Kristy's Journalism Portfolio

Wallabies legend Drew Mitchell has pinpointed the two biggest unanswered questions for Australia ahead of the World Cup as Eddie Jones maintains the side can still win the tournament.

Below Deck Down Under chief stew Aesha Scott has revealed what she really thinks about Captain Jason Chambers – and how her friendship with OG Below Deck Mediterranean star Hannah Ferrier got off to a rocky start. As the second series of the popular Bravo series hits Hayu, it's clear that viewers are set for more sex, drama and some explosive scenes as the new yacht, Northern Star, sets sail from Cairns – which is of course the gateway to the stunning Great Barrier Reef. It's been an almost unbelievably busy 12 months for the globetrotting Scott since the first season of Below Deck Down Under wrapped up last year.

As the Matildas announce their squad for the World Cup, the country's first-ever skipper has revealed they had to resort to gambling fundraisers and baking lamingtons to play for Australia. Julie Dolan is the Matildas' cap no. 1 after skippering the side in their first-ever game, which was against New Zealand in 1979 - and she is also a Legacy '23 ambassador for the World Cup, which begins in front of a sold-out crowd against Ireland on July 20. So while Sam Kerr, Ellie Carpenter and co. will now play in front of 83,000 fans, sitting in brand-new, multimillion-dollar, gender-neutral change rooms and earning the same money as the Socceroos, it has taken a long and at times painful journey to get to this point.

She's won a Melbourne Cup, been the subject of a movie and ridden over 750 winners, but Aussie jockey Michelle Payne's new career highlight might just be joining the broadcast team for the Royal Ascot carnival. The 37-year-old became the first (and currently still only) woman to win a Melbourne Cup when she stunned the racing world by winning the world's most famous turf races on 100-1 shot, Prince of Penzance. She famously called horse racing a 'chauvinistic sport' after her historic win, saying: 'I want to say to everyone else, get stuffed, because they think women aren’t strong enough but we just beat the world'. And she's only gone from strength to strength since.

Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices she has had to make in order to become one of the hottest properties in world football - saying she's only seen her siblings grow up over video calls. The 20-year-old wunderkind now plies her trade in the WSL for English giants Manchester City, and will be a vital part of Australia's attacking rotation at the home World Cup, which begins in just over a month's time. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia as her documentary series Mary on 7Plus prepared to air, Fowler revealed the heartbreaking sacrifices she has had to make on her way to becoming one of the hottest properties in female football.

Former top jockey Libby Hopwood has mourned people being 'eaten up' by the relentless 'racing machine' in the wake of her fellow rider and close friend Dean Holland's tragic death last month.

EXCLUSIVE: FIFA boss reveals the crucial reason why Matildas can win a home World Cup - and how 'phenomenal' Sam Kerr can create her own Cathy Freeman moment and inspire a generation The Matildas have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a home Women's World Cup - and one of FIFA's top officials is backing them to go all the way and complete the fairytale.

Football can, quite seriously, be a matter of life and death: just ask FIFA's Secretary General, who said the only time child soldiers in war-torn African countries were allowed to lay down their guns was when the sport was on. Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura is the organisation's second-highest ranked individual behind president Gianni Infantino, and Forbes has previously labelled her the most powerful woman in world sport. The 60-year-old Senegalese was the first woman to be appointed to the prestigious position, and also the first non-European. She spoke to Daily Mail Australia while she is Down Under preparing for the Women's World Cup and explained the incredible power football can wield.

Before February, when I thought of a cruise holiday images of Hawaiian shirts, daggy group uniforms, garish floating casinos and retirees crossed my mind. Cruising is still for everyone, but it's never catered to the younger, travel savvy demographic as much as it does now. I was lucky enough to be a guest on a recent Princess Cruises trip around New Zealand and my eyes were opened to the wonderful world of cruising and the concept of having everything you need right at your fingertips. The M

You might think you know Below Deck alum Hannah Ferrier, but you don't: she's far more than the blonde bombshell you see on social media or television. The Real Love Boat Australia star, 36, isn't your typical media personality, influencer or even just a 'waitress'; which bitter rival from Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Sandra 'Sandy' Yawn, referred to her as. She's not just the fiery chief stewardess who famously sent Below Deck fans into fits of laughter after saying 'Quack quack, b**ch' to a customer who labelled a duck dish 'ew'.

Aussie cricket superstar Megan Schutt has a simple answer when people question why LGBTQI+ athletes come out or share their lives on social media like any straight person would: because 'there's still some kids who would rather be dead than gay'. The 30-year-old fast bowler, who is married with one child, has always been one of Australia's most outspoken female athletes when it comes to inclusivity and gay rights – and the fact she is about to lead the side's attack into a T20 World Cup semi-final isn't changing that. It means she is often squarely in the firing line for trolls on social media, which she often acknowledges and calls out. But this isn't a case of water off a duck's back. It's more like a mighty duck donning a helmet and wading into battle armed, determined to turn the tide of homophobia that still runs rampant through sport.

Matildas star Chloe Logarzo is proudly gay - and she won't let the haters force her into hiding who she really is. The 27-year-old forward, who has represented Australia more than 50 times at senior level and played in top leagues all over the world, is used to vile comments both online and in person. And that's exactly why it's so important one of the country's top female footballers is refusing to hide the way she attacks life with joy alongside fiancee McKenzie Berryhill, with whom she played with in the US National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

When AFLW premiership winner Heather Anderson died unexpectedly aged just 28 on Monday, it sent the entire footy and defence force world into shock and grief that the much-loved figure was taken so young. Affectionately known as 'Heads', the former Adelaide Crow and Bulldogs representative was one of the fittest female players to ever play the game, and an immensely popular teammate, opponent and friend. Tragically, it is believed the long-time Army medic took her own life at the barracks she was stationed at in Perth, according to veterans community Facebook page The Pineapple Express, which has more than 70,000 followers and supports former and current Defence Force personnel who are struggling. Though Anderson played just one AFLW season - albeit a hugely successful one - due to a horrific run of injuries, the Crows premiership defender touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with during an inspiring footy career. That's evident by the scale of the emotional response to her tragic death from former teammates, opponents, AFLW fans and defence force personnel.

How football is set to snare the next generation of Aussie girls away from the AFL and NRL - FIFA women's boss says hosting the World Cup will create a 'whole new generation of Sam Kerrs'.

Former top jockey Libby Hopwood has had huge success over her long career in the industry - but it's as a OnlyFans racing tipster where the effervescent 36-year-old is making waves. Hopwood, a well-respected horsewoman, was one of South Australia's top riders, retiring after a horrific fall in 2014 before spending time as a popular presenter with Sky Racing. But the self-described 'foxy' woman has always had a cheeky, open and nature - which leaves her perfectly suited to giving eager punters

Bernard Foley admits he thought his Wallabies career was over prior to this year's surprise recall at the age of 33, and now the half-back is eyeing off a spot at next year's World Cup. Talking to the Daily Mail Australia, Foley was beaming with pride when talking about his recall after last appearing for the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. The Japan-based 33-year-old thought he had already pulled on the green and gold for the last time. But a combination of injuries and selectors s

NRL Immortal Andrew Johns 'was not in a good way' before being introduced to medicinal cannabis - which has changed his life. Medicinal cannabis expert, Dr James Stewart, works with Johns and a number of other high-profile athletes who have benefitted enormously since taking medicinal cannabis after retiring from elite sport.

Aussie basketball legend Lauren Jackson just wanted to be able to go to the gym and pick up her kids again, but thanks to medicinal cannabis she's preparing to play in the World Cup an astonishing 25 years after making her debut. At 41 years young, Jackson was lured out of international retirement in June ahead of the FIBA World Cup here in Australia, which begins on September 22.

Ladies and gents this was the moment you waited for. It was hard to tell the difference between Josh Piterman and Hugh Jackman when the former opened the Overture concert with that line on Saturday evening. Yes, it really was The Greatest Show.

SIMPLY. THE. BEST. It might not sound like the most imaginative line in a story about music, but there is no other way to describe Grenfell local Henry Best's performance in Parkes' Overture concert on Saturday. Not only did he star on the stage, but Henry impressed, and drew tears from, one of Australia's top musical theatre performers, Josh Piterman.