Latest sports news: SBW and Quade Cooper help Tevita Pangai Jr – CODE’s Best of Sport

The two legends helping get back on track

By his own admission, Tevita Pangai Jr was close to throwing it all away in 2022. He turned to a couple of unlikely figures to turn things around, writes BRENDAN BRADFORD.

Just three months ago, Tevita Pangai Jr was out of form, carrying too much extra weight and wasting his considerable talent.

One of the highest-paid players in the NRL, in August he was dropped to reserve grade and the not-so-glamorous Henson Park dressing sheds as the Bulldogs played the Jets.

He’d had his moments earlier in the year, with glimpses of his ability in Canterbury’s shock 34-4 win over Parramatta in June, but with the Bulldogs out of finals contention, many were wondering whether he’d join the list of big-name, big-money transfer failures.

It was hard to argue otherwise.

So, last week when Sonny Bill Williams said, with a straight face, that Pangai Jr could become one of the greatest Bulldogs backrowers of all time, few took him at his word.

Seriously, this guy?

But SBW’s comment was less a prediction, and more encouragement for a player he sees so much potential in.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

AFL’s best callers rated and ranked

Who are the best commentators in the AFL? We’ve ranked all the big names. Did we get it right? See the list and vote for your own now.

They’re the captain of the ship, guiding the listeners and viewers through the action.

Never has there been a higher standard of play-by-play commentators in the media landscape with new faces and new styles taking on the established stars.

In one of the toughest tasks in football, Scott Gullan ranks the top 15 football callers in TV and radio for season 2022. See his full list below and have your say.

No.15: BRENTON SPEED – The most versatile commentator in the country. Can do any sport and certainly more than capable behind the AFL microphone.

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Giddey’s golden warning to ‘elite’ Boomers hopefuls

Record-breaking Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey has opened up to MATT LOGUE on his golden Boomers dream — and why no spot in the squad is guaranteed.

Rising Australian NBA star Josh Giddey believes the Boomers are in a “gold-medal” window that he would “love” to be part of for years to come — starting with next year’s World Cup.

Giddey is the latest NBA player to put his hand up for Australia’s Cup campaign, joining the likes of Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels and Patty Mills.

The OKC Thunder guard says the Australian men’s program has become so strong that gold medals are no longer just a pipe dream.

“With the talent that we have available for the World Cup and Olympics, the gold medal chances are as real as they’ve ever been,” Giddey said.

“When the time comes, I’d love to play in the World Cup.

“It’s something as a kid that you dream of doing, representing your country.

“I’m excited for that when it comes around.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

How the man from Tieri, Qld, became big in Japan

Originally from a tiny town of 1000, Socceroo Mitch Langerak keeps his head down and ego in check, writes ADAM PEACOCK.

In the cut throat world of football, which in sporting terms is about as cut throat as it gets, it‘s impossible to find a Socceroo with an ego in urgent need of adjustment.

No big heads. No inflated opinion of self-worth. No dickheads.

Mitch Langerak is a shining example.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

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