Dungog rower Spencer Turrin will be out to defy the odds on Saturday night on a big weekend for Hunter athletes at the Paris Olympics.
The 32-year-old will be part of the Australian men's eight crew which will compete in the final at 7.10pm (AEST). The Aussies are rank outsiders in the decider after finishing fourth on Thursday night in their repechage heat, where the top four progressed. They were second in their opening heat behind Great Britain.
Turrin is a three-time Olympian and won gold as part of the men's four in Tokyo 2021.
Hockey
Also on Saturday night, former Souths striker Mariah Williams and the Hockeyroos will be out to maintain their unbeaten run at the Games when they play Spain in their final pool match at 8.45pm.
Williams scored the late equaliser on Friday morning as the Australian women's hockey side drew 3-3 with Argentina.
Former North Newcastle teammates Ky Willott and Matt Dawson will play for the Australian men's hockey side in quarter-finals on Sunday night (6pm, 10:30pm) or Monday morning (1:30am, 4am).
Willott scored his first Olympics goal when the Kookaburras sealed a spot in the quarters with a 5-0 win over New Zealand on Thursday. They were to play India on Friday night (9.15pm).
Water polo
Newcastle's Nathan Power will be in action for the Aussie Sharks men's water polo team when they take on Hungary at 11pm on Saturday.
Power is co-captain of the Australian side, who had a 9-8 win over France on Thursday. They are second in Group B after beating Serbia 8-3 and losing to pool leaders Spain 9-5 in their other games.
Sailing
Lake Macquarie sailors Rhiannan Brown and Brin Liddell hit the water in the mixed multihull Nacra 17 competition from 11:45pm on Saturday with their first three races.
They have another three races from 10:05pm on Sunday. There are 12 races all up before the decider on Wednesday night.
Track
On Saturday morning (2.10am), Newcastle runner Rose Davies races in a heat of the women's 5000m.
Also on the track, former Newcastle junior Torrie Lewis is in heats of the women's 200m on Sunday at 6:55pm.
