1. NRL - Parramatta. An horrific first half v Souths saw them behind 0-28. Then a disciplined second half to get to 24-28.The greatest comeback in NRL history thwarted. Souths looked like Premiers and Wooden Spooners in the one game! Look at the Parramatta 2026 record: LWWLLLWLLWLLLWLWLLWL... zero consistency. They are fortunate that St George have been bad otherwise they would have yet another spoon. Saints play Parramatta in the final round.
We have heard it all from the Parramatta club this year. "We are not getting rid of Lomax. It's a rebuilding year... We signed Jonah Pezet because our young halves are not ready... We signed Jerome Luai for the same reason... We have had lots of injuries....We are suing our disgruntled fans for online comments and anyone looking like criticising us, including Dylan Walker". Lots of odd front office commentary. Players are leaving en masse...Paulo, Russell, Walker, Volkman yet all sorts of possible new players have side stepped them (Lenui, Xerri, Burton, etc..). Unfortunately, an average hooker, with more mistakes in him than most, is your top try scorer. No strike power. Coach Ryles is under a lot of pressure. Two years with minimal improvement.
2. NRL - Improvement Clubs. In contrast, have a look at Newcastle and coach Justin Holbrook. What a transformation! Even with injuries and no problems with recruitment. Playing with skill and heart.
Saints did a great job v Cronulla today. Their young forwards are awesome, but they need a king leader of the pack.
How about Nico Hynes - 32 successful goals in a row is pretty clever. The game went really bad for them. Cronulla are the June and July Premiers and looked to have turned a corner. Very disappointing.
3. Alex Johnston. What a legend! In March he got to 213 tries...he is now on 232! It may never be broken. He seems to get a hat trick against Parramatta more regularly than most.
4. AFL. The Swans looked good at home once again, pumping Port. A home final is critical for them and nearly over the line with Essendon and North Melbourne yet to play. But gee they are a worry on a big field. Brisbane belted Hawthorn and look awesome (despite the loss to Carlton last week). Freo go down again, tiring from being runaway competition leaders (like the Panthers!). The Melbourne Demons look like top four material which is quite incredible with big stars, Petracca and Oliver offloaded in the off season.
Two more rounds to go before the brand new Wildcard Finals round.
5. Bangladesh v Australia - Test Cricket. Hard to believe cricket starts already later this week. The Bangladeshi team are a competitive outfit, but they got pumped by our young South Australian left arm speedster, Campbell Thompson, all out for 54 - and a loss! Mitchell Starc will be licking his lips!
Our top four bowlers are certainly quite amazing... Lyon (567 Test wickets @ 30.15 - 6th best ever), Starc (433 @ 26.51 - 12th best ever, with 7 more wickets taking him into the top ten best ever), Cummins (315 @ 22.05 - 33rd best ever) and Hazelwood (295 @ 24.21 - 43rd best ever).
6. The AB Medal. A few players who have won it multiple times...Ponting (4), Clarke (4), Smith (4), Warner (3), Watson (2)...now Travis Head (2). It is a flawed model but it is what it is....
7. Wallabies. Under Les Kiss, has there been much change? Just enough to beat the Japanese. They will struggle, but hopefully some consistency at the selection table makes it more stable and sensible. We might all learn some of the player's names too and cheer for them as they improve combinations incrementally.
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