1. Sharks. Clearly the joint is - and has been for some time - in total disarray. The biggest fear is that players will start to question whether their pay cheque will arrive and will jump ship. No sponsors, no joy. The place has spirit, but if Irvine is certain about horse chemicals being injected into players - known and witnessed by coaching staff - then Flanagan deserves to go. "Up, up Cronulla" takes on a new meaning all of a sudden.
Remember that ASADA and WADA adherence determines funding for a sport, so punishments and penalties will be expected by the NRL, but delivered locally. Suddenly the clubs that allowed such things to prosper - and the faceless Boards which represent them - will wear the wrath of fans (not the NRL).
2. Josh Papalli. Tipped it. Not willing to join Parramatta. Like Folau, Scott, Thurston, Ryan, Norman...and Ricky Stuart was all about a name to attract players.
3. Storm will be in the GF. Have Cameron Smith, Cronk and Slater ever been injured and out of the game for extended periods of time? Their resilience and fitness adds to their greatness. Definite Grand Finalists. Panthers looked good. Parra bluffed and Titans, Raiders and St George will have a similar under performing year as last year. Sandor Earl has white dye in the hair and the Raiders cannot be taken seriously until it is removed.
A top eight might read: Storm, Manly, Bulldogs, Souths, North QLD, Tigers, Cronulla (if still solvent), Roosters, Newcastle.
4. Sacking of NRL Coaches. I am backing Matthew Elliot as my favourite for the next coach sacked. He is pathetic in post match chats. he has no answers and has a job which will evaporate at the hands of the laziest, most divided team in the NRL - the Warriors. Steve Price at St George won't be far behind.
3. Western Sydney Wanderers. Another win (nine in a row), but they need a loss soon - or it may well happen when they least want it...in a semi or GF! On top of the comp.
6. Hamish Rutherford. This NZ kid can bat. Watched a fair bit of his 171. In fact, he's better than his old man - Ken Rutherford (a pair on debut) - already after one test. Looks like he's in the Justin Langer mold. Compact, booming drive, cracking pull shot.
7. Alistair Cook. The most prolific scorer of tons in world cricket. Could be one of the best ever! No one seems to have done their homework on his technique. What about Joe Root...? Oh the headlines.
8. Pocock out for the season. Horrible news. But what about the Waratahs? Pathetic. Why do the Brumbies seem to be such a successful franchise most years? The Tahs just lack conviction, but never short on excuses.
9. Tiger Woods. Almost back as Number One in the world again some three years after his Joe Root behaviour became known. A strong comeback. He may yet get the Nicklaus record.
10. AFL. This NAB Cup goes on and on....start the season earlier for everyone's sake. Who cares about the Brissy bears playing a GF in March? Give us a break.
11. Here's a cricket tip. Clarke's good mate, Phil Hughes will play in the next test on a faster deck. The wheels are in motion with Neil D'Costa blaming Cricket Australia for his bad form - not getting enough practice pre tour. This is part of the plan. Don't accept responsibility and blame everyone else. Hughes cannot play spin as he plays too late. The faster straight ball/ arm ball/ doosra will get him every time.
Maybe Shane Watson might score some runs for a change. A million a year for his inconsistent glory hunting rubbish. KPI?
Micky Arthur is another one prone to tell us rubbish. Darren Lehmann is getting closer to a national head coaching position. Authur's dumb statements are catching: Xavier Doherty told us earlier this week he was "happy with how he bowled". He must be the only Australian alive who thought that. He should retire.
12. Anyone at Essendon nervous after the week from hell for Cronulla? Stay tuned. Call in the counsellors.
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