What’s happening in WA sport this week
What’s happening in sport in WA this week?
The Perth Wildcats return to action on Friday night at RAC Arena, while Min Woo Lee and Minjee Lee chase a rare sibling double at golf’s Australian Open.
WA siblings enter Australian Open as favourites
WA golfer Min Woo Lee triumphed at last weekend’s Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, claiming the title by three strokes on Sunday. That came only a week after his siter Minjee Lee (pictured below) won the Greg Norman Medal for Australian golfer of the year. And the sibling duo will be in action at this week’s Australian Open which is the world’s only dual-gender national championship. The pair are both the favourites for male and female divisions according to the bookies. Watch live from Thursday on Fox Sports and/or Kayo Sports.
Friday night lights returns for Wildcats
After a week off, the Perth Wildcats’ topsy-turvy season resumes with a home clash at RAC Arena against the Sydney Kings from 6:30pm WST Friday. Jon Rillie’s side won five games in a row prior to
the break to climb up to fourth. However, facing the second-placed back-to-back championship-winning Kings looms as a stern test. The Wildcats’ NBA Draft top pick prospect Alex Sarr is a drawcard, while star man Bryce Cotton has registered consecutive 25-point games, showing his form is fine. Purchase tickets here.
Fever goal defence Courtney Bruce win netball’s top gong
On the topic of recognising West Aussies, we need to give West Coast Fever goal defence Courtney
Bruce a big shoutout for winning her second Liz Ellis Diamond award at the Australian Netball Awards on Sunday after a stellar 2023.
WA stars recognised with AFLW awards
Kudos to Fremantle’s Emma O’Driscoll and West Coast’s Charlie Thomas who were this week named in the backline for the 2023 AFLW All-Australian team. Meanwhile, Angie Stannett and Thomas won Fremantle and West Coast’s best and fairest awards respectively. The AFLW Grand Final will take place on Sunday 11:30am WST with North Melbourne up against the Brisbane Lions at Melbourne’s Ikon Park. Watch live on Channel 7, Fox Footy and/or Kayo Sports.
IRONMAN hits Busselton
The IRONMAN 70.3 takes place in Busselton this Sunday down on the Jetty Foreshore. WA’s course is renowned worldwide for being the place to go for a personal best. The bike and run courses are among the flattest on the global IRONMAN circuit plus we all know about the stunning seaside views, so it’s worth taking a look if you’re down south. More info here.
Yallingup Malibu Classic
Moving a little bit west of Busselton, the longboarders will hit the waves at the Yallingup Malibu Classic on Saturday and Sunday. The malibu-longboard event will be run at Yallingup Beach and Rabbit Hill from 7am on both Saturday and Sunday, so that’s worth a squizz if you’re in the region too. More info here.
Scorchers beaten in WBBL finals
Sadly, the Perth Scorchers’ finals tilt ground to a sudden halt with a heavy 67-run loss to the Brisbane Heat in Wednesday’s Challenger at the WACA Ground after the visitors scored a competition record 5-197. The Adelaide Strikers will host the Brisbane Heat in the final on Saturday from 4:10pm WST at Adelaide Oval. Watch live on Channel 7, cricket.com.au, Foxtel and/or Kayo Sports.
In the Sheffield Shield, WA are up against Queensland at the Gabba, with day three resuming early on Thursday. That’s the final Shield game before the BBL starts with the Perth Scorchers’ first game on December 10 in Melbourne. Watch at cricket.com.au or listen on 91.3 Sport FM.
Sam Kerr to miss upcoming Matildas’ games
WA’s Matildas hero Sam Kerr may have scored a hat-trick in last week’s UEFA Champions League for Chelsea but she’s since been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming friendlies against Tokyo Olympics gold medalists Canada due to a foot injury. Katanning product Lydia Williams will make the trip to North America, with the Matildas first facing Canada from 11:30am WST Saturday in Langford, before meeting again on December 6 in Vancouver. Watch live on Channel 10.
Glory women suffer first loss, Glory men away to Sydney
The Matildas are playing as part of the international break in women’s football, meaning no game this weekend for Perth Glory’s female side who suffered their first loss of the season on Saturday, going down 2-1 to Wellington Phoenix. The Glory’s male side, however, will be in action on Saturday from 4:45pm WST with a visit to Sydney FC. Both sides have only one win from five games, but the Sky Blues have looked better under new coach Ufuk Talay so this will be a tricky away trip. Watch the A-Leagues on Paramount Plus or 10Play.
Heat on the road in the capital
It’s not been the best start to the new Australian Baseball League season for the Perth Heat, sitting last with a 2-6 record but they get their chance to make amends when they face the Canberra Cavalry at Narrabundah Ballpark in the ACT in a four-game series starting Thursday. Watch on the Baseball+ app or plus.baseball.com.au.
Lynx out to end losing run at leaders
After winning their first three games, the Perth Lynx have slipped to back-to-back losses so the trip to face ladder-leading Melbourne Boomers from 12pm WST Sunday is tough. Watch live on ESPN or 9Now.
Header Image Credit: Min Woo Lee (via Facebook)