Wrap - Having A Crack

Compliments to Dolf on the cracking standard of The Wrap in my absence.

1. NRL. Is there a better sight than seeing Manly get their tails kicked? Brian Smith will go close to the coach of the year. Canberra's Dave Furner will also be there too. They could be very good once Brett White and Blake Ferguson arrive there in 2011. Dugan is a special for the dally M Award this year.

Neil Henry from North QLD should get the Worst Coach of The Year Award. He has been awful. His players have been worse. Thurston will be regretting his decision to re-sign with them. Bowen is finished too.

2. Has Melbourne Storm sorted out its roster for 2011 yet? They seem very reluctant to cooperate and are trying the usual out of town concession/ even break argument. They have fallen apart this year and are getting a taste of how it feels to be on a level playing field. Funny how other clubs have had to endure this.

3. Can't see Tigers, Titans or Panthers troubling the trophy engraver this year. Roosters and Dragons have shown more steel than most - and more frequently. Warriors too. They can lift when it matters.

4. AFL. Crowds are increasing each week and the Swans have limped over the line. The competition is clearly not even based on draft picks and salary cap. The Swans should be smacked by Carlton next weekend, but they have surprised by making the semis at all.

5. Wallabies. Robbie Deans has the worst record of any coach in our time. Did anyone see the Foxtel interview with Deans? He basically could not answer this question: "Will Australia win tonight v South Africa"? His answer revealed a fair bit about his faults as a coach. He showed little faith in the team and covered his own rs by saying "We have certainly prepared for victory". A win Robbie? No, so long as you have done your best and your job is safe....He needs to go. We need an Aussie in control. If I hear altitude as an excuse for our woeful performances I'll scream...Quade Cooper should get out while he can.

6. Match Fixing. What about the predictable match fixing involving the greatest cheat of them all "Asif" - even Aamir is in on it. The cheating bastards then head to the boundary for sawdust blaming the conditions - too slippery! He's gone for drug offences before too. No balls being bowled at key times for key punters. Expect the echo of gunshots soon and one less fast bowler. The Ryan Tandy one stinks too. He transferred from Melbourne mid season so he will be well versed in undermining the rules and stretching the truth.

7. Mark Webber. A perennial favourite with the Wrap for his ability to flounder under pressure. He is showing a striking amount of ticker however of late and seems to be delivering when it counts. Now having said that, look for an early exit....

8. Tiger Woods. Is he becoming a joke? Hard to imagine how he is viewed other than comically by other players after his exploits. I suspect he is not the only one in world golf with this lifestyle.

9. Cricket. Can anyone believe the appointment of Greg Chappell as a selector for Australia? Everything he touches goes to mud, yet he keeps on getting his name into all manner of great high profile jobs in world cricket. He is cursed. By the way, Tim Neilsen has secured a contract extension till the end of 2013. That will coincide with him having presided over three Ashes losses. He is a joke too.

10. Interesting to see Rudi Koertzen bagging Aussie cricketers so soon after his retirement. He is the worst umpire seen in a very long time in world cricket.

11. Looking forward to more sackings - coaches , players, officials - stories emerging. They are popular this time of year.