News Ticker
Bushfire warning
An Emergency Warning is in place for Bullsbrook in the City of Swan, WA. Keep up to date with ABC Emergency
Nick Campton
Nick Campton joined the ABC in 2021 after a stint with Sydney's The Daily Telegraph.
When he isn't writing about rugby league, MMA and boxing, he enjoys talking about the Canberra Raiders in a slightly too loud voice.
He hails from Camden and is based in Sydney.
Latest by Nick Campton
Analysis
analysis:Can Australia's two greatest UFC exports fight their way back to a return to form
by Nick Campton
Alex Volkanovski and Rob Whittaker are Australia's greatest ever UFC fighters but after brutal knockout losses in their last fights, the duo enter UFC 298 at a crossroads.
Analysis
analysis:With a new life beckoning, Nick Kyrgios faces the ultimate decision of his tennis career
by Nick Campton
The prospect of Nick Kyrgios retiring young has never felt more real. As his commentary career blossoms and his injury lay-off grows longer, Australia's most controversial player must make his final choice.
Updated
One night in Philly — how the USA Tomahawks nearly pulled off the greatest upset in rugby league history
by Nick Campton
When Australia met the USA in Philadelphia one cold night in 2004, it was supposed to be a smash-up but after 40 minutes the Tomahawks were on the verge of one of the biggest boilovers in sporting history.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:Canterbury keeps signing utility players to its roster — and it's part of a strategy to end a long finals drought
by Nick Campton
Canterbury raised some eyebrows when they signed a host of utility players but the Bulldogs are adamant the strategy can help end the club's longest finals drought in almost 70 years.
Updated
'The last hero of the American pastime': How a baseball star from Japan has captured the imagination of America
by Nick Campton
Shohei Ohtani has just signed a deal that is richer than all of LeBron James's playing contracts combined — and it's proof the baseball star is an unmatched phenomenon, writes Nick Campton.
Analysis
analysis:Why the NRL career of Super League-bound Matt Moylan is a cautionary tale
By Nick Campton
Matt Moylan heads to the Super League having had a fine career in the NRL, but the former Sharks playmaker could never shake off the impossible expectations foisted on him.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:Can new coach Benji Marshall give Wests Tigers something to believe in?
by Nick Campton
Earlier this year, Benji Marshall was bouncing around Wests Tigers like he could still play. Now, the most beloved player of his generation has taken charge of one of the league's most success-starved clubs.
'I could feel myself withdrawing': How a gruesome injury saw a rising Rabbitoh lose his obsession for the game
by Nick Campton
After five years, Trent Peoples had achieved a lifelong dream to play in the NRL. Just a few months later, he made the difficult decision to temporarily walk away from the sport that was his life.
Analysis
analysis:Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou is the beginning of the end for boxing's beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy
by Nick Campton
When world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury takes on former UFC kingpin Francis Ngannou this weekend it could mark the beginning of the end for boxing's crossover era.
Alex Volkanovski is walking the hardest path to UFC history and that's the point
By Nick Campton
Everything is against Alex Volkanovski for his short-notice rematch with Islam Makhachev, but that is exactly how the UFC featherweight champion wants it.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:The Kangaroos jersey has a glorious past but its future seems uncertain
By Nick Campton
Australian coach Mal Meninga is doing all he can to restore the prestige of the Kangaroos jersey, but the future of the green and gold is up in the air.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:Eleven days for the fight of a lifetime: Alex Volkanovski accepts short-notice rematch for UFC lightweight title
by Nick Campton
Most men spend a lifetime preparing for the chance to win a UFC title. Alex Volkanovski has just 11 days after accepting a short-notice rematch with Russia's Islam Makhachev.
Analysis
analysis:'He unlocked me': How this unlikely Panthers grand final hero set the stage for Nathan Cleary's masterclass
by Nick Campton
Nathan Cleary is rightly earning all sorts of praise for his grand final performance but the Penrith halfback couldn't have spearheaded his side's remarkable comeback without the efforts of Jack Cogger.
Analysis
analysis:Nathan Cleary's NRL grand final performance cements his place alongside modern greats
By Nick Campton at Stadium Australia
Brisbane had Penrith dead to rights with 20 minutes left in the grand final but they gave Nathan Cleary just enough time to cement his legend.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:Upton completes greatest individual season in NRLW history as Knights go back-to-back
By Nick Campton at Stadium Australia
Newcastle's charge for back-to-back NRLW premierships was looking shaky in its showdown with the Titans until Tamika Upton decided otherwise, writes Nick Campton.
Analysis
analysis:Ahead of yet another grand final, we look at the five games that defined Penrith's NRL dynasty
by Nick Campton
Over the past four seasons, the Panthers have won NRL games just about every way a team can. Nick Campton looks at the five matches that best sum up their unprecedented dominance.
Analysis
analysis:'It's more than a sport. It's more than a game': Why heaven is a country footy grand final
By Nick Campton
From winning it all without a clubhouse, to trading the Riverina for the Riviera, to a former NRL star reigniting the fire within — a country footy grand final win can have it all.
Updated
Gold Coast have made history in making the club's first ever grand final. But the job isn't done yet
by Nick Campton
Before this weekend, the Gold Coast Titans had never made a grand final in any competition, but on Sunday, with their NRLW team looking for a piece of history that would last forever, that's all about to change.
With back-to-back premierships in the offing, Newcastle could be forging the NRLW's newest dynasty
by Nick Campton
Eighteen months ago, the Knights couldn't win an NRLW match. On Sunday, they'll be pushing for back-to-back titles as they try to secure their place as the competition's greatest superpower.
Analysis
analysis: Brian To'o is a finals beast but even he might find creating history in the NRL Grand Final a bridge too far
By Nick Campton
Penrith winger Brian To'o has become one of the best big-game players in rugby league. The question is whether it can land the Panthers flyer a slice of rugby league history in Sunday's grand final, writes Nick Campton.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:The NRL grand final is a meeting between the unstoppable force and the immovable object
by Nick Campton
As the Panthers and Broncos prepare to meet in the NRL grand final, they'll do so with both teams the only sides in the league who could hope to contain the other.
Analysis
analysis:One more win and Penrith can lay claim as the greatest team in rugby league's history
by Nick Campton at Stadium Australia
With the Panthers gearing up for yet another premiership, Ivan Cleary's side should be eyeing a place among the greatest teams ever to play their sport.
Updated
Analysis
analysis:The endless depth of love, a dog named Flo and a century of waiting has North Sydney ready for their day in the sun
by Nick Campton
North Sydney, the foundation club rugby league tried to leave behind, have a grand final on the weekend, and while the cynics might say it's only in reserve grade, the Bears have never been a club for the sceptics.
Updated
Five quick hits — Newcastle falls apart on kick-off and Shaun Johnson twists the knife
By Jon Healy and Nick Campton
Shaun Johnson returns to ignite his Warriors, aided by a shocking start that left the Knights unable to pull off a second straight miracle. Here are five things you may have missed from Saturday night's second semifinal.
Analysis
analysis:'Get on the wave and ride it': Why there's nothing in rugby league like a finals night in New Zealand
By Nick Campton
After years in the wilderness, the Warriors will once again host a home final. And when New Zealand rises for its team, there's nothing in rugby league like a finals night in Auckland, writes Nick Campton.