Vegas Weekend and Other Notable Performances
Young Socceroos + Speed Galore at Perth Track Classic
The NRL certainly went for saturation coverage in the second year of the Vegas experiment … four games!
For a fan, that required quite a Sunday commitment, not unlike watching Bathurst?!
I saw bits and pieces, listened to some of the day via the ABC listen app in between church, cooking a BBQ at church, and gardening.
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But rather than re-hashing the footy, here are two other eye-catching performances over the weekend:
Young Socceroos: U/20 Asian Cup Champions
The Young Socceroos are the champions of Asia after defeating Saudi Arabia 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Shenzhen, China.
Australia won this tournament for the first time in the event’s 66-year history. The Socceroos, coached by Ange Postecoglou, won the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.
The 2015 Asian Cup holds a special father-daughter memory. My elder daughter Sophia and I attended the Suncorp Stadium group stage clash between the Socceroos and China.
Nil-all at half time, with seats four rows back from the flag in the southwest corner of the great venue, Sophia said: “wouldn’t it be great if Tim Cahill scored in the second half so we could see him (celebrate with his trademark) ‘karate chop’ the corner post right in front of us?!”
Wish granted: Cahill scores as Socceroos progress in the 2015 Asian Cup
Cahill duly scored not once, but twice in the second half! Quite an atmosphere!
In 2025, the Young Soceroos path to victory included:
Won 5-1 over Kyrgyzstan
Won 3-1 over Qatar
Won 2-1 over the host nation China
Quarter final won 3-2 over Iraq
Semi-final won 2-0 over Japan
The Young Soceroos have qualified for the U/20 World Cup in Chile in September-October. This outstanding performance received limited air play in mainstream media, however this victory in the 42nd edition of the tournament was simply outstanding.
AFC U20 Asian Cup – Morgan credits Australia’s resilience for historic victory
Athletics: 2024 Perth Track Classic:
What a sizzling night of sprinting (and men’s long jump) in Perth last Saturday!
In the women’s 100m, Olympic semi-finalist Bree Rizzo ran a slightly wind assisted 11.09secs, the 5th fastest time by an Australian .
In the men’s 100m, the Australian 60m record holder Lachlan Kennedy ran a personal best of 10.03secs – the third fastest time by an Australian behind Rohan Browning (10.01secs) and Patrick Johnson (9.93secs).
In the long jump, another Queenslander, Liam Adcock flew into the sand to record a leap of 8.33m, the fifth best Australian of all time.
Men’s 100m Final | 2025 Perth Track Classic
Women’s 100m Final | 2025 Perth Track Classic
Liam Adcock Leaps to 8.33m | 2025 Perth Track Classic
Again, not a lot of coverage on mainstream media of domestic athletics.
The summer series meets are streamed on Channel 7, with the Sydney and Melbourne meets to come. Reigning Olympic 200m champion, Botswana’s Lestile Tobago, is the headline of Melbourne’s Maurie Plant meet. SBS will provide outstanding coverage of the world indoor championships later this month from China, as well as September’s world championships in Tokyo.
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BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK
Small Victories Wine Co 2023 Eden Valley Shiraz (Gold medal 2023 Melbourne Wine Show)
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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Thanks for the wider coverage, RITV. It all got a bit much last Sunday.
Good to see that the original coach gets his just desserts! Savour the moment.
Any potential signings for the Rabbits in those 2 events RITV?
Matt – Souths need front rowers – middles – props – whatever we call them in 2025 …
Keppie will certainly never be on the list of great recruits …
& apparently Souths are chasing ‘the Cheese’ – Brandon Smith??!! unsure about this one also …