Could this be West Coast's year?
Rohan Connolly 6:55 PM The day before Hawthorn won their third premiership in a row, the Hawks attended the grand final parade, had the lightest of runs, then were addressed by Alastair Clarkson.
Top Stories
Murphy, Weitering confirmed starters
![Marc Murphy was the No 1 pick in the 2005 draft.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/h/d/7/x/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnp5bb.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Sam McClure 11:45 AM AFL Carlton coach Brendon Bolton has confirmed that captain Marc Murphy and No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering will both play in Thursday night's season opener against Richmond.
Can you win a premiership with defence?
![Can defensive prowess win a premiership - a timeless question for Ross Lyon and the Dockers.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/v/z/d/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnokkd.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Robert Nguyen 9:50 AM AFL Does defence really win you a premiership? An unbiased look at the numbers paints an interesting picture (and maybe not a good one for the Fremantle Dockers).
Moody may return to racing one day
![Suspended trainer Peter Moody.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/9/h/s/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gno8s7.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Larissa Nicholson and Patrick Bartley 7:32 PM HORSE RACING Trainer Peter Moody has left open the possibility he may one day return to the sport, as officials consider appealing his six-month suspension.
Security threat: Aussie team's flight delayed
![Australian captain Steve Smith.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/w/m/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnowml.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Chris Barrett 1:26 AM CRICKET The Australian team's flight into Chandigarh in northern India was delayed on Tuesday due to a security threat against another plane.
'Explain gender pay gap to your kids'
![Serena Williams has slammed Novak Djokovic over gender pay comments.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/m/u/r/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnp374.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Larissa Nicholson 12:38 PM TENNIS Serena Williams has slammed Novak Djokovic for saying men deserved more prize money than women, questioning how he would explain a gender pay gap to his kids.
Kruse raring to make up for lost time
![Robbie Kruse (left) has his eyes on the prize.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/2/o/a/h/h/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnp5yt.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Michael Lynch 12:20 PM SOCCER If there is one man in the Socceroos squad who wants to make up for lost time, it is German-based striker Robbie Kruse.
O'Neal criticises AFL over 'chopstick' penalty
![A different perspective: Peggy O'Neal said Dustin Martin "is not a violent person, quite the opposite".](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/5/w/z/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnom7z.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
AFL Richmond president Peggy O'Neal says she remains disappointed the AFL forced the club's hand in issuing Dustin Martin with a suspended $5000 fine even though he had been cleared of any wrongdoing.
Lucas Browne 'arrived clean'
![Failed drug test: Australia's Lucas Browne, right, hits Uzbekistan's Ruslan Chagaev during their WBA world heavyweight ...](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/n/w/p/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnoz4k.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Daniel Lane 9:03 AM BOXING British legend Ricky Hatton has jumped into Australian Lucas Browne's corner, saying the world heavyweight champion, who failed a drug test after his title bout, arrived in Chechnya 'clean'.
Hawks lose Brad Hill to a wrist injury
![Brad Hill with teammate Jack Gunston last year.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/k/8/9/4/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnoss8.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Sam McClure 6:51 PM AFL Hawthorn's terrible run of injuries has continued, with speedster and premiership player Brad Hill going down with a wrist injury.
Will this Shield final be all it seams?
![Scott Boland (left) and Cameron White of the Bushrangers leave the field after holding on for a draw against New South ...](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/s/v/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnop6g.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
Greg Baum 6:43 PM CRICKET The drafting of seamer Clint McKay into Victoria's squad for the Sheffield Shield final against South Australia is the surest sign yet that this may be a different sort of finale to finish a different sort of season.
New Zealand book semis spot
![New Zealand players celebrate their win over Pakistan in their ICC World Twenty20 2016 cricket match in Mohali, India, ...](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/x/k/a/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnoxfp.100177.png/1458705229143.jpg)
6:46 AM CRICKET Australia's World Twenty20 chances have been given a boost as New Zealand became the first team to book a spot in the semi-finals after a 22-run win against Pakistan.
AFL
AFL hopes to work with Goodes
![Portrait of Sydney Swans player Adam Goodes. Friday 13th February 2015. Photograph by James Brickwood. SMH SPORT 150213](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/v/u/0/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnpbiy.106eai.png/1458700952225.jpg)
1:42 PM AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says retired great Adam Goodes would be an ideal candidate to become the league's first indigenous Commission member.
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Cricket
Zampa approaches greatest challenge
![Front and centre: Australia spinner Adam Zampa played a starring role in the win over Bangladesh.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/n/v/6/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnol9y.1000zr.png/1458679852886.jpg)
Chris Barrett 5:32 PM The 23-year-old cemented his position as the first-choice spinner with 3-23 from four overs in the three-wicket defeat of Bangladesh.
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Motor Sport
Alonso's survival a product of past tragedies
![A track official assists the removal of McLaren driver Fernando Alonso's car at Albert Park on Sunday.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/m/p/d/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnnkv6.11q817.png/1458616601142.jpg)
Mark Fogarty Fernando Alonso's amazing escape from that monumental 200 km/h crash at Albert Park on Sunday wasn't as miraculous as it first appeared.
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Soccer
'A crime against humanity'
![The home strip.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/1/7/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gno05b.1000zw.png/1458638667589.jpg)
Michael Lynch 8:24 PM The Socceroos will debut a new strip on Thursday night in a World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan – and look to prove that all that glitters is indeed gold.
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Tennis
Moore resigns as BNP Paribas Open CEO
![Tournament director Raymond Moore raised ire with his remarks about women's tennis.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/q/5/e/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnopzy.119zdz.png/1458697025377.jpg)
Jahmal Corner 6:07 PM Raymond Moore has stepped down as CEO and tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open following controversial comments he made about women's tennis, the tournament announced on Monday.
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Basketball
NBA-bound Simmons makes it official
![Heading for Rio? Ben Simmons.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/9/3/7/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnnx9o.12e3uq.png/1458618306428.jpg)
Australian teenager Ben Simmons is entering the NBA and might play for the Boomers at this year's Olympics.
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Cycling
Illness hits Australian star again
![Australia's Rohan Dennis.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/a/q/0/n/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnovem.13hkhn.png/1458641703501.jpg)
9:15 PM Illness has hit Rohan Dennis' early-season campaign again, forcing the Australian cycling star out of the Volta a Catalunya.
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Horse Racing
Can Japanese hope spoil Winx's party?
![Japanese star: Tosen Stardom.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/o/j/i/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnonf6.11a1oq.png/1458663661843.jpg)
Adam Pengilly 6:14 PM He may have flown halfway around the world to meet Australian racing's golden girl, but Tosen Stardom's trainer Yasutoshi Ikee is not running scared of Winx before a potential clash in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
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Athletics
Bolt to make Rio his last Olympics
![His last bow: Usain Bolt wants to end his Olympic appearances with another three golds.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/5/y/1/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnovbh.ghk9mq.png/1458641313363.jpg)
9:08 PM World record holder Usain Bolt has confirmed the Rio Olympics will be his last.
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Rugby Union
Reds will pose greater threat: Folau
![Waratahs and Wallabies fullback Israel Folau.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/j/q/0/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnoy92.png/1458679888927.jpg)
7:51 AM Israel Folau expects Queensland to bounce back from round 1 loss.
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Rugby League
The Raiders halfback who could have been a Titan
![Raiders halfback Sam Williams.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/p/6/u/k/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnomi1.png/1458703758629.jpg)
Lee Gaskin 2:29 PM Canberra Raiders halfback Sam Williams could have been playing for the Titans, and not against them, this weekend.
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More Sport
Russian wrestlers may miss Rio Games
![Maria Sharapova is not the first athlete to have tested positive to Meldonium since January 1.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/d/5/k/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnovmx.zzax1.png/1458644185614.png)
9:56 PM WRESTLING Russia's wrestling team may not compete at the Rio Olympics after recording "tens" of positive doping results.
NFL set to take game to China
![This year, the NFL will stage three games in London and return to Mexico for a regular-season game in November.](/web/20160323040325im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/m/h/n/e/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gnnvaq.zzax1.png/1458644185614.jpg)
AMERICAN FOOTBALL The NFL is looking into playing a regular season game in China as early as the 2018 season.