Australia enjoyed a great day at the Commonwealth Games while sporting stars across multiple codes make this weeks’ Wednesday sports round-up.
Aussies clean up on day five of Commonwealth Games
Australia has enjoyed its best day yet on day five of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning 35 medals including 11 gold.
It was an all-Aussie affair on the podium of the women’s 100m freestyle final, with Mollie O’Callaghan storming home to claim gold ahead of fellow Aussies Shayna Jack in second and Emma McKeon in third. O’Callaghan was sitting in fourth place when the swimmers turned at the halfway mark of the race, but the 18-year-old powered towards the finish line to win the gold medal in a stunning upset.
Although she wasn’t able to win gold in the 100m freestyle, Emma McKeon had another successful day at the Games. McKeon helped the Aussies get over the line in the 4 x 100m individual medley mixed relay, winning her 13th gold and 19th medal in her Commonwealth Games career. Her brilliant performance in Birmingham elevated her to the most successful athlete in Commonwealth Games history.
Away from the pool, Nina Kennedy won Australia’s first field medal in the women’s pole vault. The 25-year-old won gold after clearing 4.60m in the final.
It’s been a very successful Games so far, the Aussies sit on top of the medal count with 106 medals and 42 gold, followed by England who have taken home 86 medals with 31 of them gold.
And in other news…
Brisbane Bronco’s forward Patrick Carrigan cops four-match ban
Patrick Carrigan could return before the end of the NRL regular season after the Queenslander was handed a four-match suspension for his dangerous tackle on Tigers’ halfback Jackson Hastings.
It’s still a hefty blow for the fifth placed Bronco’s, who are gearing up for a final push to consolidate their place in the NRL finals series.
Hastings suffered a broken ankle as a result of the incident and will miss the rest of the season.
Carrigan was disappointed with his actions.
“I’m really sorry that Jackson was injured as a result of the tackle and there was certainly never any intent on my behalf and I wish him all the best with his recovery,” he told the Bronco’s website.
Erin Phillips becomes Port Adelaide’s first AFLW skipper
AFLW star Erin Phillips has followed in the footsteps of her father after being named the captain of Port Adelaide’s first ever AFL women’s team.
Phillips made the move from crosstown rivals Adelaide in the offseason, a club where she won three premierships and two league best and fairests.
She says that it’s a great honour to be named captain of the Power.
“My dad always said to me the only thing better than playing for this club is being captain of this club and, he was right,” Phillips told the Power website.
Oscar Piastri sensationally denies signing with Alpine for 2023 Formula 1 season
Aussie motorsports racing driver Oscar Piastri says that he will not be driving for Alpine F1 next year, despite the Formula One team announcing that he had signed a contract for 2023.
Alpine announced this morning that Piastri would replace Fernando Alonso in their 2023 driver line-up, but the 21-year-old Aussie took to twitter to say “this is wrong” and that he “will not be driving for Alpine next year”.
I understand that, without my agreement, Alpine F1 have put out a press release late this afternoon that I am driving for them next year. This is wrong and I have not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023. I will not be driving for Alpine next year.
— Oscar Piastri (@OscarPiastri) August 2, 2022
