“Connor has continuously defied our expectations since being drafted, and has quickly established himself as an elite player in the NHL,” Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. “He utilizes all aspects of his game to not only be a constant threat, but to make the players around him better every time he steps on the ice. Connor’s strong work ethic and determination to always improve his game has set an extraordinary standard for our young core, and we’re excited for the incredible impact he’ll have in this next chapter of Blackhawks hockey.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Bedard has already displayed elite offensive upside, even if his overall game still has work to do. Last season, Bedard posted a career high 75 points in 69 games. In 219 NHL games, Bedard has totaled 75 goals and 128 assists.
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The biggest issues for Bedard are durability concerns — he’s played fewer than 70 games in two of three seasons and will miss the first month of the upcoming season with a shoulder injury — and subpar defense. The defense is a common problem for young centers and should improve in the coming years, but Bedard has now suffered multiple shoulder injuries in his career.
With Bedard’s long-term contract finalized, both he and the Blackhawks will try to take the next step toward greatness. For the player, that means refining his game in order to become the $15 million man most believe him to be. For the team, that means surrounding Bedard with an adequate supporting cast for the first time in his career.
The next step for Bedard
First and foremost, Bedard needs to get healthy and stay healthy. After missing 13 games with a shoulder injury last year, Bedard suffered another injury that required surgery to fix, and he will miss roughly a dozen games out of the gate in 2026-27. Those issues may delay his jump into the NHL’s elite tier of players.
Once back at full strength, Bedard will have to show improvement defensively. He oozes offensive ability, but if Bedard is going to be a true No. 1 franchise center, he has to thrive at both ends of the ice. With Bedard on the ice at five-on-five last season, Chicago surrendered 3.60 xGA/60, per Natural Stat Trick. That was the second-worst number on the team with rookie Anton Frondell bringing up the rear.
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That doesn’t necessarily mean Bedard was the Blackhawks’ worst defensive player, but it does mean he often struggled when going up against the opposing team’s best players. Stars — especially those raking in $15 million per season — are expected to drive play for their team regardless of circumstance. Bedard didn’t do that last season.
With Bedard
40.1%
minus-12
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Without Bedard
43.2%
minus-35
Bedard also needs to show more growth in the face-off circle. To his credit, Bedard has already done that, going from 38.9% as a rookie to 47.1% last season. Still, Chicago would probably like to see Bedard closer to 50%, especially with him taking key draws in big moments. Maybe that number keeps rising as Bedard gets strong and adds more tricks in the dot.
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If Bedard can round out his game without the puck, $15 million per season will be a very fair deal, especially as salaries explode across the league.
The next step for the Blackhawks
We’ve already seen what can happen when a restricted free agent has all the leverage in contract negotiations. The Ducks were essentially backed into a $90 million contract after the Philadelphia Flyers signed Carlsson to a massive offer sheet.
That risk was there for Bedard too, which is why Davidson deserves some credit for signing him at a more reasonable cap hit. Bedard still has work to do in order to reach that price point, but his ceiling is worth at least $15 million per season.
The Blackhawks can help their young star by putting more NHL-caliber players around him. Chicago tore it down to the studs in hopes of landing Bedard in the 2023 draft, and while that plan worked, it also created a roster full of holes around the No. 1overall pick. Over the last three seasons, Bedard has had little help.
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Chicago already improved its defense this offseason when it acquired Bowen Byram from the Buffalo Sabres. Say what you will about the acquisition cost or his $75 contract extension, but Byram inarguably makes Chicago better on the blue line. That unit still needs work, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The real issue is finding Bedard a quality running mate at the top of the lineup. Outside of Bedard, only one other player topped 50 points in 2025-26, and it was 31-year-old Tyler Bertuzzi. Chicago still has $14.1 million in cap space with which to add some firepower, but some upgrades will have to come internally.
It’s conceivable that the Blackhawks’ lineup will include seven players selected inside the top 50 picks of the last five drafts.
That’s an exciting proposition, and fans have reasons to be optimistic about the future. That said, none of those players have really established themselves as future stars, outside of Bedard. Frondell, Nazar and Rinzel seem like the best bets to get there soon, but that’s based more on projection than anything tangible.
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The first month of the season should be an excellent barometer for the Blackhawks as they assess those players. Bedard will be out of the lineup, and it’ll be interesting to see who sinks and who swims until he returns. Once Chicago establishes exactly what it has in its young nucleus, Davidson can then go out and aggressively address needs via trades and free agency.
Just over one month after claiming the NBA championship in San Antonio, the New York Knicks and their fans finally got an opportunity to celebrate ending a 53-year title drought in grand fashion back inside Madison Square Garden. The Knicks’ two biggest stars, NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, not only attended but participated in the latest edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, which emanated from MSG for the first time since 2007.
Brunson main evented the show with Roman Reigns, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and one of his favorite wrestlers. (Brunson does a Reigns-inspired handshake with a Knicks trainer before every game.) After an extended introduction crowning Brunson the “King of New York,” the starting point guard was acknowledged by Reigns and gifted a unique version of the championship belt with a blue-and-orange stripe.
Knicks fans went wild cheering and chanting for Brunson, not knowing what was going to come next.
Haliburton’s presence served as a distraction for Rollins to attack Reigns, but Brunson ultimately stood in the way of his friend, giving Reigns an opening to hit a Superman punch and spear on Rollins with the champions standing tall.
Earlier in the night, Knicks good-luck charm and WWE superstar Danhausen, who famously “uncursed” New York immediately before the team won 15 of its last 16 games of the season, leading to their NBA title, received in-ring assistance from Karl-Anthony Towns.
With Danhausen outnumbered against JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio, who stole and ruined a Knicks jersey gifted to Danhausen during the NBA Finals run, Towns appeared to save the team’s unofficial postseason mascot. But not only that, Towns got physically involved, delivering impressive chokeslams to both McDonagh and Mysterio, creating an opportunity for Danhausen to win the no-disqualifiation match before celebrating and holding up five fingers, denoting “Knicks in 5” at the end of the segment.
While Brunson has yet to get physically involved in either of his WWE appearances, he was dealing with a surgically repaired hand/wrist injury on both occasions. Stepping over the top rope with ease and delivering chokeslams that reminded of The Undertaker, Towns may have a future around the squared circle should he want it after his NBA career comes to an end.
Winning the 2026 NBA Finals was a massive achievement for the New York Knicks. However, like most teams over the past few seasons, they had to part ways with a key player on the roster, as they had to let Mitchell Robinson sign with the Boston Celtics in the offseason.
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That is the norm under the NBA’s second apron rules, which are likely one of the biggest reasons why there has not been a back-to-back champion since the 2018 NBA Finals. Brunson himself has had thoughts on what has happened with his team due to the second apron.
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Jalen Brunson gives his take on the second apron for the Knicks
Brunson has one of the league’s most team-friendly contracts because he left around $100,000,000 on the table. This helped the Knicks have financial flexibility under the second apron rules to build a team that can compete with almost anyone in the league.
It worked out for both Brunson and the Knicks because their gamble paid off in 2026. They had the roster with players who are being paid well, like Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. Incidentally, those are the two players with the biggest impact outside of Brunson during their NBA Finals series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Now that Brunson and the Knicks are champions, Brunson has given his take on the second apron and how that affects the team previously, today, and in the long-term future.
“I think there are pros and cons to it. Because of the second apron, we had to lose Mitch. Obviously, I would’ve loved to have him back, he was a big part of what we’ve been able to do. Everyone prior to the second apron, prior to the previous eight teams being champions, we had too many superteams,” Brunson said on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe.
“People called it the participation trophy. What are we doing? You guys want competition, or you guys don’t want superteams, what is it? There are pros and cons to it. For me, I just navigate the best I can, control what I can control.”
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While the NBA will continue to have this rule in place, there are probably some discussions with the NBA Players Association and the league. It will be a point of contention for sure, but it will be interesting how they pivot away from it after years of it being set in stone.
Jan 4, 2009; Minneapolis, MN, USA: A fan of the Minnesota Vikings looks on as the Vikings lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game at the Metrodome. Eagles win 26-14. Mandatory credit: Bruce Kluckhohn US PRESSWIRE
If things get wonky, then linebacker Blake Cashman is going to be shown the door. The Vikings cut candidate isn’t considered a cut candidate by most, but that’s part of the point: this one would hit a lot of folks as coming out of nowhere.
The veteran ‘backer is moving into the final year of his three-year contract. Already, Mr. Cashman has been in town for a pair of seasons even though it feels as though he just arrived. A world exists where he gets extended. Or, perhaps, the team allows him to venture into free agency next year before a reunion deal gets sorted out. That outcome, though, appears more unlikely now than six months ago. In fact, a cut wouldn’t be unfathomable.
To begin, the change within the front office means embracing a fresh perspective. There’s still plenty of continuity within the leadership since the coaching staff remains largely in place. Still, though, there’s something to be said for an obvious point: hiring a new GM means less loyalty to the old GM’s guys. Cashman is among these guys.
Minnesota Vikings defenders Blake Cashman and Jonathan Greenard converge on Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams during NFC North action at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Minnesota pass rush created havoc throughout the contest, forcing a key turnover that helped swing momentum early. The play occurred on Dec. 16, 2024, during a divisional showdown in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Consider, as well, that Minnesota already appears to have tipped its hand at linebacker.
Opting to bring Eric Wilson back means that the position already boasts a veteran option for the next couple years, at minimum. Maybe all that means is that Cashman will walk in 2027, but there’s a plan in place for life after Cashman.
Plus, the 2026 NFL Draft involved snagging Jake Golday. The rangy rookie linebacker oozes potential. He’s a great athlete who appears to be a queen on the chess board. Golday goes forward, backward, diagonally, and every other direction. The kid still does need to prove himself but optimism exists for the young lad.
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Ivan Pace Jr. is still only 25. The Vikings then have several unheralded players in Bangally Kamara, Keli Lawson, Jacob Roberts, and Josh Ross. Does one of these guys show unexpected excellence?
Another factor to consider is that Brian Flores is a creative guy. He’s not shy about using edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel as an off-ball linebacker. Coach Flores has shown a willingness to do the same with Dallas Turner. Chaz Chambliss appears to be another option for this sort of thing and maybe Bo Richter could do the same.
Moreover, there are the players at safety — Josh Metellus, in particular — capable of playing linebacker. Seeing Harrison Smith return would further create a roster logjam.
Moving on from Blake Cashman with a straightforward cut could mean recouping $7,632,353 in cap space. Presumably, most of that would get rolled over into next year, but that’s a decision for the new GM. Opting for a Cashman trade, a situation that requires another team to agree to terms, would mean welcoming identical cap savings.
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Cashman isn’t likely to be shown the door. He remains a very good player who helps the team to matchup. He can be an eraser in the run game, making runners disappear; so, too, can he be a monster in pass coverage, making life difficult for tight ends and slot receivers. Better yet, he’s a leader who has a brain in his head. The Vikings do value what he brings to the table (which is to say nothing of the fans).
If, however, the desire is for youth and financial savings, then moving on from Blake Cashman isn’t totally without reason. He has had some injury issues, plays at a deep position, was brought in by the old GM, and would see his contract give back nice cap savings.
Blake Cashman is 30. He had 144 tackles, 2 sacks, and 4 tackles for loss in thirteen games last season.
France‘s Kylian Mbappe became the top scorer in World Cup history on Saturday after netting a 22nd goal in the third-place play-off against England.
However, his team suffered a 6-4 defeat to the Three Lions in Didier Deschamps’ last match as France’s head coach.
Mbappe is now one ahead of Argentina’s Lionel Messi on the World Cup all-time goal-scoring table. Messi will have a chance to win back the title when Argentina play in Sunday’s final.
Mbappe needed 22 games to set the record, while Messi needed 33 matches to score his 21 goalsImage: Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP
Mbappe’s brace also saw the France captain move to the top of the race for the Golden Boot, which will be awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament. He now has two more goals than Messi in the 2026 World Cup.
“Messi is going to score (on Sunday), that’s for sure. I’m just trying to help my team win. When you score a lot of goals at the World Cup, it puts you in a certain category,” Mbappe said.
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“I would have preferred not to be the all-time top scorer and to be playing tomorrow’s match. It’s good in terms of legacy, but today it’s not the first thing on my mind,” he added.
England beat France 6-4 in wild World Cup bronze match
England were in complete control after scoring four first-half goals to leave France facing an embarrassing defeat.
Mbappe struck twice as Les Bleus battled back, but England held firm.
Saka scored a hat-trick for the Three Lions while Bellingham became the first England player to score seven goals at a single World Cup.
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The result secured third place for England, the team’s best World Cup performance since winning the tournament in 1966.
Bukayo Saka (center) is the second England player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup knockout matchImage: Paul Childs/REUTERS
Deschamps’ last dance for France
The third-place playoff at the World Cup was Deschamps’ last game as France coach.
As a player, Deschamps led the French team to a World Cup title in 1998. As a coach, he guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish four years ago.
But Les Bleus missed their chance for a third consecutive final appearance after losing 2-0 against Spain in the semi-finals.
Didier Deschamps is stepping down as France manager after 14 yearsImage: Carlos Barria/REUTERS
Several FIFA World Cup records were broken as England defeated France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place match to claim the bronze medal at the 2026 tournament.
The 10-goal contest became the highest-scoring third-place match in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing France’s 6-3 victory over West Germany in 1958.
England made a dream start, taking a 4-0 lead before half-time through Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and two goals from Bukayo Saka. France fought back after the break with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Bradley Barcola to cut the deficit to 4-3.
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Mbappé then made history by scoring his second goal of the match to become the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 22 goals, moving ahead of Argentina legend Lionel Messi.
The France captain also finished the tournament with 14 goal contributions, setting a new record for the most goal involvements in a single FIFA World Cup.
England restored their two-goal lead when Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute. Ousmane Dembélé scored again for France in stoppage time before Jude Bellingham sealed the victory with England’s sixth goal deep into added time.
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Bellingham’s strike was his seventh goal of the tournament, making him the highest-scoring England player in a single FIFA World Cup.
Saka’s hat-trick was another major highlight as he inspired England to their best World Cup finish since winning the title in 1966. It also marked England’s best-ever World Cup finish outside home soil.
While England celebrated a memorable victory and a place on the podium, the match will also be remembered for the remarkable records set by Mbappé, Bellingham and Saka in one of the greatest third-place matches in World Cup history.
SOUTHPORT, England — There’s a popular phrase in golf that says there are no pictures on scorecards; just numbers. It’s all about the integers written and the sums they create. The phrase is popular because it’s true most of the time.
Just not on Saturday for Tommy Fleetwood in the town where he was raised. We needed pictures on the scorecard, because 18 holes came and went and, somehow, he’s one shot further away from the Open Championship lead (5) than when his day began (4). And because that score tells us precisely nothing about one of the most utterly thrilling rounds of any player at the Open in recent memory.
Yes, the scorecard is a liar on Saturday night at Royal Birkdale. Fleetwood is trailing a stronger opponent now than he was on Saturday morning, and he’s running out of holes to catch up. A realist would say it’s gotten dire, but Royal Birkdale has not been covered in realists this week. It’s been covered by dreamers.
If you could add pictures to Fleetwood’s third round scorecard, you’d attach a snap of spectators on their hands and knees, struggling up these impossible sand dunes for a glimpse of their king. Forget the dunes, even — the card would simply show people climbing over other people. It would include a pic of Guy Kinnings, CEO of the European Tour, pressed up against the rope line on the 11th. He had to get a look at it, too.
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Spectators watch on from atop a dune at Royal Birkdale Saturday.
Darren Riehl
This scorecard would have sound because it would have to have sound. The European football sing-songs based around his name. Tomey-lad this, Tomey-lad that, in that rising, Scouse accent. They even broke out a rendition of Spirit of the Blues, the fight song of Everton FC, Tommy’s favorite football club. Usually Everton fans (The Blues) don’t get along with Liverpool fans (the Reds). But one golfer in particular can bring them together, it seems.
“I know you’re a blue-nosed c**t, Tommy, but I still love ya,” one LFC fan shouted. A marshal on the 12th tee offered something much softer:
“He’s just so loved, isn’t he?”
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He really is.
And to understand what’s on the line at this Open via some final round charge from the local boy, it might be worth exploring why Tom Fleetwood is so loved.
Part of it is in that football club, unofficially dubbed the people’s club of northwest England. Everton executives try to orchestrate big plans whenever he comes around for a match. He always elects for a low profile.
Tommy’s dad, Pete, never left Lancashire. His worldly son jokes that Pete is more famous in Southport than Tommy is. Father Fleetwood has not been present much this week, but he’s been around, probably a few train stops south, watching wherever he can actually see, given the horde of locals following his son. It was Pete who sawed down adult clubs for young Tommy in the mid-90s and introduced him to the game at Southport muni, a course with tiny greens and weekday rates for $25. The tee sheet was packed Saturday morning. Get your golf in before Tommy tees off. Same as it was in 2023 when Fleetwood contended at Hoylake.
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And doesn’t Tommy feel a bit … municipal? Accessible. Approachable. Vulnerable, even. He’s about half the size of his towering caddie, Ian Finnis, who also calls this area home. They’ve been friends for decades, and now Finnis’ entire life runs through Fleetwood’s ball-striking brilliance.
You could see thoughts arrive on each of their faces during Saturday’s nervy round. Occasionally their eyebrows would raise as they turned a corner to see a new crowd dancing across dunes that have never been burdened by this many people. There was a camping nature to their position on the course — fans posting up ahead of the action just to watch them walk by. Kemm onn Tomey.
“Walking up to every green, it’s like the most amazing ovation that you can imagine,” Fleetwood said. “Then I sort of acknowledge them in my way because I still want to stay in my bubble, in a way, but it just happens that there’s like thousands of people in my bubble with me that are willing me on.”
For a few moments it was all right there, too — one stroke back of the lead through 50 holes and Birkdale’s rip-roaring finish between them and the clubhouse. Fleetwood said he’s been envisioning that scene since he attended the 1998 Open at Birkdale, when he was 7 years old, the same age his son Frankie is now.
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Did some air get squeezed out of the balloon with two back nine bogeys? Yeah, it did. Were there some angsty photos and anguished groans that could accompany those scores? Oh yeah. But in many ways that third round was merely a transition to a day that could mean even more.
In his hometown and with the entire region watching, the photos will be indelible, the sounds will be immense and the scores will become concrete. But at some point in his final loop around Royal Birkdale at an Open within reach, all he’ll be thinking about are dreams.
Due to the time to set-up for the entertainment – and then take it all down before the second half – half-time could last more than 25 minutes.
Although Fifa has been briefing that it will be about 20 minutes long, it is understood that timeframe could stretch due to the number of variables involved.
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There is the possibility the players may have to complete some kind of warm-up if the break is at the longer end of the estimate.
The laws of the game, governed by Ifab (the International Football Association Board), state that players are entitled to a half-time break “not exceeding 15 minutes”.
Half-time of last year’s Club World Cup final, also organised by Fifa and held in New Jersey, lasted a total of 24 minutes because of a performance featuring Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly.
Before the World Cup final there will also be a closing ceremony at 13:30 local time (18:30 BST).
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Jennifer Hudson will sing the United States’ national anthem, while Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed are also set to perform.
The World Cup final itself will kick-off at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST).
France captain Kylian Mbappé has become the highest goalscorer in the history of the FIFA World Cup after taking his tally to 22 goals.
The landmark achievement came during France’s 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place match against England, where Mbappé scored twice to move past the previous all-time record and write his name into the history books.
The goals also strengthened his position in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot. Mbappé now leads the scoring chart with 10 goals, opening a two-goal advantage over his closest challenger, Lionel Messi.
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France produced a spirited second-half comeback after trailing 4-0, with Mbappé leading the fightback. His goals, along with strikes from Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, reduced the deficit, but England eventually secured a 6-4 victory to claim the bronze medal.
In addition to becoming the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, Mbappé also finished the tournament with 14 goal contributions, setting a new record for the most goal involvements by a player in a single FIFA World Cup.
The latest milestone further cements Mbappé’s place among football’s greatest players and adds another remarkable chapter to his already outstanding World Cup career.
Seth Rollins is nothing but confident ahead of his WWE World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns at the SummerSlam Premium Live Event.
Rollins and Reigns are former tag team partners. Together, they held the tag team championships as members of The Shield. Following the Night of Champions Premium Live Event, Rollins stepped up to Reigns and challenged him to a title match, which The OTC accepted.
Thanks for the submission!
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On Instagram, Rollins recalled all the nicknames and monikers he had adopted over the years. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion seems full of confidence heading into his title match against his former tag team partner and the current champion.
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“Hero. Villain. Architect. Messiah. Visionary. I am a multitude. I am everything I’ve ever been and everything I’ll ever be all at once.” wrote Rollins.
Check out Rollins’ Instagram post:
Seth Rollins thinks he would be a great tag team champion with Oba Femi
Seth Rollins and Oba Femi have already teamed up in the WWE. The Visionary believes that they could win tag team gold together.
While speaking in a post-match promo at a house show, Rollins claimed that he and Femi could team up at some point down the road to win the titles. The promo was delivered after Rollins and Femi teamed up against the WWE World Tag Team Champions, The Vision.
“You know, Oba, I really thought we would be great tag team champions, but it occurred to me in the last few moments you and I we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Not quite fish, I think you have a Beast that you need to conquer, and I have a Tribal Chief who’s walking around with my World Heavyweight Championship. How about we take care of our business in Minneapolis at SummerSlam, and then we reconvene this fight afterwards, my guy,”
Seth Rollins could once again get the better of Roman Reigns by defeating him and regaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
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Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 19 AFL game between West Coast Eagles and
Brisbane Lions. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Brisbane Lions heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the West Coast Eagles vs.
Brisbane Lions
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Brisbane will look to continue its late-season charge when it travels west to face an Eagles side searching for positives in a difficult campaign. The reigning premiers produced one of their best performances of the year in last week’s convincing win over Essendon, keeping their hopes of a top-two finish firmly alive. West Coast, meanwhile, has struggled to maintain the competitiveness it showed earlier in the season.
The Lions boast one of the competition’s deepest lists, with role players continuing to complement stars Lachie Neale and Will Ashcroft as Brisbane builds towards another finals campaign. Oscar Allen could provide an intriguing storyline if he returns to face his former club, but the Eagles face a significant challenge regardless. Brisbane’s ability to dominate contested possession and punish turnovers makes it a difficult opponent for a developing West Coast outfit.
;)
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