1. Socceroos. DID NOT win. "Gallant, brave, young team, great achievement, top opposition..." I do not hear the word 'win'. Does a goal of the tournament make you a team of the tournament?
Our goalkeeper, Matt Ryan, was appalling. Let's call it early and loud and clear. Save the excuses. With Schwarzer, we draw with Netherlands.
Columbia look good. Just fearing the first bloke to miss a penalty kick...do you remember Escobar who was gunned down after his 1994 own goal?
2. Waratahs. Do we dare to get excited - or will it be the usual collapse? More steel, but not in the Crusader's class.
3. Souths. They can disappoint too often. Lack of backline awareness. They crunch up the middle behind the markers and get very little enterprise in their play. It is too easy to defend against...yet they have their stars out wide getting cold.
Here is a bold prediction...the team that offloads the most in the semis will win the comp. The rehearsed defences are strong, but so predictable. Enterprise and the unexpected will win. Are Souths the new Storm? They are so similar it is ridiculous.
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4. This Konrad Hurrell is something else for the Warriors. Blowing kisses after tries...he gets a lot of practice.
5. AFL. When will the limit on backwards kicking and marks over 20 metres be the new standard? I must say that if you were watching the Swans v GWS on Saturday night, at the commencement of the fourth quarter, GWS ran the wrong way...yes, no dressing it up as strategic...they fair dinkum did an U/6's and ran the wrong way. Unbelievable. Raw.
6. I'm liking this onslaught of Aussies picking up draft positions in the NFL and NBA. There is something logical about our players being no different to others in other countries - if the coaching and focus is similar. Surely our products in our country of sports obsessed folk puts us on par or above other lands?
7. England losing to Sri Lanka. That characteristic softness is rising again.
8. Need to let you know that the St Michael's U/12 footy team (my son Liam's team) completed a FIVE-peat of successive Parramatta KO wins this week. 2010 - 2014. My coaching career is over. (Hard to see it being beaten just quietly...and humbly).
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Wrap - Paving The Way To Turning Up
1. State of Origin. An arm wrestle and a tight loss to QLD. Probably not a lot different to most of the past years of origin points difference wise - only that NSW won this time. There was plenty of niggle and stuff that makes mothers ban sons from playing the game. The cheap shots in tackles wears thin after a while. Felt like Dallas Donnelly and Les Boyd were playing at times.
By the way, the media know how to do a story to death. Every year there is an injury nonsense - this year it was Cherry-Evans. Next year Jana Pittman will be playing.
2. Wallabies. An impressive - and long overdue - resurgence. Can anyone explain why the Super 15 comes to a halt just as it was gathering momentum? Tests yes, but are they that important? Seemingly yes. Seems ridiculous. The 45,000 crowd however says it is important and underlines the tradition of Saturday afternoon sport - and its overdue absence - in Sydney. Last week it was the Swans...this week rugby. Nothing like not having to come home in the dead of night. The NRL is asleep.
3. I noticed Sam Stosur has again sacked her coach. Surprised coaches go anywhere near her. She looks like high maintenance, sounds like high maintenance and surprisingly, guess what...she IS high maintenance.
4. Heard a Triple M piece on the cliches of "giving full credit" for everything...your team, your coach everyone....in post match footy interviews...". Thought I'd add a few: "our forwards paved the way...established a platform for us..."; "it's easy playing behind a pack like that"; "we're a work in progress"; "we turned up today"; "all week we've been speaking about that..."; "We're taking it a game at a time...week by week"; "we don't want to get ahead of ourselves"; "We've been going from strength to strength"....on it goes.
5. Sandow. Can you afford to have him in the club. Talent, but at a price. Sometimes too high. Fancy asking a ref "how much are they paying you?"...no matter what the issue. To hell with the team.
6. GWS. Surging, but is Mick Malthouse failing to a point of the sack? In two years, GWS are meant to be a powerhouse. Good signs...but they could lose by 100 v Swans nex tweek to ground them.
7. It's all positive about the Socceroos, but no points...'gallant', 'courageous', 'brave'...Spain could ruin it all. We need to aim up.
By the way, the media know how to do a story to death. Every year there is an injury nonsense - this year it was Cherry-Evans. Next year Jana Pittman will be playing.
2. Wallabies. An impressive - and long overdue - resurgence. Can anyone explain why the Super 15 comes to a halt just as it was gathering momentum? Tests yes, but are they that important? Seemingly yes. Seems ridiculous. The 45,000 crowd however says it is important and underlines the tradition of Saturday afternoon sport - and its overdue absence - in Sydney. Last week it was the Swans...this week rugby. Nothing like not having to come home in the dead of night. The NRL is asleep.
3. I noticed Sam Stosur has again sacked her coach. Surprised coaches go anywhere near her. She looks like high maintenance, sounds like high maintenance and surprisingly, guess what...she IS high maintenance.
4. Heard a Triple M piece on the cliches of "giving full credit" for everything...your team, your coach everyone....in post match footy interviews...". Thought I'd add a few: "our forwards paved the way...established a platform for us..."; "it's easy playing behind a pack like that"; "we're a work in progress"; "we turned up today"; "all week we've been speaking about that..."; "We're taking it a game at a time...week by week"; "we don't want to get ahead of ourselves"; "We've been going from strength to strength"....on it goes.
5. Sandow. Can you afford to have him in the club. Talent, but at a price. Sometimes too high. Fancy asking a ref "how much are they paying you?"...no matter what the issue. To hell with the team.
6. GWS. Surging, but is Mick Malthouse failing to a point of the sack? In two years, GWS are meant to be a powerhouse. Good signs...but they could lose by 100 v Swans nex tweek to ground them.
7. It's all positive about the Socceroos, but no points...'gallant', 'courageous', 'brave'...Spain could ruin it all. We need to aim up.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Wrap - Chile Peppers
1. There is something about the World Game that reminds you of the 100 metre final at the Olympics. There is glitter and glam and a great spectacle, but beneath it all...there is something that seems more sinister. Like Ireland getting five LBW calls against them in the Cricket World Cup, so it is that the Socceroos got calls that underlined their unimportance in this carnival.
Ange Postocoglou it must be said was found out in the opening exchanges. Save the criticism of your 'young' team...what about yourself - an A League coach only? 2-0 after 14 minutes...hopeless. This is all new for him too. The lack of experience showed as we looked more A-League than World Cup. Our error rate and lack of intensity in defence was staggering. There was no desperation...only later did it appear. Gus Hiddinck was up to it. Our second guessing and nerves were terrible.
In the end we were respectable, but lost. Having another World Cup goal puts Tim Cahill ahead of some of the real greats of the game at that level. A legend.
Netherlands will be a test!
If I hear again that we are a "work in progress"...or this tournament is a "building block"...I'll vomit. This is it. Be ready or go home.
2. AFL. I went to the Port v Swans game on the weekend. A cracker of the game, deserving of a semi final. A big animated crowd. Buddy Franklin was in a different post code to the rest. He was awesome. His brute strength and power killed them. The Swans swarming mid field and busy defence may have helped us in Brazil. A brilliant game.
Can you believe this? There were crazy and angry mob scenes post game when the SCG green coats tried to stop people coming OUT OF the ground (to avoid a clash with the tiny Roosters v Newcastle NRL crowd) in the members. Nothing like a scuffle between two fifty plus blokes! They are a joke organisation.
3. Rugby. The All Blacks are getting a real test from the English. Still winning mind you...
In Australia, France seemed to respond to their shellacking last start. The penalty count is still killing the game. It can never be on TV as a strong product. Too slow and too many stoppages. Nice to see an Aussie skipper get through to the eightieth minute!
3A. Timing of games. Gotta say that the AFL time off rule when the ball is not in play ultimately adds excitement. The rugby play on after the bell also adds excitement. Time stalling and time wasting in the NRL is terrible.
4. NRL. Penrith are the thieves in the night this year, winning all games when Origin stars are out of action. They are really well placed now. So too the Roosters...professional! The Eels played tough and now will need to win six more and get to 30 points for a semi birth. Easier said than done. They are over achieving...
5. Noticed Joe Root hit a double ton in the first test v Sri Lanka. No trouble and no biff. Also noticed that there is no TV coverage of their cricket - like the IPL. Is cricket outpricing itself...it seems to be full of greedy gutses who quite happily kill geese that lay golden eggs! Sangakarra continues to rake in the tons. An amazing talent and record.
6. Martin Kaymer will have to do a Greg Norman to throw away the US Open. 5 shots to the good...dominant!
7. Surprising wins to the GWS and Melbourne clubs on the weekend. The lesser lights are jumping the Essendons, St Kilda's and Brisbane's...I wonder if these clubs had any of the 30 drug takers who evaded censure under the AFL's dope (doping) policy. This needs to change.
Ange Postocoglou it must be said was found out in the opening exchanges. Save the criticism of your 'young' team...what about yourself - an A League coach only? 2-0 after 14 minutes...hopeless. This is all new for him too. The lack of experience showed as we looked more A-League than World Cup. Our error rate and lack of intensity in defence was staggering. There was no desperation...only later did it appear. Gus Hiddinck was up to it. Our second guessing and nerves were terrible.
In the end we were respectable, but lost. Having another World Cup goal puts Tim Cahill ahead of some of the real greats of the game at that level. A legend.
Netherlands will be a test!
If I hear again that we are a "work in progress"...or this tournament is a "building block"...I'll vomit. This is it. Be ready or go home.
2. AFL. I went to the Port v Swans game on the weekend. A cracker of the game, deserving of a semi final. A big animated crowd. Buddy Franklin was in a different post code to the rest. He was awesome. His brute strength and power killed them. The Swans swarming mid field and busy defence may have helped us in Brazil. A brilliant game.
Can you believe this? There were crazy and angry mob scenes post game when the SCG green coats tried to stop people coming OUT OF the ground (to avoid a clash with the tiny Roosters v Newcastle NRL crowd) in the members. Nothing like a scuffle between two fifty plus blokes! They are a joke organisation.
3. Rugby. The All Blacks are getting a real test from the English. Still winning mind you...
In Australia, France seemed to respond to their shellacking last start. The penalty count is still killing the game. It can never be on TV as a strong product. Too slow and too many stoppages. Nice to see an Aussie skipper get through to the eightieth minute!
3A. Timing of games. Gotta say that the AFL time off rule when the ball is not in play ultimately adds excitement. The rugby play on after the bell also adds excitement. Time stalling and time wasting in the NRL is terrible.
4. NRL. Penrith are the thieves in the night this year, winning all games when Origin stars are out of action. They are really well placed now. So too the Roosters...professional! The Eels played tough and now will need to win six more and get to 30 points for a semi birth. Easier said than done. They are over achieving...
5. Noticed Joe Root hit a double ton in the first test v Sri Lanka. No trouble and no biff. Also noticed that there is no TV coverage of their cricket - like the IPL. Is cricket outpricing itself...it seems to be full of greedy gutses who quite happily kill geese that lay golden eggs! Sangakarra continues to rake in the tons. An amazing talent and record.
6. Martin Kaymer will have to do a Greg Norman to throw away the US Open. 5 shots to the good...dominant!
7. Surprising wins to the GWS and Melbourne clubs on the weekend. The lesser lights are jumping the Essendons, St Kilda's and Brisbane's...I wonder if these clubs had any of the 30 drug takers who evaded censure under the AFL's dope (doping) policy. This needs to change.
Sunday, June 8, 2014
Wrap - The Ricky
1. We now have a new phenomenon in rugby league. It is called "The Ricky".
DEFINITION: The rugged realisation and recognition of a runious and ridiculous rabble where the rotten ritten riting is regretted.
This phenomenon sweeps the mind of every trash talking, dumb, self promoting young league player whose greedy manager influences their narrow minded view of the world. When that player meets with their club management and gets a hard time from their mates, "The Ricky" is applied shamelessly amidst quiet tears and relief at a local cafe.
2. Brazil. The Aussies are going for work experience purposes only. A goal will be a miracle. A win unthinkable.
3. Sharapova. An amazing study in focus and a changing manner in press conferences has been intruiging. More humble, more relaxed and much better results. Now a five time Grand Slam winner. Her physical prowess has improved dramatically (less the grunting). Her looks remain unquestionably the best ever on the women's circuit...so says Zorba.
Watch for Nadal tonight. He is one of the absolute greats of world tennis - ever. 13 Grand Slams so far and only aged 28 years old. He equals Sampras (14) with a win at the French Open in 2014. For five in a row and nine out of the last ten. He has only ever lost ONCE at the French Open. He also won an Olympic Gold medal in 2008. Awesome.
At a time of the greatness of Federer (17) and Djokovic (6). Intense and phenomenal under pressure. His semi final demolition of Andy Murray was something else.
4. Origin. Good to see us announcing our team after Queensland. Strategic after eight years of stupidity. Do we need Greg Bird? Tough, skilled and experienced, but an habitual loser and often the ill disciplined galloot at clutch moments.
5. Wallabies. Stunning display. Finally Link McKenzie has got a bit of rhythm and his timing to meet such a useless French team was well executed. Stephen Moore's tenure as skipper could be one of the shortest in world history of elite sport.
6. Sam Robson's defection to English cricket should send tremors through our cricket administrators...first Martin McCague, then Pattinson's brother, Darren and a couple of Hollioakes and now Sam. Legends all.
7. Ponting. Stayed too long? As soon as he started hitting pull shots to deep backward square, he was in trouble. A sure sign of slow footwork, poor technique and laziness. I've been doing it for years and know it better than most.
8. Le Bron James. He is a genuine legend of sport. His resolve and clarity of purpose post loss is incredible. Miami Heat will win the NBA Finals show thing...yet again.
DEFINITION: The rugged realisation and recognition of a runious and ridiculous rabble where the rotten ritten riting is regretted.
This phenomenon sweeps the mind of every trash talking, dumb, self promoting young league player whose greedy manager influences their narrow minded view of the world. When that player meets with their club management and gets a hard time from their mates, "The Ricky" is applied shamelessly amidst quiet tears and relief at a local cafe.
2. Brazil. The Aussies are going for work experience purposes only. A goal will be a miracle. A win unthinkable.
3. Sharapova. An amazing study in focus and a changing manner in press conferences has been intruiging. More humble, more relaxed and much better results. Now a five time Grand Slam winner. Her physical prowess has improved dramatically (less the grunting). Her looks remain unquestionably the best ever on the women's circuit...so says Zorba.
Watch for Nadal tonight. He is one of the absolute greats of world tennis - ever. 13 Grand Slams so far and only aged 28 years old. He equals Sampras (14) with a win at the French Open in 2014. For five in a row and nine out of the last ten. He has only ever lost ONCE at the French Open. He also won an Olympic Gold medal in 2008. Awesome.
At a time of the greatness of Federer (17) and Djokovic (6). Intense and phenomenal under pressure. His semi final demolition of Andy Murray was something else.
4. Origin. Good to see us announcing our team after Queensland. Strategic after eight years of stupidity. Do we need Greg Bird? Tough, skilled and experienced, but an habitual loser and often the ill disciplined galloot at clutch moments.
5. Wallabies. Stunning display. Finally Link McKenzie has got a bit of rhythm and his timing to meet such a useless French team was well executed. Stephen Moore's tenure as skipper could be one of the shortest in world history of elite sport.
6. Sam Robson's defection to English cricket should send tremors through our cricket administrators...first Martin McCague, then Pattinson's brother, Darren and a couple of Hollioakes and now Sam. Legends all.
7. Ponting. Stayed too long? As soon as he started hitting pull shots to deep backward square, he was in trouble. A sure sign of slow footwork, poor technique and laziness. I've been doing it for years and know it better than most.
8. Le Bron James. He is a genuine legend of sport. His resolve and clarity of purpose post loss is incredible. Miami Heat will win the NBA Finals show thing...yet again.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Wrap - Loving Brazil
1. The State of Origin game this week just gone was a journey back to the old days. An absolute cracker. My calls of its slow demise with more support staff than players, longer camps than Vietnam, excesses and boring media stories on injured 'will he or won't he play' players....all have been exaggerated, because the game (and the result at long last) was of exceptional quality and toughness.
Not even Ricky Stuart's boring weekly Sunday Telegraph article could tarnish it.
2. The arrogance of Shayne Dwain Wayne Hayne (parents are comedians) at the end of the game to keep believing that Queensland would triumph was staggering. Only Gomersall would have done this. Bill Harrigan would have delighted in ruling the other way.
3. Waratahs. Can anyone believe that they may get into the Super 15 finals? Surely there will be a melt down or brain explosion. A tough game and great win (after many years of coming up empty) in New Zealand v The Chiefs.
4. They tell me the IPL ends this week. The Punjabbers to win. Really looking forward to seeing how many useless fat blokes with nothing better to do can cram onto the winning stage to hold onto the ridiculously oversized cheque that has already been spent on excessive salaries for so so performance.
5. Great to see the famous Sammy Soliman (Solo-man!) win a world boxing title. They do give them away like shoppa dockets - we all know that, but fancy this Felix Sturm losing to another Aussie. He is bank rolling the Aussie boxing hangers-on something fabulous. Hope Sam sees his cash before others do.
6. So Steve Price is sacked as the second NRL coach to go this season...Matt Elliott then Price. Who is next? Ricky?..great to see Brian Smith back at the Wigers..after a surprise mention last week too...you will be joining another club sooner than you think. Check your text messages.
7. Put your cash on Nadal to win a fifth straight French Open. A certainty the way he played last night. Stosur will get rolled by Sharapova. Maria not only has style, but skill in abundance. If Stosur wins a set, she will definitely lose in three.
8. I noticed Spain left out two Manchester City players from their World Cup squad. Kick them into ours...please!
Many Australians have never been near Brazil but often admire its benefits.
Not even Ricky Stuart's boring weekly Sunday Telegraph article could tarnish it.
2. The arrogance of Shayne Dwain Wayne Hayne (parents are comedians) at the end of the game to keep believing that Queensland would triumph was staggering. Only Gomersall would have done this. Bill Harrigan would have delighted in ruling the other way.
3. Waratahs. Can anyone believe that they may get into the Super 15 finals? Surely there will be a melt down or brain explosion. A tough game and great win (after many years of coming up empty) in New Zealand v The Chiefs.
4. They tell me the IPL ends this week. The Punjabbers to win. Really looking forward to seeing how many useless fat blokes with nothing better to do can cram onto the winning stage to hold onto the ridiculously oversized cheque that has already been spent on excessive salaries for so so performance.
5. Great to see the famous Sammy Soliman (Solo-man!) win a world boxing title. They do give them away like shoppa dockets - we all know that, but fancy this Felix Sturm losing to another Aussie. He is bank rolling the Aussie boxing hangers-on something fabulous. Hope Sam sees his cash before others do.
6. So Steve Price is sacked as the second NRL coach to go this season...Matt Elliott then Price. Who is next? Ricky?..great to see Brian Smith back at the Wigers..after a surprise mention last week too...you will be joining another club sooner than you think. Check your text messages.
7. Put your cash on Nadal to win a fifth straight French Open. A certainty the way he played last night. Stosur will get rolled by Sharapova. Maria not only has style, but skill in abundance. If Stosur wins a set, she will definitely lose in three.
8. I noticed Spain left out two Manchester City players from their World Cup squad. Kick them into ours...please!
Many Australians have never been near Brazil but often admire its benefits.
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