The Wrap - PowerPlay

1. Having won the U/15 Parramatta Marist Tennis Titles at Toongabbie Tennis Centre in the howling wind back in 1983, I feel I am well placed to comment on Stosur v Shiavone. Shiavone attacked the net, was aggressive, volleyed outstandingly and showed the grit and determination befitting an Aussie. The shot of her brown face (Dolmio grin) from kissing the dirt was not the most pleasant one. For Stosur to say she 'didn't get much wrong' is worrying. She tried to power Shiavone off the court, was found out with accurate returns of ball in play and played like a millionaire - esp when up 4-1 in the second set. She has some mental issues to sort out, but at least got there.

By the way, look out George Rose...Mary Pierce delivered the winner's trophy and fair dinkum looked like she had swallowed ten tennis racquets. Her rse needs a postcode.

2. Israel Folau. He will struggle to carry the bags of cash to the bank and will be out of action more than in action. A huge signature, but like every other bloke who leaves...so long and who is next in line to take your spot. Gasnier, $onny Bills, Rogers, Sailor, Tiquiri...has anyone missed them? Elsom also went to Rugby....

4. Brent Tate is one of the most injured in the history of the NRL. Broke his jaw on the weekend. Put him down for the best injured XIII of all time.

5. Love these Wallaby tests v Pacific minnows. We all slap our backs and say how great the team is going until we get a touch up from someone half decent. Why the Pacific nations are not in the Super 14 - or Tri-Bi-Quad Nations is unclear. Typical Rugby snobbery. Perhaps as more TV's are bought over there this will change. Where's Rupert when you need him? At the chapel again?

6. Greg Norman is truly on the nose. He seems to have lost every bit of Aussie and instead rates himself far too much. Where is the Aussie bloke who takes the p iss out of himself? Has he ever laughed at himself? He is a yank and a business man and somehow we need to suddenly get excited about him hitting a golf ball here. Does anyone you know actually go to watch the golf live in Australia? I am sure someone must know someone....a sport in free fall.

7. Pim VerbEEEEEEEEk. What about his reaction to one of the poorest games since his inception as coach..."Just what I wanted (a deserved loss 3-1 to the USA?) and we are in a good space'. He is fair dinkum kidding. The sun has gotten to him. Lucas (Overrated) Neil and Craig Moore were terrible. Vince Grella played like a schoolboy and should be dropped too. On the other hand, Parramatta Jesus himself - Joshua Kennedy - missed more shots than Roger Rogerson. He could not hit water if he fell out of a boat.

8. League. Titans look scrappy. Manly awfully inconsistent and only playing half a game still. Canberra loose and Penrith methodical (looking forward to seeing them play someone decent- have had the draw from heaven). Cronulla look stronger since Ricky has removed the pressure on them. Roosters still have major defensive problems masked by early season hype. They are really little better than 2009. They need a clean out.

However is it true that Smith, Slater, Inglis, Finch, Cronk, Blair, White all played and were soundly beaten by Parramatta? Maybe they were all trying to work out whose contract is at whose place? They are all being undone at present - a bit like Underbelly at the moment.

9. AFL. Bulldogs finished. They cannot play when the whips are cracking. Pre season winners however so they should be happy. Even Adelaide and Richmond are picking up their acts. St Kilda the sleeper. Collingwood flashy. Swans are just.