Concussion diagnosis leaps 10-fold in a decade

Jon Pierik 7:09 PM   The number of diagnosed concussions has jumped 10-fold and the number of matches missed because of serious head knocks has surged 14-fold in the past decade, AFL data reveals.



Top Stories

Footy Show gaffe could cost Nine $2M a year

Sam Newman

Mark Hawthorne 5:27 PM   Sam Newman's latest gaffe on The Footy Show could cost the Nine Network up to $2 million a year, after major sponsor Nissan decided to end its relationship with the program.

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Big penalties for drug secrecy breaches

The AFL has new rules to deal with players who use illicit drugs.

Caroline Wilson 8:35 PM   Club officials and potentially even club presidents who breach the confidentiality of the AFL's new illicit drugs policy will face massive fines and potential deregistration from the game.

Petrie paints the elephant in the room orange

Drew Petrie and Brent Harvey celebrate a goal.

Drew Petrie 2:29 PM   I'm experiencing déjà vu right now because many people in the footy industry have called an end to my career, again.

Is greyhound racing going to the dogs?

Jim Pavlidis illustration for Greg Baum column Saturday July 9, 2016

Greg Baum 7:41 PM   Decades ago, a mate coaxed me into joint ownership of two racing greyhounds. Their breeding and talent was on a par with our budget, but for a while we had fun.

Greyhound racing clubs set up fighting fund

Disappointed: CEO of Greyhound Racing NSW, Paul Newson.

Adam Pengilly 7:09 PM   Greyhound racing clubs throughout New South Wales are preparing to dip into a fighting fund of more than $500,000 to subsidise their battle against the government's planned closure of the industry.

Grundy on balance, belief, trusting yourself

Collingwood footballer Brodie Grundy poses for a photo at the Holden Centre.

Emma Quayle 2:43 PM   This Magpie has a theory that every day is like an iPhone battery: he likes to keep himself feeling fully charged for as long as possible.

Brad Hogg confirms Scorchers defection

The evergreen Brad Hogg of the Scorchers celebrates after taking the wicket of Nathan Reardon.

3:12 PM   Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer says he's disappointed Brad Hogg has chosen to leave the BBL franchise, but he's adamant their friendship won't be affected by the decision.

Ebert could take on Kangaroos

Brad Ebert.

Port Adelaide say Brad Ebert could be fit to take on North Melbourne next Saturday despite being sent to hospital after coughing up blood following an incident against Hawks.

Olympians prepare for 'violent, random' crime

The Olympic Rings in Madureira Park, Rio de Janeiro.

Samantha Lane 5:50 PM   Australian Olympic athletes and support staff are being told that if they are not directly involved in acts of "violent, random and sporadic" crime during the Rio Olympics they should expect to witness it.

Murphy another three weeks away

Marc Murphy is at least another three weeks away.

12:39 PM   AFL Carlton skipper Marc Murphy appears no closer to making his return from a persistent ankle injury.

Rival player visits inappropriate: Gordon

Linsanity: Lin Jong has been a major talking point.

Daniel Cherny 3:20 PM   Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon says he wouldn't invite an opposition player to tour the Bulldogs' facilities mid-season, describing such a move as inappropriate.

Big-money deals can be dangerous

Tom Boyd: With a hefty contract comes the weight of expectation.

Wayne Carey   A footballer's playing life is short and contracts need to be maximised, but if you're on the big money you need to produce the goods.

AFL

Six-pointers: Your guide to AFL round 16

It's been a gloomy season for Magpies fans, but watching Adam Treloar, formerly of GWS, has been a silver lining.

Ronny Lerner 9:39 PM   Things to look out for this week: Adam Treloar's return to Spotless Stadium, a big day for Rischitelli and a swag of other milestones.

Giants v Pies: new kids on the block against the football powerhouse

That was then: Giants coach Leon Cameron (left) and then football manager Graeme Allan join players for the club song ...

Caroline Wilson 5:31 PM   GWS v Collingwood - it's one of the AFL's most complex love-hate relationships, fuelled by political stoushes, resignation threats, larger-than-life football personalities and highly suspicious defections.

MORE AFL NEWS

Soccer

Griezmann fires hosts past Germany

France's young hero: Antoine Griezmann.

6:56 AM   Two goals from Antoine Griezmann helped hosts France overcome world champions Germany 2-0 to fire the hosts to the final of Euro 2016, a first competitive victory over their old rivals in 58 years.

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Rugby League

Radradra injured as Eels overcome week from hell to beat Roosters

Against the odds: Clint Gutherson reacts to his match-winning try.

Dominic Bossi 10:07 PM   Parramatta show impressive character to score three late tries to beat the Roosters.

Live: Eels v Roosters

On the hop: Bevan French celebrates scoring a try against Cronulla Sharks in round 17.

Matt Bungard 9:41 PM   Join us for live action as the Eels host the Roosters.

MORE RUGBY LEAGUE NEWS

Rugby Union

Brumbies loss blows finals race open

Scott Fardy suffered a nasty head knock.

Chris Dutton 9:47 PM   The shellshocked Brumbies will have to fight for a Super Rugby finals spot after a disastrous loss in Auckland on Friday night.

MORE RUGBY UNION NEWS

Netball

Swifts not haunted by grand final heartbreak

Re-signed: NSW Swifts coach Rob Wright will spend the 2016 season with the club.

James Lemon 11:59 AM   NSW Swifts coach Rob Wright says last year's grand final heartbreak has no bearing on this year's finals campaign.

MORE NETBALL NEWS

Motor Sport

Ricciardo looks within for better finish at British Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo prepares on the grid.

Andrew Tate 5:24 PM   Ahead of the British Grand Prix Daniel Ricciardo has conceded that it was not just his car that had an off day at last week's  race in Austria. 

MORE MOTOR SPORT NEWS

More Sport

Porte puncture costs him time on Tour

Peter Sagan (l) leads the Tour.

Australian Richie Porte lost time on the second stage of the Tour de France after suffering a puncture in the finale.

Highlights

GWS-Pies: rivalry fed by the old and the bold

GWS v Collingwood - it's one of the AFL's most complex love-hate relationships, fuelled by political stoushes, resignation threats and highly suspicious defections.

FootyFix: Cats battle Swans for the top four

Rohan Connolly previews all the footy action ahead of round 16 in the AFL.

Hawks, Federer: two eras, no end

Either Roger Federer is the Hawthorn of tennis, or the Hawks are the Federer of the AFL. As in a quinella, either way round wins.

Dees finally give fans reason to cheer

If any team has been under my footy microscope these past eight years, it's the Dees.

There's always a cost with big-money deals 

A footballer's playing life is short and contractsmust be maximised, but if you're on the big money you also must produce the goods.

Greg Baum: England and the lose canon

Everyone loves a winner. But what we love even more is a loser, especially if it's England. 

Plays of the Week

From flying cellar dwellers to one of the biggest upsets of all time, these are the most exciting, silly and downright crazy plays in the sport world this week.

Wayne Carey: Swan is gone. He'll be missed

In my opinion, writes Wayne Carey, the midfielder has played his final game for Collingwood.

Carbine Club finally moves to admit females

Melbourne's all-male Carbine Club will offer membership to at least five high-profile women in a desperate bid to appease the AFL.

James the greatest? Sorry, not yet folks

MJ will ALWAYS be a superior player than LBJ. How's that a way to light a fuse?

Don't turn Ali into a sanitised caricature

We're left with a man of inordinate courage who made some awful mistakes.

Mid-year team: An even spread of talent

With apologies to at least seven midfielders, here's Rohan Connolly's mid-season AFL All-Australian team.

Transgender issues could dominate Rio

COMMENT The Rio Olympics have already proven to be highly controversial and the Opening Ceremony is still two months away.

Why did he mean so much to me?

It was a dream assignment. Follow your hero. Stay close to him. Many others felt the same.

Who would deny his immortality?

In Norman Mailer's seminal book, he describes Muhammad Ali thus.

Best Betts

Eddie Betts adds another wonder goal to his remarkable AFL career.

Rance is the modern-day Archer

But which one would Wayne Carey pick in his ultimate fantasy team?

What lies beneath is what worries big-wave rider

Widely regarded as one of the best big-wave surfers in the world, Mark Mathews isn't scared by the monsters he rides.

Pick 1 v Pick 2

Jacob Weitering and Josh Schache were separated by just a few seconds at the draft last year.

Roughy's greatness

The most inspirational moments in sport don't always occur in the heat of battle, or in the immediate aftermath of glorious triumphs or heartbreaking defeats.