Sports News this week Australia keeps on getting sports updates 24/7 for the everyday sports fan, we look back at a few big-time sports events at mid-week.
We had a long Game 4’s play of Constellation Cup Netball where either side takes home the series trophy on top of NFL’s Monday Night Football plus we pay tribute to the career of our decorated swimmer who recently announced her retirement.
Sports Benches is the place to be in case you missed it with the previous sports weekly recap edition that also extends into entertainment like General Hospital here.
Sports News Feature Headline, Netball: Constellation Cup Game 4 between Silver Ferns v Aussie Diamonds
It was a long Game 4 by far where the 2025 Constellation Cup Netball series between Silver Ferns and Aussie Diamonds was decided by an extra time playing format for the first time.
Australia with their starting 7 changes and high-attack approach were right on the money throughout the 1st half by 27-33.
Ferns fought back following tweaks in positions and changes off the bench as if it wasn’t for the upticked intensity, they’d be out at the first attempt following the final score of normal time: 62-57.
They can take the Game 4 win for sure with the series already tied up 2-2.
Unfortunately, they were somehow outclassed by the revitalised Aussie Diamonds, who were able to hold on until the end — and here goes the winning goal to take that trophy home by 11-12.
Aussie Diamonds
There is one particular player who shines in each and every game for the Diamonds at Wing Attack, it’s Liz Watson.
She’s the one identifying and squeezing those gaps but on attack mode in the goal third where Liz got the best out of her shooters: Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin.
Felt sorry for Sunday Aryang after she got hit so bad into the ground by Nweke — let’s hope she will be okay.
Sunday is not just your usual defensive player both GD or WD, she’s got that attacking mindset every time she picks up the other team’s mistakes that provided a good bridge to her mid-court players.
Other than that, Australia deserves this series away from home.
I get why players like Tilly Garrett were left out but inside Stacey Marinkovich’s coaching cap, they wanted to go all-out attack with intent and that was the risk Australia have chosen with great success.
Even though they may have lost the match in normal time, Australia went back to basics that was worth regaining their lead and later extending it while winning.
Despite a sad finish, they’ve still done it and no doubt the Diamonds will be the team to beat against everyone on what is going to be a jam-packed 2026 season.
Silver Ferns
Also unlucky to Silver Ferns who injected that much-needed playing intensity from behind to keep their hopes alive, particularly in the 2nd half of normal time.
But they’ve ran out of ideas unfortunately from 3-0 at the opening restart to a 11-12 loss in the end – despite the controversy by Grace Nweke who smashed Aryang into the ground and she screamed in pain.
Catherine Hall is the future Silver Fern regular normally goal keep but stood out the best at Goal Defense where she & Kelly Jackson worked well together to slow that Aussie attack lines down.
She’s done more than enough now for a starting 7 spot next year, that’s a selection NZ should not overlook right there. All we need now is a robust starting Wing Attack player (again, nothing against MRB) and Ferns shall be good to go.
Not forgetting Kate Heffernan who was more good at C during the 2nd half by being exceptionally fast in transition with the simplest of passing and feeds. Kate also wouldn’t mind picking up lost balls and mis-timed passes in defense as tested regularly in her usual WD spot.
She’s going places every time Ferns were playing catch up and sure there will be more Kate Heffernan to come both Ferns and the Adelaide Thunderbirds next year.
And on Ferns, it’s been a tough year amid head coach standoff v the Dame in Noeline Taurua.
Despite all the drama that was eventually now resolved, Ferns still not bad to watch after all. A big regroup from the new year onwards can hopefully help them dominate everything once again.
If they can do that, they are bound to be the world’s No.1 Netball team by 2027.
2nd Sports News headline of NFL Monday Night Football: Chiefs v Commanders
Monday Night Football’s back for another week for Round 8 of 18 where Kansas City Chiefs hit the road to Washington D.C v the Commanders and they had one hell of a trip away from home in Maryland.
Things were scoreless and scrappy right from kick-off where both teams had their fair share of struggles and scored their first tries ahead of half-time by 7-7 all.
But in the end, Chiefs were coherent and electrifying while Commanders continue to get tangled with more knock-ons and poor disconnecting play. Final score was 28-7.
Commanders
Don’t know what to say at first to Washington other than a dreadful performance particularly in the 2nd half.
Their offensive building phases weren’t bad likewise with the way they put pressure on Chiefs defensively.
It’s just unfortunate they couldn’t find some sense when it comes to their execution play by walking away empty handed.
They were doomed as soon as Washington struggle to play catch up following their one and only TRY.
Love that off Hail Mary long bomb catch though by Terry McLaurin off Marcus Mariota, who was so fortunate to stay within the line, with having both feet touching the ground & the refs gave this the thumbs up.
But then Commanders should do more than just the odd Hail Marys and they haven’t been winning lately which was quite a surprise. Also from their previous MNF appearance two weeks ago, they were close too against the Chicago Bears but then they’ve also had the same deficiencies likewise with this game.
As pointed out by Troy Aikman on ESPN/ABC, Bobby Wagner failed to mark not once but twice in his own end.
Tough night for this linebacker especially not any getting younger at age 35.
Chiefs
Looking at Chiefs, they turned out to be the real deal.
At least know they found their end zone with a few touchdowns something Washington couldn’t do themselves.
Patrick Mahomes spent the whole game fine-tuning his areas that was more than just skill while Taylor Swift’s Number 1 Travis Kelce with his concentration levels and timing every time were on point.
Can’t believe both Mahomes & Kelce are such a perfect QB-tight end combo that makes Kansas City Chiefs so great.
Not forgetting Kareem Hunt also with two tries of his own from tackle busts to explosive pace at his peak, having stunned these Commanders defensive numbers along the way.
3rd Sports News headline from Swimming with the Aussie Dolphins Swim Team and Ariarne Titmus
It’s been two weeks since that unexpected announcement we did not see this coming: Ariarne Titmus to retire from competitive swimming at only 25.
If it wasn’t for retirement, Arnie would be back building her fitness again in the pool again by now — just over a year after the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Even though Arnie originally wanted more like payback in front of US soil for LA 28 and a perfect home crowd pull off at Brisbane 2032, her body would find it difficult to go on at the end of the day.
But again, Arnie is proud to have beaten USA’s Katie Ledecky and Summer McIntosh from Canada before a few times.
Not only that, she has proven to be one of the best swimmers Australia has ever produced over the last 5-10 years.
How Arnie sets up a golden legacy
From gold medals, world records and individual achievements, she’s achieved them all.
This was from the time when Arnie started swimming young at age 7 to where she is at with her current self today.
Sure the next lot of kids can go on and swim even better records than her between now and the golden age of Brisbane 2032.
That next life phase for Arnie outside swimming is already underway, so does the next lot of current and upcoming swimmers ready to future-proof Australia’s famed national swim team.
There’s new world records already set not once the first week but twice the next just days after Arnie retired by two established swimmers: Mollie O’Callaghan (short-distance freestyle) and Lani Pallister (medium to long distance races).
Sure she will pleased with that progress from afar as looks like that Arnie effect has already made its first few steps — despite no Arnie swimming competitively.
What’s Next?
That way, we can happily look forward to the yearly National swim trials next year followed by the Commonwealth Games and that long-awaited return of the Pan Pacific event since 2018.
It’s all about the future and don’t worry Arnie will still be part of the overall blueprint on the road to Brisbane 2032 albeit in some capacity rather than running away from the pool at all.
She will also have a huge role on the Nine Network like the swimming as usual plus taking part on a new reality show where she gets to swim with sharks called Shark!
Now that she’s touched the end of the wall on what has been the final time following Paris 2024, we wish Arnie well.
