Winter sport wrap
An enormous winter of sport across the globe saw Aussie fans setting alarms and up all night to see their teams battle it out on the international stage.
The FIFA World Cup was an amazing coming-together of casuals and die-hards alike.
Every four years, the 5am kick-offs and the shared passions are a unifying experience for the nation, lubricated by publicans granted a one-off license to stay open late for the event.
Our Socceroos put up a valiant effort, making it out of the group stages in 2nd place following a 2-0 win against Türkiye, a loss to America and a draw to Paraguay.
Their campaign drew to a close after losing to Egypt in the Round of 32 through a heart-stopping penalty shootout.
Speculation ensued around Socceroos Coach, Tony Popovic’s, choice to sub tried and tested goalkeeper, Patrick Beach, for Captain Matt Ryan (who had not yet played in 2026 World Cup) just before the penalty shoot-out.
Two of the first five penalty takers were defenders, including eighteen-year-old, Lucas Herrington. Both defenders missed their penalties.
In the end, Spain would be the ones to lift the trophy, after beating Argentina in a match that many agree was a bit lacklustre. England took third place over France in an ‘all killer, no filler’ decider, and the Socceroos would go on to finish 22nd in the World Cup.
Alongside the World Cup, a number of Aussie tennis players took to the grass courts of Wimbledon to stake their claim for the coveted silverware.
Italian superstar Jannik Sinner won the title for a second straight year. En route to the final he defeated former champion Novak Djokovic in a 3 set semi-final before beating German Alexander Zverev in four sets on the last Sunday.
In the women’s side of the draw, it was Czech versus Czech as Karolína Muchová was defeated by Linda Nosková in a tight 3 setter.
Some of the notable Aussie efforts were Daria Kasatkina, who went out in straight sets to Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the third round.
Aussie Alex De Minaur continued his run of not moving beyond a quarter final in an Open, losing round of 16 to Italian Flavio Cobolli in three sets, while son of Lleyton Hewitt, Cruz Hewitt, reached the finals of the Boy’s Singles, but lost to American Jordan Lee in three sets.
Across town, at the famed Lords Cricket Ground, the Australian women’s team got it done against England in the T20 Cricket World Cup, winning by seven wickets and making them one of the most dominant cricket sides in history.
Beth Mooney was named Player of the Match, making 64 from 49. The side is now leading the ranks in all International Women’s Cricket sides.
In France, cycling fans were treated to a thrilling Tour De France which saw major crashes to key riders.
Two-time champion Jonas Vingegaard broke his collarbone on Stage 15, and Sepp Kuss miraculously survived a near-fatal descent tumble on Stage 20, saved only by roadside catch-netting.
In the end, Tadej Pogacar took a record-equalling fifth win of the Tour De France, in a hard-fought slog that saw a photo-finish between him and Mathieu van der Poel, just a tyre length behind.
Back home, and the rugby league State of Origin saw packed out stadiums across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
Game One saw a huge come from behind victory from the NSW Blues, who came back from 20-0 down in the first 20 minutes.
The Maroons got theirs back in Game Two with a dominant 44-24 victory, but the decider went to the Blues at Suncorp Stadium in a 30-12 win over the Maroons.
The AFL season is getting towards the pointy end, with Fremantle dominating the top of the ladder. Sydney aren’t far behind in second, followed by Hawthorn, then reigning premiers Brisbane.
The passing of 2025 Australian of the Year, former Melbourne Coach and Essendon Captain, Neale Daniher AO, saw an outpouring of emotion from not just the AFL community, but Australians more widely.
He was honoured with a packed-out MCG on the King’s Birthday that saw crowds of 90,000, and a select few lucky enough to take part in the ‘Big Freeze’ Slide tradition, as well as a state-funeral at the MCG in the following weeks.
However, perhaps the greatest story to emerge out of such a packed few months of sport is County Mayo breaking a 75 year drought in a comeback win over Count Kerry in the All-Ireland Final in the GAA. Breaking 'the curse' in thrilling fashion with victory secured in the dying seconds of the game.
Eighteen year-old, Kobe Mcdonald, who was the last player to score in the 2026 All-Ireland, will be making his way Down Under next year, after being drafted by the St. Kilda Saints, giving him the challenge of another drought to break!
The Commonwealth Games recently concluded with Australia sitting commanding the top of the table.
The Aussies racked up 70 gold, 45 silver, 56 bronze (171 total). England finished in second place with 29 gold, 45 silver, 36 bronze (110 total), followed by Canada with 19 gold, 20 silver, 23 bronze (62 total).
One of the most heartwarming moments in the Games was Dolphin, Sam Williamson, who won gold in both the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Just 12 months ago, there were fears he may never walk again due to a ruptured patella.
“I was lying on my back clutching at my knee, but my kneecap was about halfway up my thigh,” Williamson told the ABC in April.
There wasn’t a dry-eye in attendance as Williamson took his place on the highest position on the podium and accepted gold for Australia, having beaten world-champion and clear favourite, Adam Ramsay-Peaty.
Looking ahead, AFL Finals are due in September, with two extra games to be played compared to last year as the Wildcard Round debuts. The US Open tennis will begin in late August. In golf, The President’s Cup will take place in September, as well as the Dutch GP on 23 August.
