Wrap - Cultural Disrespect

1. The Roosters must surely really fancy their chances. The Dragons have a highly structured, military type approach. The trick to upsetting them is through second phase play - offloads once in tackles. The Tigers did this wonderfully well in the first half (eg. Robert Lui under the sticks for the second try) then made silly errors and fell apart. The Titans were that terrible on Friday night it defies belief. Scott Prince choked sadly. They are like an Australian Davis Cup player - losing in straight sets too often!

2. AFL. What a fundraiser! On again next week...I like it. We are fast becoming a society when we want instant results and feedback...stuff the lot of them...wait, prepare and stop whinging. The stop on the line by the Collingwood player (name - can't remember) when St Kilda looked certain to score a major late in the final quarter was clearly the play of the day. Unbelievable guts really! The AFL did not change the rules before the game so a replay it is. Players seemed more concerned about their scheduled holidays, presentation nights, etc. They did it in 1977 and before that, so toughen up. The GF replay is renowned for blow outs! Tiring of the endless anaolgies to 'war'...hardly. "We dodged a bullet", "we dug into the trenches", "it was trench warfare....". Maybe "shot ourseves in the arse" should be added as well.

At least the AFL will have more money to buy rugby league players now.

3. Commonwealth Games. What a farce! Now table tennis players are withdrawing from the team...What about the sympathy brigade saying how this is how they do things in India and a "cultural experience" is part of the trip. Where does an exotic disease fit into a cultural experience? Basic hygiene is not being observed. There is a total disrespect for OUR culture.

It is about time we stopped making excuses for sub-continent nations and brought them to heel. They wanted to host the thing so look after your hosts and stop blaming everyone else. Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India...blame everyone else and never take responsibility themselves.

Weed out the corruption and watch how much cash is available to fix up the facilities. With so many people in their population, a broom in one hand and a rag in the other could help. GET YOR HOPELESS ACT TOGETHER.

Even the MCG changerooms were full of sewage after the GF...preparing for India travelling to Australia soon for cricket no doubt.

4. Cricket. It's hard to imagine that they are safe in any way. They are truly and tragically sitting ducks.

5. Rugby Union. Shute Shield has no profile and as a result Rugby Union struggles outside of the die hard GPS crew. I get the impression far too often that rugby is happy with this. A small club of people who play a game which is becoming increasing irrelevant and bland. Who is the 'face' of Australian Rugby? Robbie Deans? Don't get me started. How many players could a regular kid in the street name in Australian - or world rugby?

6. Soccer. Loving the resurgence of Manchester City. Carlos Tevez is the real star of the EPL. He can turn a game like no other. Sydney FC need to sell a few Westfields Shopping Centres and sign him tomorrow.

The Wrap - Celebrate Good Times

1. Injuries cruelled both Canberra and the Panthers on the weekend, with key players so dominant they were left with nothing. I got the impression that the Tigers are the only team who can trouble St George. Roosters defence is woeful at times, Titans are solid but will be easy to contain I suspect. One of them will be there however. Look for the Brian Smith knockers to emerge again.

2. AFL. Collingwood produced possibly the best quarter of footy - with a bit of luck at times - in modern memory. They were dominant and blitzed the Geelong team. Ablett should move now. St Kilda won but were patchy. The GF needs to be in dry weather. If it is, the Pies will be on the Roy Dias. Rain is St Kilda's only hope.

3. Kelly Slater. On track for a 10th World Surfing Title!! He is possibly the best athlete of our time - Federer, Nadal, Woods, Jordan, et al...Beechley....

4. Jeff Fenech. When did you last see Jeff smile? On the CCTV shot at the watch shop? Outside the grocer's shop? He can't seem to get away from the controversy. Now he and Johnny Lewis are at loggerheads. Jeff is back to the courts. An annual trip.

5. Heard a funny story about the Olympics on the 2MMM Grill Team highlights today. They were hoping anyone who had a liaison/ triste with an Olympic athlete to ring in with their story. One woman rang to tell them about her work with a Gold Medal swimmer (with medal on) - and his coach - in a three way celebration! Mark Geyer said he would ring her later.

6. Commonwealth Games. Is there an event less anticipated in world sport? (other than the upcoming India v Australia ridiculous cricket series) Terror threats...exotic diseases, unfinished facilities (fancy diving from their top tower?), poor roads, poor security, bribery, oppressive heat...Who determined their suitability? Ban Third World countries from hosting such events. Simple.

7. A League. Crowds are in free fall. Surely the start of their season needs to coincide with the Hardie Ferodo 1000 when sport hits the wall and the Ford Ranger Cup is the week's highlight? Instead they start when the footy finals start to hot up. Insane.

8. EPL. Newcastle going great. Birmingham drawing with everyone again (except this weekend), Everton struggling big time, Chelsea on fire, Liverpool under the pump and Wayne Rooney exhibiting poorer form off the pitch than on it - now that is something!

The Wrap - Sweet and Sour

1. The Tigers - Roosters game was simply stunning. Possibly one of the best games we have ever seen. An exceptional comeback from the Roosters and an outstanding start by the Tigers. The Anasta field goal was outstanding to force it into extra time. The Tigers know how to get run down, sadly. Even the Rabbits beat them like that this year. They clock off. Titans looked sharp but away from home they will fall apart. Raiders look stronger than I can ever recall. Panthers need a new halves combo and tries scored from bombs need to be two points. Clearly. Dragons still favourites.

1a. Not watching the Wallabies meant the remote control was simply in overdrive between NRL-Wallabies-Swans. Rarely has the tele had to work harder!

2. The Swans. Squandered a big lead and fell short. Certainly improved this year, but a familiar story. A great ending and exciting to boot. Bulldogs look sharp but can't see them beating Collingwood and Geelong.

3. Is anyone getting the feeling that no one thinks the Wallabies can beat the All Blacks - ever. The media say things like 'we played really well, but weren't good enough', the commentators say 'we tried hard' and the coach says it in code and in his body language. The crowd don the scarves and caps and have a beer - but lack absolute passion. Bledisloe matches are getting like One day Internationals. No one remembers the last one. The players lack belief - NZ don't. It is exactly the reverse when we play them in cricket and rugby league.

4. Is there something ironic about Asif Mohammed protesting he knew nothing and had no idea where his four mansions came from? AS IF, AS IF...

5. Another spolit (good looking yes) brat falls foul of Twitter. Stephanie Rice. Sweet and Sour on that rice love? Predictable?

6. Sam Stosur now knows how Wendy Turnbull and Lleyton Hewitt felt for years as our only half decent tennis player. Is Bernard Tomic still alive? He's the new Barney Haslett.

7. Is Todd Carney truly our best NRL player - or is he just a good redemption story?

8. Sydney FC. Can they get any worse? The coach wins a comp and now can't win a trick! The axe will be the next thing he wins - and a one way ticket home.

Wrap - Retreads and Revisiting Damaged Goods

1. Thank God the altitude excuse has been put to bed by the Wallabies. It does funny stuff to our blood. We score heaps early and then go to sleep. Apparently Brookvale Oval is similar. Beale showed some steel. He needs to be in every team. When he plays we actually look good. If Quade Cooper goes to Parramatta, Parramatta Jesus will walk on water.

2. Bulldogs land on 22 points - 2 behind Parramatta. Disgrace. For Parramatta they lacked go forward. Their defence was third best in the league. Just could not score points. What do you do about it? Offload backs and get more forwards is the brainstrusts reaction. Incredible.

Look for Tahu to actually score a try or two in 2011. His contract is up next year and he has a rich history of producing when money is at question. Reddy? Won't win a comp for you. Burt - needs to retire. What about Carl Webb and Reni Matieu (brother plays tennis for France - Paul-Henri) signings? Let's look for every retread in town and sign them and let blokes go who can play. Lean times.

3. 30 points for an NRL semi birth - 15 wins out of 24 games. Seems easy enough. This semi final series looms as one of those years no one will remember with so many out of town teams (Warriors, Titans, Raiders). Dragons to win for mine.

4. Cricket. Pakistan breed them with lies on their birth certificate and it does not get any better from there. 18 year old fast bowlers who are actually in their mid 20's. The thought of their High Commissioner saying it is a lie tells you everything. It is rotten to the core and as I have often said, a TWO BOB show. Maybe a TWO MILLION dollar show now.

5. AFL. Cracking game Swans v Carlton. Also Geelong are far from finished. How come Western Bulldogs continue to disappoint? They are serial semi disappointers. Freo look OK too. Collingwood the favourites.

6. Tennis. Sam Stosur looking better but she is loose (don't tell too many people). Wild backhands. Won't last.

7. Have a better week than Ryan Tandy. Apparently he backed himself for first try scorer today v Manly as well. Maybe they will look into that one as well.