May 14, 2026

The Sporting Brief

Week Preview

Today's Briefing

AFL Round 10 has Geelong meeting Brisbane, with the Cats naming a player for selection despite carrying a knee injury. His fitness at game time is uncertain, and Brisbane have won enough games this season to apply pressure against any depleted side. Carlton's senior coaching vacancy remains open. Stuart Longmire, Michael Simpson, and Ken Hinkley have each declined to exclude themselves from contention for the role, and the club has not announced a timeline for filling the position.

Three NRL clubs take strong form into the coming week following Round 10. Newcastle defeated St George Illawarra 44-10, South Sydney beat Cronulla 36-12, and Manly held the Brisbane Broncos to four points in a 32-4 win — the lowest score of any game this round. Both Newcastle and South Sydney won by margins above 20 points. The Broncos face their next opponent with just four points scored in their most recent outing.

The PGA Championship begins this week at Aronimink Golf Club, with Scottie Scheffler leading betting markets. Cameron Young has moved into the top five of outright odds after switching to a ball that already conforms to the USGA and R&A's upcoming equipment rollback standards, making him one of the first tour players to adopt the specification voluntarily before it becomes mandatory. Manchester United are expected to open talks with Michael Carrick over the permanent head coaching position — Carrick made over 460 appearances for the club as a player and most recently managed Middlesbrough. Australian fans will have access to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup live and free on Amazon Prime Video, following confirmation of the broadcast arrangement this week.

The fixture to watch this weekend is Geelong against Brisbane in the AFL. Geelong have named a player carrying a knee injury whose fitness at game time is not confirmed. Brisbane's record this season gives them the capacity to win against any opponent, and the injury variable is a direct and known factor that makes this the weekend's least certain major fixture.

NRL

Overview

Newcastle Knights defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 44-10 in Round 10. Manly Sea Eagles beat Brisbane Broncos 32-4, with the Broncos' four-point tally the lowest score of the round. South Sydney Rabbitohs defeated Cronulla Sharks 36-12.

NRL — Round 10 Results

AFL

Overview

Sydney dropped St Kilda from the Pride Game fixture following the Lance Collard case, with the Swans abandoning plans for the annual inclusivity match. Carlton's coaching vacancy continues to attract attention, with Stuart Longmire, Michael Simpson, and Ken Hinkley all declining to rule themselves out from the role. Geelong named a key player for their Round 10 clash against Brisbane despite carrying a knee injury.

AFL — Round 9 Results

Football

Overview

Manchester United are set to open talks with Michael Carrick over making him permanent head coach after his interim stint at Old Trafford. Carrick, who played over 460 games for United before managing Middlesbrough, is the club's preferred candidate to take the role on a full-time basis. The appointment would mark a significant shift in United's managerial strategy following a turbulent period at the club.

Cricket

Overview

Amazon Prime Video will broadcast the ICC Women's T20 World Cup live and free in Australia, confirmed by Sportcal this week. The arrangement follows a pattern of free-to-air access for major ICC women's events in Australia.

NBA

Overview

LeBron James said he is uncertain about his playing future after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the 2026 NBA playoffs. James has not confirmed whether he will retire or return for a 24th NBA season, leaving the question unresolved after the Lakers' exit.

MLB / NHL

Overview

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before losing the bid, but still earned the win in the outing. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh ended an 0-for-38 hitless stretch with a single against the Houston Astros.

Golf

Overview

Jim Furyk is developing a long-term selection blueprint for the United States Ryder Cup team, with the process aimed at identifying and prioritising players well ahead of the next contest. Cameron Young has switched to a ball that already conforms to the USGA and R&A's future equipment rollback standards, making him one of the first tour players to voluntarily adopt the incoming specification ahead of its mandatory implementation. Scottie Scheffler leads PGA Championship betting markets with Young moving into the top five of outright odds ahead of the field teeing off at Aronimink Golf Club.

AI, Business & Technology

Overview

Sports graphic designers are pushing back against AI-generated art tools such as ChatGPT's image generation, raising questions about creative ownership and job security in club and media design roles. Duke University has signed a deal with Amazon, backed by the ACC despite objections from Big Ten programs, covering technology or streaming rights.