Townsville Bulletin

Kyle Opals weighshave plenty options to fire their desire

- JON TUXWORTH

SWIMMING: AUSTRALIAN coach Sandy Brondello says the possibilit­y the Commonweal­th Games could be Belinda Snell’s internatio­nal swan song will be motivation to defend their crown.

The Opals are unbackable favourites to win gold and Snell has a chance to go out on her own terms after winning a recall under new coach Brondello.

Australia begins its campaign against world No. 25 Mozambique at the Townsville Entertainm­ent and Convention Centre tonight. SWIMMING: When sprint freestyler Jack

After being a controvers­ial omisCartwr­ight’s maximum heartrate soared

sion from the 2016 Rio Games, the over 200 beats per minute during a mid- three- race drama time Olympian in a 200m was freestyle recalled heat for at the July’s selection Asia trials, Cup. his Commonweal­th Games Brondello selection hopes played looked alongside headed the into 37an ambulance year- old at right the along 2004 with Olympics him. and

His said impressive she deserves fighting to bow qualities out from came the to the Opals fore 30 on hours a high later note. when he rose from a hospital Snell bed has to indicated qualify strongly she will for the speak Games to Brondello in the 100m after freestyle. the Common

Swimming’s wealth Games “Jack on of Hearts” whether is part she of will a remodelled make herself quartet available that will be for chasing the world gold cup in the in Spain pool today in late in September. the men’s 4x100m freestyle Melbourne relay. Boomers captain

Beside Jenna him O’Hea will has be Olympic also been champion welcomed Kyle back Chalmers, into the who fold has after beaten a long the absence. same heart condition “( I picked with them surgery. because) they’re

Coach the best Dean players, Boxall said I don’t of Cartwright’s hand it out,” fightback Brondello from said. drama at the trials: “Unbelievab­le “My goal resilience. coming He in should was I’m have going been to gone. choose He what should I have think put are his the feet best up on players the couch for and us said, to ‘ I’m win out’, medals, but he and wanted they’ve to fight.” proven that.

Cartwright’s “They’re heartrate two integral spike in players a 200m of heat this meant team he and failed their to qualify leadership for a is final critihe could cal not for possibly us. have swum anyway.

His “full It focus could is ( now be Snell’s the relay swan and the song), 100m that’s heats going tomorrow to be Snelly’s morning decision before to another decide visit what to a she specialist wants after to do the but Games she’s to discuss had a fantastic whether career. the Chalmers’ option of surgery “What to correct I love Supraventr­icular about Snelly is she Tachycardi­a has this ( SVT) greatness, will be replicated. but she doesn’t

Head want coach it to be Jacco about Verhaeren her in the said end. a plan She for just Cartwright wants had to been go about developed her job after and consultati­ons that’s what with makes specialist­s. her special.”

“Is it The dangerous Mackay- health- bred wise? Phoenix That’s Merthe number cury one coach ( considerat­ion) places a high and priority the on conclusion defence, is and it isn’t, she so hopes we’ll look that at mindset a plan after will this ensure competitio­n,” the Opals Verhaeren return said. to their

— Jim Tucker winning ways after missing a medal at the 2016 Olympics for the first time since 1992.

“I’m a defence first coach because I think it creates offence,” Brondello said. “We work a lot on defence. These games coming up will see what we need to work on. The Comm Games are extremely important but we also have an eye on the World Cup.”

Brondello said it’s important fans in regional areas like Townsville get to watch elite talent up close.

“The Fire are a force in the WNBL and they love their sport. It’s great to play in front of people who appreciate the game,” she said. “We have so many great sporting people that come from regional areas.”

Scotland downed England 78- 65 in their men’s preliminar­y game in Townsville yesterday afternoon, and Cameroon played India overnight.

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 ?? DEFENCE FOCUS: Opals coach Sandy Brondello at Townsville Airport. Picture: SHAE BEPLATE ??
DEFENCE FOCUS: Opals coach Sandy Brondello at Townsville Airport. Picture: SHAE BEPLATE
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