Just like the thousands of fans who packed the MCG on Anzac Day, the Essendon and Collingwood players left everything out on the field in a thrilling draw that will be remembered as one of the best home-and-away games in recent times. The Bombers and Magpies played out a pulsating contest in front of 93,644 spectators, with neither team able to secure the victory in the dying moments of the match.

Essendon’s Kyle Langford, who had an outstanding game with four goals, including two crucial ones in the final quarter, had the chance to win the game for his team but missed a set shot from 30m out, resulting in the first draw on Anzac Day since the inaugural blockbuster in 1995. Collingwood also had their opportunity to snatch the win, but forward Jamie Elliott couldn’t hold onto a diving mark near the boundary in the final moments of the game.

“I thought both sides had their opportunity to win the game,” said Bombers coach Brad Scott. “It’s a bit of a hollow feeling, but I said to the players win, lose or draw, the effort and intent is what we’re after, and the players delivered that.”

Collingwood, known for their ability to perform in tight finishes under coach Craig McRae, fought back from a 27-point deficit to level the scores with the Bombers. The Magpies showed resilience and determination throughout the game, with forward Brody Mihocek kicking three goals and veteran Scott Pendlebury becoming the first VFL/AFL player to reach 10,000 career possessions.

Despite the draw, the match provided plenty of highlights, including Elliott’s spectacular mark in the third quarter and Pendlebury’s milestone moment in the first quarter. Both teams showcased their skills and competitive spirit, making it a memorable clash that captivated the audience and showcased the essence of Anzac Day football.

“On a day like today, when most of the footy world would be watching, it’s a great spectacle for our game,” McRae commented after the game. The players from both sides left it all on the field, displaying courage, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the intense battle.

While the result might have been a draw, the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood will be remembered as a classic encounter that showcased the best of Australian Rules football. The players, coaches, and fans can take pride in the effort and intensity displayed on the field, making it a fitting tribute to the Anzac Day tradition of honoring and remembering those who have served and sacrificed for their country.

Homecoming can be defined as a pleasant return to one’s homeland or ancestral roots, and for Australian golfers Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, and Lucas Herbert, the LIV Golf tournament in Adelaide presents a perfect opportunity for a successful homecoming. With the second tournament set to kick off in Adelaide’s west at The Grange, the Australian golfers are eager to make their mark on home soil.

Reflecting on the previous year’s tournament, Cameron Smith expressed doubts that the feats achieved by American golfer Talor Gooch could be replicated. Gooch wowed the crowd with consecutive 10-under 62s to open the tournament, ultimately finishing at 19 under to claim victory. Smith, who tied for third in the inaugural Adelaide tournament, is impressed by Gooch’s performance and is looking to emulate aspects of his game this year.

One noticeable change this year is the condition of the greens at The Grange, with Smith noting that they seem to be more consistent compared to the previous year. With the home ground advantage on their side, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make the most of the tournament and aim for a win on home soil.

Currently, the Australian Ripper team consisting of Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert is in eighth place out of 12 teams in the standings. However, with the support of the home crowd and familiarity with the course, the Australian golfers are hopeful of climbing up the leaderboard and securing a memorable win.

Leading the individual standings is Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who has already claimed two victories this season. Despite Niemann’s impressive performance, the Australian golfers are focused on their own game and the possibility of lifting the trophy in front of their home fans.

Marc Leishman, who achieved his best finish in a LIV Golf tournament with a tied-fourth position in Miami, emphasized the significance of winning in Adelaide. A victory at the LIV Golf tournament would not only be a career highlight for any of the Australian Ripper team members but also a momentous occasion for Australian golf as a whole.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on the Australian contingent as they strive to deliver a stellar performance on familiar turf. With the support of the local fans and a strong sense of home advantage, Smith, Leishman, Jones, and Herbert are determined to make their mark at Adelaide’s LIV Golf tournament and potentially etch their names in the history books with a victorious homecoming.

This week, the AFL has decided not to appeal the tribunal’s decision to downgrade Charlie Cameron’s rough conduct suspension to a fine. Despite considering a one-match ban as the appropriate sanction, the league has accepted the tribunal’s ruling.

On Tuesday night, the Brisbane Lions star contested his one-match suspension for a dumping tackle on Melbourne’s Jake Lever at the MCG the previous week. The tribunal dismissed Cameron’s argument that the impact of the incident should have been graded as “low” instead of “medium.”

However, the tribunal, chaired by Jeff Gleeson, found exceptional and compelling circumstances to exercise its discretion and reduce the ban to a fine. They cited Cameron’s clean disciplinary record over his 207-game career as a key factor in their decision.

As a result, Cameron will be able to play in Brisbane’s upcoming important clash against Geelong on Saturday night. AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon stated that while the league believed a one-game ban was the appropriate sanction, they respected the tribunal’s use of discretion.

Match review officer Michael Christian had initially graded the tackle as careless conduct, medium impact, and high contact – resulting in the one-match ban. However, the tribunal’s decision to convert the ban to a fine was ultimately influenced by Cameron’s previous record and character references from Eddie Betts and an Indigenous elder.

While the outcome could potentially set a precedent for future cases, Dillon did not directly address this in his statement. However, he did mention that the AFL would assess whether character references should be a factor in tribunal guidelines during the end-of-season review.

The decision to give Cameron special consideration was noteworthy, especially as the AFL has been focused on penalizing actions that could lead to head injuries or concussions. In the past, the league faced backlash for a similar situation in 2017 involving Bachar Houli, prompting an appeal due to a perceived lenient penalty based on character references.

Despite this recent decision, the AFL’s stance on maintaining player safety remains a key priority, and they will continue to review and refine their disciplinary processes to ensure fair and consistent outcomes.