The Commonwealth Games returns to Australia for the first time since Melbourne hosted the event in 2006.
While we may have scored the ‘most improved’ trophy for the effort at the Winter Olympics, Australia gets the chance to put their inside knowledge of BBQ’s and beaches to the test and win some gold medals in their own backyard.
With home ground advantage the Aussies will be looking to dominate in and out of the pool with a number of medal chances in the team sports this time around.
The Aussies have a real chance of beating a NZ rugby team in the sevens and the Boomers shouldn’t be troubled by the absence of Australia’s NBA contingent.
It may be seen by some as a poor man’s Olympics, but Aussies will never turn down the chance to throw shade at the mother country.
Check out some of the best chances for Aussies to medal the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Boomers
The Aussies may not have the likes of Ben Simmons or Patty Mills suiting up for this campaign, but they should have no troubles reaching the final and competing for a gold medal.
The Aussie side won’t be short of talent with the roster to be filled by the NBL’s leading players.
The Tall Whites will be out to push Australia all the way, with the New Zealand Breakers making up the bulk of their squad. With home-court advantage, the Aussies will be aiming the top award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_mlFy09ov0
The Opals
The Aussie women will be out to ensure that the men don’t get all the attention and look to dominate on their home court. The Opals will be at full strength for the Commonwealth Games and will be out to contest the gold medal with Canada.
Cate and Bronte Campbell
Swim sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell will be looking to put the disappointment of their performance at the Rio Games in the rear-view mirror with a strong performance on the Gold Coast.
The girls won Olympic gold in the relay but struggled with the weight of expectation in their individual events. The Malawi born sisters are the first sisters to compete in the event for Australia.
Mack Horton
While he may look like Harry Potter, Mack Horton earned the respect of athletes everywhere when he had the backbone to call out drug cheats in his sport at the Rio Games.
The Aussie swimmer made headlines for winning the 400m gold and for calling out the performance of China’s Sun Yang in Brazil.
Horton will be one of the favourites to add to his haul of a gold and silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_lmX-YmyrY
James Magnussen
After promising so much and delivering so little, it’s time for ‘The Missile’ to win a few gold medals for Australia.
Magnussen was in the headlines for his whinge about Aussie Winter Olympians not being held to account the same way the Aussie swim team have to take criticism on the chin.
A member of the infamous ‘Stilnox Six,’ Magnussen will be hoping to put the episode to bed with a commanding performance in the pool.
James Roberts
Not to be confused with the rugby league player who plies his trade in the Sunshine State, Roberts is another blue-chip swimmer who will be competing with James Magnussen in the sprinting events in the pool.
Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson will be wanting to walk in the footsteps of Robert Parrella and win a gold medal in the blue ribbon singles lawn bowl event. Wilson won a pairs championship in 2016 with Brett Wilkie and is the captain of the Australian men’s bowls team.
Michelle Jenneke
Jenneke’s pre-race routine shot her to fame on youtube and she will be looking to make an impact at an international level. She will be Australia’s main hopes for a track and field medal and will be looking to build on her fifth-place result in her last Commonwealth Games appearance in 2014.