Hawthorn have reached a final settlement with Alastair Clarkson, paying the four-time premiership coach the $450,000 that he was still owed for his last contract. Sources familiar with the arrangement said Clarkson had been paid the outstanding amount – the second tranche of his 2022 contract to coach the club – in mid-November, as scheduled. The Clarkson camp had been concerned that the allegations against Clarkson and fellow Hawthorn officials by First Nations players and their families might lead to […]

Eddie Jones’ roller-coaster ride as England coach came to an end on Tuesday when he was sacked by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) following a review into their November series that ended with the team being booed off the pitch at Twickenham. That rare supporter reaction to a comprehensive 27-13 defeat by a weakened South Africa – and Jones’s subsequent comment that he did not care what anybody else thought – appears to have been the final straw for the […]

Wallabies great Matt Giteau SLAMS England’s ‘BIG mistake’ in sacking Eddie Jones just nine months out from the Rugby World Cup: ‘It has to be the silliest thing they could do’ Matt Giteau has blasted England’s decision to sack Eddie Jones as head coach  Jones was dismissed on Tuesday after overseeing a poor run of performances  Giteau described it as a ‘big mistake’ with the World Cup around the corner  Click here for all your latest international sports news at […]

Here we answers the key questions surrounding his reign. Why was Jones appointed? The stars aligned for the veteran ‘super-coach’ at the 2015 World Cup as Japan’s unprecedented success, headlined by a stunning upset of South Africa, coincided with England’s failure to reach the knockout phase for the first time. Having appointed the inexperienced Stuart Lancaster in 2012, the Rugby Football Union then sought his opposite – a seasoned campaigner with a proven track record in the international game. Enter […]

Here we look at the highs and lows of Jones’ seven years in charge. Highs Grand Slam, 2016 Jones’ reign began with fireworks as he masterminded England’s first Grand Slam since 2023 and first Six Nations title for five years using the same players who had crashed to a group exit at the World Cup just months earlier. Series whitewash of Australia, 2016 As part of a record-equalling 17-Test run, Australia were crushed 3-0 on a tour that saw Jones […]

Eddie Jones’ roller-coaster ride as England coach came to an end on Tuesday when he was sacked by the Rugby Football Union following a review into their November series that ended with the team being booed off the pitch at Twickenham. That rare supporter reaction to a comprehensive 27-13 defeat by a weakened South Africa – and Jones’s subsequent comment that he did not care what anybody else thought – appears to have been the final straw for the anonymous […]

Oscar Murdoch (right) spoils Harry Sheezel at the state championship at Marvel Stadium in September.Credit:AFL Photos Geelong have added to their bevy of homegrown talent, securing three locals including father-son Osca Riccardi through the AFL rookie system on Wednesday. Having already added highly-rated Geelong Falcons midfielder Jhye Clark, mentored by Joel Selwood, with pick No.7 in the national draft earlier in the week, the Cats stuck to the template which has helped them remain a consistent force for 15 years. […]

Harry Lemmey, Carlton’s final pick, was the opposite of a draft bolter. He had entered his draft year this year as a potential top-10 pick, a key forward whose name was on everyone’s lips. By Tuesday night, his stocks had fallen so far it took until pick 47 before Carlton, one of the few clubs to maintain faith that he could make the grade, added him to their list. Such a slide from prominence tested the West Adelaide forward’s belief […]

Key posts 6.21pmSydney’s bold draft play and how GWS stared them down 6.17pmMore trades to come? Demons open to Giant move 6.16pmEvery pick from the 2022 AFL national draft 1 of 1 Sydney’s bold draft play and how GWS stared them down Sydney warned the Giants before placing their shock bid on academy prospect Harry Rowston on Monday night, hoping to convince them to give up valuable draft collateral. The bid was the talk of the first night of the […]

Key points Melbourne reveal interest in Giants’ pick at start of second round. The Demons tried unsuccessfully to score Essendon’s top-five selection. GWS could keep their second-round pick but will weigh up offers. Melbourne look set to be one of the suitors for Greater Western Sydney’s coveted pick at the start of round two after drafting a second key forward in as many years. The Demons aggressively tried but failed to move up the AFL draft order, including offering three […]