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WACA Chairman Terry Waldron believes the redevelopment of the WACA Ground in to a 10,000 seat boutique stadium will make the venue one of the most accessible and versatile in the state, after the Federal Government confirmed it's 30 million dollar contribution to the project on Sunday. "This is vitally important for our state." Waldron said on Sports Drive on Monday. "The WACA is part of our heritage, it's an iconic sports ground. West Australians and people overseas love the stadium, now we have that backing we can really make something of it going in to the future." The ground will hold 10,000 under the proposed redevelopment, with the option of extended temporary seating for special events such as Test matches between lower ranked Test nations that struggle to attract big crowds. A new state of the art gymnasium will also be added for community use, as well as an indoor training facility for the winter months. The ground will be reconfigured to allow WAFL matches to be played at the venue, making the WACA a multi-purpose facility once the works are completed. Waldron said that the Perth community would be the main beneficiaries of the redevelopment. "There will be a brand new pavilion on the Northern side, while there will be a gym and café that will link in with the new community feel to the WACA." The WACA is hopeful of receiving further financial assistance for the redevelopment from the State government, and works on the venue will commence in the new year. IMAGE: WACA website.

South Fremantle has signed Northern Territory Thunder product Ben Rioli for the 2020 season. The 26 year old becomes the fifth Rioli to play for the Bulldogs, his late father Sebastian having played 51 games for the club from 1971-76. South Fremantle general manager of football and community Marty Atkins said the club was delighted to secure Rioli's services. "I was talking to him on the phone and he was like a kid in a lolly shop." Atkins told Sports Drive on Monday. "He can't wait to come down to Perth and continue the family name at the Bulldogs." Rioli played 128 games for the NT Thunder, who are no longer involved in the NEAFL competition from 2020 onwards having initially formed in 2008. He has signed a two year contract with the club, with former player Steven Edwards also confirmed to return after sitting out the 2019 season due to work commitments. PICTURE: File.

New Zealand will be without pace debutant Lachie Ferguson for the remainder of the Test series against Australia. Ferguson injured his calf whilst bowling on the opening day of the match in Perth and will return to New Zealand on Tuesday to begin rehab. To soften the blow it's expected that left-arm quick Trent Boult will be available after failing to be fit for the series opener. The Kiwis have other concerns including the lack of form of opener Jeet Raval and also spinner Mitchell Santner. However, coach Mike Stead was quick to defend Santner. "Mitch (Santner) has done a wonderful role for us in winning a number of Test matches, certainly in our conditions." Stead said. "Again, like all positions, we'll evaluate where we're at and work out whether we think it's the right option heading into Melbourne, but we've also got some cover in the squad with Todd Astle." IMAGE: FILE

Former East Fremantle CEO Adam Kelly has been appointed Head of Football at the Adelaide Crows. Kelly's most recent appointment has been the General Manager of the SANFL. The 45-year-old said it was a privilege to be appointed to the role. “The further I went into the recruitment process the eagerness grew as a result of being able to interact with numerous people, all of whom impressed me with their passion, drive and desire to take the Club forward,” Kelly said. “I am also looking forward with great anticipation to immersing myself in the Club in the New Year, getting across all elements of the football program and starting to build relationships with my colleagues, as well as the players in our men’s and women’s teams.” IMAGE: Fox Sports

The Americans have come storming home to defeat the Internationals 16-14 in Melbourne on Sunday. Just two-points separated the two teams going into the final day after the Internationals jumped to an early lead. The Americans held their nerve and won six of the 12 closing singles matches and tying four more to continue their dominant run. It keeps the run in tact that only once have the Americans lost the Presidents Cup. That only loss came in Melbourne in 1994. Captain Tiger Woods said the team did it together. "We came here as a team, and my teammates and my boys played well and the captains did an amazing job to be there for every detail,” Woods said. “We fought. The cup wasn’t going to be given to us. We had to earn it. And we did.” International captain Ernie Els was left to rue missed opportunities. “We didn't get the result we wanted, but we got 10 points in the team part so the that aspect was a success.” Cameron Smith showed why he is a shining light of Aussie golf after he was only one of two singles wins on Sunday. IMAGE: Getty Images

The Federal Government has committed $30 million funding investment towards the WACA Ground improvement project. Cricket Australia will kick in $4 million while the WACA aims to raise another $10 million via the WA Cricket Foundation. The WACA hopes the state government will match the federal government's commitment. WACA CEO Christina Matthews said it was an exciting step forward for the future of cricket. "So many of us have a cherished WACA Ground memory and now we can retain its heritage and rich history, while creating a venue with a strong community focus that has multi-sport, gender equal facilities." Matthews told the media on Sunday. The redevelopment is set to expand the ground's community spaces and includes an indoor multi-sport facility. IMAGE: Aus Stadiums

Perth Glory have shot up the ladder to fifth position following a 2-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers. Tony Popovic's men were on the bottom of the ladder just a fortnight a go but with consecutive clean sheets and a steady flow of goals things have changed. The Glory's defence led the way on Saturday evening with Gregory Wuthrich and Alex Grant stepping up to send home goals. Fans didn't have to wait long just 18-minutes when Wuthrich headed them into the lead. Grant fired home through a crowded box midway through the second half then went onto celebrate with the shed. Coach Popovic said it was nice to send the fans home happy considering the conditions. "We're delighted for our members and fans. It's another clean sheet, we defended in general play very well as a unit and I think that's improving." Popovic told the press post-game. "We looked solid and overall it was a good home result." IMAGE: Fox Sports

Australia have a stranglehold on the opening Test of three against New Zealand at Perth Stadium. The home side lead by 417-runs heading into the fourth day with four second innings wickets in hand. It was a dramatic final session on the third day where Kiwis claimed 5-29 in the moving hour, the final hour of the day's play when the full artificial light takes effect when the sun goes down. The highlight of the session a ripper of a delivery that Tim Southee bowled around the wicket to clip the top of off stump and see skipper Tim Paine sent back to the pavilion. The Aussies will be battling to hold onto the willow through day four to get as close to the twilight period before sending New Zealand in for the fourth innings run chase. Marnus Labuschagne added another feat to an impressive year on Saturday becoming the first player to score over 1000 Test runs in the calendar year. Day four begins at 1PM WST IMAGE: ABC

The 2020 WAFL season will kick-off under lights when Perth host West Coast at Mineral Resources Park on Friday April 3. In other round one games, East Fremantle host Claremont, the Swans and Lions go at it, East Perth meet Peel Thunder and South Fremantle are at home to East Perth. All 10-teams will play each other twice throughout the season in a 20-round competition with the Grand Final to be scheduled on either Saturday 19th or Sunday 20th September. West Coast are set for four games at Mineral Resources Park including two match-ups against Perth and home fixtures against South Fremantle and East Perth. The traditional rounds including Easter weekend, ANZAC round, Derbies on WA Day and also NAIDOC round all remain. WAFL pre-season matches will be played on March 21 and 29. To view the full fixtures CLICK HERE IMAGE: Subiaco FC

Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA) have abandoned Saturday's meeting at Ascot due to extreme heat. Despite moving the meeting back to a twilight fixture earlier this week the forecast maximum for Ascot is 42 degrees and remains too high. RWWA has proper heat management policies in place for the welfare of all participants. Re-scheduling of races will be communicated later on Saturday. IMAGE: FILE

Delisted Dockers defender Ryan Nyhuis has signed on with WAFL club Claremont for 2020. Nyhuis played 12-games for Fremantle across three seasons after being selected pick number 34 in the 2016 draft from the Nightcliff Football Club in the NTFL. The 23-year-old was in and out of the Dockers side and played in Peel Thunder's first ever WAFL premiership. IMAGE: FILE

Promotion and relegation is back on the agenda for the A-League but Football Coaches Australia President Phil Moss says the competition has greater priorities. Salary cap revision and a second division competition need to be addressed first according to Moss. "I definitely think in the future, yes." Moss said on promotion and relegation. "I think though you need to be able to walk before you can run. It has been widely discussed that the current salary cap does no longer fit the current A-League model and should be addressed by the owners body. "If you look at the salary cap, I think that's becoming a bit of a ball and chain around the ankle of the A-League. "Also a second division competition, the gap between the A-League and NPL is too great to have promotion and relegation. That bring's into sharp focus the second division competition which is being worked on now." Football Coaches Association have a representative on the sub-committee addressing a future second division competition. Perth Glory take on Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday evening at HBF Park. IMAGE: FILE