James Cooney, Senior Sport Reporter, Australia

James Cooney is an Australian journalist and the former editor of Empire Magazine Australasia, UFC Magazine Australia and Football Plus. He has written for a number of publications and has a passion for all sports - particularly boxing, MMA and football. He has a Communications degree from the University of Western Sydney and is the most recent addition to the Daily Mail Australia Sport team.

Coverage: Sport

MOST RECENT ARTICLES FROM JAMES COONEY

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We're only four rounds into the season but it's official: Footy star Rory Lobb has the AFL's worst haircut

02/04/25 02:23

Rory Lobb dyed his hair blue when the Western Bulldogs beat Carlton last Friday night - but his new look makes that seem conservative....read

Clive Palmer pumped money into a struggling footy side. They signed superstars and won two grand finals - but now team boss says billionaire's rescue act was actually a disaster
02/04/25 12:56
Clive Palmer's lavish contribution to a struggling footy club has ended in heartbreak, with the new team boss saying the billionaire's blank chequebook created serious problems.
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AFL makes huge call on Noah Balta's future as he faces possible jail sentence for serious assault as prosecution lawyers blast Richmond's actions in court
01/04/25 03:48
Richmond Tigers star Noah Balta will soon find out if he'll be jailed after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm over an incident outside a NSW club on December 30 last year.
Gout Gout's coach says his cool and calm reaction to losing thrilling race was all a mask - here's what he was REALLY thinking
01/04/25 02:10
Aussie teenage sprinting prodigy Gout Gout was smiling and congratulating Lachlan Kennedy on beating him in the 200m race on Saturday night - but now his true reaction has been revealed.
Eddie McGuire reveals new details about the tragic death of footy great Andrew Krakouer aged just 42
01/04/25 01:24
Former Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire has revealed new details about the tragic death of Andrew Krakouer, including what the 42-year-old footy star was doing at the time of his suspected heart attack.
Footy heartthrob Bailey Smith serves up a devastating comeback to a fan who insulted him about his famous mullet
01/04/25 12:25
Geelong superstar Bailey Smith won praise from his coach for his play in the Cats' loss to Brisbane on Saturday night - but he also impressed when he was heckled by a fan.
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AFL star Joel Smith drops bombshell about his future as he breaks his silence after copping monster ban for taking and trafficking cocaine
31/03/25 11:48
Former Demons player Joel Smith has spoken publicly for the first time since his four-year ban for violating the anti-doping code after he was busted by drug testers after a match in 2023.
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Kelly Clarkson RAVES about the singing skills of one of Australia's biggest footy stars: 'I'd like to do a duet with him'
31/03/25 05:39
Kelly Clarkson has been left stunned by the vocal abilities of a high-profile Australian footballer, with the Grammy-winning superstar revealing that she'd like to sing a duet with him.
Footy great Brian Taylor lights a fuse in the Channel Seven vs Fox Sports footy war by making a VERY snarky comment live on air
31/03/25 03:35
Brian Taylor delighted some footy fans when he had a not-so-subtle swipe at Channel Seven's main competition for viewers during the Adelaide vs North Melbourne game on Sunday.
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Footy star Keano Kini, 20, was looking forward to becoming a dad for the first time - then he discovered he's just MILLIMETRES from being paralysed for life
31/03/25 01:13
Titans fullback Keano Kini has opened up about a chilling diagnosis that revealed that he was on the verge of suffering an injury that would've changed his life forever.
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Daria Kasatkina: One of the world's top tennis stars took a bombshell step after declaring her love for Australia - and now she's being slammed with hateful abuse
31/03/25 12:18
Daria Kasatkina has found herself at the centre of a storm of online abuse following her bombshell announcement that she will represent Australia after being granted permanent residency.
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Security guard tackles cricket fan trying to steal stump after Sheffield Shield final
30/03/25 03:06
An overzealous cricket fan was tackled to the ground by security on Saturday at the Sheffield Shield final after he tried to steal a cricket stump.
GWS Giants players share a kiss on the field before Hawthorn loss
30/03/25 12:23
In an unexpected moment on Saturday night, GWS Giants players Stephen Coniglio and Harry Himmelberg were spotted sharing an unusual pre-game ritual.
Why rugby boss is ruling out Israel Folau return after bitter split from the Wallabies over homophobia scandal
29/03/25 11:15
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh has officially dashed Israel Folau's hopes of a comeback against the British and Irish Lions later this year.
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Bulldogs star Reed Mahoney in hot water after two high shots against Cronulla: 'You just don't do that'
29/03/25 10:16
Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney is bracing for a tense few days as the NRL judiciary assesses his involvement in two controversial incidents during his side's Round 4 win over Cronulla.
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Gout Gout stunned by fellow Aussie sprinter in Melbourne thriller: 'What a race'
29/03/25 09:11
Lachlan Kennedy has revelled in the role of party pooper, upstaging Gout Gout's hugely-anticipated senior sprint debut and taking down the schoolboy sensation in the 200m in Melbourne.
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See the proof that Aussie footy stars HATE being called the C-word - but it's not the one you think
27/03/25 06:14
A quintessentially Aussie nickname is thought of as a compliment by many people - but a video of stars from the NRL's Manly Sea Eagles has showed they take it very differently.
Revealed: When Sam Kerr looks set to FINALLY return for the Matildas after her injury and court case hell
27/03/25 02:03
Matildas fans who've been waiting for more than a year for the superstar striker to return during the team's shocking run of form have now finally got the news they've been hoping for.
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GWS Giants footy star Tom Green opens up about childhood virus that robbed him of something Aussies take for granted
27/03/25 01:34
GWS midfielder Tom Green has become one of the AFL's top midfield talents since making his debut in 2020 - and he's done it all despite suffering a serious health problem.
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Matildas star Katrina Gorry reveals the life-changing moment that made her get help for the eating disorder that sucked all the joy out of her world
26/03/25 11:24
Matildas star midfielder Katrina Gorry has shared a personal revelation about her four-year battle with a debilitating eating disorder, revealing the pivotal turning point that drove her to seek help.
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Aussie martial arts legend reveals his surprising ties to Mark Zuckerberg - and gets a VERY surprising reaction from his fans
26/03/25 06:16
Australian martial arts legend Craig Jones has teamed up with Meta billionaire Mark Zuckerberg for a Brazilian jiu-jitsu training session - but not everyone is a fan of the move.
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Port Adelaide AFL star Tom Cochrane lives his childhood dream of becoming the first AFL player with a VERY misunderstood and uncontrollable medical condition
26/03/25 03:45
Port Adelaide forward Tom Cochrane will keep a promise he made to his mum when he was just nine - and follow in his dad's footsteps - when he plays against Essendon on Thursday.
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The only European player on a footy team full of Pacific Islanders reveals his surprising take on having to learn Polynesian war challenge
26/03/25 01:05
English rugby star Tom Savage has played more than 200 games and competed against some of the biggest stars in the world - but performing the Tau Moana is a huge challenge for him.
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Premiership-winning footy coach Simon Goodwin drops a bombshell about his young son
25/03/25 11:19
Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin has opened up about the remarkable turn of events that helped the club break their premiership drought in 2021.
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Israel Folau reveals stunning plan to return to Aussie footy after bitter split from the Wallabies over homophobia scandal: 'Just thinking about it makes me emotional'
25/03/25 05:40
Controversial footy star Israel Folau hasn't played a game in his home country since his headline-making sacking by the Wallabies six years ago.
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See David Warner's bizarre movie debut in a big-budget Bollywood action blockbuster
25/03/25 03:06
Australian cricket great David Warner has showcased his silver screen transformation during the trailer launch of a big-budget Bollywood action movie.
Footy star Max Gawn opens up for the first time about the personal problem that's the talk of the AFL after his coach was slammed for blindsiding the star in bombshell press conference
25/03/25 12:29
Max Gawn has opened up about the personal issue that he has been struggling with off the field after coach Simon Goodwin was slammed for raising it without first telling the star ruckman.
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Another blow for footy star Jarryd Hayne as his financial problems take a toll after his rape conviction was overturned
24/03/25 11:18
Jarryd Hayne's dwindling financial fortunes have taken another hit as the former NRL star keeps trying to get back onto the field after his wrongful rape convictions were overturned.
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Teen tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva reveals the sickening messages she received simply for losing one match
24/03/25 06:22
Teenage tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva has been subjected to a torrent of vile online abuse following her third-round loss to American Amanda Anisimova at the Miami Open.
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Brisbane Olympics rowing events 'will be held in a river known for its man-eating saltwater crocodiles'
24/03/25 03:20
In a bold and controversial move, a river in Queensland known for its large crocodiles has reportedly been chosen to host rowing events for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Aussie sprint sensation Gout Gout reveals the exact moment his life changed forever
24/03/25 12:54
At just 17 years of age, Gout Gout has drawn international attention and comparisons to Usain Bolt by clocking a series of stunning times in the 100m and 200m sprint.
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Aussie boxing great Michael Katsidis accuses fighter George Kambosos Jr's dad of threatening to have him 'clipped' in stunning online war of words
24/03/25 12:41
A feud within the Aussie boxing community has erupted in vicious fashion, with Michael Katsidis accusing Jim Kambosos - father of top boxer George - of using a very violent threat.
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Aussie NBA star Joe Ingles shares heartwarming moment with autistic son for first time
23/03/25 05:42
Aussie NBA star Joe Ingles and his family had basketball fans in tears after an incredibly heartwarming gesture by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
Cricket legend Mark Taylor whacks Usman Khawaja over handling of stunning Shield snub fallout
23/03/25 03:47
Cricket great Mark Taylor has taken aim at under fire Usman Khawaja for his handling of the recent controversy involving his attendance at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
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McLaren chief Zak Brown pinpoints critical factor that could prevent Oscar Piastri winning Chinese GP
23/03/25 01:47
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has pointed out a critical factor for Oscar Piastri's chances of winning the Chinese Grand Prix.
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NRL star Joseph Tapine reveals he had a serious gambling problem early in NRL career: 'I got addicted to pokies'
23/03/25 01:10
Raiders forward Joseph Tapine has publicly disclosed his battle with a gambling problem that at one point could have derailed his footy career.
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NRL great poised to replace controversial radio host Marty Sheargold who was sacked after 'disgraceful' Matildas rant
23/03/25 12:31
Former Roosters star and media personality Bryan Fletcher has emerged at the centre of a heated tug of war between two of Australia's biggest radio networks, Triple M and SEN.
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Olympic champion Duncan Armstrong opens up about shock heart attack and health test every Aussie needs to know about
22/03/25 10:47
Aussie Olympic swimming legend Duncan Armstrong has opened up about his shock heart attack and a health test that he wish he knew about earlier.
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Sam Kerr's Matildas fate revealed with brief statement ahead of friendlies in Australia
22/03/25 09:33
Australian football fans are hoping to see Matildas superstar Sam Kerr return to action on home soil in two weeks for friendlies against South Korea.
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Footy club is slammed over alleged nude photo scandal and offensive fines for acts like 'not going fully nude in the shower'
20/03/25 05:07
A South Australian footy club has come under fire for not taking more action on a nude photo scandal and controversial fines list that have sparked concerns about a 'misogynistic' culture.
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Why this innocent photo of cricket star Usman Khawaja and his wife has angered an Aussie great of the game
20/03/25 04:37
Cricket legend Ian Healy has taken aim at Usman Khawaja and Cricket Australia amid the furore over the Test opener's availability for a crucial Sheffield Shield match.
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Collingwood coach Craig McRae had hit rock bottom when he withdrew his last $50 from an ATM - and what he did with it will amaze you
20/03/25 02:26
Collingwood coach McRae isn't exactly short of a dollar now after stamping himself as one of the AFL's best leaders with the Magpies' 2023 flag win - but not too long ago, he was struggling badly.
Ella Roberts: AFLW star reveals her brutally honest take on what would happen if she played against a top men's team
19/03/25 11:16
West Coast club champion Ella Roberts spent her childhood dreaming about becoming the first woman to get a game in the AFL. Now she's one of the biggest stars in women's Aussie Rules.
Stunning development in AFL coach's rivalry with reporter he tried to kick out of a press conference after calling him an 'embarrassment' in wild scenes
19/03/25 05:24
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge made headlines across Australia when he couldn't contain his anger with Morris after his team lost their round-one match to Melbourne in 2022.
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AFL great turned commentator Brian Taylor risks angering his Channel Seven bosses by saying what footy fans are thinking
19/03/25 03:17
Brian Taylor has gone from being a goal-scoring machine for Richmond and Collingwood to becoming a fixture on Seven's AFL coverage - but his bosses won't be too happy with his recent take.
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Beau Hewitt: NRL club is rocked by the tragic death of a very special 12-year-old fan: 'Rest in peace little champion'
19/03/25 01:16
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are mourning the death of 12-year-old Beau Hewitt, a devoted fan who touched the lives of players, staff and supporters alike.
Footy great Matt Johns reveals his shock theory about Nathan Cleary's future - after NRL boss said switch would bring him closer to Mary Fowler
18/03/25 11:32
Rugby league legend Matt Johns is sure to spark plenty of debate by revealing how he'd approach Cleary's future if he was in charge of the Penrith Panthers.
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Bryce Mitchell: UFC star who enraged Dana White with Hitler comments claims his next opponent is possessed by a 'legion of demons' and performed a disturbing act when he mentioned Jesus
18/03/25 06:23
Controversial UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell says his upcoming opponent is possessed a 'legion of demons' which have haunted his dreams and tested his will and character.
Ray Hadley reveals the incredibly emotional scenes when he visited his three-year-old granddaughter in hospital as she battles leukaemia
18/03/25 04:27
Radio icon Ray Hadley has recounted his heart-breaking visit to the hospital to see his three-year-old granddaughter Lola, after first revealing her diagnosis last month.
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Christian Horner names the most handsome driver in Formula One after being left speechless by a stunning question
18/03/25 02:08
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner is used to some left-field questions as he tries to steer the outfit to a fifth straight driver's title with Max Verstappen - but he wasn't prepared for this.
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AFL great Dane Swan reveals his shocking plan for a VERY controversial new footy show - and fans are keen for it to happen
18/03/25 12:57
AFL legend Dane Swan has sparked a fresh conversation in the sports media world, calling for a new footy show that his fans want to get behind.
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Two disgusting rumours about teen sprint sensation Gout Gout are shot down by furious Aussie Olympics star
17/03/25 11:13
Australian athletics great John Steffenson has publicly defended teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout, saying anyone who promotes the baseless claims is a 'muppet'.
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Jamie Humphreys: Meet footy's newest heartthrob - as legend Andrew Johns reveals he has a man crush on the NRL's hottest rising star
17/03/25 05:28
Jamie Humphreys has been a very pleasant surprise for Souths supporters as he turns in match-winning performances - and many fans are very impressed with him off the field, too.
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David Gillespie: Footy legend makes stunning confession about why he had to go to rehab when his career was over - and the chance meeting that changed his life forever
17/03/25 04:05
Former rugby league hardman David 'Cement' Gillespie was close to unstoppable on the field as he won four grand finals. But when he retired, he found an opponent he couldn't beat.
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Furious F1 fans have to resort to desperate measures to see the action from their $300 seats at the Australian Grand Prix
17/03/25 01:06
Formula One fans who coughed up for tickets to Sunday's Australian Grand Prix took matters into their own hands when they arrived at the track and found they couldn't see the race properly.
Top footy reporter rips into 'ignorant' NRL legend Cooper Cronk in stunning war of words - despite the fact they're work colleagues
16/03/25 11:43
Veteran footy journalist Phil Rothfield has taken aim at premiership-winning NRL legend turned respected commentator Cooper Cronk. Both appear on Fox Sports.
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Aussie teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout clocks world-leading 200m time in stunning run
16/03/25 05:14
Aussie teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout has stunned fans in Brisbane by clocking the quickest 200m time in the world this year.
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McLaren chief Zak Brown's simple three-word message to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris ahead of Australian Grand Prix
16/03/25 03:53
McLaren boss Zak Brown has given his superstar drivers permission to race each other hard on Sunday afternoon at the Australian Grand Prix, but there's just one simple condition.
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Tributes pour in for teenage Sydney soccer player who died suddenly after collapsing during match
16/03/25 02:39
The family of Sydney teenager Enzo Santiago Alves is in mourning this week after the young athlete died suddenly following a health event during a soccer match.
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Awkward moment cheeky bird poos on AFL great Brad Johnson at the MCG: 'What a shot!'
16/03/25 01:12
AFL great Brad Johnson has been captured on camera being the unfortunate target of a seagull's droppings during Port Adelaide's clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday night.
Matildas star Tameka Yallop opens up on why she hid her sexuality for 10 years: 'I had two separate lives'
15/03/25 11:44
Australian football star Tameka Yallop has revealed she felt she had no option but to keep her sexuality hidden for nearly ten years for fear of judgement and not being accepted.
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Heartbreak for Mary Fowler in League Cup final as Sam Kerr mystery continues for Chelsea
15/03/25 10:41
Mary Fowler's dream of a first trophy with Manchester City have been dashed as Chelsea won their Women's League Cup final duel 2-1.
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Footy fans slam superstar Reece Walsh after Raiders stun Broncos: 'So ordinary'
15/03/25 10:02
Broncos superstar Reece Walsh has found himself in the firing line of footy fans after a lacklustre performance against the Raiders on Saturday night.
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The superfight Aussie footy fans are dying to see is FINALLY on the verge of becoming reality as Paul Gallen closes in on showdown with Sonny Bill Wiliams
13/03/25 04:44
After more than a decade of anticipation, heated exchanges and stalled negotiations, a showdown between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams is now closer than ever before.
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AFL fans slam the league's new commercial for making two HUGE mistakes
13/03/25 02:07
The AFL is facing a wave of backlash from footy fans over its latest commercial for the 2025 season, which celebrates milestones and controversies in the game's long history.
Brayden Maynard: Footy fans in shock as AFL star has 'scary' car crash after being involved in another prang last year
13/03/25 01:50
Collingwood premiership defender Brayden Maynard has been involved in a car accident just days out from Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide at the MCG.
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Footy star Toby Greene reveals the INSANE cost of his infamous assault on a pub bouncer - and why he came 'very' close to dying in Bali this offseason
12/03/25 11:45
GWS Giants captain Toby Greene has opened up about the financial toll of his infamous assault of a pub bouncer, labelling it a 'very stupid moment' that he wishes he could take back.
Collingwood footy star Isaac Quaynor is slammed for his VERY metrosexual gameday routine
12/03/25 06:25
Controversial AFL commentator Kane Cornes has taken aim at Collingwood defender Isaac Quaynor after taking a look at the 25-year-old's TikTok videos.
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Max Verstappen flies in to Melbourne on his new $79million private jet - before being left disgusted by a food Aussies love
12/03/25 04:19
Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has made a stylish entrance into Melbourne aboard his new $79million private jet, ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.
Why Aussie F1 star Jack Doohan is already in danger of losing his job after just ONE race for his team - as he cops abuse from fans before Melbourne Grand Prix
12/03/25 01:51
As the F1 circus rolls into Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, rookie Jack Doohan is already in danger of losing his job with Alpine racing team.
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See the signs that footy bad boy Taylan May is forging a new career away from the NRL after domestic violence drama
11/03/25 11:58
In a surprising turn of events, controversial NRL star Taylan May has sparked intrigue among fans by hinting at a surprising career pivot away from rugby league.
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How Daniel Ricciardo proved he's the nicest star in Formula One with a heartwarming gesture for the sport's newest driver
11/03/25 05:50
Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson has revealed exactly why Aussie Daniel Ricciardo is one of the most loved drivers to ever grace the Formula 1 grid.
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Dustin Martin looks fit enough to play tomorrow as footy great becomes obsessed with a very different new sport
11/03/25 04:46
He hasn't played a game of football since round 21 last year, but Tigers great Dustin Martin looked like he could claim a spot on any AFL side when he was spotted in Melbourne recently.
Footy's media war goes up a notch as legend Garry Lyon claims Foxtel stars were treated awfully compared to their Channel Seven rivals
11/03/25 02:12
This season Fox Footy will have their own exclusive commentary team for every match of the season - and it only took one game for tensions with Channel Seven to bubble to the surface.
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UFC star Alex Pereira hits back at his ex in bitter war of words - and Conor McGregor joins in with a shocking insult
11/03/25 12:48
Alex Pereira has been targeted by his ex-girlfriend after losing his title to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 over the weekend.
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Oscar Piastri reveals the INSANE number of flights he has to catch every year as he opens up about his life ahead of the Australian F1 Grand Prix
10/03/25 11:13
As the F1 season gears up for the opening race at Albert Park this weekend, Oscar Piastri is not only preparing to do battle for the championship - but also another year of jaw-dropping travel.
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Cheeky sledge from Cam Munster's wife that spurred the footy star to make a HUGE change for 2025 NRL season
10/03/25 05:25
Cameron Munster's recent weight loss for the start of the NRL season was reportedly helped by a sledge from his wife, according to Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
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Sam Kerr's partner Kristie Mewis showcases her growing baby bump with hilarious pregnancy update
10/03/25 03:32
US soccer star Kristie Mewis has announced she's 'trying to be more social' with a light-hearted pregnancy update, as she prepares to welcome her first child with fiancée Sam Kerr.
Gold Coast Titans forced to flee to Sydney after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred floods their home base
10/03/25 01:07
The Gold Coast Titans have been forced to relocate to Sydney to prepare for their match with the Bulldogs after the club's training fields and buildings were flooded over the weekend.
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Young footy star reveals the inspiration behind incredible comeback after having career-threatening illness
10/03/25 12:30
Cody Ramsey played his first official game of rugby league over the weekend after being sidelined for more than two years with a horrific bowel disease that saw him lose 28 kilograms.
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Friday 10 April

West Ham