What a week of sport! From Optus lacing up the basketball shoes with the NNBL and WNBL to the Sate of Origin and the World Cup, there has been plenty to cheer for on and off the field.
Off the field, there are likely a few dusty heads around Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne this morning after an enthralling State of Origin clash at Melbourne’s MCG on Wednesday night.
Queensland delivered a clinical second-half performance, overcoming a 12-2 deficit to storm home to a commanding 44-24 victory and level the series.
The Maroons’ comeback sets up a blockbuster decider in Queensland, while the Blues are left searching for answers after surrendering early control of the match. New South Wales will now have to travel north for a must-win game three as it looks to reclaim State of Origin supremacy.
View this post on Instagram
We couldn’t run a sporting series and not mention that world’s biggest sporting competition is well and truly underway. And yes, Lionel Messi has already scored a hat-trick and all three home nations are yet to drop a game, but the story of the week is Australia’s tremendous 2-0 victory over Türkiye in Vancouver.
Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored memorable goals to secure a major upset in Group D. Patrick Beach was another standout player. The young goalkeeper was handed a shock Socceroos debut, taking the spot of captain Mat Ryan. This ended up being a masterstroke as the debutant went on to make eight clinical saves and keep a clean sheet.
The Aussies are next in action on Saturday morning (5am AEST) against the Americans.
Welcome back to B&T’s Spotlight on Sponsors series, where we break down all the major sponsorship news from inside the sporting world.
Outside the field and things have been equally hot. Optus has partnered with both the WNBL and NBL, Melbourne Victory has picked up a major partner in BYD, AFL player Max Gawn has fronted McCain’s latest FightMND campaign, footballer Robert Lewandowski is the newest Chery ambassador and Hawthorn have locked down Local Brewing Co. for another season.
NBL &WNBL x Optus
Optus has stepped on the basketball court with the National Basketball League (NBL) and Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) for the next three years.
The partnership spans both the NBL and WNBL , aligning two organisations committed to innovation, community connection and the future of Australian sport.
View this post on Instagram
With more than one million Australians playing annually, basketball is one of the country’s fastest growing and most culturally influential sports, with millions more engaging as fans across metropolitan, regional and grassroots communities.
At the centre of that momentum, the NBL and WNBL continue to experience strong audience growth, expanding cultural relevance and increasing engagement across broadcast, digital and live experiences.
The partnership with Optus reflects a shared ambition to deepen fan connection to the game while helping drive the next phase of growth for both leagues, including the continued rise of women’s basketball in Australia.
NBL CEO Dave Stevenson said the partnership represented an exciting alignment between two brands focused on the future.
“Basketball in Australia is experiencing incredible momentum and this partnership with Optus comes at an exciting time for both the NBL and WNBL,” Stevenson said.
“We are building leagues that are deeply connected to fans and communities, while continuing to expand the reach and impact of basketball across the country.
“I would also like to personally thank Stephen and the broader Optus team for their belief in the future of Australian basketball and for the collaborative approach they have taken throughout this process.
“Optus shares our ambition to create meaningful moments for fans and support the long-term evolution of the game at every level. We are excited about what we can achieve together over the coming years.”
WNBL chief strategy and basketball partnerships officer Lauren Jackson said the partnership would play an important role in supporting the continued progression and visibility of women’s basketball.
“The WNBL is entering a transformative period and partnerships like this are the heartbeat that help us continue to grow the profile, reach and impact of the league,” she said.
“There is enormous momentum behind women’s sport and women’s basketball in Australia and having a partner like Optus supporting that journey is incredibly exciting.
“We’re looking forward to working together to create stronger connections with fans and continue elevating the women’s game nationally.”
Optus CEO Stephen Rue said the partnership reflects a shared focus on creating meaningful connections through sport.
“Basketball has become one of the most exciting and culturally relevant sports in Australia, with incredible momentum at both a community and professional level,” he said.
“This partnership with the NBL and WNBL is about connecting fans to the moments that matter, supporting the communities where the game is played, and helping Australian basketball continue to grow – on and off the court.”
The partnership comes as the NBL and WNBL focusses on relevance and visibility in Australian sport, with increasing engagement from fans across the country.
“The NBL and WNBL represents what the future of Australian sport looks like – inclusive, fast-growing, community-driven and deeply connected to its fans,” concluded Rue.
“When you invest in the fundamentals – fans, community and the quality of the game – momentum follows. We’re proud to be a part of what comes next for Australian basketball.”
Melbourne Victory x BYD
Melbourne Victory has inked a 12 month partnership with BYD as the major partner.
BYD’s branding will feature on both the home and away A-League Men’s jerseys, alongside a strong presence across other areas of the Club, including media, Academy and Community assets.
A soft launch of the partnership occurred during last month’s Victory in Business Grand Final Luncheon at Palladium at Crown in front of over 1,000 people connected to the club.
Melbourne Victory managing director, Caroline Carnegie, said the club is excited to partner with a company driven by the future.
“Founded only a decade apart, there is a shared history of, and ambition for, continued accelerated growth between Melbourne Victory and BYD,” said Carnegie.
“Not only is there a clear alignment of our vision and values to lead, unite, connect, and inspire, but a mutual commitment to creating a better future for our communities.
“BYD will further collaborate with Victory through multiple touchpoints, including our Member and pathways programs.”
BYD Australia chief operating officer Stephen Collins said the partnership marks an exciting step for the brand.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Melbourne Victory, a club that shares our relentless drive for performance and innovation,” added Collins.
“As the exclusive vehicle supplier, we’re not just providing new energy mobility; we’re supporting the team’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”
Max Gawn x McCain
McCain has partnered with Coles and FightMND for Big Freeze 12 to kick off ‘The Big Warm Up,’ an integrated, community-led campaign designed to rally Melburnians and raise vital funds. Fronted by Melbourne Demons AFL Captain Max Gawn, who is helping lead the charge, the initiative saw the iconic McCain Chip Truck hit the road to serve free hot chips across the city.
The campaign leveraged local community football rounds and an activation at Federation Square to drive engagement for the cause.
View this post on Instagram
‘The Big Warm Up’ was unveiled as the creative platform for McCain’s latest FightMND initiative, trading on the iconic spirit of the Big Freeze’s post-slide thaw. Fronted by Max Gawn, a 40-second hero video sees the AFL star warming up local community crowds with McCain hot chips and rallying support for Melburnians to get behind the McCain Chip Truck.
The truck appeared at key Big Freeze Community Rounds in Kew, Officer, and Black Rock, in addition to a major public activation at Federation Square to support fundraising efforts for FightMND.
At its heart, The Big Warm Up was about giving Melburnians another way to get behind FightMND and take part in the momentum building ahead of the Big Freeze.
“We’re proud to support FightMND and be part of the incredible community spirit that makes the Big Freeze so special. Through The Big Warm Up, we wanted to create even more ways for Australians to get behind the cause – whether that’s sharing hot chips with mates, supporting local footy clubs, showing up on game day at the MCG, or picking up participating McCain products at Coles to help raise funds for FightMND. We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside FightMND and rally communities across Australia in the fight against MND,” said Lyn Radford, managing director, McCain ANZ.
“We’re pretty chuffed that McCain has joined the Fight this year. It’s fair to say they’ve been in the Freeze caper for a lot longer than us, so we welcome their expertise. And their incredible generosity. When you think about it, an upside-down Big Freeze beanie is the perfect tea-cosy for a bucket of hot chips! We encourage everyone to get around The Big Warm up and enjoy some carbs for a cause,” added Matt Tilley, CEO, FightMND
“There’s only one thing better than hot chips – and that’s hot chips for a good cause. The work FightMND is doing is so important and so urgent, and we’re excited to be doing our bit alongside FightMND and McCain,” concluded Alex Watts, executive director, strategy and social at Poem.
Robert Lewandowski x Chery
As the world continues to cheer on one of the most anticipated spectacles, Chery has signed global football icon, Robert Lewandowski, as its global ambassador.
As part of the partnership, Lewandowski will drive a Tiggo 9 Chery Suber Hybrid (CSH) as his vehicle of choice.
Lewandowski brings more than two decades of elite sporting performance to the ambassadorship.
Lewandowski prioritises family and balance, valuing the everyday moments that support a fulfilling lifestyle. For him, a car is more than transport; it’s a space that connects people, supports shared experiences, and ensures the safety and comfort of those closest to him.
These beliefs align closely with Chery’s ‘For Family’ philosophy, which places the needs of modern families at the centre of its design and innovation. It’s this strong focus on safety, comfort, and practicality that ensures Chery resonates with Aussie families.
Together, Chery and Lewandowski are proud to embark on a shared journey, that the pair describe as “championing excellence on the road and celebrating the moments that matter most”.
Hawthorn Football Club x Local Brewing Co.
Local Brewing Co. has returned for the second consecutive season as the official beer partner of Hawthorn Football Club for the 2026 AFL season, bringing back Hawks Lager for a second run.
After a sell-out debut season in 2025, Local Brewing Co. and Hawthorn are bringing a new-look can to the table with the same “easy drinking character” that made it a fan-favourite last year.
View this post on Instagram
The brewery in Melbourne’s Clifton Hill was founded in 2019 with a focus on local pride and local beer brewed using rescued surplus bread, turning what would be waste into something worth sharing.
Tom Brown, commercial manager at Local Brewing Co. expressed his excitement for the return of Hawks Lager and what it means for the brewery to be supporting the AFL team once again this season.
“After year one, we genuinely feel part of the Hawks family – and seeing supporters pack the taproom for away games really brought that to life. Hawks Lager is our way of giving something back to the fans who make this club what it is. We can’t wait for what 2026 has in store, on the field and off it,” he said.
View this post on Instagram
Hawks Lager is brewed at the brand’s Melbourne brewpub and comes as a 16-can case (no single cans) for $63, brewed to order on pre-order, with shipping to commence in mid-August.
That means once the batch is gone, it’s gone.
Hawks Lager will also be pouring on tap at the Local Brewing Co. Taproom on game days, and at select venues across Melbourne throughout the season.
The Local Brewing Co. Taproom also returns as an official Hawthorn away-game venue in 2026. Which means Hawks members and fans can catch AFL and AFLW games across multiple screens – including a 100-inch projector at the Clifton Hill venue all season long.
