The Wrap - Wildcard Wonder

1. AFL. The Wildcard Weekend has been a huge success. Massive crowds and it has breathed life into the usual boring bottom team semi finals and the silly AFL week off. It is one the NRL should have moved more quickly on. Both wildcards had one of Carlton and Collingwood who are huge draw cards! 

Western Bulldogs squeaked past Collingwood who know how to lose a close one. This time it was 96-93.

Carlton (10th place) scored a cracking win v Melbourne (12 wins in their last 14 games!). They move to a semi final game v Geelong and could seriously beat them too.

2. NRL. Some much greater intensity on this weekend just gone by. Penrith really knuckled down for the win v Bulldogs. Liam Martin really steps up in these moments. For all Tom Jenkins' tries, Alex Johnston sits on top with 29 tries. Incredible. He now has 239 tries (Ken Irvine has 212)!

The Dolphins may have actually stamped themselves as the real deal (despite losing by 50 points this year already)- and have put the silly Wayne Bennett curse story to rest as well. A terrific win and an unexpected one v the Roosters. The Cowboys had it all on the line, but could not do it at home and all. The Broncos have become a complete misery too.

The Roosters Hugo Savala looks likely to return to half back to replace the injured Sam Walker. The Roosters seem to get a lot of injuries at semi final time...or maybe every good team gets injuries near semi finals. It doesn't matter for the poor teams.

The work of Parramatta v Cronulla was surprising. Parramatta tried hard to lose it. They can only play for 60 minutes with a complete lack of fitness and concentration. Apa Twidle is a great signing for the Bears, but a young guy who needs patience - and who needs to stop falling to the ground when catching bombs. Penisini has improved his intent and Ronald Volkman is taking on the line with speed and a handy step (although he misses too many tackles - he is tenth worst in the NRL which also has da Silva fourth worst in 2026...but Tallyn can score tries!). Losing five games by less than 10 points this season would have had them up there with a few of them turning their way.

How big is Ryda Talagi? He certainly ate more than Blaize at dinner time, but is equally as lazy in defence.

3. Jye Arrow. How wonderful to see him chalk up the 99th and 100th this week. What a hideous disease and rapid deterioration. A great gesture, showing there is some compassion in the game. It seemed to help Cody Walker relax and not play too intensely.

4. PGA Tournament Championship in Atlanta. Min Woo was on fire early and then turned to ash in the second round. Bounced back on moving day, but has it ahead of him. All the stars are out.in force with a $10M winning purse keeping everyone interested. Viktor Hovland (-15) has it to lose with so much low scoring on this course. 

Scottie Scheffler sits at 12 under on the run home... ominous with his form this season.  Along side of him on -12 is Adam Scott who won the tournament 20 years ago! Staggering longevity.

5. Cricket. Pakistan are struggling on the seaming English pitches like Lords, being rolled quickly by the English bowlers. Robinson, Archer, Tongue have seized the chance to impress. Luckily rain delayed the miserable end. Pakistan are hard to watch.

6. EPL. Haaland has continued his incredible goal scoring feats, hitting a brace v Crystal Palace. The demise of Tottenham continues, despite the large purchases. They are already getting desperate. They and Notts Forrest need to go. Hull City start with two wins and 6 points. They need 35 points to avoid relegation. 

7. Wallabies v Argentina. The Les Kiss Rhyming Slang era continues unabated. The first time we have won four Tests in a row since 2021! He has had the best starting draw, but they look like they are more settled, playing better more consistent patterns. The Springboks and All Blacks will test that. What a sensational series there! 

8. US Open Tennis. No Sinner, but Alcaraz returns when things kick off this week. Lots of player whinging re fitness and injuries on the ATP circuit, but no complaints about the prize money! Djokovic could just be a sneaky chance!

The Wrap - Starcus

1. Test Cricket. With no thanks to our batsmen, an equalising Test victory inside two days v the Bangladesh team. A seaming deck and a convincing win. Mitchell Starc was U/10s -like. 6/12 and 4/39 for a match figures of 10/51. Awesome. He leaps into the top ten bowlers ever, going ahead of Kapil Dev (434) and Dale Steyn (439) onto 445. He is now 10th, 74 wickets behind Courtney Walsh (519).

While Starc was Man of the Series, it is staggering to suggest it - but good on him - that Cameron Green was probably most impressive in the tough circumstances. Will it be the making of him? 

The series v top line bowlers in South Africa has everyone nervous with this batting line up. Renshaw is not the answer. Can we please have some younger players?

2. Swans. What a schemozzle... it has ruined quite a few people and rocked so many victims, noting while police have taken no action yet, there are clear concerns about what truths may still emerge. 

Ironically, it could well be the making of the club. For too long they have been soft, with weak attitudes...multiple shocking GF losses tells us that. Cleaning out a few egos in the middle demands others to step up...Sheldrick, Campbell, Gulden, Cleary, Cunningham, Stephens... the forward line is OK, it is the speed in the middle that is the problem. Bice (not that great), Jordan (already finishing up) and probably Blakey could leave soon without too much impact. 

There will be casualties but the Cox-Pavlich coaching-CEO combination is also under pressure after having both been part of the sad and deteriorating West Coast culture as well. The coaches don't seem to have taken much responsibility and the players have not fronted up...this time will come as the pressure mounts. It might have been an interesting reflective car trip home from Melbourne for the players.

Looking at the Shane Warne (various), Tiger Woods (various), Steve Smith/ Dave Warner (sandpaper), Sally Robbins (lay down), Dawn Fraser, Mark Bosnich (drugs), the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal, Lillee-Marsh betting scandal, Matthew Johns hotel room matter, Essendon/ Cronulla Sharks peptides, Greg Chappell underarm, Shayna Jack drug ban, Sam Riley pills ban, Nick Kyrgios (various), Ash Gardner affair, Wayne Carey North Melbourne implosion, Tim Paine infidelity, Josh Addo-Carr drug taking examples, tales of sporting redemption litter world and Australian sport... tanking, drug cheats, betting scandals...with plenty of clubs prepared to take on damaged goods. (In June 2023, Dylan Brown was found guilty of two charges of sexually touch another person without consent (7 match suspension and $40K fine).

Charlie Curnow's Coleman Medal was well deserved. Interesting to see how the Wild Card game lands in the AFL. It could be the gold standard end to the season for all codes.

3. NRL. Almost as predictable as a Victor Radley high shot or a penalty given up by him, the end of season race for the JJ Giltinan Shield is close! The Roosters stumbled badly, the Warriors were not super impressive and the Panthers just did enough, as they often do....yet again.

Sione Katoa was superb and his try finish is one of the best ever! The Sharks looked better, but the Gold Coast can do this to you. Panthers v Dogs this week will be tight.

4. BMW Championship - PGA Golf. Wyndham Clark is carving it up. He is a two time US Open winner (same number of majors as Greg Norman) and has had a fabulous 2026. He won the Byron Nelson, was third in the Memorial, won the US Open and fifth in the Travelers Championship, fifth in the St Jude Fedex and now it seems a run away winner in the BMW (-17, five shots ahead of Rory). On good terms with his bank manager with $10-$12M 2026 earnings.

With his win last week, Scottie Scheffler sits $1.3M behind career earnings of the great Tiger Woods. At Tied fifth he stands to earn $1M. He will need to finish Tied second or third to catch Tiger.

5. EPL. Back underway with Arsenal looking invincible. They will be hard to beat. Hull FC beating ManU 2-0 to launch their EPL recall (a 9 year absence) with 18 year old Lucas Herrington getting a gig later. In the Championship, the West Ham Hammers are struggling after 2 games... it  is a long way back! The season is very long! Tottenham crumbling once again...

The Wrap - Cyclone Bangers

1. NRL. The Cowboys get shredded by the persistent and touch football experts, the Eels. A bad loss but good for the fringe top 8 teams trying to crack it (Storm, Manly, Raiders). The wild card concept is an impressive one, but the NRL have missed this bus (the AFL did not). There are clearly only three teams capable of winning it in 2026 - Panthers, Warriors and Roosters. There is a big gap to the rest, including the Dolphins and Sharks.

How bad have the Sharks been since winning yet another July premiership?

Parramatta avoid the spoon, but can the Broncos still win it? That would be a first...premiers to wooden spoon (without salary cap penalty issues) in the space of a year. Titans are not out of this either.

The Knights are an entertainment machine. Going better with the two Fletchers (Sharp and Hunt) than with the usual crew.

It could be time for the Roosters to cut Sam Walker free. He will fit in at PNG because he wants a cash bonanza. Their greed is starting to rival other codes. Maybe the Roosters can sign Kyle Flanagan - or Jake Arthur. Speed is king for your halfback. 

2. Test Cricket v Bangladesh. Smashed in Darwin, like Cyclone Tracy. Our winter season is about as successful as the annual Wallabies tour of Europe. We have limped and made excuses for a few seasons now. An ageing and hugely successful pace attack and a spinner who now looks busted, but it is our batting that is the huge problem. Bangladesh could not believe their luck!

Travis Head, for all his talent, has a massive issue of chopping the too close cut shot onto his stumps. He is so disappointing... a 20 or 30 score seems far too common for a super talent who should be racking up the tons. Smith is getting tied in knots and Marnus is a huge worry. Weatherald has also had a long stint and no tons that anyone can remember. He will go (224 runs at 20.36...the same batting average as Mitchell Starc).

Cameron Green is a talent, but he does not always do well under pressure. He probably ascended to the heights of cricket too quickly. He can lack substance in key moments and his bowling has gotten so much worse. His second innings ton is a welcome statement of desire to play at the top level. His third test ton. Averaging 33.69 with the bat and 38.95 with 39 wickets with the ball in Test cricket.

Marnus' Test average is down to 44.17 after 64 tests (still ahead of Travis Head on 43.28 after 66 tests) and Steve Smith is at 56.07 after 124 tests. His 37 tons look safe at present. He seems to have lost his flowing drives - and steel concentration.

Pat Cummins and Ronnie will keep calm and hug it out... are we tough enough on our players from within the team?

3.St Jude PGA Golf Championship. Scottie Scheffler's equal course record 61 in the second round was incredible. He has not won a lot this season, but top 5 finishes are regular. He stands to almost become the highest ever career earning golfer if he can win the $3.6M first prize here.

He has a two shot lead into the final round tonight. With a win he will be walking in Memphis... ten foot off a Beale!

4. AFL. Freo have the minor premiership in their keeping. The top four looks almost there now... Freo, Swans, Brisbane and Hawthorn. Then Melbourne and Geelong. The big clubs are coming to play with a round to come. Carlton v Collingwood looms as the wildcard game, but the Western Bulldogs have more fight than many believe at times.  No Bont, no problem! This final series will be a bottler as most teams are pretty close.

An AFL record was set with a second draw against the same opponent in the same season... Hawthorn v Collingwood. Incredible. 

More incredible were the two draws in the same weekend...Western Bulldogs v Carlton 82-82 too.

The Swans. Charlie Curnow looks like getting the Coleman Medal for the most goals this season. A great signing move. Second place and a home final locked in. Still too loose at times however.

5. Wallabies. Back to back wins against Japan in Australian Test rugby is refreshing, but delusional. The real tests of character and spirit lie ahead. Smaller squads and players the crowd know might help. An incredible record set v Japan. No backs scored a try in a 50+ Wallabies win - only forwards. First time ever.

6. Ange Postocoglou. Got underway on the Saudi payroll with Al Nassr. No outcry here like the LIV hysteria for supporting a violent government regime. 3-0 victory for the team in the first round. No Ronaldo yet.

7. Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. An incredible feat by Lani Pallister who beat the previously undefeated Katie Ledecky in the 800m. Outstanding!

8. Massive Transfers - and the EPL Returns. About to get underway for the 2026-2027 season very soon. Lucas Herrington has signed with Hull City for $30M. Handy cash, but not if you were the Brisbane Roar who released him to the Colorado Rapids for $500k and gave up their 'on sell' rights...which could have gotten them $7M! What about Nestory Irankunda signing with Sporting Lisbon in Portugal? $32.5M. Great coin too.

The Wrap - The Saints Come Marching In

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.

The Wrap - FIFA FOMO

1. The Cowboys. Todd Payten signed his contract extension at the right time a few weeks back. Having 80+ points put in your team is very unusual, but also incredibly embarrassing. Noticed Tom Dearden will now stay in North Queensland, even though his pregnant girlfriend has a successful business in the Hills District. Could have been a great signing for Parramatta! They play an open brand of football, but were sliced and diced. The Roosters have strung together a few wins now and look strong. Beating the top teams is their nemesis.

The Panthers backed up with a strong performance in Mudgee v Canberra. A complete team who have had the stutters more recently. The Knights are also such a different team this year. The coach, Justin Holbrook, has done a remarkable job. A wonderful win without a couple of Dylans v the Broncos.

Tigers v Eels. The battle for the spoon remains with an error-athon. Hard to think that Tigers and Eels are still fighting for the spoon. The Doueihi nonsense... please. The Tigers will not make the semi finals with the current coach and current chemistry in that team

St George seem to have the spoon for themselves. How bad are the Broncos? So much talent, but terrible. 

Cronulla are looking stronger and stronger. Perhaps they can do something magical this year?

2. PNG Chiefs. Wayne Bennett is absolutely right. How ridiculous that they have tax concessions and different rules to the rest of the competition. They will need every decent player they can grab, but the safety and living standards in PNG are a massive trade off. I wonder what would happen if the NZ government and the Warriors did similarly.

3. AFL. Carlton are surging and really put it to the resurgent Brisbane team. That helps the Swans. The Swans had a strong win v St Kilda, but did it tough. GWS are still alive against a Port Adelaide side that has lost five games this year by less than 15 points!

Melbourne continued the Gold Coast's misery and Essendon keep getting closer to the spoon!

4. PGA Golf. The Detroit Rocket Classic is a lesser tournament, but still offering big prize money. It ends this year after eight years. Cam Young, number 3 in the world led after two rounds but still looms large for the mid 60 scores needed to win in tomorrow's final round. 

Worth noting so far in 2026: Scottie Scheffler has 1 win yet 11 top ten finishes. No. 1 in the world.

5. Commonwealth Games. Some great performances on the track and an avalanche of gold medals for Australia. It seems we have outgrown the games. 65 gold and 158 in total!

The boxing results (men and the women especially) were outstanding for the unheralded India! An interesting development in world sport.

6. Netball - Diamonds. What a disaster losing to Jamaica...and now fighting for a bronze. Incredibly poor result. A few players and coaches may be looking in a different direction for the next team. Bad for an unstoppable team in every major tournament!

7. FIFA. What a bunch of self seeking fools. President, Gianni Infantino needs to take his governance and fundraising ideas with him out the door. His future is bleak, but he will no doubt come up with more ideas that benefit member countries and despite the current reactions, he will stay on. Money talks. The thought of missing out on more cash and being banned by member nations was enough to have the idea dropped.

8. 'Clicky' Ponting Scandal. Clicking when a batsman is beaten and claiming a wicket has been happening in the Parramatta District Cricket Association for the past 50 years. Just started in England apparently.

The Wrap - Spiders and Fires for the Wests Tigers

1. Wests Tigers. This franchise is officially totally inept. They have slumped to second last in 16th spot now, behind the Eels. They need a whole new set up - and coach sadly. 14 years without a semi final appearance and nothing looks like changing. A few blokes who have signed longer contracts will be a little anxious about their careers now. Representative football is so far away. Three losses by fifty points (Sharks, Panthers, Raiders) and two losses by high forties (Manly, Storm) tells us the club is in crisis.

Adam Doueihi should thank the gods he was not cut a few years back. He has always seen himself as a lot more talented than most. He is too slow to be a halfback and not creative enough. Tough, hard runner with good defence, but unlikely to win a comp - or make the semi finals for a club. He is a forward in the Issac Yeo style. What a performance of protest. Embarrassing, especially when the team he left is losing by 50 yet again. How you manage yourself in times of disappointment, defines you. Peace talks? Honestly, cut and run.

Let it be said, that if Parramatta sign Doueihi, every member should start supporting the PNG Chiefs. They will be done and will emphasise that they are the worst run club in the NRL. The Chiefs and Perth Bears will have a better chance at winning the comp. 

• Zac Lomax moves to the PNG Chiefs. The tax free dollars appeal to many players! Yet the Perth Bears get no such luxuries or concessions. It seems very unfair by comparison and they will get the spoon for a long time if they can't address this soon.
• Interesting to see the Roosters keep winning tight games as well, even when they are not at their sizzling best. So far in 2026, the Eels have lost four games by less than six points while the Roosters have won four games by eight points or less. A big difference on the premiership table.
• Great to see young Nick Lenaz playing for Manly today as the hooker. Coached him as a junior and never saw a kid who was tougher and who could poleaxe players in defence like him. An awesome success story after a tough time in North Queensland.
• Manly got pumped in their game against Cronulla, who have taken out the July premiership scoring so many tries in recent weeks. The Sharks look good, but have done so at this time of year before too. 'Fozball' is dead, but 'Fitzyball' is thriving!

2. Injuries. What an horrific weekend for NRL injuries... Tom Dearden, Dylan Brown, Dylan Lucas, Daniel Tupou, Harry Grant, Latrell Mitchell (ruled out for season), Dylan Edwards, Tallis Duncan, Cameron Murray, Kaylan Ponga, Noah Martin, Reed Mahoney and Cameron Munster who is out of action too.  

3. Commonwealth Games. Not that too many noticed, but the Commonwealth Games have started. We already have so many more gold medals than everyone else it is ridiculous.  Almost like a Little Athletics carnival with the big kids smashing the smaller ones. Medals are expected - and lots of them. 

We had flash backs to the old Richard Wilkins song from years ago - "Out there every morning, under windy skies and pounding thighs, it's a long hard road". See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBi4p--iUGM.  Should these games even be a thing? It seems very outdated as a concept and the hosting of them is not popular. So many better and bigger games and competitions these days.

4. AFL. Collingwood are surging. Six straight wins and crowd support of the best supporter base in Australia. The Swans bounced back v GWS who simply cannot compete with Sydney time and time again. Essendon are a misery once again after a win last week... but it is Freo who are minor premiership bound, hoping they don't go out in straight sets like Adelaide in 2025.

Carlton continue on their winning ways too, after last week's hiccup...Brisbane are still racking them up and are surging into a three-peat premiership feat. So much talent right across the field.

5. NBA. Lebron James. He heads to the Philadelphia 76ers (and maybe takes his son). Maybe they won't need Ben Simmons there now! Great for memberships, but he is 40 years old!

6. 2026 British Open Golf. A top effort from New Zealand's Ryan Fox for the victory! An incredible story of perseverance and dedication. Top composure under pressure.

The 3M PGA Championship at present is seeing some ridiculous scoring. Ten unders and Eight unders! Scheffler is six off the lead, but will still be in the mix.

7. Hungarian F1 Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli has won six races this season already and Mercedes and Ferrari have won every race. Dominance. Interesting to see that after penalties, Piastri starts from third spot. Two McLarens in the top three...a changing of the tide?  Not many opportunities to overtake anyone in Hungary, so a podium finish is within reach! Piastri is sitting sixth overall on point ahead of the great Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton is sniffing around the top this year too. Such a legend of the sport.

8. Tim Tszyu. It truly is a zoo with the media frenzy... he was running out of chances, but has bounced back against an older, but wily rival. A mug's game in so many ways, but good luck to him. He was running out of support and chances, but may get another crack at a big and possibly final pay day.

The Wrap - The Rain in Spain Cries For Argentina

 1. The Open Championship (British Open). Great crowds and an intriguing course that punishes the wayward driver - or any club really. Lucas Herbert was sensational in the second round with one of the best rounds of all time in a Major tournament. Followed by the NZer, Ryan Fox in the third round. Herbert got the hippy hippy shakes in the last few holes of round two and couldn't back it up in round three, but what a performance! Sam (Carpet) Burns looks hot at present and will know the conditions well.

The Bryson blow up...predictable in some respects (bring back John Daly). However Rory shouldn't be offering his commentary on it all. Not his place. Not a good look for golf from either of them.

Royal Birkdale looks like the city dump from on high, but it is well manicured and subject to torrid coastal weather. When that wind gets up it would be murderously cold and unplayable, let alone the fog. The long grass and the scruffy look is links golf at its best. 

A shame the PGA has three Majors in the USA. Like tennis, what is stopping there being more golf or tennis majors? Surely while tradition dictates, some change there enhances the sport's popularity and profile. 

2. NRL. The Panthers have hit a mid season wall, losing a few recently. They are loading for the semi finals and we have seen this before. No panic. Re-signing a few stars will settle the camp. Mitch Kenny is now in the longer term stable, but Martin, To'o, Cleary, Yeo and Leota will seal the deal. They have nurtured a great second tier of players and signed Ray Stone from the Dolphins mid week. Top defender. The Warriors and Roosters are closing in on Penrith for the JJ Giltinan Shield now.

The Tigers have absolutely hit the wall (on the same number of points as Parramatta) and look like wooden spooners, but St George just can't seem to win despite putting together much better efforts of late. Canberra and Brisbane are hanging in there with solid backs against the wall wins. 

Manly needed a win against the Gold Coast who can play well this year...Leading 10-0 early and then...what a disappointment they can be. Tom Trobjevic must really regret doing the midnight Corso sprint all those years back.  

How different is day time football? A day time Grand Final could be an exceptional feature in dry weather game these days. The Dolphins and Cowboys are super entertaining teams.

Noticed the Gold Coast women put 50 points on Parramatta today too. Honestly.

3. Football World Cup. Always love a third v fourth World Cup playoff. Do we need it? Both teams play a little defeated or embarrassed and neither team truly wants to win or lose. 6-4 (like a wet 1970's NRL score) England v France brought much history, but also a reminder that the football powerhouses are so far ahead. Spain to win the final based on their class and composure, but the fight and steel of the Argentinians is most admirable. What a story two successive World Cup wins would be for Argentina!

4. AFL. You have to love the Collingwood crowd. Passionate, crass and fanatical! Even though they struggle at times, they are a super power of Melbourne sport - and hated for it by most. The Carlton v Collingwood clash is always epic, but a strong Collingwood victory.

The Sydney Swans continued to tumble and again fell apart late in their wet game v Adelaide. They are back pedalling while Freo find a way forward. The Swans could be in some strife table wise without a few more wins.

Brisbane struggled v West Coast, but were never losing. Melbourne were the same v North Melbourne. Richmond are dreadful...absolutely pumped by Hawthorn. Essendon edged out a gravely disappointing GWS in a good arm wrestle! A long time since we have heard their team song! A proud and excellent club, but they need a new era.

5. T20 Cricket. 

(i) The T20 Blast finals... Chris Lynn, Nathan McSweeney, Daniel Sams,  These guys are on the international T20 gravy train (a great train to be on!). Darren Lehmann's Northants team win.

(ii) The US T20 Cricket Final saw the LA Knight Riders play and beat the Washington Freedom (Steve Smith and coach Ricky Ponting) by one run. The Washington keeper, Andries Gous is a USA keeper who can play. A BBL prospect. Lots of top notch West Indian players in this league (Narine, Fletcher, Russell, Holder, et al).

(iii) The third ODI of India v England is played tonight with the series locked at 1-1. India have not been on their game of late, so England have a sniff. The great Joe Root continues to peel off big scores with 99no in Game Two for the victory.

6. Wallabies v Italy. Joe Schmidt's reign has mercifully ended in Perth (12 wins/ 33 Tests). He has not been able to deliver and needs to learn not to keep changing his combinations or his teams will never win! Rugby Australia has been too patient. Could you imagine Argentina putting up with this from their national team? 

His announcement that the great rhyming slang man will take over (Les Kiss), was made too long ago! He should have left a year ago. Six tries to one was better, but the Italian team looked and played like they did in 1980. Hopefully a new, more exciting era awaits now.

7. F1. Kimmy Antonelli is on pole yet again in Belgium. He is building a brilliant record for someone so young. Oscar starts on sixth spot... he'll be flat out getting a podium finish again. This season is getting well away from McLaren. Talk about a sudden fall in standards.