Essendon players to miss season 2016
Jake Niall 8:30 AM Current and former Essendon players have been found guilty of doping offences and will miss the entire 2016 season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the WADA appeal.
The Essendon verdict
Essendon CAS decision: Devastation for Dons
![The Bombers training last week.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/s/n/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3ses.1m4ozk.png/1452549850112.jpg)
Rohan Connolly 8:24 AM ANALYSIS Devastation for Essendon as the 12 players remaining from the 34 charged by ASADA are suspended for the entire 2016 season.
Rolling updates: The Essendon verdict
![Some of the 'Essendon 34.'](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/m/c/b/p/t/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3p5e.1m4ozk.png/1452550214895.jpg)
Ronny Lerner 9:11 AM Live coverage as CAS is set to hand down its decision.
Watson could be stripped of Brownlow
![Jobe Watson with his 2012 Brownlow](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/r/0/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3svh.1m4ozk.png/1452549850112.jpg)
Jon Pierik 8:40 AM The decision to find the Essendon 34 guilty of being administered a banned drug could lead to Jobe Watson being stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal.
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Top Stories
Messi wins Ballon d'Or for fifth time
![Back on top: Lionel Messi after receiving the Ballon d'Or from acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/r/5/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3r46.100177.png/1452543058077.jpg)
7:10 AM SOCCER Lionel Messi reclaimed the FIFA Ballon d'Or award for the world player of the year, after watching his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo walk off with the prize for the previous two ceremonies.
Renegades ride roughshod to beat Thunder
![Fond farewell: Mike Hussey says goodbye after his last home game ever.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/q/2/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3q1q.100177.png/1452543407566.jpg)
Daniel Lane 7:16 AM Melbourne Renegades keep their Big Bash finals hopes alive with a thrilling 174-run chase against Sydney Thunder at Spotless Stadium on Monday night.
Fast4: Big crowd turns out to see stars
![Big crowd: Lleyton Hewitt plays a backhand during the exhibition in front of 11,000 people.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/p/q/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3pbp.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Michael Chammas 10:29 PM CRICKET Is Fast 4 tennis the way of the future or just a cash grab aimed at generating interest in a city that has lost touch with the sport?
Fog set to lift on Bombers' drug case
![Essendon skipper Jobe Watson at training.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/h/4/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3adi.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Jon Pierik 4:59 PM COMMENT Gillon McLachlan has often reverted to the corporate lingo of the league having "no visibility" over the supplements saga.
Tomic to be seeded 16th at Australia Open
![In the top 16: Bernard Tomic](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/3/e/x/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3bi6.100177.png/1452542092216.jpg)
Linda Pearce 6:19 PM TENNIS Bernard Tomic has earned a top-16 grand slam seeding for the first time, ensuring he avoids an Australian Open meeting with the top eight until at least the fourth round.
Cricketer charged with anti-corruption offence
![Facing a ban: Hong Kong all-rounder Irfan Ahmed.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/p/m/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3ih3.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Chris Barrett 10:30 PM CRICKET All-rounder Irfan Ahmed faces a possible ban of between two and five years if found guilty of an allegation he failed to report an offer made to him by an alleged match-fixer.
MS Dhoni leaves door open to playing in BBL
!["We'll see how the future goes. It depends on when I retire": MS Dhoni.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/o/6/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3it6.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Tom Decent 7:24 PM CRICKET Indian one-day captain MS Dhoni has refused to rule out a stint in the Big Bash League some time in the future, but said he would need to check his fitness.
Stosur through to second round in Sydney
![SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 11: Sam Stosur of Australia celebrates winning set point in her match against Roberta Vinci of Italy during day two of the 2016 Sydney International at Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre on January 11, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/n/k/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3nh2.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Darren Walton 6:49 PM TENNIS Samantha Stosur has launched her Sydney International campaign with a spirited three-set win over Roberta Vinci.
Thompson can be more than just a cameo
![Ageless Archie: Archie Thompson has battled back from a knee injury and could play a significant role for Melbourne Victory in the second half of the season.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/i/l/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3hsq.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Michael Lynch 5:21 PM SOCCER He is 38 next birthday, but it is already clear that Melbourne Victory veteran Archie Thompson could play a far more significant role in the champions' title defence.
Paris and Boland to debut against India
![ODI call-up: Scorchers left-armer Joel Paris.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/9/w/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm39u3.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Tom Decent 4:43 PM CRICKET Australia will play two uncapped fast bowlers for the first time in three years. Joel Paris and Scott Boland to make their one-day international debuts against India.
Tomic sorry after clash with resort staff
![Bernard Tomic.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/3/d/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm310n.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
11:08 AM TENNIS Bernard Tomic has reportedly apologised after clashing with staff at a Gold Coast resort over a $20 court hire fee.
Dons help Leunberger with Achilles
![Matthew Leuenberger has dealt with ongoing Achilles issues.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/j/p/9/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3dxs.100177.png/1452540785150.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 3:44 PM AFL Essendon say Matthew Leuenberger will resume full training in around a fortnight as the Bombers seek to manage his lingering Achilles issues.
Cricket
Big Bash in world top 10 for crowds
![Smash hit: A record crowd watched the Stars beat the Renegades in the inaugural Big Bash derby at the MCG.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/y/e/l/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2w8z.1000zr.png/1452493944955.jpg)
Chris Barrett The Twenty20 tournament has leapfrogged the likes of Japanese baseball and India's football league to be ninth on the list of most attended sports leagues in the world.
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Soccer
Five things we learnt from A-League round 13
![Wanderers players confront referee Jarred Gillett after he ruled that they took a free-kick too quickly.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/k/r/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3cdp.1000zw.png/1452503454636.jpg)
Dominic Bossi 3:35 PM Despite Wanderers' fury, contentious decision to disallow them a goal was the correct choice
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Tennis
Kyrgios backs plans to expand Fast 4
![Nick Kyrgios](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/j/8/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3gev.119zdz.png/1452503353466.jpg)
Michael Chammas 5:39 PM Nick Kyrgios has backed plans by Tennis Australia to expand the Fast 4 event into a week-long tournament in Sydney, revealing his interest in competing if it became part of the calendar.
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AFL
Trengove eyes contact work by February
![Waiting: Jack Trengove (left) with Jack Grimes last season.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/5/7/y/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm39ld.106eai.png/1452513095785.jpg)
Daniel Cherny 3:00 PM Almost two years since his most recent AFL game, former Melbourne captain Jack Trengove says he hopes to return to more contact work by the start of February.
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Basketball
United make assault on Taipans' fortress
![Chris Goulding aims to help Melbourne United to its fourth straight win in Cairns on Wednesday night.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/d/w/y/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3dac.12e3uq.png/1452502162235.jpg)
Roy Ward 3:59 PM Melbourne United want to take rare win in Cairns when they battle the Taipans on Wednesday night.
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Cycling
TDU no less for lack of marquee names
![Not touring Down Under: Chris Froome.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/k/k/y/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm36zj.13hkhn.png/1452502242973.jpg)
Rupert Guinness 2:33 PM The Tour Down Under will be no less competitive because of an absence in the field of foreign marquee riders like British super stars Chris Froome and Mark Cavendish.
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Horse Racing
Young tourist shines at Caulfield
![Tom Marquand riding Tashbeeh wins the Swettenham Stud Championship.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/j/y/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2jzl.11a1oq.png/1452329685253.jpg)
Andrew Garvey Tom Marquand arrived in Australia with a big reputation and the 17-year-old was quick to show off his skills to local punters when winning on his first and only ride at Caulfield on Saturday.
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Athletics
Former top athletics officials get life bans
![Banned: Valentin Balakhnichev (right), the former head of the Russian athletics federation pictured with the deputy mayor of Moscow Alexander Gorbenkov in 2013.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/1/l/d/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm1lab.ghk9mq.png/1452208143951.jpg)
Mitch Phillips Two top Russian athletics officials and the son of former world governing body President Lamine Diack were banned from the sport for life for covering up an elite Russian athlete's positive dope test and blackmailing her over it.
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Golf
Spieth opens new year with win at 30 under
![Jordan Spieth celebrates on the 18th green.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/b/7/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3b05.138xjd.png/1452543623774.jpg)
3:20 PM Jordan Spieth has brought his old form to the new year, cruising to victory at Hawaii's Tournament of Champions.
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Rugby Union
Jones to be ruthless with first squad
!["Everyone's entitled to their opinion, but at the end of the day the players select themselves": Eddie Jones.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/t/6/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3snr.png/1452548724550.jpg)
8:45 AM ​Eddie Jones has insisted anyone overlooked for England's Six Nations squad "hasn't done well enough".
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Rugby League
Ex-Dragons fullback Johnson dies
![Brian Johnson.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/t/d/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm3slv.png/1452549340412.jpg)
8:55 AM Former St George grand final-winning fullback Brian Johnson has died at the age of 59 following a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
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More Sport
Third coldest game in NFL history
![MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 10: A Seattle Seahawks fan holds a sign during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks at TCFBank Stadium on January 10, 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/3/2/0/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm31q3.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL The third coldest game in NFL history took place Monday morning (AEDT) as the Seahawks defeated the Vikings 10-9 in an NFC wildcard game.
First woman to race in F1 dies at 89
![The first woman to race in F1, Maria Teresa de Filippos, has died.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/z/s/j/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2zrz.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
MOTOR SPORT Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to race in Formula One, has died at the age of 89.
Chiefs rout mistake-prone Texans
![Nice catch: Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga celebrates with teammates after he intercepted a pass thrown by Houston Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/p/2/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2og2.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL The Kansas City Chiefs used a dominating defense and workmanlike offence to crush the mistake prone Houston Texans 30-0 on Saturday.
Man overboard: Portsea crew hit the water
![Jack Perkin, from the Portsea surfboat crew, is last man overboard during competition at Ocean Thunder at Dee Why Beach on Saturday January 9, 2015.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/r/1/v/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2qke.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
Matt Murnane The entire bottom of the boat was blown out, but fortunately for the crew of the "Portsea Cannons" there were "no battle scars".
Steelers in comeback victory over Bengals
![Clutch: Ben Roethisberger returned to field after an injury to lead the game-winning drive.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/v/e/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2v8u.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
Ed Bouchette Steelers blew a big lead and lost Ben Roethlisberger to a right shoulder injury before the quarterback returned and led one of the most dramatic comeback victories of his 12-year career.
World's fifth-tallest man builds bridges
![commercial deal signed off by Cricket Australia, sports editors and producers are being forced to leap several hurdles to access photos from WBBL matches.](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/f/q/r/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm293k.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
Daniel Cherny PSSST Those who donate time and money to charity should walk taller. Although in the case of Kali Selei, that's pretty hard.
A man's world, lacking grace
![Illustration: SImon Letch](/web/20160111221623im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/2/i/u/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gm2i19.zzax1.png/1452512466725.jpg)
Timothy Boyle There's a scene I sometimes think about when I think about the nature of sportsmen, and how strange things can get.