AFL
St Kilda v GWS Giants, Gabba, 18/9, 7:50pm (free-to-air)
It’s an absolute must-win game for the Giants, who currently sit in 10th spot. Not only do they need to win, but they’ll need a percentage booster as well. If the Saints win, their spot in the finals is officially secure. Expect the likes of Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and returning skipper Stephen Coniglio to leave it all out on the field.
Essendon v Melbourne, Metricon Stadium, 19/9, 2:10pm
It’s a match filled with elite ball-winners. The Bombers have struggled through the back-end of the season, but they can play spoiler against a Demons side who need to win to have a chance at grabbing 8th spot. Expect stars Max Gawn, Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver to lead from the front.
Brisbane Lions v Carlton, Gabba, 19/9, 7:40pm (free-to-air)
The Lions are guaranteed to play a home qualifying final, but they could steal top spot if they win and Port Adelaide lose. Brownlow favourite Lachie Neale will be eager to bounce back after he was kept quiet against Sydney. Veteran Kade Simpson will play his last game for the Blues after announcing his retirement this week.
Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats, Metricon Stadium, 20/9, 3:35pm (free-to-air)
The Cats will be looking to bounce back after a tough night against Richmond. They need a win to secure a top-four spot. They’re up against a Swans team that has shown some positive signs in recent weeks and won’t go down lightly.
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs, Cazaly’s Stadium, 20/9, 6:10pm
The Dogs are also in the mix for the last spot in the top eight, and they’ll be looking to bring the momentum from last round’s victory against a Dockers team also coming off a big win. It’ll be an exciting match with high stakes featuring stars such as Nat Fyfe and Marcus Bontempelli.
Collingwood v Port Adelaide, Gabba, 21/9, 7:15pm
The Magpies are safe in the top eight, but a loss could see them falling as low as eight depending on other results. A win for the Power will seal top spot and the McClelland trophy. Both teams boast strong midfields so it should be an entertaining match to conclude the home-and-away season.
All games can be seen on Foxtel, Kayo and AFL Live Pass. Free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Seven.
NRL
Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos, Bankwest Stadium, 18/9, 7:55pm (free-to-air)
A great chance for the Eels to hold onto their top-four spot, going up against the last-placed Broncos. With only two rounds left in the season, they need to make the most of this opportunity.
Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons, McDonald Jones Stadium, 20/9, 4:05pm (free-to-air)
The Knights are safe in the top eight (currently 7th) and a win here would boost their chances of playing a home elimination final. The Dragons have struggled, losing their last three games and they’re coming off their biggest loss of the season.
All games can be seen on Foxtel, Kayo and NRL Live Pass. Free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Nine.
Cricket
After being delayed five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian Premier League finally begins this weekend. Because of health concerns in India, games will be played in the United Arab Emirates. Nineteen Australian cricketers will be involved, including Pat Cummins, David Warner and Steve Smith.
If you don’t mind staying up late, then these matches are for you.
Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, 20/9, 12am
Delhi Capitals v Kings XI Punjab, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 21/9, 12am
Sunrisers Hyderabad v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 22/9, 12am
Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 23/9, 12am
Kolkata Knight Riders v Mumbai Indians, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, 24/9, 12am
Games can be seen on Foxtel and Kayo.
Super Netball
It’s almost time for finals in Suncorp Super Netball. The Vixens and Lightning are safe in the top four, while the Fever and Swifts just need one more win to officially seal their spots. To steal fourth spot, the GIANTS need to win both of their remaining games and hope for other results to go their way.
Round 13
Collingwood Magpies lost to Sunshine Coast Lightning 53-63
West Coast Fever v GIANTS Netball, Cairns Pop Up Arena, 19/9, 1pm (free-to-air)
Adelaide Thunderbirds v NSW Swifts, Cairns Pop Up Arena, 19/9, 3pm (free-to-air)
Melbourne Vixens v Queensland Firebirds, Cairns Pop Up Arena, 20/9, 1pm (free-to-air)
All games can be seen on Netball Live, games not free-to-air on Telstra TV. Free-to-air games can be seen on Channel Nine.
NBA
It’s the penultimate round of the NBA Playoffs, the conference finals. The Eastern Conference Finals have already begun, while the Western Conference Finals will start this weekend.
East: Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat (MIA lead 2-0)
No one expected this to be the Eastern Conference Finals matchup, but the Celtics and Heat get the opportunity to renew what was once a great rivalry. Miami stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo made huge plays to win Game 1 in overtime. The Heat backed it up in Game 2, winning the third quarter 37-17 and playing great defence in the second half.
Game 3: Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat, 20/9, 10:30am
Game 4: Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat, 24/9, 10:30am
West: Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets
Many expected the Western Conference Finals to be the battle of LA between the Lakers and the Clippers. But the Clippers couldn’t hold their end of the bargain, blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Nuggets and stunning the NBA world.
Denver’s comeback makes them the first team in NBA history to come back down 3-1 twice in one playoff run, after doing the same thing in the first round against the Jazz.
Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have shown incredible resilience these playoffs, and they won’t back down against LeBron James, Anthony Davis and the Lakers.
Game 1: Denver Nuggets @ LA Lakers, 19/9, 11am
Game 2: Denver Nuggets @ LA Lakers, 21/9, 9:30am
Game 3: LA Lakers @ Denver Nuggets, 23/9, 11am
Game 4: LA Lakers @ Denver Nuggets, 25/9, 11am
All playoff games can be seen on Foxtel (ESPN) and Kayo.
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Photo: Patrick Dangerfield by Flickerd available HERE and used under a Creative Commons Attribution. The image has not been modified.
