Port Adelaide's unforgettable Showdown win over Adelaide is the highlight of a loaded day of AFL action, with West Coast, Carlton, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle also winning.

Massimo Luongo feels he is "twice the player" he was when he started his Socceroos career and he is desperate to illustrate this at the World Cup in Russia.

Unheralded forward Ben Ronke rises from obscurity to boot seven goals for Sydney as the Swans come from behind to beat Hawthorn in a cracker at the MCG.

The Bulldogs win over the Eels on Friday night will not be one to remember, but the Panthers were clinical in finishing off the fighting Knights.

Former West Coast coach Mick Malthouse tears strips off the AFL over the controversial tackle suspension of Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui, labelling it "an absolute injustice", a "disgrace" and a "monumental error".

The champion mare has been the champion of the turf for the past two racing seasons and now sits pretty as the world's best horse in the official global rankings.

It might be unlikely, but knowing the A-League is at least in the mix to bring Andres Iniesta to play in Australia is the most tantalising news our domestic competition has had in ages.

The AFL has endured an agonising debate about changes to the way the game is played. Yet it seems that the referee being sacrosanct and the integrity of players' heads have fallen to the wayside this week, writes Richard Hinds.

Formula One Licensing registers a trademark for the "Shoey" in more than 25 countries, leaving the world's biggest advocate for the questionable celebration pondering a new method of guzzling champagne.

After a tumultuous 2017 on and off the field, the Western Force return to competitive rugby with the backing of mining magnate Andrew Forrest. But the billionaire's plans for an Indo-Pacific competition still face several hurdles, writes Clint Thomas.

North Queensland's miserable season continues with a 20-12 defeat to the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.

Australia's new cricket captain Tim Paine rejects claims former vice-captain David Warner has been ostracised by teammates in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.

West Coast coach Adam Simpson hits back at the concept of a "Nic rule" forcing bigger players to adapt their style to avoid hurting smaller players, following a controversial one-match ban for star ruckman Nic Naitanui.

Prominent horse trainer Robert Smerdon is banned for life for the "systematic doping" of more than 100 race horses, and faces what his lawyer describes as a "financially crushing" $100,000 fine.

In what's been described as the darkest chapter in Australian racing, prominent horse trainer Robert Smerdon is banned for life and faces a "financially crushing" $100,000 fine for the systematic doping of more than 100 race horses.

In his first season playing in the NBA, Australian basketballer Ben Simmons has proved himself a worthy first draft pick. Now the challenge is to improve his one surprising area of weakness.

In his first season playing in the NBA, Australian basketballer Ben Simmons has proved himself a worthy first draft pick. Now the challenge is to improve his one surprising area of weakness.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson says there are systemic problems of racism in the AFL as he seeks to take legal action against the sport for abuse he received during his time as a professional player.

Former Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson says there are systemic problems of racism in the AFL as he seeks to take legal action against the sport for abuse he received during his time as a professional player.

The former Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos player is to stand trial over a cocaine scandal that rocked the NRL, after he allegedly dealt cocaine to himself and others at various Gold Coast suburbs, a court is told.

The former Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos player is to stand trial over a cocaine scandal that rocked the NRL, after he allegedly dealt cocaine to himself and others at various Gold Coast suburbs, a court is told.

Country women playing sport have become even more active since the high-profile launch of women's AFL, as the idea of female players in contact sports becomes more acceptable.

Country women playing sport have become even more active since the high-profile launch of women's AFL, as the idea of female players in contact sports becomes more acceptable.

Nic Naitanui's one-match ban for his tackle on the Power's Karl Amon, and the AFL tribunal's claims the Eagles ruckman had a duty of care to the smaller Port Adelaide player, has been met with derision from former players and fans.

Nic Naitanui's one-match ban for his tackle on the Power's Karl Amon, and the AFL tribunal's claims the Eagles ruckman had a duty of care to the smaller Port Adelaide player, has been met with derision from former players and fans.