the Cats have also racked up some fine home and away wins over the modern football era. Here are their five best.

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Queries over sentencing discounts for Bombers

Waiting: Essendon captain Jobe Watson

Jake Niall 8:08 AM   Chairman hearing WADA appeal questioned lawyers on why players had been presumed to be entitled to a 'no significant negligence discount'.

Queensland Reds

Thorn could play for Reds next year at 41

Raring to go: Brad Thorn says he can play on next year.

Phil Lutton   Cross-code warrior Brad Thorn hasn't ruled out strapping on the boots for the Queensland Reds next season, saying he still has the "urge" to play again.

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Japan ace heads to Reds for Super Rugby campaign

Try time: Reds recruit Ayumu Goromaru dives over to score his team's second try against South Africa on September 19.

Phil Lutton   The Queensland Reds have signed Japan's Rugby World Cup hero Ayumu Goromaru for the 2016 Super Rugby season.

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Rugbyheaven

Cusack torn between two dreams as he chases Olympic medal

Tom Cusack says the Olympics was the "carrot" to turn down a chance at Super Rugby.

Chris Dutton 5:32 PM   The ACT Brumbies or an Olympic Games? That is the agonising choice Tom Cusack had to make between his childhood dream and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to chase a gold medal in Rio.

Six-point tries among NPC changes in 2016

Tolu Fahamokioa on the charge for Wellington Lions against North Harbour in 2014.

11:22 AM   New Zealand's provincial rugby championship will trial a series of new rules next year including six-point tries.

Brisbane Roar

City's anti-football days over, says Broich

Thomas Broich: "I expect a game of tennis ?€“ they attack, we attack. It should be entertaining to watch."

5:30 PM   Brisbane won't be expecting any "anti-football" from Melbourne City this time around, with star Thomas Broich predicting a free-flowing game with the A-League's hottest side.

Roar injury concerns ahead of City clash

A shin injury has Jamie Maclaren in doubt for the Roar's showdown with Melbourne City.

Brisbane's Jamie Maclaren and Steve Lustica may miss showdown.

Football

Mariners coach Tony Walmsley says Sydney FC play Mariners of old

"They play a very structured way. They play exactly the same way Arnie played with the Mariners when he was here so no surprises": Tony Walmsley.

Dominic Bossi 8:32 PM   Central Coast Mariners don't need Sydney FC's tactics leaked to them ahead of their Boxing Day clash.

High-flying Wanderers not daring to talk about A-League ladder

We don't speak about the ladder with the group, we just speak about the next challenge": Tony Popovic.

Dominic Bossi 8:26 PM   Western Sydney Wanderers may have gone from the hunters to the hunted this season but the club is not daring to talk internally about its position on the ladder.

Cricket

Why Khawaja should return for Boxing Day Test

Usman Khawaja is pressing for a return for the Boxing Day Test.

Holly Ferling 6:49 AM   Cricket Australia has the headache that they have been longing for.

Lumb leads Sixers to massive win over Renegades

In control: Michael Lumb belts a six as Renegades' skipper Aaron Finch watches on.

Daniel Lane 11:36 PM   Opener Michael Lumb produced a heroic innings to guide the Sydney Sixers to what seemed an unlikely victory over the Melbourne Renegades.

Racing

Canterbury Classic to the fore at Randwick, but where should it be held?

Magic wand: Sam Clipperton.

Adam Pengilly 8:39 PM   A stunted Summer Cup has brought the Canterbury Classic to the fore at Randwick, but what would some give for the feature to be at its spiritual home?

Kehoe hoping to toast a historic success with Grange

Frustrated punters say facilities at Ascot - and not just the suspect track - will drive them away from the races.

Adam Pengilly 8:37 PM   Allan Kehoe has only had Get On The Grange for three starts and would have been excused for never having given the Summer Cup a second thought with the hand-me-down.

Simmons fires LSU to victory

Australian star scores 23 points and has six assists as LSU beat American University.

Kings keen to show they're true westies

Western Sydney is a basketball heartland but there are no guarantees the Kings' move to Sydney Olympic Park will be a success.

Sport: The week's best plays

From incredible throws to ridiculous grabs, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sporting world this week.

Street Cry progeny well positioned

With five months of the racing season almost completed, Darley's ill-fated Street Cry is well positioned and could have the firepower to fend off a barnstorming defence.

Simmons says criticism levelled at Windies hurts

West Indies coach Phil Simmons addresses the poor body language of his players in the first Test and criticism from Australian opener David Warner.