The debate over whether Melbourne or Sydney is the superior city is one we have all heard often. As someone from Queensland, it is also one I have been bored by often. But regardless, it now seems likely that Melbourne may soon be able to add another check in the win column, with brand new entrant to the W-League, Melbourne City, impressing in the first two rounds of the competition. To add insult to injury, it was Sydney FC who was thumped by the all-star lineup of City in the first round, going on to lose by a big 6-0. Sydney lost again in round two, this time going down to Canberra 3-0, whereas Melbourne City played in the first ever Melbourne derby against Melbourne Victory, coming away as 2-1 winners. This leaves Melbourne City on top of the table, Sydney FC way down at the bottom, and the possibility of another check in the ‘Melbourne is the superior city’ column very real.
Even more impressively, Melbourne City defeated Melbourne Victory without five of their star international players, who are all overseas on national team duty. While still working through their pay dispute with the FFA, the Matildas are touring China, competing in friendlies against both China and England. The matches are serving as part of their preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and in a good sign, the Matildas drew with China 1-1 in last night’s game. In her 50th International game, Brisbane Roar star Tameka Butt scored for Australia in the 12th minute, with the home team equalizing on the back of a penalty later in the first half. The Matildas play England on Tuesday night in their last game on the tour, before heading back to their respective W-League teams, and making Melbourne City seemingly invincible.
Also seemingly invincible is Hockeyroos’ goalkeeper Rachael Lynch, who was praised by head coach Adam Commens after she led the Hockeyroos to victory against the New Zealand Black Sticks in the recent Oceania Cup final. The teams drew level 1-1 at full time, and the game went on to be decided by a penalty shootout. The Black Sticks were only able to make one of their five penalty shots due to some great goalkeeping by Lynch.
New Zealand has been having much better luck in the sport of golf, with 18-year-old New Zealander Lydia Ko taking out the recent Fubon LPGA Taiwan Championship in Taipei. Ko has now won five times on the LGBP tour this year, kicking it off in September when she became the youngest person ever to win an LPGA major tournament. In a clear sign of her current dominance, Ko won the Fubon by nine-shots, and with the win has also reclaimed the world number one women’s golf ranking.
Australian rower Kim Crow is also looking to be officially confirmed number one after being shortlisted for the ‘world female crew of the year’ award, the winner to be announced in November. Crow is a finalist alongside the world champion American women’s eight, who have won 10 successive races, and the Great Britain team of Heather Stanning and Helen Glover, who have remained undefeated during the year. It tops off a stellar time for Crow, who destroyed opposition in the single skull at last month’s world rowing championships in France, and who had an unbeaten season through the World Cup regattas.
The 37th entrant to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame has already been announced, with former netballer Anne Sargeant becoming the first netball player (and 11th woman) admitted. Sargeant represented Australia in netball for 11 years, was captain of the team for six of those years, and took part in three World Championships. Sargeant, who is now a coach, broadcaster, and team selector for Australia’s national team the Diamonds was overwhelmed when told the news of her admittance, saying:
As much as it’s an amazing honour, it’s an uncomfortable thing for me. The only way I can feel comfortable with it is to think this is so great for netball; that this drags not just me but generations of magnificent athletes and world champions that I’ve stood alongside up with me. That’s the only way I can deal with it, to be honest.
Sally Pearson will be hoping to establish herself as a future Hall of Famer, planning a bid to become the first woman to defend her Olympic gold medal in the 100m hurdles in Rio next year. It will be a tough ask, with Pearson still recovering from breaking her wrist in a fall during a race earlier this year. The break was a serious one, ending up requiring a metal plate and screws in Pearson’s wrist. She missed the world championships due to the injury, but her preparation for Rio is ostensibly back on track, barring any more….hurdles.