In the NRL, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says he knows nothing of plans to lure Maroons and Kangaroos star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui back to the club. Former Storm player Brandon Smith made the claim on his podcast. Big Tino has an option to leave the Gold Coast Titans at the end of the 2026 season.

Izak Rankine was again absent from Adelaide Crows training on Thursday, as he awaits the result of an AFL investigation in his alleged use of a homophobic slur against a Collingwood player. The Crows are trying to have the expected 5-game ban reduced, claiming for Finals should carry more weight.

Aussie high jumper Nicola Olyslagers is in sizzling form, ahead of next month’s World Championships in Japan. The dual Olympic medallist defied driving rain in Lausanne, Switzerland to win her third Diamond League event in a row, in a 3-way tie.

nicola olyslagers grab for sports headlines

Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for August 21, 2025.

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The Adelaide Crows remain locked in discussions with the AFL over Izak Rankine’s punishment for an on-field homophobic slur. Rankine is facing a suspension of up to 5 matches which would rule him out of the entire finals series.

Two Queensland greats will reach the 350 game milestone within 24 hours of each other. Manly captain Daly Cherry Evans will get there on Saturday against the Dolphins, followed by Broncos veteran Ben Hunt on Sunday against the Knights.

South Africa inflicted Australia's heaviest one-day loss on home soil in more than 3-decades in the series opener in Cairns. Chasing 297, the Aussies were thrashed by 98 runs, Keyshav Maharaj finishing with 5 for 33.

Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for August 20, 2025.

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Sam Konstas has quit social media to block out noise as he fights to keep his Ashes spot. After a tough Caribbean tour, the 19-year-old must fire in next month’s Australia A tour of India and early Sheffield Shield games.

Joseph Suaalii says the Wallabies will keep playing fearless rugby when they face the Springboks in Cape Town, buoyed by last week’s historic comeback win in Johannesburg.

Crows veteran Taylor Walker says Izak Rankine is remorseful over an alleged homophobic slur towards a Collingwood player. Rankine faces investigation and likely suspension, putting his finals campaign at risk.

Manly’s Reuben Garrick is out for the season with a shoulder injury, a blow to the Sea Eagles’ slim finals hopes as they face the Dolphins on Saturday.

Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for August 19, 2025.

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St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has signed a two-year extension worth $2 million a season - believed to be an AFL first - after rejecting interest from Adelaide clubs.

Cronulla skipper Cameron McInnes will miss the rest of the NRL season with a ruptured ACL.

The Wallabies brace for a vengeful Springboks in Cape Town, with James O’Connor buoyed by his Ellis Park heroics.

The Boomers clinched a third straight Asia Cup, edging China 90-89 thanks to Xavier Cooks’ 30-point haul.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for August 18, 2025.

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Tennis star Jannik Sinner is under fire again, for re-hiring the fitness coach he sacked after being embroiled in a doping saga. Aussie veteran Nick Kyrgios led the backlash, saying on social media that the tennis world had been ‘played’ by the world number 1.

The Swans will welcome back Tom Papley from a hamstring injury, in Friday night’s Sydney Derby against the Giants. Coach Dean Cox says the fiery small forward lifts the whole team. The Swans need to win at Engie Stadium to keep their faint finals hopes alive.

The Trbojevic brothers – Jake and Tom – are set to sign contract extensions at Manly. Jake says he’s in no rush to put pen to paper. Manly take on the second-placed Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for July 24, 2025.

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The Giants are set to welcome back Sam Taylor, Jesse Hogan and Josh Kelly, in Friday night’s Sydney Derby against the Swans at Engie Stadium. Coach Adam Kingsley says his side’s run of 5 straight losses to the Swans is unacceptable. Victory would be a huge boost to the Giants’ top four hopes.

In Rugby League, Kevin Walters has been unveiled as the new coach of the Kangaroos. The former Broncos coach, who played 12 Tests for Australia, replaces Mal Meninga at the helm for the Ashes tour of the UK starting in October.

And in cricket, Australia have taken a 2-nil lead in their T20 series against the West Indies in the Caribbean. Unbeaten half centuries from Josh Inglis and Cameron Green powered the Aussies to an 8-wicket win in Jamaica, chasing down their 173 run target with 28 balls to spare.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for July 23, 2025.

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Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has re-signed until the end of 2029. The 2016 premiership captain will be 34 when the deal expires, effectively making him a Bulldog for life.

Pat Carrigan says the Broncos bye came at the perfect time for gun prop Payne Haas, who battled a back injury during the Origin period. On a 5-game winning streak, the Broncos host the Eels at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

And Nick Kyrgios returned to ATP Tour in Washington, to begin building towards next month’s US Open. Inactive since March and battling a niggling knee injury, the 30 year-old played doubles with Frenchman Gael Monfils, the pair going down in straight sets.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for July 22, 2025.

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World number one Scottie Scheffler has won his first British Open, claiming victory by four shots at Royal Portrush. He now holds four Majors, needing only a US Open for a career Grand Slam.

In cricket, Australia beat the West Indies by three wickets in the first T20 in Jamaica, thanks to Mitchell Owen’s rapid half-century on debut. Game two is Wednesday in Kingston.

In the NRL, South Sydney’s injury crisis deepens with Keaon Koloamatangi ruled out for the season. He joins stars Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and captain Cameron Murray on the sidelines.

And in the AFL, Hawthorn gets a boost with Will Day returning from a foot injury to face Carlton on Thursday.

7NEWS Sport Headlines with Nick Markham for July 21, 2025.

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