The weekend's highlights headlined by football, sailing and cricket.
We begin with the A-League, and news that Melbourne Heart has sacked coach John Aloisi after a seventeen game winless streak. Friday night's loss against fellow strugglers Wellington Phoenix proved the final straw, with Chairman Peter Sidwell announcing the decision on Sunday.
"It's a difficult decision to terminate what is one of our favourite sons, but the board felt it was in the best interests of the club going forward. Ultimately success on the park is the major measure of a club and its success, and very clearly we're not having that on the park at the moment."
The board has confirmed inaugural coach John van't Schip is their number one target to replace Aloisi. The Dutchman took the Heart to their only ever finals appearance in his second season in charge, and has maintained contact with the club, acting as a technical advisor in recent months.
Adelaide United's resurgence has continued with a hard-fought one-nil win at home to the Newcastle Jets.
Coach Josep Gombau had criticised the Jets for being 'overly physical' last time the two sides met, and Sunday's clash continued this pattern with several rash challenges and seven yellow cards.
Newcastle captain Ruben Zadkovich returning fire, after his side's loss.
"We play the game hard and fair, and we've been working on that all year - fighting for each other and stuff. I think if you look at Adelaide and the players they've got it probably lends itself to a game full of cards, they like to go down pretty easy.. But all credit to them, they were too good tonight and we'll have to look forward to next week."
Brazilian Gui Finkler has produced a stunning injury time freekick to rescue a point for Melbourne Victory against defending Premiers the West Sydney Wanderers.
Brendan Santalab's second goal of the season had set the Wanderers on course for the win, but substitute Finkler curled home a sumptuous freekick in the 94th minute to delight a crowd of over twenty-two thousand.
But coach Kevin Muscat remains cautious about rushing the super-sub back into a starting role.
"Gui's come a long away, he had a serious knee operation, less than twelve months ago. There was a plan in place for Gui, long before the last couple of weeks. We're certainly aware of Gui's ability, but we're also aware of his body."
The draw sees the Wanderers lose ground on leaders Brisbane - the Roar remain four points clear of West Sydney, with the Victory a further four points back in third.
The performances on the pitch were marred by some ugly clashes off the pitch, with rivals fans brawling before the game.
To the English Premier League, and West Bromwich Albion striker Nicholas Anelka had made a controversial return, making a modified 'Nazi-style' salute during a goal celebration.
The Frenchman claimed the salute was a dedication to a comedian friend, but has drawn the ire of the European Jewish Congress.
To sailing, and gale force winds have wreaked havoc on the main field in the Sydney to Hobart with gusts of up to forty-five knots causing a spate of withdrawals.
Nine boats have retired from the race, with a crewman on board the Victorian yacht, Rush, Ben Renshaw suffering a broken leg.
Wild Oats XI was first across the line for it's seventh victory in nine years, covering the nearly 1200km course in two days, six hours and seven minutes.
Skipper Mark Richards was relieved about the end of another tough race.
"The old girl she's still got the legs, that's for sure, and the team just did an amazing job. A lot of clouds, a lot of light air, mentally it was very draining, but we're here and very, very happy."
To cricket, and Australia has won the Fourth test in Melbourne, thanks to a fine century from opener Chris Rogers and some slopping English fielding.
Needing 231 for victory, the hosts started the day at 0-30, and openers Rogers and Warner made light work of chasing down the runs.
England not helping their cause in the field, with Captain Alistair Cook twice dropping catches early in the morning's play. Rogers was dropped on 19, but the veteran left-hander took his chance adding nearly one hundred runs more to finish with 116.
Shane Watson then hit the winning runs to see Australia take a four-nil series lead.
"There he goes, and there it is - you beauty! Watson picks up four off the last delivery, and they're happy - so they should be, so's the captain. So's the crowd of around forty thousand, Australia win by eight wickets after trailing by fifty-one in the first innings, they go to four-nil when they go to Sydney.
Channel 9's Bill Lawry calling the action there.
And finally, to tennis where Australia has made a shaky start to the Hopman Cup losing their first pool game two rubbers to one against Canada.
By Richard Parkin
