Home
Search
thewest.com.au

Sport

Izak Rankine has offered a public apology for his homophobic slur directed at a Collingwood player. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremiumBanned Crows star 'deeply sorry' for homophobic slur

Adelaide's Izak Rankine has returned to Australia and issued a public apology for a homophobic slur that led to his four-game ban in the AFL.

Steve Larkin

Rankine, who looked visibly distressed as he read the prepared statement, made clear he wanted no sympathy.

AFLCommentsRankine on verge of tears as he makes heartfelt apology

The Adelaide star has spoken publicly for the first time since he was banned for making a homophobic slur after flying back into Australia tonight.

Ben McClellan

Caleb Serong is tackled by Matt Rowell.

AFLCommentsLongmuir says Freo ‘will need to get dirty’ to beat Suns

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir says Saturday night’s elimination final against Gold Coast will be won and lost in the midfield as he urges his side to get down and dirty to combat the Suns.

Jake Santa Maria

David Swallow will get to play in at least one final before ending his 15-year AFL career. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLPremium'The man will play': retiring Swallow in finals recall

Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick has surprised with an early selection declaration, saying retiring veteran David Swallow will face the Dockers.

Murray Wenzel

Fremantle star Luke Ryan.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AFLVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Right time to speak: Luke Ryan’s words changed Freo’s season

Fremantle defender Luke Ryan chooses his words carefully and his passionate comments midway through the season totally transformed the way the team behaved and played. Now they’re playing finals.

Craig O'Donoghue

Rising soccer star Ella Lange at home on the Frankland River family farm.

Young star PremiumFrankland River’s talented midfielder pursues Matildas dream

Sport runs in the Lange family, dad being a formidable footballer and mum a competitive netballer, so it’s no surprise daughter Ella has inherited athletic genes from the Frankland River farmers.

Claire Middleton

Walters is tipping Jye Amiss to fire this finals series.

AFL VideoCommentsPremiumThe Docker Sonny can’t wait to watch in September

Retired Fremantle great Michael Walters says he can’t wait for one young Docker in particular to show everyone what he’s capable of in September. 

Samantha Rogers

David Swallow will play his first final this weekend.

AFL VideoCommentsSuns get behind their champion as Swallow picked for finals

Gold Coast’s much-loved warrior is set to remove one of footy’s most unwanted records with David Swallow a confirmed in for their historic elimination final against Fremantle.

Jake Santa Maria

Michael Veletta is looking to return to the WACA board.

CricketCommentsPremiumFormer Test batter to run for WACA board again

West Australian cricket great Mike Veletta says his decision to stand for the WACA board, just over three years since he stood down as a director, was about “unfinished business”.

Glen Quartermain

Snoop Dogg’s team say he has not apologised for making homophobic comments.

AFLFresh twist in Snoop Dogg homophobic rant ‘apology’

The rapper appeared to have tried to make amends for offending the same-sex community, but now the saga has taken another dramatic turn.

Ben McClellan

Fremantle are the shortest favourite of any week one contenders.

AFLCommentsDockers backed to block out Suns finals dream

Having been underdogs to even make finals, Fremantle are heading into September with a surge of momentum against a Gold Coast side preparing to break new ground. 

Jake Santa Maria

New Zealand have called on ex-All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith (r) in their hour of need. (AP PHOTO)

Rugby UnionPremiumAll Blacks turn to 'Professor' Smith for Springboks tie

NZ host world champs South Africa in the Rugby Championship at Eden Park on Saturday, and the All Blacks are calling on somebody special to help them.

Staff Writers

MAIN PIC: Boxwood Hill's Corey Nelson spills the mark. LEFT: Boxwood Hill's Sam Bertola puts pressure on. RIGHT: Jerramungup's Riley Holden kicks down the line.

Preliminary power PremiumEagles’ dominant 57-point win sets up return to grand final

Jerramungup secured their long-awaited return to the Ongerup Football Association grand final with a convincing 57-point defeat of Boxwood Hill on Saturday.

Melissa Sheil

Great Southern Football League 2025 Kleemann medallist from Albany Football Club, Bailey Taylor.

Medal winPremiumBailey Taylor claims Kleemann Medal in thrilling finish

Albany’s Bailey Taylor added his name to prestigious list of HB Kleemann medallists on Monday night, shaking Brad Kleemann’s hand at Retravision Stadium to claim the title of this year’s GSFL fairest and best.

Jacki Elezovich

A1 fairest and best winner Joedelle Bolton and runner-up Ina Whanarere-Nohana.

top talentKatanning netball recognises 2025’s top players

Katanning Netball Association honoured its top players, umpires and dedicated volunteers at their annual awards night on August 23, with all clubs represented by players and supporters. 

Tina Briscoe

MAIN PIC: Railways' 12-goal hero Hayden Parker celebrates. TOP RIGHT: Mt Barker's Brent Parsons is tackled. BOTTOM RIGHT: Railways' Bodhi Stubber and Hayden Leo spoil.

Brilliant bagPremiumParker boots 12 goals in dazzling qualifying final display

Railways player-coach Bodhi Stubber has praised the performance of qualifying final hero and star forward Hayden Parker. 

Cameron Newbold

Caitlin Moulds, Michael Walters and Emily Lippmann, DP World, Premier Partner of the Dockers, are celebrating the first week of finals by reimagining the DP World Fan-tainers and turning the Let’s Go Freo letters in to a mobile message boards of support. Andrew Ritchie

AFLCommentsPremiumSonny’s message of support for Freo’s finals charge

See the message of support penned by Fremantle legend Michael Walters ahead of the club’s elimination final and find out how you can leave your own message for the Dockers.

Samantha Rogers

Wishing Belle wins her Westbred 2yo Fillies heat at Gloucester Park last week

RACINGCommentsPremiumWish granted: Once-in-a-lifetime filly stares down big prize

Top local filly Wishing Belle will meet her toughest test in Friday’s $215,000 Westbred 2yo Fillies Final (2130m) at Gloucester Park where she must overcome an awkward second row draw.

Hayden King

Mathew Inness is set to return to Victoria.

AFLCommentsPremiumEagles high-performance boss in Bombers' sights

West Coast head of fitness Mathew Inness is reportedly set to return to Victoria to take over Essendon’s high-performance department after the Bombers’ year from hell.

Jake Santa Maria

Max Jorgensen is eyeing off the vacant fullback spot with the Wallabies. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Rugby UnionPremiumWallabies want to taste more Rugby Championship success

The Wallabies celebrated Max Jorgensen's 21st with a cake but hope to get the real party started when they host Argentina in Townsville on Saturday.

Melissa Woods

Sammy Silvera has a chance to cement his spot in the Socceroos squad against New Zealand. (AP PHOTO)

SoccerPremiumSilvera's second coming strengthens Socceroos ambition

After revitalising his club form in England, Sammy Silvera has an eye on boosting his case for Socceroos selection.

George Clarke

Well before Cadel Evans won the Tour de France, Mapei and Aldo Sassi were key backers in his career. (AP PHOTO)

CyclingTour de France great goes full circle with race sponsor

One of Australia's greatest sportsmen owes plenty to the support he received from an Italian company and coach back in the early 2000s.

Roger Vaughan

Shai Bolton is the Dockers’ most epxerienced finals campaigner behind Nat Fyfe.

AFLVideoCommentsPremium‘He can drag them to a prelim’: Cornes backs Bolton to shine

Fremantle went all in on Shai Bolton, and analyst Kane Cornes says his finals experience could prove invaluable when the Dockers step into the heat of September.

Jake Santa Maria

Pat Cummins is racing to be fir for the start of The Ahses.

CRICKET Cummins in line to play The West Test but rotation on cards

Australia expects Pat Cummins to be fit for the first Test of the blockbuster Ashes series in Perth and would back him in to bowl even if he doesn’t play a game before it. 

Jackson Barrett