1. Clearly we are going to look back on some of the current Queenslanders in State of Origin and acknowledge them as legends of the game (Slater, Inglis, Folau, Lockyer, Thurston, Smith esp.). They were dominant in every way. Our forwards were soft. Somehow the lead up, the jersey distribution, the FOGS, the hoopla....it is almost laughable in its ongoing nature. Some would say it becomes boring. If the pre game camp was three days long would much change on the field?
One thing to me was obvious: when you pick forwards from Manly they only play half a game. They were logging off at the 60 minute mark, like most weeks. Lyon was more line than lion. Parra players do stupid, reckless things and Bulldogs players are used to losing. In all honesty, who was going to score a try for us?
Kurt Gidley is massively over rated.
2. Did anyone see George Rose run out for Manly v Nth QLD? It has been a while since someone the FAT n the guts has played first grade. He was simply too fat. Can anyone think of a fatter player in first grade? Mark Tookey would be up there...
3. Super 14 met its deserved death as a comp early Sunday morning. Publicity was at an all time low and rugby has problems. The Bulls won again. Big whoop. The comp would be better off letting South Africa teams play Argentina and NZ teams play Australian ones. No one quite cares. They have massive problems. Even Sydney Uni can't win a game.
4. Cricket. Bangladesh have some hide. There they are at Lords the home of cricket and can't win a thing anywhere. They should be playing up the road. They love batting but can't bowl...and they...can't throw! They love rain because it is their best chance of a draw, but cannot cope with swing or bounce.
5. Has Ben Hilfenhaus had his leg removed? Can anyone recall a cricketer having more time off than him? Even Shane Watson kept coming back and annoying us. DK and Thommo had a struggle, but nothing like Hilfenhaus. Harry Kewell and Jana Pittman may have been more injured...Eric Grothe senior....
6. AFL. Richmond win in what could only be described as ridiculous conditions to play anything resembling sport. That field will be wrecked for the year. They may just keep a little of their pride....it's a long way back. Swans continue the rot. Brisbane Lions had a strong win v Collingwood. Hard to beat at home.
7. Dunno about you but the Socceroos are looking tired and old for mine. We are going to struggle. With one striker we are looking negative before we start. Craig Moore is too old. Experience only gets you so far. Pim Verbeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek needs a haircut. He is kidding.
8. Tennis. Hewitt will never beat Nadal. In fact no one is likely to beat him in the French (although he had a shock loss last year). Stosur looking good but Henin will crush her. She has lost weight, is winning more but remains one of the worst sorts on the circuit.
9. Webber. Another pole position and leading the driver's championship. He might just surprise everyone after an inglorious season start. It would be one of the great comebacks!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Wrap - Blooper 14
Boys,
1. Swans have hit rock bottom and will be doing well to make the semis. Their roster is a bit hollow. A high degree of 'sameness' in the build and profile of their players meaning that as injuries hit, there is little to go to. Roos sounds like he is ready to walk before the scheduled exit. He's had enough and so have we. Nice to see Fremantle firing up and Melbourne sparking. Gets a bit boring with Geelong certain to win the comp again.
2. NRL without Origin stars is TERRIBLE. The standard is awful. Parramatta - what a disgrace v Cronulla. Scoring tries off blokes heads, knees and through intercepts makes them think they have it all. Can't get excited about Kris Keating. Too small and runs across field too much. Would have killed them in the U/8's but this is NRL. Souths no better. Tigers scratchy. Look elsewhere.
3. Super 14. This business of playing finals when no one gives a tinker's cuss (1am and 3am in AUST - 3am and 5am in NZ) and could not be bothered to get up needs some serious reconsideration. This kills all interest. Who the hell will get up and watch the final next week? Engrave "The Bulls" on the cup and call it off. JOKE!
4. Brendan Canon (Sunday Telegraph) absolutely gave it to Tahu for some very dumb comments re Origin jumpers being more valuable than a Wallabies one! Stupidity. However we must have better rugby correspondents than him and Frier to write in Sydney papers. Both were so so and neither has much authority. Good to see Penrith Rugby start to get ahead a little of late, beating West Harbour and Warringah. Lost !st Grade colts by 100 however. NSW Rugby might just be putting their hands in their pockets beyond Gladesville Bridge.
5. Is Chris Gayle the problem with West Indies cricket? I reckon he is. Too laid back, no value for his wicket, too interested in the bling - not the swing or ding - and a bad example for all teammates. Tough, but think about it. The fish rots at the head.
6. Jose Mourinho. Inter Milan win UEFA Final 2-0 and he continues his formula. Buy the best players. Insist on it and then use them to further your cause as a coach. He can write his own ticket and price now. "The Special One"
7. State of Origin. Is it just me or has the shine been well and truly lost from State of Origin? Years ago there was a genuine rivalry - the King and no interchange among other things. Is the modern version better? NO. There are no real 'hated' figures - or characters - in either team. Choppy, the King, the Axe, Geyer, Chief, Pricey, Artie. Tame and clinical now. Pity.
1. Swans have hit rock bottom and will be doing well to make the semis. Their roster is a bit hollow. A high degree of 'sameness' in the build and profile of their players meaning that as injuries hit, there is little to go to. Roos sounds like he is ready to walk before the scheduled exit. He's had enough and so have we. Nice to see Fremantle firing up and Melbourne sparking. Gets a bit boring with Geelong certain to win the comp again.
2. NRL without Origin stars is TERRIBLE. The standard is awful. Parramatta - what a disgrace v Cronulla. Scoring tries off blokes heads, knees and through intercepts makes them think they have it all. Can't get excited about Kris Keating. Too small and runs across field too much. Would have killed them in the U/8's but this is NRL. Souths no better. Tigers scratchy. Look elsewhere.
3. Super 14. This business of playing finals when no one gives a tinker's cuss (1am and 3am in AUST - 3am and 5am in NZ) and could not be bothered to get up needs some serious reconsideration. This kills all interest. Who the hell will get up and watch the final next week? Engrave "The Bulls" on the cup and call it off. JOKE!
4. Brendan Canon (Sunday Telegraph) absolutely gave it to Tahu for some very dumb comments re Origin jumpers being more valuable than a Wallabies one! Stupidity. However we must have better rugby correspondents than him and Frier to write in Sydney papers. Both were so so and neither has much authority. Good to see Penrith Rugby start to get ahead a little of late, beating West Harbour and Warringah. Lost !st Grade colts by 100 however. NSW Rugby might just be putting their hands in their pockets beyond Gladesville Bridge.
5. Is Chris Gayle the problem with West Indies cricket? I reckon he is. Too laid back, no value for his wicket, too interested in the bling - not the swing or ding - and a bad example for all teammates. Tough, but think about it. The fish rots at the head.
6. Jose Mourinho. Inter Milan win UEFA Final 2-0 and he continues his formula. Buy the best players. Insist on it and then use them to further your cause as a coach. He can write his own ticket and price now. "The Special One"
7. State of Origin. Is it just me or has the shine been well and truly lost from State of Origin? Years ago there was a genuine rivalry - the King and no interchange among other things. Is the modern version better? NO. There are no real 'hated' figures - or characters - in either team. Choppy, the King, the Axe, Geyer, Chief, Pricey, Artie. Tame and clinical now. Pity.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The Wrap - No Sheen Left
1. Good to see Souths do something well. Is Tim Sheens a protected species? He has presided over almost perpetual failure since the Tigers won the comp in the mid 1990's. He has some questions to answer. They have a good roster and going backwards. Apparently, the Bye also beats Melbourne and they do not get those points either. The cheating has been thwarted at every turn.
2. This legal contest by four Melbourne Storm directors tells me they too are going to go down soon. This may well be their attempt to discredit the NRL before the guillotine falls on their heads. Good to see Brian Waldron's great mate - Roy Masters - finally get off his digs and write a long awaited article in the SMH on the weekend. He is pathetic. He knows everything that happened and is trying to cover up for a mate. He will be exposed as well - maybe even by his brother, Chris Masters who was formerly with the ABC Four Corners programme. Such is his known guilt by association that he actually made it clear in his article that he went overseas on business and now returns. Sounds like he has been watching Underbelly.
3. Jamie Lyon. If he is selected we lose. His strike rate in NSW colours is abysmal. He is a hex. Surely Idris needs to be there. He has been the biggest impact player since Folau and is ready. If we have Kimmorley, Bird, Tahu, Barrett, Mason, Hindmarsh...yesterday's heroes. we simply have got nothing now. Throwin the ill discipline of O'Donnell, Carney, Gallen...and we lose again. Time to clear the decks.
4. Cricket - 20/20 Final. Michael Hussey suddenly can write his own ticket for inclusion in the Aussie team in all forms of the game. His form has never been better. By the way, the bowler who threw down those last over pies was a disgrace. He could be heading to the Afghanistan TAB as we speak. England will be tough to beat if Pietersen hits a score.
5. Can anyone explain why we have not had a World Cricket Championship here in years? We have to put up with crap TV schedules for games in the Windies and everywhere else - yet we never seem to get a 20-20 or ODI World Cup here...just a lame World XI v. Australia game five years ago. James Sutherland is truly soft.
6. Rugby Super 14 has hit its high point right now. The way it reaches a high point is tremendous for the game, but then it has four in the semis. Suddenly with two games in South Africa we won't see anything and the semis become largely irrelevant. NOt a bad season for Australia - Waratahs in South Africa have a shocking record. Brumbies and Reds did well, but at least one province in each country is floundeing, showing a dearth of talent and depth in SANZAR rugby. Enter Melbourne Rebels.
7. AFL. Collingwood on fire but what about the Swans. Now in free fall and about to get worse with Fremantle next week. What about this AFL crew and their drugs policy? Let's use as many illicit substances as possible and report stats (14 new drug cases this year) but do nothing about them. This is an utterdisgrace. Their tolerance of this needs to be exploded. Otherwise things will not ever improve. JOKE.
8. Mark Webber. Could it be that he is finally getting it right? Losing Monaco from poll position is unheard of. Hopefully he can do this right and get to the lead. He is never far away from disappointment.
9. Hewitt. On the verge of breaking a momentous record about the number of Davis Cup wins for Australia - EVER. Pretty impressive. May never get beaten in our lifetimes.
10. Drogba. Mark him down as close to the best in the world - esp post World Cup. Winner at the FA Cup Final in the weekend was another cracker.
11. By the way, in case you hadn't heard, some girl Jessica arrived in Sydney Harbour the other day on a pink boat.
2. This legal contest by four Melbourne Storm directors tells me they too are going to go down soon. This may well be their attempt to discredit the NRL before the guillotine falls on their heads. Good to see Brian Waldron's great mate - Roy Masters - finally get off his digs and write a long awaited article in the SMH on the weekend. He is pathetic. He knows everything that happened and is trying to cover up for a mate. He will be exposed as well - maybe even by his brother, Chris Masters who was formerly with the ABC Four Corners programme. Such is his known guilt by association that he actually made it clear in his article that he went overseas on business and now returns. Sounds like he has been watching Underbelly.
3. Jamie Lyon. If he is selected we lose. His strike rate in NSW colours is abysmal. He is a hex. Surely Idris needs to be there. He has been the biggest impact player since Folau and is ready. If we have Kimmorley, Bird, Tahu, Barrett, Mason, Hindmarsh...yesterday's heroes. we simply have got nothing now. Throwin the ill discipline of O'Donnell, Carney, Gallen...and we lose again. Time to clear the decks.
4. Cricket - 20/20 Final. Michael Hussey suddenly can write his own ticket for inclusion in the Aussie team in all forms of the game. His form has never been better. By the way, the bowler who threw down those last over pies was a disgrace. He could be heading to the Afghanistan TAB as we speak. England will be tough to beat if Pietersen hits a score.
5. Can anyone explain why we have not had a World Cricket Championship here in years? We have to put up with crap TV schedules for games in the Windies and everywhere else - yet we never seem to get a 20-20 or ODI World Cup here...just a lame World XI v. Australia game five years ago. James Sutherland is truly soft.
6. Rugby Super 14 has hit its high point right now. The way it reaches a high point is tremendous for the game, but then it has four in the semis. Suddenly with two games in South Africa we won't see anything and the semis become largely irrelevant. NOt a bad season for Australia - Waratahs in South Africa have a shocking record. Brumbies and Reds did well, but at least one province in each country is floundeing, showing a dearth of talent and depth in SANZAR rugby. Enter Melbourne Rebels.
7. AFL. Collingwood on fire but what about the Swans. Now in free fall and about to get worse with Fremantle next week. What about this AFL crew and their drugs policy? Let's use as many illicit substances as possible and report stats (14 new drug cases this year) but do nothing about them. This is an utterdisgrace. Their tolerance of this needs to be exploded. Otherwise things will not ever improve. JOKE.
8. Mark Webber. Could it be that he is finally getting it right? Losing Monaco from poll position is unheard of. Hopefully he can do this right and get to the lead. He is never far away from disappointment.
9. Hewitt. On the verge of breaking a momentous record about the number of Davis Cup wins for Australia - EVER. Pretty impressive. May never get beaten in our lifetimes.
10. Drogba. Mark him down as close to the best in the world - esp post World Cup. Winner at the FA Cup Final in the weekend was another cracker.
11. By the way, in case you hadn't heard, some girl Jessica arrived in Sydney Harbour the other day on a pink boat.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Wrap - Crunch Time - 9/5/10
1. Storm. This team not only cheats but repeatedly upsets our punter's club with their inept performances in 2010. Amazing what having a similar quality of player base does to them (Smith out). A strong victory by the Broncos however just when we thought they were finished. Titans win the arm wrestle games repeatedly - no frills - but will be nervous about the salary cap story brewing on Four Corners. Sounds like they could be next on the salary cap scrapheap. (Some way or another, those bloody Rabbits will make the semis).
2. Test match - AUST v NZ. I hear the new stadium in Melbourne is leaking day one? Surely Bluey ran the hose over it before the scaffolding was taken down?? Joke. Looks like the playing surface is better than most. Synthetic grass is on it? Not something else fake and false down Melbourne way.
3. Dave Warner. Can anyone believe this bloke did not get the first Cricket Australia contract? He is a genuine entertainer - albeit erratic - and puts bums on seats. He is the future of our cricket, as much as the purists don't want to hear it. Can anyone understand why Sehwag and Tendulkar are not in the World Cup Team? Dravid and Ganguly for that matter. India will be smashed once those blokes retire. Their golden era is near completion. Aussies favourites with World 20/20.
4. AFL. Well Sydney are genuine pretenders after all. Geelong are different with Ablett on deck. They will be there when the whips are cracking. The drive to Geelong from Melbourne is enough to put you off your game - let alone a flight from anywhere in Australia first. Western Bulldogs scratchy at best (Feburary premiers), Collingwood on fire and Freo have held that last train in 2010 and could be good. Brisbane disappoint more often than not.
5. EPL. Chelsea need a win - so do ManU. They are smart in the EPL. All games kick off at the same time in the final round so there is no 'dead rubber' and so those missing out and achieving do it with no influence from other games. Can you imagine the NRL being this strategic?
6. Rugby Union - Super 14. Still can't get my head around why we have four in the semis only - especially when the comp grows from 12 to 14 and then to 15. The comp is tight and improving, but why not cash in on the enthusiasm and energy? The comp seems to dwindle into oblivion each year. No free to air coverage condemns the game really.
2. Test match - AUST v NZ. I hear the new stadium in Melbourne is leaking day one? Surely Bluey ran the hose over it before the scaffolding was taken down?? Joke. Looks like the playing surface is better than most. Synthetic grass is on it? Not something else fake and false down Melbourne way.
3. Dave Warner. Can anyone believe this bloke did not get the first Cricket Australia contract? He is a genuine entertainer - albeit erratic - and puts bums on seats. He is the future of our cricket, as much as the purists don't want to hear it. Can anyone understand why Sehwag and Tendulkar are not in the World Cup Team? Dravid and Ganguly for that matter. India will be smashed once those blokes retire. Their golden era is near completion. Aussies favourites with World 20/20.
4. AFL. Well Sydney are genuine pretenders after all. Geelong are different with Ablett on deck. They will be there when the whips are cracking. The drive to Geelong from Melbourne is enough to put you off your game - let alone a flight from anywhere in Australia first. Western Bulldogs scratchy at best (Feburary premiers), Collingwood on fire and Freo have held that last train in 2010 and could be good. Brisbane disappoint more often than not.
5. EPL. Chelsea need a win - so do ManU. They are smart in the EPL. All games kick off at the same time in the final round so there is no 'dead rubber' and so those missing out and achieving do it with no influence from other games. Can you imagine the NRL being this strategic?
6. Rugby Union - Super 14. Still can't get my head around why we have four in the semis only - especially when the comp grows from 12 to 14 and then to 15. The comp is tight and improving, but why not cash in on the enthusiasm and energy? The comp seems to dwindle into oblivion each year. No free to air coverage condemns the game really.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Wrap: Missing The Cut With Every Goose In Town
1. Australian Team v Kiwis. Fancy Jamie Lyon being the centre ahead of Jamal Idris/ Timanha Tahu/ Chris Lawrence/ Michael Jennings. Joke. Folau was dudded too with talk of leaving Broncos. He would have gone to the Storm if they had Waldron there still diddling the books. Storm dominate both teams and combined basically have a Test team. Funny that. (Slater, Inglis, Cronk, Smith...and Blair, Manu..throw in Hoffman and White for City v Country).
2. What about the City v Country teams. Every Goose in town is there: Carney, Bird, Lafranchi, Luke O'Donnell, Bryce Gibbs. We cannot win Origin in 2010 with this line up. They personify ill discipline and simply lack brains. Enough said.
It looks like they have either Kimmorley or Hodkinson in line as NSW Origin halfback....ho hum....Josh Dugan or Lachlan Coote look to be Gidley or Hayne's understudies. Raw. Can't beat QLD with that.
Parramatta surprisingly well represented: Tahu, Burt, Mannah, Kris Keating...and Hayne. No sign of Hindmarsh who is far too slow in attack for Origin level. Thought Mortimer may have figured ahead of Hodkinson (ex Parra).
3. How bad are the Warriors? Fair dinkum, they could not hit water if they fell out of a boat. Losing v Canberra rivals Parramatta's loss to Cronulla earlier in the year as the worst of the season. Has Manly ever been a softer outfit - getting a lead and repeatedly getting run down?
4. Rugby is becoming embarrassing. There it is on Fox Sports every Saturday in prime time and all we see are penalties and little else. It is slow - and the NRL is a click or two away. Interesting that Channel 9 recently signed a free to air deal for "highlights" only. Just as well. The rest is crap. By the way, the boredom is best represented by the lack of knowledge people hold (in general) for each Super 14 franchise and its name. Straw poll in the street: Lions, Cheetahs, Hurricanes, Stormers...does anyone give a rodent's rectum?
The other stupidity is their finals structure. A top eight would be far more intense. Top four...stay on the field at halftime...mum's oranges...unprofessional.
5. Toyota Cup. What about this farce? Let's all play touch football. The new generation of footballers don't tackle around legs, they don't do the fundamentals that hard heads cut their teeth on in the game. They play like millionaires and hope they get paid like it too. Don't do any defence though.
6. The resurgence of Tottenham Hotspur under Harry Redknapp has been phenomenal. They lie with a huge chance of being in the top four for European Football next year. Best since El Tel! Chelsea v Liverpool should be a cracker tonight. Chelsea win - should win the lot!
7. Sam Stosur is on fire. Funny how she has dropped about twenty kilos over the last year and has achieved success. Female Australian Tennis stars are right next to the rocking horse dung on the shelf.
8. AFL. Swans about to be tested after a few softer opponents. Getting up to 20 points in the first five weeks almost guarantees a semi final spot however. Get to 30 or 40 and you are in. Freo doing better than ever before too. Richmond should shut down - again.
9. Floyd Mayweather beats Mosely. What about his record? 41-0. Impressive - and copped an early hammering too. Tough stuff.
10. Bit concerned about the Red Sox start to the year. Can't recall a worse start.
11. What about the great Tiger missing the cut. Some blokes - mostly Aussies - do this every week. No big deal. I reckon he might come back. Sooner the divorce is finalised the better. He went better when he was out of control.
2. What about the City v Country teams. Every Goose in town is there: Carney, Bird, Lafranchi, Luke O'Donnell, Bryce Gibbs. We cannot win Origin in 2010 with this line up. They personify ill discipline and simply lack brains. Enough said.
It looks like they have either Kimmorley or Hodkinson in line as NSW Origin halfback....ho hum....Josh Dugan or Lachlan Coote look to be Gidley or Hayne's understudies. Raw. Can't beat QLD with that.
Parramatta surprisingly well represented: Tahu, Burt, Mannah, Kris Keating...and Hayne. No sign of Hindmarsh who is far too slow in attack for Origin level. Thought Mortimer may have figured ahead of Hodkinson (ex Parra).
3. How bad are the Warriors? Fair dinkum, they could not hit water if they fell out of a boat. Losing v Canberra rivals Parramatta's loss to Cronulla earlier in the year as the worst of the season. Has Manly ever been a softer outfit - getting a lead and repeatedly getting run down?
4. Rugby is becoming embarrassing. There it is on Fox Sports every Saturday in prime time and all we see are penalties and little else. It is slow - and the NRL is a click or two away. Interesting that Channel 9 recently signed a free to air deal for "highlights" only. Just as well. The rest is crap. By the way, the boredom is best represented by the lack of knowledge people hold (in general) for each Super 14 franchise and its name. Straw poll in the street: Lions, Cheetahs, Hurricanes, Stormers...does anyone give a rodent's rectum?
The other stupidity is their finals structure. A top eight would be far more intense. Top four...stay on the field at halftime...mum's oranges...unprofessional.
5. Toyota Cup. What about this farce? Let's all play touch football. The new generation of footballers don't tackle around legs, they don't do the fundamentals that hard heads cut their teeth on in the game. They play like millionaires and hope they get paid like it too. Don't do any defence though.
6. The resurgence of Tottenham Hotspur under Harry Redknapp has been phenomenal. They lie with a huge chance of being in the top four for European Football next year. Best since El Tel! Chelsea v Liverpool should be a cracker tonight. Chelsea win - should win the lot!
7. Sam Stosur is on fire. Funny how she has dropped about twenty kilos over the last year and has achieved success. Female Australian Tennis stars are right next to the rocking horse dung on the shelf.
8. AFL. Swans about to be tested after a few softer opponents. Getting up to 20 points in the first five weeks almost guarantees a semi final spot however. Get to 30 or 40 and you are in. Freo doing better than ever before too. Richmond should shut down - again.
9. Floyd Mayweather beats Mosely. What about his record? 41-0. Impressive - and copped an early hammering too. Tough stuff.
10. Bit concerned about the Red Sox start to the year. Can't recall a worse start.
11. What about the great Tiger missing the cut. Some blokes - mostly Aussies - do this every week. No big deal. I reckon he might come back. Sooner the divorce is finalised the better. He went better when he was out of control.
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