sports and games

Will racing shut down with a positive coronavirus test? Not necessarily, according to officials

Racing is hoping to buck the trend of sports shutting down during the coronavirus pandemic, even if a jockey tests positive.




sports and games

Coronavirus forces NRL to introduce self-isolation program for players

The NRL is introducing a self-isolation program for its players, as it looks to continue the premiership amid the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

Coronavirus shutdown could send country footy clubs to the wall

This autumn, for the first time since World War II, footy fields across Victoria will be empty on Saturdays, which could spell the end for some struggling regional clubs.




sports and games

'It is like a ghost town': AFL, NRL enter the brave new world of no crowds at matches

AFL and NRL players begin to get used to the "weird" sensation of playing matches inside empty stadiums as both competitions step up measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

AFLW talent spread too thin? Next gen can 'change the game in two years'

A new generation of female footy players is beginning to hit the AFLW, with coaches saying their talent is "really quite scary" and could change the game in the next few years.




sports and games

Olympic organisers commit to July games date despite COVID-19 outbreak

While major events are being cancelled and postponed around the world, those behind the Tokyo Olympics say they don't have to make a decision about the games with just four months to go.




sports and games

AFL a masterclass in social distance signalling — maintaining a facade of following the rules

The league, clubs and broadcasters found multiple ways to demonstrate they could stage the game without breaching all these cloying new societal protocols, writes Richard Hinds.




sports and games

NZ Warriors to stay in Australia amid coronavirus troubles for NRL

The NRL season still has 16 teams, as the New Zealand Warriors make the call to remain based in Australia for the foreseeable future.




sports and games

Former English Premier League player Peter Whittingham dies aged 35 after pub fall

Former English Premier League footballer Peter Whittingham dies at the age of 35, nearly two weeks after an accidental fall.




sports and games

AFL to shut down for 30 days if player has coronavirus

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the competition will shut down for at least 30 days — not 14 — if a player tests positive to coronavirus.




sports and games

Middle-aged women are turning to bodybuilding — and they've got the edge on their younger rivals

The transformative nature of bodybuilding is particularly appealing to those already going through a transition period: middle-aged women.




sports and games

The footy rolls on, and the fan inside us all should enjoy it while it lasts

The world is shutting down but the AFL and NRL are among the very small handful of sports carrying on. The risks are real, writes David Mark, but their presence should be treasured for now.





sports and games

Suburban cricket finals go ahead against Cricket Victoria's 'strong recommendation'

A suburban Melbourne community cricket competition's finals matches are going ahead this weekend against the advice of the sport's state and national governing bodies and despite the concerns of some teams and players.




sports and games

Melbourne City captures W-League championship with grand final win over Sydney FC

The undefeated Melbourne City missed its supporters in the grandstand as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, but the W-League giant is celebrating another championship after beating Sydney FC 1-0 in the season decider.




sports and games

Giants crush Cats as Power overwhelm Suns in AFL's opening round

As the AFL's ban on spectators continues because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Giants and Power impress in their season openers, while the Bombers and Swans also enjoy victories.




sports and games

Warriors lose to Raiders on Gold Coast as Storm and Sea Eagles triumph

The Warriors go down to the Raiders during their indefinite NRL road trip in Australia caused by the coronavirus pandemic, while the Storm and Sea Eagles manage wins.




sports and games

Farnan claims Golden Slipper triumph as spectators are locked out of Rosehill

Hugh Bowman rides Farnan to victory in the prestigious Golden Slipper, as racegoers are barred from Rosehill Gardens in Sydney's west because of biosecurity protocols surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

Dockers confirm AFLW premiership favouritism with massive win over Suns

Fremantle shows why it is tipped to win its first AFLW flag with a 70-point thrashing of Gold Coast, as the Kangaroos and Demons also progress to the preliminary finals.



  • Sport
  • Australian Football League

sports and games

From Skase to Capper: How the Bears helped AFL sink its claws into Queensland

It was the '80s — the hair was big, life was large, and Aussie Rules were dirty words in Queensland. One man with a lot of cash to splash would change that.




sports and games

AFL suspends season in response to coronavirus, but NRL opts to play on for now

The AFL calls a halt to games until at least May 31 in response to the coronavirus outbreak, but the NRL says it is proceeding until told to stop.




sports and games

Five quick questions on the AFL suspending the 2020 season

Gillon McLachlan's Sunday press conference was a game-changer — what does his announcement mean for the state of play in AFL and AFLW?




sports and games

Quarter-by-quarter and minute-by-minute action now becomes months of silence for the AFL

Over the course of four days of football, the new AFL season went from being totally surreal to almost normal — then back to flat-out weird, writes Al Nicholson.




sports and games

IOC to decide on possible Tokyo Olympics postponement within four weeks

Under mounting pressure from athletes, federations and national committees, the IOC announces it is considering postponing the Olympics but says cancellation is "not on the agenda".




sports and games

AFL players apologise 'unreservedly' for night-long party against social-distancing advice

A group of North Melbourne footballers apologises for throwing a party at a Melbourne home last night, with the club saying it was "inappropriate in the current climate".




sports and games

Australian athletes told to plan for Olympics to be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

Australia's Olympic athletes are told to plan for the Games to be delayed until next year, amid growing calls to postpone the event in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

We just don't know when we will be back at the footy again

What started as a feeling of tempered excitement as the weekend began, finished with a hollow acceptance that the world had changed, and Australian sport was not immune, writes Quentin Hull.




sports and games

NRL announces suspension of 2020 season due to coronavirus pandemic

The NRL announces the 2020 season will be suspended after two rounds after state border closures make continuing the competition impossible.




sports and games

NRL and AFL playing on only hurt the severity of coronavirus messaging

As ever the NRL's flea-infested tail wagged the dog but when it comes to professional sport taking place, those of us in the industry in this country have all let Australians down.




sports and games

Queensland mum, 41, wins second national kickboxing title

Eight years ago Simone Offord took up kickboxing for mental health and exercise. Now the mother of three has claimed her second Australian title.




sports and games

The last domino to fall: A-League joins NRL, AFL in suspending season

The A-League becomes the final major sporting league in Australia to close its doors, joining the AFL and NRL in suspending operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

Olympics will take place in 2021, says IOC member Dick Pound

The Olympics will be postponed to 2021 as the sporting world adapts to the coronavirus pandemic, according to IOC member Dick Pound.




sports and games

'The date may change, but the goal remains the same': Tokyo Olympics postponed until 2021

Australian athletes react positively to news that the Tokyo Olympics are postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak and will now take place in 2021.




sports and games

By delaying Tokyo Games, the International Olympic Committee finally admits it's not the main game in town

It was welcomed by athletes around the world, but the decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until 2021 was easy in comparison to what comes next, writes Tracey Holmes.




sports and games

Jack Riewoldt says AFL players aren't being selfish in pay cut talks

As the AFL feels the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, its players reject suggestions they are being greedy as they negotiate a pay cut with the league.




sports and games

AOC hails postponement of Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics as 'the right decision'

Australian officials agree that postponing the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games until next year because of coronavirus is a positive move, saying it will come as a relief to athletes around the world.




sports and games

A body blow for TV networks as football codes suspend seasons, Olympics postponed

Neither of the major football codes seem likely to emerge from the coronavirus outlook unscathed and nor do the free-to-air television networks that broadcast their matches.




sports and games

Sport is on hold. Esports aren't. Here's how to fill that entertainment void in your weekend

Almost every major sporting league around the world is on hiatus. But esports can fill the sporting void in your weekend schedule. Here's how to get into it, and what to watch this weekend.



  • Sport
  • Games
  • Infectious Diseases (Other)
  • Games Industry Professional Gaming

sports and games

Geelong coach Chris Scott defends AFL players amid pay cut negotiations

AFL players have been accused of being greedy and selfish during talks with the league over pay cuts now that the season is suspended, but the Cats coach says it is unfair.




sports and games

What about the sports fans? Coronavirus has thrown their season out too

Footy brings people together and it's an escape from the daily grind. But life without it starts this weekend, so how are the fans going to deal?




sports and games

No more good times for AFL as Dangerfield's pay clanger plays into out-of-touch view

The world has changed for AFL players — like everybody else — thanks to coronavirus. They're taking a while to process the fact, writes Offsiders' Richard Hinds.




sports and games

US baseball uniforms used to make medical masks in coronavirus fight

There is no baseball being played in the US because of coronavirus, but a manufacturer of the uniforms worn in the Major League is now using the same fabric to make protective clothing in the fight against the pandemic.




sports and games

AFL reaches pay-cut deal with players after coronavirus shuts down season

The ugly stand-off between the AFL and its players is finally over, with the two parties agreeing to a pay deal while the men's 2020 premiership season is suspended because of coronavirus.




sports and games

Andrew Johns suggests NRL cut four teams as coronavirus leaves financial impact

The NRL is being hit hard by the financial effect of coronavirus, which is why one of the game's greatest players wants the league to consider reducing its number of teams from 16 to 12.




sports and games

Boxing sisters face diabetes fight to pursue sporting dream

Tamieka and Teya Garcia are making inroads in the boxing industry despite a life-threatening health condition that complicates their efforts to step inside the ring.




sports and games

With games off for now, what will happen to club members who want their money back?

It's a difficult time for all footy clubs and everyone involved with suspended seasons — but if you're a holder of a club membership who wants a refund, you might be left disappointed.




sports and games

Aussie John Millman resigned to seeing entire tennis season canned because of coronavirus

Australian Davis Cup star John Millman doubts the ATP and WTA Tours can resume at all in 2020 due to the extent of the coronavirus pandemic.




sports and games

Newcastle Jets player tests positive for COVID-19

The A-League club, which played Melbourne City before the A-League postponed its season amid the coronavirus pandemic, says the correct procedures have been followed.




sports and games

Shrunken leagues, virtual Olympics and simulated crowds: What sport might look like post-coronavirus

Coronavirus has changed sport forever. But what will it look like when it comes back?




sports and games

Steve Smith leadership ban ends quietly amid coronavirus limbo

Steve Smith is now free to captain Australia again if called upon, with the leadership ban arising from the ball-tampering scandal expiring quietly over the weekend.