Sport News Update, what you need to know

AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL - Judgement day has arrived for the 34 past and present Essendon players involved in the AFL club's supplements saga.

SOCCER - Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or for a record fifth time after yet another stunning season for Barcelona.

CRICKET - The Melbourne Renegades have kept their Big Bash League season alive, defeating the Sydney Thunder by five wickets in a high-scoring affair.

TENNIS - Samantha Stosur has rallied for a spirited three-set first-round win over US Open finalist Roberta Vinci at the Sydney International.

TENNIS - Queensland teenager Kimberly Birrell has turned a wildcard entry to the Hobart International into a round-one win and is now eyeing the Australian Open.

CRICKET - South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the third test against England in Johannesburg after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.