Ben McClellan

5 days ago | thewest.com.au | Ben McClellan

Oklahoma City has claimed its first NBA title after Indiana rallied in the first half, despite losing superstar Tyrese Haliburton to injury. OKC won 103-91 after leading 81–68 at three-quarter time and being narrowly ahead 48–47 at halftime. With just over eight minutes to go the Thunder led by 21 points, 89-68. The Pacers narrowed the gap to 12 points, 91-77, with five minutes remaining but it was not enough to deny the Thunder.

2 weeks ago | perthnow.com.au | Ben McClellan

An Australian Olympian filmed whipping a horse 42 times has claimed he was doing so in an effort to save the animal’s life. The footage, taken around two years ago at his stables in NSW, shows Heath Ryan repeatedly striking a horse named Nico as it bucks in distress. The video was recently shared online, sparking widespread outrage.

2 weeks ago | thewest.com.au | Ben McClellan

There has been a further delay in the $8.7 million fraud case involving a former AFL umpire. Troy Pannell was allegedly on the run for more than two weeks before crashing his car after police attempted to stop him on Friday. An arrest warrant was issued for the 48-year-old in the Victorian Supreme Court last month after he failed to appear in a civil case involving his former employer, who is pursuing him over the multi-million dollar fraud they allege he benefited from.

2 weeks ago | thewest.com.au | Ben McClellan

Collingwood vice-captain Brayden Maynard has shunned North Melbourne to sign a four-year extension with the 2023 premiers. The gun defender, who could have received a richer deal with the Roos, will remain a Magpie until the end of 2029, when he will be 33 years old, The Herald Sun reports. Despite dealing with an ongoing foot injury, the 28-year-old has been a strong driver of the Pies’ 2025 success with their suffocating defence.

2 weeks ago | thewest.com.au | Ben McClellan

Nick Kyrgios has been dropped from the BBC and ESPN’s coverage of Wimbledon following backlash over his on-air role last year, which reignited criticism surrounding his 2021 domestic violence case. Kyrgios admitted to assaulting his former partner, Chiara Passari, during an argument in 2021. He pushed her to the ground as she blocked a doorway while he attempted to leave.