Latest from Courier-Mail
Courier-Mail
23 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
AFL world roasts Geelong Cats T-shirt stunt in Patrick Dangerfield 350th against Brisbane Lion at GMHBA Stadium
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Geelong's unique move to fill the stadium with white T-shirts for the club's big clash with the Brisbane Lions may not have drawn the response the Cats were seeking. The reigning premiers burst out of the blocks and dictated play most of the night in a statement 14.8 (92) to 6.15 (51) victory that snaps Brisbane's long losing run in Geelong. It all left the Cats' 'Kit out the Cattery' campaign falling a bit flat. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Billed as 'a sight to behold' and a 'slice of history' on the Geelong website, the Cats covered every seat at GMHBA Stadium with what they described as 'a free collectable T-shirt' for the Friday night blockbuster. It's a move that is often used in American sports and can have a strong look when everyone in the crowd is kitted out in the same colour. Both the Indiana Pacers and OKC Thunder have adopted the move during their clash in the NBA Finals. Bailey Smith in one of the white T-shirts handed out to the crowd. Photos: Getty Images On a night when the club was also celebrating captain Patrick Dangerfield's 350th AFL game, the commentators were certainly getting into the spirit. 'They have kitted out the Cattery with the white T-shirts on every seat, inspiration drawn from the NBA and college football in the US,' Gerard Whateley said on Fox Footy. 'It is quite the sight down the highway as the local heroes emerge. 'Patrick Dangerfield said one of his favourite parts of this would be (his children) Winnie, 'Flip' and George joining him to run through the banner. 'All the kids now fully aware of what they're part of, his place in Geelong lore, which grows tonight, game 350 … on a special night in the way that it shapes.' The fans appeared to be enjoying their moment, with many donning the shirts and a number of others waving them in the air on a cold night in Geelong. The Lions added a splash of colour to the occasion. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) Nearly all of the OKC Thunder fans followed the memo during the NBA Finals. (Photo by) The Lions may not have got the memo, however, as the premiers made a hot start bidding for a first victory at Kardinia Park since they won five straight from 1998 to 2003. They have lost 13 consecutive games at the ground since then, yet they jumped out of the blocks with the game's first four goals. By halftime they held a 23-point edge and fans on social media were having a field day over the white T-shirt promotion, with many referencing the white flag of surrender. 'Lol white out is a roaring success so far,' was one comment on X. 'I don't think the white out worked,' said another. 'White out turning into a whitewash,' quipped another. 'I didn't have high expectations for the white T-shirt thing but it's looking pretty average,' declared another. 'Conceded the first 4 of the game, wave the white flag,' said a fifth. 'What's with the white, did Geelong decide to surrender?' asked another watching on. Others were left questioning the decision to use T-shirts as a gift on a Geelong night in late June. One said: 'Yes because people are gonna be in a T-shirt on a 3 degrees night in Geelong.' Another wrote: 'Yeah people are definitely gonna wear them on 5C winters night.' Apart from the T-shirts, Patrick Dangerfield was the man of the moment. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images) A wide number of fans used the word 'cringe' to describe the promotion, while another slammed 'the AFL's desperation to Americanise the game'. Some fans were getting on board, with a Hawthorn fan writing: 'Hate Geelong as much as the next Hawks fan but god damn those white shirts in the crowd look good.' A fan apparently in the crowd also gave an insight into perhaps why not everyone in the crowd was wearing the shirt. 'Late decision to make the trip down, might struggle to fit into my 2x small white out shirt,' they wrote. Dangerfield and the Cats needed to lift in the second half or the crowd will indeed be waving the white flag. But it wasn't to be as the Lions played the ultimate party poopers and showed their title defence is right on track. Originally published as 'Surrender?': AFL world roasts Geelong T-shirt stunt in Danger's 350th
Courier-Mail
23 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Don't miss out on the headlines from Motorsport. Followed categories will be added to My News. Erebus chief executive Barry Ryan has offered a frank reflection on a crippling 18 months that has seen his title-winning team slip to last in the Supercars standings. After a fairytale start to the Gen3 era, which saw Erebus win both the drivers' and teams' titles in 2023, the squad has endured a string of well-publicised internal struggles. Will Brown defected to Triple Eight at the end of 2023, while reigning champion Brodie Kostecki missed the start of the 2024 season while in dispute with the team, which coincided with big name sponsors such as Coca-Cola walking away. Kostecki would later return and win the Bathurst 1000, however left to Dick Johnson Racing at the end of last season – along with both Erebus race engineers George Commins and Tom Moore. Will Brown left Erebus at the end of 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke Brodie Kostecki was another high-profile departure. Team principal Brad Tremain also left the squad at the end of 2024 with plans to pursue an opportunity in IndyCar in the US. That has prompted a significant, and ongoing, internal rebuild, highlighted by Ryan himself needing to take the race engineer role on Jack Le Brocq's car. It's been tough going for Le Brocq and rookie teammate Cooper Murray, too, with Erebus slumping to last in the teams' standings ahead of this weekend's Darwin Triple Crown. 'There's no hiding behind it; the last 18 months have been really hard on our team. Really hard,' said Ryan at Hidden Valley on Friday. 'Losing key people … our last rebuild was 2021 and we got Brodie and Will and no one believed, really, in that. And we won a championship two years later, and we won Bathurst the year after. X SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'We've gone back to where we were [in 2021]. 'It's hard on the team. To replace people like George, Tom and Brodie is really hard. Brad Tremain is going to kick goals in America. That's four key people out of the team, it's really tough to replace that. 'It's going to take time. We can't hide behind that. I can only do so much and the boys that I've had there for six, seven years can only do so much. 'Unfortunately I'm still race engineering, and I say that because I shouldn't be. I should be running the business. But until we can get the right person to do that role; we're trying to self-promote from within, we're trying to find an engineer we can just put in and be really successful. Cooper Murray was 11th in the second practice session in Darwin. 'It's a balancing act and I can't say I'm really enjoying it. We got to a point where we were beating Triple Eight and we wanted to be that team that was the best year in, year out. 'Massive respect to Roland Dane for what he did for that whole time he was there, and what they're still doing. We got there and we just couldn't keep the momentum. 'No matter what everyone thinks the reason is why. We just couldn't keep that momentum that teams like that can do. 'Anyway, it's a lesson learned, this whole situation. We'll try not to go through it again. 'We'll get there again. We're confident in our team. We've got a great bunch of loyal staff that want to stay on and want to see us get there again and win championships and Bathursts. 'We're still going to go to Bathurst trying to win there this year. We'll have the belief and we'll have the drivers than can do it.' Erebus showed signs of improvement on track on Friday, with Murray 11th in the second practice session and Le Brocq in 19th as Andre Heimgartner led the way for Brad Jones Racing ahead of Ryan Wood and Will Brown. This story was written by Speedcafe Originally published as Supercars Darwin: Barry Ryan's frank verdict on fall of Erebus
Courier-Mail
23 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Adelaide woman's crazy find at bottom of hotpot
Don't miss out on the headlines from Food. Followed categories will be added to My News. A young woman has scored herself a free meal after a shock find at the bottom of her takeaway bowl. Adelaide woman Shraddha said she ordered a hotpot from a takeaway shop last week. She ate most of the meal at the restaurant but took some home for later. It was then she noticed something strange. 'I was picking at the bottom, and the container was feeling a little bit weird,' she said in a TikTok video. The Adelaide woman found a phone in her hotpot. Picture: Shraddha (TikTok) 'So, I kept digging and at the bottom of the container was a working phone.' Working might be a bit of a stretch, understandably a temperature warning could be seen on the phone as she dragged it out of the soup. 'I rang the place, and I was like 'hey I found a phone in my hotpot' and they were like 'oh yeah we did have a phone missing from one of our chefs',' she continued. 'They were apologising, and I was like 'no worries I'll bring it back''. The Adelaide woman found a phone in her hotpot. Picture: Shraddha (TikTok) The woman chose not to name the restaurant, saying 'everyone makes mistakes'. She added: 'What had happened was apparently the chef put the phone down in the takeaway container and because it was black it blended in with the container. 'I paid $35 for the hotpot originally and they gave me $50 back and the chef was like 'oh let me know when you're here next time and I'll give you a free hotpot''. Earlier in the video Shraddha said she originally planned to save the meal for another day. Thankfully for her, she was hungry when she got home, and the meal was still warm. The Adelaide woman found a phone in her hotpot. Picture: Shraddha (TikTok) If she had popped it in the microwave the next day, it could have been a different story. Some TikTok users said the restaurant got off lightly. 'You should have asked for a lifetime of free hotpot,' wrote one. 'Thank God you didn't have to heat it up,' said another. has contacted Shraddha for comment. Originally published as Adelaide woman's crazy find at bottom of hotpot
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Courier-Mail
The ultimate gift guide for the sentimental Cancer
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Struggling to find the most meaningful gift for your favourite home-loving crab? Here's a gift guide perfect for the Cancer in your life. It can feel overwhelming trying to find a gift sentimental enough to show a sensitive Cancer just how much you love them. Although they're likely to well up at the sight of a carefully chosen gift, it's nice to give them something that really feels like them. We've taken the guesswork out of your search and compiled a list of the best gifts for your favourite crab. Hommey Picnic Stripes Robe Ever the homebody, the Cancer in your life will never take off this luxe, cosy robe from Hommey. With this bold picnic stripe pattern, we guarantee this'll be the most fun one in their wardrobe. Shop here 18k Gold Vermeil Cosmic Love Zodiac Annex Link Pendant Perhaps the most deeply sentimental of the zodiac signs, crabs love a gift with a personal touch. Help them embrace their water sign with this 18k gold vermeil horoscope pendant. Shop here Fireside in Queenstown Candle Appeal to Cancer's sweet, warm side with this scent from Glasshouse. It's sure to make the moonchild's house feel like home. Shop here New Balance 471 Sneaker Astrologer Natasha Weber tells Body+Soul crabs need to hit the gym to keep their 'mojo high' during emotional disruptions. The creative Cancer will love these sleek, comfy sneakers brimming with 70s nostalgia from New Balance. Shop here Deep Sleep Magnesium Massage Bar, Taking on everyone else's problems can leave the moon signs with a good dose of tension. This lavender, chamomile and magnesium-infused massage bar is the perfect addition to their nightly routine to help the crabs wind down after a stressful day. Shop here Smeg Espresso Manual Coffee Machine You're unlikely to ever find a Cancer too far from the kitchen. They'll love this chic coffee machine upgrade in their sign's signature seafoam green. The generous host will likely keep your refills coming all day. Shop here Hexclad 6 pc Japanese Damascus Steel Knife Set w/ Magnetic Knife Block Weber says in Cancer's case, 'when money is spent, it is usually on practical items such as clothing or cookware'. They'll never stop nurturing their loved ones through food, so they could benefit from having the best of tools. This six-piece Japanese Damascus steel knife set will cut their prep time and look incredible on display in their space. Shop here Constellation Foiled Hardback Plain Notebook The astrologer says the sensitive water sign is 'prone to emotional disruptions'. This gorgeous constellation notebook will be the best therapy they've ever had. It's sure to be full of their thoughts, feelings, worries and cherished memories in no time. Shop here Country Road Daisy Coupe Set of 2 'Cancers are most comfortable entertaining or hosting in their own home and love providing good food and warm conversation', according to Weber. These elevated moss green coupes will stay in rotation for every dinner party, cocktail night and relaxed pool day they host. Shop here Paint by Numbers Kit Nonna's House Cancers thrive when they're creating. Help them get back in touch with their creative side with the nicest paint-by-numbers kit they'll ever see. The fun Italian feast will be decorating their walls as soon as the paint's dry. Shop here Originally published as The ultimate gift guide for the sentimental Cancer
Courier-Mail
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Tesla rival's ‘quiet statement' shades Elon
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Polestar customers looking at the brand's latest model face an interesting choice – do you want to go fast, or do you want to go far? The cheapest version of this prestige electric SUV claims truly impressive driving range – some 706 kilometres. You can go faster if you spend more, but the most powerful version must stop 140 kilometres sooner than that. All versions of the Polestar 3 have the same battery, a whopping 111kWh unit with roughly twice the capacity of affordable electric hatchbacks. Lighter and simpler, the entry-level Polestar 3 has just one motor, a 220kW motor mounted in the rear of the car. 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied MORE: Inside China's total domination of Australia Capable of producing 220kW and 490Nm, it can propel the car to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds. Want to go faster? Dual-motor versions are available with 360kW/840Nm or 380kW and 910Nm – the latter capable of ripping to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. But it can only drive for 567 kilometres. Price might be a deciding factor. The two-wheel-drive model costs about $128,000 drive-away, while the high performance dual motor version starts from about $155,000 drive-away. That's a lot of coin. The options are dear, too. A 'plus pack' with a premium Bowers and Wilkins stereo is $9000, premium LED headlights are $3000 and an electric tow bar adds $2900 to the deal. Whichever way you go, the result is a polished electric SUV with Scandinavian design elements and Chinese battery know-how. Think luxurious yet sustainable materials, wonderfully comfortable seats and a Google-powered infotainment system. It takes a little more time to learn than simple smartphone mirroring such as Apple CarPlay, but it's worth persisting with as it helps the car stand apart from the crowd. 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied The interior really does make a quiet statement. It's a calming, comfortable space that swerves around the ostentatious trim and nightclub-esque LED lighting of some alternatives. And you could say the same of the driving experience. This isn't a shouty, boisterous car. It's an exercise in restraint, painted with a palette of neutral earth tones rather than primary colours or neon. 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied MORE: Crisis sends Australian fuel prices soaring The standard car's regular suspension does a decent job of keeping you comfortable while maintaining control of considerable mass. Air suspension in the all-wheel-drive version might be a better bet, but then again, it adds weight and complexity that saps range. The simple two-wheel-drive set-up suits the Polestar. It's a car that aims to soother, rather than thrill. Self-assured but not self-aggrandising, it's a pleasantly inoffensive model geared toward folks who appreciate its restrained design and environmental conscience. 2025 Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor electric car. Picture: Supplied MORE: Magic mushies, booze kill off 'soft' utes Is that enough to justify near enough to double the investment over a Tesla Model Y? Perhaps it will be for some folks. But it's hard to see it cutting through in big numbers here, particularly when rival machines like the Porsche Macan bring prestige badges and the promise of greater driving satisfaction for similar money. Originally published as Polestar 3 review: For drivers who appreciate simplicity
