May 29, 2026

The Sporting Brief

Week Preview

Today's Briefing

The Hawks hit Marvel Stadium like a freight train Thursday night, belting St Kilda by 52 points to climb to third on the ladder. Sam Mitchell wasn't celebrating cleanly — he came out swinging at a controversial umpire call that wiped off a goal from 'the Wizard', and took aim at the slippery surface. Ross Lyon left with a serious injury concern to add to his club's misery. Carlton and Geelong meet at the MCG on Friday night, a fixture that needs no extra billing between these two.

Storm host the Roosters at AAMI Park on Saturday night. Both clubs are carrying NSW Blues coming off a bruising State of Origin Game One, where James Tedesco's late heroics and Kalyn Ponga's send-off lit up the post-match noise. Sam Walker returns to the Roosters having made his Origin debut. On Sunday, Brian To'o is back for the Panthers as they take on the Warriors at CommBank Stadium.

Arsenal's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on the Premier League's final day is already done, but the week ahead belongs to the Champions League final in Budapest. Kai Havertz lines up for Arsenal against PSG — five years after he scored the winner for Chelsea over Manchester City in Porto. Same player, different club, same stage.

Federal prosecutors filed two new charges against Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier Thursday, alleging he accepted a $100,000 bribe to manipulate his own performance as part of a gambling scheme. The NBA's board of governors also voted Thursday to expand the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams and introduce anti-tanking measures.

Tiger Woods did not enter the 2026 Open Championship, meaning he will miss all four majors for the second straight year. On the college course, Megha Ganne ended her Stanford career by sinking the clinching par putt as the Cardinal beat Southern California for its third NCAA women's golf title in five years.

MLB owners have formally proposed a hard salary cap to the Players Association — the first firm cap proposal since the 1994 strike. Eight clubs would be required to cut payroll under the framework. The MLBPA has rejected cap structures at every turn historically, and a contentious summer of talks is now locked in. The Detroit Tigers also lost closer Kenley Jansen to a 15-day IL stint with pelvic inflammation, a hit to a bullpen already stretched thin.

NRL

Overview

Storm host the Roosters at AAMI Park on Saturday night in the pick of NRL Round 13 fixtures. NSW Blues players return to club duty after a hard-fought State of Origin Game One, with James Tedesco's late heroics and Kalyn Ponga's send-off dominating the post-match conversation. Sam Walker makes his way back to the Roosters having debuted in Origin, while Brian To'o returns to the Panthers ahead of Sunday's clash with the Warriors at CommBank Stadium.

AFL

Overview

Hawthorn thumped St Kilda by 52 points on Thursday night, moving to third on the ladder, though Sam Mitchell's post-game focus landed on a controversial umpire call that denied 'the Wizard' a goal and the slippery Marvel Stadium surface. Carlton host Geelong at the MCG on Friday night. Ross Lyon flagged a serious injury concern following the Saints' loss, adding to St Kilda's mounting problems after the defeat.

AFL — Round 12 So Far

Football

Overview

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in a Premier League result that caps a dramatic final day, with Manchester United thrashing Brighton 3-0 and Aston Villa stunning Manchester City 2-1. Sunderland defeated Chelsea 2-1, while West Ham hammered Leeds United 3-0 — results that carry serious implications for relegation and European qualification across the division. Kai Havertz faces a Champions League final against PSG in Budapest, five years after scoring the winner for Chelsea over Manchester City in Porto.

Cricket

Overview

Kim Harris outlined her case for an Australian Women's XI spot ahead of the T20 World Cup, detailing the role she sees herself filling in the squad. The ICC published her account of how she plans to force her way into contention for the tournament.

NBA

Overview

Federal prosecutors filed two new charges against Terry Rozier Thursday, alleging he agreed to a $100,000 bribe to manipulate his performance in an NBA game as part of a gambling scheme. The charges deepen an already serious legal case against the Miami Heat guard. The NBA's board of governors also voted overwhelmingly Thursday to expand the draft lottery from 14 to 16 teams and introduce anti-tanking measures.

MLB / NHL

Overview

MLB owners have proposed a hard salary cap to players as part of the next collective bargaining agreement — the first firm cap proposal since the 1994 strike shut down the season. The move sets up a potential flashpoint with the Players Association, which has historically rejected cap structures that would limit earning power. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers lost closer Kenley Jansen to a 15-day injured list stint with pelvic inflammation, a blow to a bullpen already under pressure.

Golf

Overview

Tiger Woods did not enter the 2026 Open Championship, meaning he will miss all four majors for the second consecutive year. Megha Ganne closed out her Stanford career by sinking the clinching par putt as the Cardinal beat Southern California to claim its third NCAA women's golf title in five years.

AI, Business & Technology

Overview

MLB owners have formally pitched a salary cap structure to the players' union, with eight clubs required to shed payroll under the proposed framework. Labor talks between MLB and the MLBPA are escalating as the league's collective bargaining deadline approaches. The cap proposal marks a sharp shift in the league's negotiating position and sets up a contentious summer of talks.