Boys,
1. Let's start with Melbourne. Sometimes the arrogance of a sporting club is its undoing. Melbourne has this cornered. Even in defeat we had a selfish coach on his own in the sheds full of self pity - and NOT ONE WORD about the talent of the opposition only his normal range of cliches: 'this club has achieved great things this year' OR 'the club is in good shape' OR ' Our club is proud of its achievements'. Cue Dally M award speeches.
Humility and grace are a long way away. In the end their forwards were beaten. Their fullback made some surprising errors (although he once lost us a Tri Series v NZ with a brain snap). Their bench looked thin. Amazing thing that salary cap.
2. Geelong v Collingwood. So predictable and will be some sort of spectacle. Mick Malthouse's tears are like those of a crocodile. He gets no sympathy.
3. Grand Final Entertainment. Kelly Clarkson or Meatloaf? Fair dinkum. I wonder if the sound will go bad again this year. There is a great need to make it a professional occasion. Olympics standard?
What do we get? marching bands, some obscure youth rock band (Hillsong kickbacks), some dopey parachuter; a blackhawk helicopter, a RAAF flyover...YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWN!
4. Rugby World Cup. Here is my theory. You get the minnows there and tell the referees that these games are to showcase free running rugby...no whistle basically. However as soon as it is a game of consequence...blow it up every two seconds so that the Northern Hemisphere's catastrophic stranglehold on rugby is sustained. That way you can pedal out the try scoring stats and make people believe the game is in good shape.
5. Tim Neilsen gone. Good. Ponting is next. This could happen real soon I am told. Can't believe Swampy has secured the Sri Lankan coaching gig. They too are a rabble over there as well.
6. Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest whinger in world sport. Everytime they lose he attacks. Referees are loathe to offend as they know they will be dropped. He is quite the manipulator. Stoke City did real well and should be complimented.
7. Vettel. Give him the trophy and get back to practising for next year.
8. Day and Scott. This rivalry is bringing the best out of Adam Scott in particular. One -two in the world?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Wrap - Shadow Boxing
Boys,
1. One thing is certain now - Melbourne are in the GF with the Warriors winning on the weekend. It would be some sort of miracle for either Manly or the Storm to be beaten. The week off these days in such a brutal version of the game is a major advantage. Lockyer is still the most dangerous pivot in the game when running the ball at the line.
2. Now here's a pattern. You beat some tough teams - then lose to a terrible team. Welcome to Wallabies Deans Rugby Union. Think Samoa. Think Ireland now. Deans has had fifty tests and are we any closer to consistency and consolidated progress? This game is in dire shape really. Whenever there is a game that matters, out comes the rulebook and whistle. "Look For the Solution - Not the Problem". Referees look for the problem, always in rugby. When minnows play, it is free flowing...
2A. AFL. Stop the lot and play the GF. Has there been a more lopsided comp in the history of Australian sport? Something is wrong here. Even coaches show no loyalty. The likes of GWS getting what was STUPIDLY agreed by all clubs (one uncontracted player from each club) plus a wealth of draft picks is starting to show everyone what big money does to ruin a code.
3. Cricket. Suddenly Australia are in danger of losing the test and leaving with a 1-1 result. 100 plus behind and two days to play. These things seem to happen to us a lot when Siddle plays. Typical display from us overseas. The deciding test rarely falls our way. Hussey in some sort of form and Nathan Lyon not bringing the wickets needed. This Angelo Matthews is a freak. Maybe the next huge thing from Sri Lanka.
4. Davis Cup. A great teams event but will we ever return to the World Group? Even if we did it would be for a year. Tomic has had a tough initiation and Hewitt fights gamely but gives away free points too often as well. That is why he is not in the top echelons of world tennis.
5. Boys get a look at Floyd Mayweather's bout v Victor Ortiz. The ref stops the fight momentarily after a headbutt and Ortiz is talking to the ref and Mayweather cracks him twice while he is not shaping up...joke! Then Mayweather picks a fight with the ring announcer...older than Ray Warren. He magnificently said in reply..." I wish I was FIFTY years younger and I would kick your ass". Gold. It is something special - particularly the commentator's facial expressions.
Have a look at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/Other+Sports/mayweather-ko/video-e6frf56c-1226140207846?subcat=1225914720791&site=FoxSports
1. One thing is certain now - Melbourne are in the GF with the Warriors winning on the weekend. It would be some sort of miracle for either Manly or the Storm to be beaten. The week off these days in such a brutal version of the game is a major advantage. Lockyer is still the most dangerous pivot in the game when running the ball at the line.
2. Now here's a pattern. You beat some tough teams - then lose to a terrible team. Welcome to Wallabies Deans Rugby Union. Think Samoa. Think Ireland now. Deans has had fifty tests and are we any closer to consistency and consolidated progress? This game is in dire shape really. Whenever there is a game that matters, out comes the rulebook and whistle. "Look For the Solution - Not the Problem". Referees look for the problem, always in rugby. When minnows play, it is free flowing...
2A. AFL. Stop the lot and play the GF. Has there been a more lopsided comp in the history of Australian sport? Something is wrong here. Even coaches show no loyalty. The likes of GWS getting what was STUPIDLY agreed by all clubs (one uncontracted player from each club) plus a wealth of draft picks is starting to show everyone what big money does to ruin a code.
3. Cricket. Suddenly Australia are in danger of losing the test and leaving with a 1-1 result. 100 plus behind and two days to play. These things seem to happen to us a lot when Siddle plays. Typical display from us overseas. The deciding test rarely falls our way. Hussey in some sort of form and Nathan Lyon not bringing the wickets needed. This Angelo Matthews is a freak. Maybe the next huge thing from Sri Lanka.
4. Davis Cup. A great teams event but will we ever return to the World Group? Even if we did it would be for a year. Tomic has had a tough initiation and Hewitt fights gamely but gives away free points too often as well. That is why he is not in the top echelons of world tennis.
5. Boys get a look at Floyd Mayweather's bout v Victor Ortiz. The ref stops the fight momentarily after a headbutt and Ortiz is talking to the ref and Mayweather cracks him twice while he is not shaping up...joke! Then Mayweather picks a fight with the ring announcer...older than Ray Warren. He magnificently said in reply..." I wish I was FIFTY years younger and I would kick your ass". Gold. It is something special - particularly the commentator's facial expressions.
Have a look at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/Other+Sports/mayweather-ko/video-e6frf56c-1226140207846?subcat=1225914720791&site=FoxSports
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Wrap - Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow
1. What the hell has happened to Gus Gould's hair? Far be it for me to comment, but fair dinkum. He looks like Bee Sting Buddha at Schoolies Week.
2. AFL. Geelong and Collingwood might just be looking over their shoulders at the Swans. A strong win v St Kilda. How about the interchange rule with the yellow markings on the ground - and a 50 metre penalty for a minor violation!!
3. Swampy Marsh looks like he has eaten a sheep. Shaun Marsh batted responsibly and suddenly we did not miss Ponting. Surely Ponting is near the end. When the kids arrive, so does retirement. Hussey in rich form. He is the new Graeme Wood. When the axe hovers, pull out a ton. By the way, Swampy has worn the same shirt for three days in a row!
Tony Greig is officially fat. He is unable to pick a coin off the pitch anymore.
Also, interesting to see Trent Copeland - a pace bowler - fielding in the slips. Who was the last Australian to do this? Clem? Not many blokes who have bowled pace and fielded in the slips (Botham, Kallis, Pollock, Watson - Garner at gully). Plenty of spinners (Geoff Miller, Warnie, Swan, Harper, Roo Yardley).
4. Manly looked gone at half time - and unbeatable at full time. Broncos impressive against one of the most disrepectful teams of possession in the finals from living memory. Tigers the sleeper.
TWO in line for the STEVE MAVIN Award (For the Most Hopeless Joke of A Finals Performance): 1. Matt Utai and 2. Manu Vatavei. Fatty was suggesting a brain transplant and half time for Manu. Others were suggesting a new club or new code.
5. Can anyone explain the black jersey for the English team at the RWC? Surely that is why they could barely beat Argentina. A disgrace. Great to see Namibia, Romania, Japan, Fiji and the Minnows. Like ALL world cups, create an "ALSO RANS WORLD CUP" to take these time wasters out of the mix.
6. Wallabies. Lots of hype. Tough at half time and a sensational second half. Italians looked tough, but fell in a heap once the ref tucked the whistle away. 15 penalties in the first half! Joke.
7. Socceroos doing well under the new regime. Dominating in Asia really and the other Asian teams can't be happy with our inclusion.
8. Sam Stosur. Much maligned, but will be one of the great upsets if she can beat Serena Williams. A great effort to get this far. Wozniacki is a major disappointment. Federer too is fading. He was ineffective late v Djokovic. He seemingly gave up.
2. AFL. Geelong and Collingwood might just be looking over their shoulders at the Swans. A strong win v St Kilda. How about the interchange rule with the yellow markings on the ground - and a 50 metre penalty for a minor violation!!
3. Swampy Marsh looks like he has eaten a sheep. Shaun Marsh batted responsibly and suddenly we did not miss Ponting. Surely Ponting is near the end. When the kids arrive, so does retirement. Hussey in rich form. He is the new Graeme Wood. When the axe hovers, pull out a ton. By the way, Swampy has worn the same shirt for three days in a row!
Tony Greig is officially fat. He is unable to pick a coin off the pitch anymore.
Also, interesting to see Trent Copeland - a pace bowler - fielding in the slips. Who was the last Australian to do this? Clem? Not many blokes who have bowled pace and fielded in the slips (Botham, Kallis, Pollock, Watson - Garner at gully). Plenty of spinners (Geoff Miller, Warnie, Swan, Harper, Roo Yardley).
4. Manly looked gone at half time - and unbeatable at full time. Broncos impressive against one of the most disrepectful teams of possession in the finals from living memory. Tigers the sleeper.
TWO in line for the STEVE MAVIN Award (For the Most Hopeless Joke of A Finals Performance): 1. Matt Utai and 2. Manu Vatavei. Fatty was suggesting a brain transplant and half time for Manu. Others were suggesting a new club or new code.
5. Can anyone explain the black jersey for the English team at the RWC? Surely that is why they could barely beat Argentina. A disgrace. Great to see Namibia, Romania, Japan, Fiji and the Minnows. Like ALL world cups, create an "ALSO RANS WORLD CUP" to take these time wasters out of the mix.
6. Wallabies. Lots of hype. Tough at half time and a sensational second half. Italians looked tough, but fell in a heap once the ref tucked the whistle away. 15 penalties in the first half! Joke.
7. Socceroos doing well under the new regime. Dominating in Asia really and the other Asian teams can't be happy with our inclusion.
8. Sam Stosur. Much maligned, but will be one of the great upsets if she can beat Serena Williams. A great effort to get this far. Wozniacki is a major disappointment. Federer too is fading. He was ineffective late v Djokovic. He seemingly gave up.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
The Wrap - Green Tights, No Fights
1. Anyone sick of the sight of 'non-offending' blokes looking like Middle East Peacekeepers, praising other 'offending' blokes in the NRL when they make an error? This Seppo crapola has reached epidemic proportions. They need a blast and they need to be told to lift their game. Not hugged and kissed like a visit from the Pope.
Tiring of the player farewell too. Now we get: 'his last game in QLD/ NSW', 'his last Origin', 'his last game at Lang Park', 'his last game for his club', his last kick..spit..tackle...'...and on it goes.
2. Good to see Nathan Lyon get some wickets. Even Beau Casson may have turned one on that deck. What about our mental state on decks like that? We really lack backbone and go to water when the pressure is on. Jayawardene could well have stolen the game from us. Hussey is tough. Ponting's pull shot has reached comical proportions (like mine). His effort in the second dig when his bat was hurtling well into mid wicket before he was caught was laughable.
3. On the cricket, I am sick of the referral system. It slows the game and makes for poor viewing. It cultivates dissension and argument on the field and disempowers the umpire. Intriguingly, when a replay proves an umpire was correct we are nearly in shock. The thing is geared too heavily in line with the bowling team. How would some of the dodgy umpires of the past survived? Speaking of which...Steve Randell may be out of jail soon.
4. Manly look shaky to me when away from home. Also off their game after the balls up of their management with the Glenn Stewart farce. Canterbury ended higher up than they should have, but Jim Dymock will be happy with a new job. Souths soft. Parramatta still let in another try on or after the bell...Newcastle will be minced in week one. Cowboys and Warriors will fade fast too. Neutral grounds will make some teams less potent. Tigers dark horse.
5. Great effort from Sally Pearson to win the hurdles at the World Championships. Rough head. Gruff voice. Sponsor obsessed. Good pace. Is she the only medallist in the last few who has beaten that many black athletes in a track final?
6. Can Sonny Bill possibly be linked with any other club, nation or franchise? He has set a new record in scandal and innuendo. Todd Carney can't compete. Carney better go and play for the Toulon Tools immediately. They must have some sort of rehab set up in that part of France.
7. Fantastic to see that failed slow joke of a ref - Paddy O'Brien - tell us all that the Rugby World Cup refs are going to toughen up and blow more penalties. Is this possible? Can more penalties possibly exist?
8. Loving the tattoo ban from the Roosters for next year. It should be a recruitment "box to tick" (God knows a lot of people do a lot of box ticking in a week these days..."at the end of the day" of course). No GOOSE box.
9. What about Zorba. He fair dinkum looks like a bad used car salesman...but he knows a good sort when he sees one. Now let's list all the other things he could have said instead....
10. AFL. Swans will get lapped at Ethiad at night. They are a daytime / daylight team. Collingwood will bounce back. Geelong will also be hard to toss. The rest...get your green tights out for mad Monday.
Tiring of the player farewell too. Now we get: 'his last game in QLD/ NSW', 'his last Origin', 'his last game at Lang Park', 'his last game for his club', his last kick..spit..tackle...'...and on it goes.
2. Good to see Nathan Lyon get some wickets. Even Beau Casson may have turned one on that deck. What about our mental state on decks like that? We really lack backbone and go to water when the pressure is on. Jayawardene could well have stolen the game from us. Hussey is tough. Ponting's pull shot has reached comical proportions (like mine). His effort in the second dig when his bat was hurtling well into mid wicket before he was caught was laughable.
3. On the cricket, I am sick of the referral system. It slows the game and makes for poor viewing. It cultivates dissension and argument on the field and disempowers the umpire. Intriguingly, when a replay proves an umpire was correct we are nearly in shock. The thing is geared too heavily in line with the bowling team. How would some of the dodgy umpires of the past survived? Speaking of which...Steve Randell may be out of jail soon.
4. Manly look shaky to me when away from home. Also off their game after the balls up of their management with the Glenn Stewart farce. Canterbury ended higher up than they should have, but Jim Dymock will be happy with a new job. Souths soft. Parramatta still let in another try on or after the bell...Newcastle will be minced in week one. Cowboys and Warriors will fade fast too. Neutral grounds will make some teams less potent. Tigers dark horse.
5. Great effort from Sally Pearson to win the hurdles at the World Championships. Rough head. Gruff voice. Sponsor obsessed. Good pace. Is she the only medallist in the last few who has beaten that many black athletes in a track final?
6. Can Sonny Bill possibly be linked with any other club, nation or franchise? He has set a new record in scandal and innuendo. Todd Carney can't compete. Carney better go and play for the Toulon Tools immediately. They must have some sort of rehab set up in that part of France.
7. Fantastic to see that failed slow joke of a ref - Paddy O'Brien - tell us all that the Rugby World Cup refs are going to toughen up and blow more penalties. Is this possible? Can more penalties possibly exist?
8. Loving the tattoo ban from the Roosters for next year. It should be a recruitment "box to tick" (God knows a lot of people do a lot of box ticking in a week these days..."at the end of the day" of course). No GOOSE box.
9. What about Zorba. He fair dinkum looks like a bad used car salesman...but he knows a good sort when he sees one. Now let's list all the other things he could have said instead....
10. AFL. Swans will get lapped at Ethiad at night. They are a daytime / daylight team. Collingwood will bounce back. Geelong will also be hard to toss. The rest...get your green tights out for mad Monday.
The Wrap - Victims and Villains
1. Get set for another Melbourne - Manly whinge about the NRL. Stewart and Blair were a disgrace. The game needs to eliminate this and send a message. The Manly blokes running across was stupid too. Brett Stewart is a clown. His role was the worst - maybe worse than his brother. He also did his knee in the process! Foran is another who will go. Both Stewart boys were seen as pure and rock solid blokes a few years ago at Manly. Now they are destined to become villains.
Melbourne outside of Melbourne were terrible. No excuses. Terrible.
Souths and Newcastle confirmed they are in trouble come Week 1 of the finals. Newcastle were woeful.
2. Wallabies. An extraordinary comeback with defence in the first half more intense and brutal than anything any of us can ever remember. Faded faster than a cheap towel in the second half, but did enough. Perhaps the contract to sign Deans for another three years was worth it? Hard to believe John O'Neill would arrange this before the World Cup. On second thoughts....maybe not that hard to believe.
3. Why does a club lose so many tight games? See ill disciplined, lazy and ineffective as the main reasons. Steve Kearney is a dead man walking. Look for blame towards Daniel Anderson this week in the lead up to the spoon, but the blame is with the coach. Unfortunately a skipper who is not a motivational, inspirational leader - Hindmarsh - needs to take some blame too. His efforts to excuse incompetence and lack of ticker across the year has come back to haunt him. Like the rest of the club, they thought it would all turn around magically and they would finish mid table. Painless. Not to be...they are under the pump big time and the club needs a thorough and complete clean out.
4. Casey Stoner. Rock solid and looking good for the title. Watched Marcus Ambrose (two time 2011 race winner) in the NASCAR on the weekend (track). Skilful, but oh so bloody boring. 200 lap race. Saw two and had seen enough.
5. Shaun Marsh. He has had more chances than Karl Stefanovic, but still he struggles. Brilliant...a dud..brilliant...a dud. His Test career will be short lived. On the other hand, Michael Clarke is in rare form in the middle. Copeland could debut, but honestly if Michael Beer is the future, I say bring back Mo Matthews. He is pathetic. He'd be hit around in B6's.
6. Get a close look at Liverpool and Man City this season in the EPL. Both could surprise and stun ManU for mine.
7. AFL. Loved the Swans effort on Saturday. Spirit plus. A silent crowd at Kardinia is a beautiful thing.
Melbourne outside of Melbourne were terrible. No excuses. Terrible.
Souths and Newcastle confirmed they are in trouble come Week 1 of the finals. Newcastle were woeful.
2. Wallabies. An extraordinary comeback with defence in the first half more intense and brutal than anything any of us can ever remember. Faded faster than a cheap towel in the second half, but did enough. Perhaps the contract to sign Deans for another three years was worth it? Hard to believe John O'Neill would arrange this before the World Cup. On second thoughts....maybe not that hard to believe.
3. Why does a club lose so many tight games? See ill disciplined, lazy and ineffective as the main reasons. Steve Kearney is a dead man walking. Look for blame towards Daniel Anderson this week in the lead up to the spoon, but the blame is with the coach. Unfortunately a skipper who is not a motivational, inspirational leader - Hindmarsh - needs to take some blame too. His efforts to excuse incompetence and lack of ticker across the year has come back to haunt him. Like the rest of the club, they thought it would all turn around magically and they would finish mid table. Painless. Not to be...they are under the pump big time and the club needs a thorough and complete clean out.
4. Casey Stoner. Rock solid and looking good for the title. Watched Marcus Ambrose (two time 2011 race winner) in the NASCAR on the weekend (track). Skilful, but oh so bloody boring. 200 lap race. Saw two and had seen enough.
5. Shaun Marsh. He has had more chances than Karl Stefanovic, but still he struggles. Brilliant...a dud..brilliant...a dud. His Test career will be short lived. On the other hand, Michael Clarke is in rare form in the middle. Copeland could debut, but honestly if Michael Beer is the future, I say bring back Mo Matthews. He is pathetic. He'd be hit around in B6's.
6. Get a close look at Liverpool and Man City this season in the EPL. Both could surprise and stun ManU for mine.
7. AFL. Loved the Swans effort on Saturday. Spirit plus. A silent crowd at Kardinia is a beautiful thing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)