The Wrap - Whistling Dixie 25/4/10

1. Melbourne Storm. What about the conspiracies? David Gallop looks like he has trodden in dog shiite. Cat's bum mouth. He obviously knows a lot more than we know. It is clearly set to be more deceptive and more extensive than first announced. Slater playing AFL? Can't see that at all. Folau...yes! Brian Waldron's speech on the Footy Show last year (replayed yesterday) was really quite treacherous in the current context.

Part of Melbourne's problem is Bellamy's response. There appears to be very little contrition or concern that cheating like this has hurt opposition teams and has seen his side advantaged over others. He does not seem to get that. Nor does Gus Gould for that matter.

The turn out by the crowd in Melbourne to see them v Warriors was a great show of strength - especially anti NSW sentiment. Is any publicity good publicity in those parts? It could make the club stronger in the very areas of public profile, marketing and membership where it has struggled.

The sponsors who foresake a team or player in tough times are weak sponsors who generally lead inexperienced and poor business ventures. Uncanny that.

2. Sep Blatter. Is there a bigger snake in the grass than this bloke? He tells everyone what they want to hear..."You are doing a great job on the World Cup preparations (code for 'you are in trouble..hurry up')...Oceania deserve automatic qualification...Qatar should host the first 'Asian' (huge scope in that definition) World Cup...and DESERVE to..."

He is a huge liar who is becoming so unconvincing it is embarrassing. He goes back to Europe and they feed him his medication, readjust the electrodes, charge him up and set him straight again. More back downs than a gay bar. At least Juan Antonio Samaranch was just a hard headed fool who told people they were the best AFTER the event. (RIP by the way).

3. ManU hover threateningly. Beating everyone with spirit even with key personnel out. Chelsea will be ahead with a likely victory over Stoke tonight going in to the last rounds. ManU have Sunderland and Stoke in the final two rounds. Chelsea have Liverpool and Wigan. ManU loom as favourites - even though they may be behind on the table.

4. St George v Roosters was a sensational atmosphere. Great ground the SFS - even if it takes you till half time to get a pie and go to the dunny. Great intensity. Roosters defence finally muscled up a little, but the Dragons' goaline defence was superb. They win the arm wrestle more often than not. They are favourites for the comp with no Storm. The Raiders surrender of a 20 point lead was appalling against Souths who finally played some footy. Panthers doing a lot right without frills and the Sharks suddenly look like someone else (ex -Storm) will get the spoon.

Which team can't make the top eight/ nine this year? No excuses this year.

5. Referees. After The Wrap's well timed comments last week re referees, this was heard by the NRL and what a difference it made. One whistle is better than two. Imagine two refs in International Rugby!!!!

6. Reds. Still Ewan McKenzie forges on. He is a proven winner and the Reds look the goods. Fancy the Crusaders losing to the Western Joke. They should hang their heads.

7. How about that USA 400 metre runner LaShawn Merrit who was done for drugs after pursuing penis enlargement therapies. His quote: "To know that I've tested positive as a result of a product that I used for personal reasons is extremely difficult to wrap my hands around," Merritt said in the release. Wishful. Outstanding!

He continues: "Any penalty that I may receive for my action will not overshadow the embarrassment and humiliation that I feel inside." Or is that humiliation he feels "outside".Wonderful stuff. Give it away you galoot.

8. Brisbane's loss to Melbourne had all the signs coming - big heads the lot of them. Voss seems to encourage it. can't win a comp with that. Melbourne look to have turned a bend (as opposed to a corner). Swans on top of the comp is a shock. Lots of running, but watch out when it rains - they'll struggle. Collingwood seem to produce at ANZAC Day each year - pity they don't have this public holiday in September.

Have a good week.

Is Brian Waldron on suicide watch? Look after him down Melbourne way.