1. Commonwealth Games. Is this not just another track and field event and an emblem of how far removed from the Queen and England we really are? Its value is much reduced - and reduced further from our minds and hearts when the gold medals appear to be just given to everyone. Its grandeur was built on the legends of the past when they couldn't just rock up to Studgart or Instanbul for a Grand Prix athletics meet next week.
Let's count them: Chantal Newberry, Kieran Perkins, Grant Hackett, Skippy Heugil, Scott Miller, Nathan Baggeley...even Thorpie doesn't know if he's Arthur or Martha....is this what happens after too many years of lookng at a black line too early each morning?
2. Waratahs. Great effort to show steel and defence that has gotten better across the year. Have always liked the look of the South African dude in the forwards. The might of the Crusaders is phenomenal and with the skipper, McCaw back, it will be a tough climb.
Cut to the ARU offices..."now...we need a referee for the Grand Final showpiece - the first in Sydney ever...is there a useless referee who blows up penalties every two minutes when even legends of the game don't know why..have we got someone to ruin this thing on Saturday night...?
3. Manly are a club of steel. no matter what you think of them, they have ticker and rally under strong and powerful leadership on the field. Off field they are a basket case, but on it - Grand Final favourites. melbourne too are rallying. Bulldogs need some attacking options or they will perish. Don't forget they won by one or two points in four games this year. Parra look to have avoided their third successive wooden spoon, but are very limited.
Mick Potter will be axed now...McGregor to be a great choice at Saints, who have done quite well since he arrived.
4. Hawks v Swans. Great game. Swans not sharp enough and Hawks pipped them. Will be a strong tussle at the top of the AFL this year.
5. Daniel Geale. Smashed, but a classy performer. A shame, but he may be on the slippery slope out of a career.
6. Keep an eye on this Angelo Matthews, the Sri Lankan middle order bat and skipper. He has an amazing record of scoring first innngs runs. He may need to become yet another consultant for our top order.
I noticed an unusual dismissal this week in the Sri Lanka v South Africa Test in Columbo:
N, Dickwella - run out for 72 by Q.de Kock.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Wrap - Rory Story
1. The 'Rise For Alex' initiative has been extremely positive, but maybe it could extend to others similarly afflicted. Is the Rugby League Players Association more disfunctional than the Obeid family? Hard to believe that the NRL could not have got the $1 per ticket thing and then matched the lot. The corporates seem to have gotten it right. Is it care or conscience? Hopefully both.
2. Gold Coast Rugby League Club. Just to let you know that if you want to win, just announce a club review and suddenly under performing players (eg. M. Minichello, K. Gordon, D. Taylor) will lift and the club will avoid having to pay out a coach who has mediocre results, but a fat pay cheque each week.
3. Daley Cherry-Evans. Hopefully for the Eels, Brad Arthur knows him really, really well. He will be the star player of the future, but even if he was Brad Arthur's son, I doubt the Eels will be on his play list. There is a big difference between Parramatta River and Freshwater Beach.
4. England v India. A close series, but like Test cricket world wide, the crowds are terrible. The sanctimonious high ground taken by chirpy Indian cricketers when it suits them (this time v Jimmy Anderson)...mandatorily supported by the captain who is cornered by his masters who pay huge cash to him (despite the fact the courts of that country issued a warrant for his arrest). Still waiting for all the names of those Indian officials and players involved in corruption worldwide. It must be just those evil South African, New Zealanders...Those countries with those T20 competitions where Indian cricketers refuse to play.
By the way, Duminy is some sort of cricketer. Another ton on the weekend.
5. Tour de France. Great scenery and great footage, but it is so hard to believe that sport is clean. Tiny skinny blokes motoring up mountains quicker than they go down them...hard to believe. The silence on doping since Armstrong is not helping. What changes have they implemented?
6. Rory. Not since Greg Norman butchered a similar lead could anything but victory eventuate in the British Open. Is it fair to say that close victories seem to be less familiar in a British Open. Didn't like the course. You could see a neighbour's clothesline, an old car and back shed at one hole. No Masters that joint!
7. What is it with Port Adelaide. Limped to a victory v Melbourne (gallant, brave, work in progress...you know how it goes) and have lost for a month after looking world beaters. Carlton, St Kilda...surprises. Not many in AFL, but nice to know they still exist!
2. Gold Coast Rugby League Club. Just to let you know that if you want to win, just announce a club review and suddenly under performing players (eg. M. Minichello, K. Gordon, D. Taylor) will lift and the club will avoid having to pay out a coach who has mediocre results, but a fat pay cheque each week.
3. Daley Cherry-Evans. Hopefully for the Eels, Brad Arthur knows him really, really well. He will be the star player of the future, but even if he was Brad Arthur's son, I doubt the Eels will be on his play list. There is a big difference between Parramatta River and Freshwater Beach.
4. England v India. A close series, but like Test cricket world wide, the crowds are terrible. The sanctimonious high ground taken by chirpy Indian cricketers when it suits them (this time v Jimmy Anderson)...mandatorily supported by the captain who is cornered by his masters who pay huge cash to him (despite the fact the courts of that country issued a warrant for his arrest). Still waiting for all the names of those Indian officials and players involved in corruption worldwide. It must be just those evil South African, New Zealanders...Those countries with those T20 competitions where Indian cricketers refuse to play.
By the way, Duminy is some sort of cricketer. Another ton on the weekend.
5. Tour de France. Great scenery and great footage, but it is so hard to believe that sport is clean. Tiny skinny blokes motoring up mountains quicker than they go down them...hard to believe. The silence on doping since Armstrong is not helping. What changes have they implemented?
6. Rory. Not since Greg Norman butchered a similar lead could anything but victory eventuate in the British Open. Is it fair to say that close victories seem to be less familiar in a British Open. Didn't like the course. You could see a neighbour's clothesline, an old car and back shed at one hole. No Masters that joint!
7. What is it with Port Adelaide. Limped to a victory v Melbourne (gallant, brave, work in progress...you know how it goes) and have lost for a month after looking world beaters. Carlton, St Kilda...surprises. Not many in AFL, but nice to know they still exist!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Wrap - Outhouse Journeymen
1. NRL Betting on your own team. Who said footballers are thick? David Williams knows a good team when he sees one...and has probably made a motza on backing Manly. Interesting to note that there was no Warriors players, no Parramatta players and definitely no Sharks players. They would never put money on themselves - they'd lose it!
Williams is very up and down. Some might say a depression sufferer one moment and the life of the party the next. The sort of bloke who does a bomb from your top balcony into the family swimming pool after being at your house for five minutes.
What penalty would Lillee and Marsh receive after their bet in 'Botham's Test' at Headingley in 1981, if it was in a modern context?
Stunning to see the arrogance of the NRL - too many English accents in their heirarchy for mine - when they announced player names - but NOT officials. Why? Something to do with the cash the game earns from gambling companies?
2. Brazil. Appalling 7-1 loss. All that is wrong and weak with soccer was on display. Lack of fight against the odds, infighting and blaming of teammates, poor refereeing, stretcher survivors, diving...the sooner the thing ends now, the better. The time lag gaps between semi finals and finals sees momentum lost. Their third place playoff loss (0-3) was no better. Coach with a gut to go and the fuzzy headed Brazillian defender, Luiz, has cut his price in half. Terrible.
3. Tom Outhouse. $4.00 on Germany...but he limit it to $25 bets. Glitzy, glossy and opportunistic...Rope a dope into something else, but at least get their $25. No irony in the fact that his live TV image has now turned into a shady caricature.
4. Cricket. Please stop the rot. The tendency by England, India and our own Australia A to go into four day games with 'all rounders' is further narrowing off the remnants of class top order batsmen. But for a Mitchell Marsh double ton, we would have bitten the dust v India A. Typical Phil Hughes 20+ score and some great batting from the keeper - Whiteman. Does anyone know what has happened to Tim Paine? He might be at the Tim Zoerher school of what could have been.
5. Cricket II. Alistair Cook. Brilliant for years and now not so. A typical Pommie display letting in 111 for the last wicket. The Trent Bridge groundsman has a death wish...a flat, dry deck for the first test of a series...outrageous when the seaming and rising decks would obliterate the Indian bats.
Great effort by Root and Anderson to wash away the Hughes-Agar world record in test cricket for the tenth wicket. Dohni will not be remembered for his astute captaincy.
6. Noticed the world's second most injured player will leave Parramatta at the end of 2014 - Willie Tonga. Bennett's exit from Newcastle puts them in a corner with the equal most injured players in the NRL - Mullen and Gidley - waning and ageing.
Parramatta were back to their awful best v Warriors. 48-0!. How predictable, without Hayne. Unfortunately their lack of discipline under pressure is horrible. No smart, intelligent leadership unfortunately. They lack brains on the field - pure and simple. Same old problem they have had for years.
7. Also noticed the Storm released Ben Roberts for next year. He still has a UK contract and must be a brilliant after dinner speaker, because his on field work is scratchy and confused at best.
8. Is Lance Franklin outstanding or what? Unbelievable goals v Carlton. Swans will be tested next week however.
9. Like what I saw of the Waratahs under pressure on an away homeground. I still have this view that the Crusaders are tougher. A good effort however to be more consistent, but can they win the thing? Maybe we might see the SFS filled for a change? An afternoon gig would suit them better than at night. The Crusaders rarely lose under lights.
10. Noticed the NRL ref Shayne, Wayne, Dwain, Laine Hayne is up to his old arrogant tricks. Will he ever learn?
Williams is very up and down. Some might say a depression sufferer one moment and the life of the party the next. The sort of bloke who does a bomb from your top balcony into the family swimming pool after being at your house for five minutes.
What penalty would Lillee and Marsh receive after their bet in 'Botham's Test' at Headingley in 1981, if it was in a modern context?
Stunning to see the arrogance of the NRL - too many English accents in their heirarchy for mine - when they announced player names - but NOT officials. Why? Something to do with the cash the game earns from gambling companies?
2. Brazil. Appalling 7-1 loss. All that is wrong and weak with soccer was on display. Lack of fight against the odds, infighting and blaming of teammates, poor refereeing, stretcher survivors, diving...the sooner the thing ends now, the better. The time lag gaps between semi finals and finals sees momentum lost. Their third place playoff loss (0-3) was no better. Coach with a gut to go and the fuzzy headed Brazillian defender, Luiz, has cut his price in half. Terrible.
3. Tom Outhouse. $4.00 on Germany...but he limit it to $25 bets. Glitzy, glossy and opportunistic...Rope a dope into something else, but at least get their $25. No irony in the fact that his live TV image has now turned into a shady caricature.
4. Cricket. Please stop the rot. The tendency by England, India and our own Australia A to go into four day games with 'all rounders' is further narrowing off the remnants of class top order batsmen. But for a Mitchell Marsh double ton, we would have bitten the dust v India A. Typical Phil Hughes 20+ score and some great batting from the keeper - Whiteman. Does anyone know what has happened to Tim Paine? He might be at the Tim Zoerher school of what could have been.
5. Cricket II. Alistair Cook. Brilliant for years and now not so. A typical Pommie display letting in 111 for the last wicket. The Trent Bridge groundsman has a death wish...a flat, dry deck for the first test of a series...outrageous when the seaming and rising decks would obliterate the Indian bats.
Great effort by Root and Anderson to wash away the Hughes-Agar world record in test cricket for the tenth wicket. Dohni will not be remembered for his astute captaincy.
6. Noticed the world's second most injured player will leave Parramatta at the end of 2014 - Willie Tonga. Bennett's exit from Newcastle puts them in a corner with the equal most injured players in the NRL - Mullen and Gidley - waning and ageing.
Parramatta were back to their awful best v Warriors. 48-0!. How predictable, without Hayne. Unfortunately their lack of discipline under pressure is horrible. No smart, intelligent leadership unfortunately. They lack brains on the field - pure and simple. Same old problem they have had for years.
7. Also noticed the Storm released Ben Roberts for next year. He still has a UK contract and must be a brilliant after dinner speaker, because his on field work is scratchy and confused at best.
8. Is Lance Franklin outstanding or what? Unbelievable goals v Carlton. Swans will be tested next week however.
9. Like what I saw of the Waratahs under pressure on an away homeground. I still have this view that the Crusaders are tougher. A good effort however to be more consistent, but can they win the thing? Maybe we might see the SFS filled for a change? An afternoon gig would suit them better than at night. The Crusaders rarely lose under lights.
10. Noticed the NRL ref Shayne, Wayne, Dwain, Laine Hayne is up to his old arrogant tricks. Will he ever learn?
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Wrap - Mouthguards Never Fail
1. Luis Suarez. We admire his skill on the field but omitted him last week from the Wrap - like Carney - because of the goose element gone horribly and inexplicably wrong. Suarez is a proven racist, a biter, and a jerk....and a wonderful soccer player who happily lets down his team mates...with send off's and extended bans. He has no care or concern about this. Nothing to the power of bugger all. What about this:"I lost my balance and ended up falling on my opponent (Chiellini) At that moment, my face hit the player (Chiellini) leaving a small bruise and sharp pain in the teeth.”
Luis you are dopey...what about the mouthguard excuse. It never fails.
Carney. He must have been some sort of entertainment package at high school. What a tool. Time to axe the idiots and get NRL into the professional world. Mick Cronin was annointed 'Champion Eel' in the same week...case closed. Reg Gasnier passes on in glory. A shame they didn't get the cash of some of these current day blokes.
Was that Ray Price whinging again? Apparently the pigeons even refuse to crap on his Parra Stadium statue.
2. Sydney Thunder. Thankfully this mob have gone beyond a glossy pre season poster and realised that when you have both Michael Clarke and Dave Warner on the roster - and they NEVER play - the fans don't like it. They have silently axed both - and in good time. Instead they bought the great Jacques Kallis. Will be OK, but based on the IPL, the best buy would be Kohli...then JP Duminy...AB de Villiers....
3. Lou Vincent. I am looking forward to hearing who the Indian crooks were - and the terribly corrupt ex-players. That country makes a great deal of others but no one from the so called "upper classes" ever seems to get pinned with offences that stick. The back scratching and back slapping hides the rank corruption that runs on unabated in elements of that glorious country. Iron it out. Lou may need a body guard or two.
4. AFL. North Melbourne came good this week after they did our punting club cash last start v Brisbane. Adelaide on a roll. Swans steamrolling ahead. Is there a more injured bloke than Kurt Tippett? He is up there with Jana Pittman.
5. Rugby. Is it time to give Super 15 the boot? Do the South African teams add anything? You can never watch their games (and often don't want to). Get rid of them, add Japan, Pacific Islands and get us on the same/ similar time zone.
6. NRL. Another weekend with no Origin stars. The Bulldogs effort was incredible. A bit sick of Michael Ennis. He is getting worse, tapping opposition blokes on the head when they make an error. He is lucky the punching rule has arrived in league. It might prolong his career.
Sharks were outstanding under pressure. Jeff Robson is a class act, although no media expert. Too boring.
7. Watched a bit of the Warney Rest of The World circus. Brett Lee's beamer at Warney was a great summary of his career. Fast but hollow and erratic. Surprised to see Siddle and Finch playing (Warnie's mates of course) as it was a game of yesterday's heroes. Siddle looks finished. Sachin still has it. Noticed that there was no New Zealanders (Cairns? Steve Fleming?) or South Africans (Cullinan, Symcox)...
8. Nice to see Matt Ryan admit he was a rank dud at the World Cup. Time to move on however. He might not have another chance the way he keeps re-living it all.
9. Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic has lost a SEVEN Grand Slam finals: 4 x US Opens, 2 x French and 1 x Wimbledon. He has still won 6 as well. Can't see him beating Federer. If Federer wins he will be the undisputed king - the oldest winner ever. Like Jack Nicklaus winning the Masters at 40+ years of age.
Eugenie Bouchard was crushed...badly. Too many 6-0 losers in the final of the women's singles at Wimbledon (six 6-0 sets in finals in the Open era - and 6-1 has occurred 14 times in women's finals in the Open era - since 1968)...soft.
Luis you are dopey...what about the mouthguard excuse. It never fails.
Carney. He must have been some sort of entertainment package at high school. What a tool. Time to axe the idiots and get NRL into the professional world. Mick Cronin was annointed 'Champion Eel' in the same week...case closed. Reg Gasnier passes on in glory. A shame they didn't get the cash of some of these current day blokes.
Was that Ray Price whinging again? Apparently the pigeons even refuse to crap on his Parra Stadium statue.
2. Sydney Thunder. Thankfully this mob have gone beyond a glossy pre season poster and realised that when you have both Michael Clarke and Dave Warner on the roster - and they NEVER play - the fans don't like it. They have silently axed both - and in good time. Instead they bought the great Jacques Kallis. Will be OK, but based on the IPL, the best buy would be Kohli...then JP Duminy...AB de Villiers....
3. Lou Vincent. I am looking forward to hearing who the Indian crooks were - and the terribly corrupt ex-players. That country makes a great deal of others but no one from the so called "upper classes" ever seems to get pinned with offences that stick. The back scratching and back slapping hides the rank corruption that runs on unabated in elements of that glorious country. Iron it out. Lou may need a body guard or two.
4. AFL. North Melbourne came good this week after they did our punting club cash last start v Brisbane. Adelaide on a roll. Swans steamrolling ahead. Is there a more injured bloke than Kurt Tippett? He is up there with Jana Pittman.
5. Rugby. Is it time to give Super 15 the boot? Do the South African teams add anything? You can never watch their games (and often don't want to). Get rid of them, add Japan, Pacific Islands and get us on the same/ similar time zone.
6. NRL. Another weekend with no Origin stars. The Bulldogs effort was incredible. A bit sick of Michael Ennis. He is getting worse, tapping opposition blokes on the head when they make an error. He is lucky the punching rule has arrived in league. It might prolong his career.
Sharks were outstanding under pressure. Jeff Robson is a class act, although no media expert. Too boring.
7. Watched a bit of the Warney Rest of The World circus. Brett Lee's beamer at Warney was a great summary of his career. Fast but hollow and erratic. Surprised to see Siddle and Finch playing (Warnie's mates of course) as it was a game of yesterday's heroes. Siddle looks finished. Sachin still has it. Noticed that there was no New Zealanders (Cairns? Steve Fleming?) or South Africans (Cullinan, Symcox)...
8. Nice to see Matt Ryan admit he was a rank dud at the World Cup. Time to move on however. He might not have another chance the way he keeps re-living it all.
9. Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic has lost a SEVEN Grand Slam finals: 4 x US Opens, 2 x French and 1 x Wimbledon. He has still won 6 as well. Can't see him beating Federer. If Federer wins he will be the undisputed king - the oldest winner ever. Like Jack Nicklaus winning the Masters at 40+ years of age.
Eugenie Bouchard was crushed...badly. Too many 6-0 losers in the final of the women's singles at Wimbledon (six 6-0 sets in finals in the Open era - and 6-1 has occurred 14 times in women's finals in the Open era - since 1968)...soft.
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