AFL · Trade period
Marshall joins Geelong as Blakey saga heats up
St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall is a Cat. Geelong also gets St Kilda's 2028 third-round pick, and the Saints receive Geelong's 2026 first-round pick (currently No. 14).
The biggest story is Nick Blakey. North Melbourne has reportedly offered about $11 million over eight seasons, but he is contracted to Sydney until 2031 and the Swans say a deal will be hard to get done.
- Free agency closes Friday 9 October, 5pm AEDT
- Trade period closes Wednesday 14 October, 7:30pm AEDT
- AFL Draft: 19–20 November
Cricket · Australia in South Africa
First Test starts Friday
Pat Cummins leads Australia into a three-Test series in South Africa, starting on 9 October. The ODIs went South Africa's way early, with the Proteas winning the first match by 67 runs.
After South Africa, the home summer has 10 Tests in 14 weeks, including four against New Zealand and the 150th anniversary day-night Test against England at the MCG in March.
A-League Men · Season preview
Sydney Derby opens the season
The 2026–27 A-League Men season starts on Friday 16 October with Sydney FC against Western Sydney Wanderers at Allianz Stadium. It's the first time a Sydney Derby has opened a season.
Auckland FC are the defending champions and Newcastle Jets the defending premiers. The season runs through to June 2027.
NBL · Round 3 wrap
Cole Anthony drops 40 for United
Melbourne United's Cole Anthony scored 40 points as United held off a late Adelaide 36ers comeback. Cairns also won late against Brisbane, and the 36ers have now lost two in a row.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright is averaging 26.6 points a game and is early in the MVP conversation.