1. Is it just me or are the refs in the NRL too whistle happy? The performance with the whistle in Origin 1 was appalling. Too many whistles and too many penalties. A slow game and it was dry. They are human, but when a ref is in charge of all of the refs...look out...order more whistles.
I am also not happy with the standard of the touch judge flag snap at present. Reminds me of the rugby tea towel touchies in tracky daks.
2. Jarryd Hayne. Is there anyone not happy with his foray into NFL? The fans, the coaches, the star players, the US media.... Everyone says he's a freak, a natural and a talent...but I'm not seeing too much game time coming his way. US sports can be a fierce master. We need to get a grip on reality.
3. Waratahs. The South African curse has hit yet again. Could get ugly.
4. I cannot believe that Shaun Marsh with one century in a million against a President's hack XI will trump Adam Voges who slogged his guts out all summer and excelled like no other, including a 50 in this nonsense game too. We need the experience of Voges - not the Marsh family excuses. Marsh is a Clarke favourite. If Siddle plays we will surely struggle. V.B. Fawad is a high risk, but will get wickets against the Windies' ill discipline.
5. Penrith are in trouble. Canberra, Sharks and Eels are a coin toss. Manly are not far away and were unlucky. The Warriors and the Cowboys are two of the luckiest sides in recent memory. I think John Hopoate would have played better than Will the other night. Great to see him turn on the stink post match...hopefully not that sort of stink.
6. AFL. That Freo team will be hard to toss for the flag this year. By far the most consistent and the most focused. Early days and more to come...Hawks and Swans will be there again.
7. Nick Kygrios. I am smelling a goose on a slow burn here. Just the Tomic we need! Put money on a Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams double.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Wrap - Given The Short Shiv
1. NSW Origin. The team is mucked around with all the time. Too much. Is there any need for selectors with coaches? They will lose soundly - 20-8 something like that. QLD are settled and familiar, but I must say that I am sick of the annual "health scare" story when they go into camp...last year it was Thurston, this year Inglis. The press love it. The public hate it. Bring the game on and get ready to return the trophy.
1A. Parramatta. Fancy cheating on the salary cap - no matter who, what and where the excuse comes from (same for all teams?) - and still getting the spoon. Joke. They are destined to get it again this year. Certainties. At 12-8 up with a few minutes to play v Souths...ironically the chances of winning seem slimmer when they are ahead! Golden point?
Once again boneheads dominate and basics are missed. Sandow rarely triumphs under pressure, but will land a new fat contract? PLEEAASE! With Semi Radradra now going to court this week, I think it only leaves a handful in the first grade squad who have not cheated on drugs tests, left the scene of an accident, DUI'd, been in the clink, bet on their own team, hit their spouse or another woman or been arrested. Those who have been shot at, were in betting scandals and who fight outside at pubs have left. Someone needs to have a close look at their contracts and insert one little Sydney Swans clause: "No dickheads". It may have to start with the board. The joint is rotten to high heaven. Only then will Coles at Castle Hill finally have wooden spoons left on their shelves.
The love affair with Brad Arthur is only as good as his position on the table. The squad love him because they are losing? When will someone take hold of the joint and rid it of turds, turmoil and tossers?
2. Jason Taylor. It was predicted by many and it is becoming clear that he is as popular as a Dan Murphy's bill on a corporate credit card. He has not smiled for weeks. His surly, cranky demeanour is wearing thin already. Loved his blame of Mick Potter on the weekend..."we are a long, long way behind"...I am the Messiah, but it is taking me a while to fire up the magic wand.
3. GWS. On fire and a remarkable turn around. Whatever happens from here they are over achieving and are destined for great things in a short time. Conversely, very interesting to see the curse of the Gold Coast has bitten again. It is a holiday camp. Bring back Hemi.
4. Waratahs. A storming victory v Crusaders, but the South African leg will be a test. Australian teams rarely win in those parts. Can't see them there at the end, but pleasing news that Quayde Cooper will be heading to France. Surely Foley has to be our man. He is very consistent.
James O'Connor's kick to lose the match on Friday night was horrible, terrible and awful in one. He is rugby's Shane Watson sometimes. I also do need to concede I was wrong. I gave the Reds coach until the end of May before he was sacked. I am looking shaky. So is he.
5. NZ cricket. On the rise and giving England a real test. I still fancy that Broad and Anderson in England will test any batsman however. Interested too to see that Shiv Chanderpaul has been dropped for our series. They can't get anything right that mob. One poor series and gone. Their most reliable bat who Australia has struggled to dismiss.
6. I'm sure you are feeling the same...absolutely petrified that Jason Gillespie may be coaching against us. How they would ever consider a clown like that...even if he was dropped after scoring a double ton. No on second thoughts, I totally understand. Bowlers do not make good coaches.
1A. Parramatta. Fancy cheating on the salary cap - no matter who, what and where the excuse comes from (same for all teams?) - and still getting the spoon. Joke. They are destined to get it again this year. Certainties. At 12-8 up with a few minutes to play v Souths...ironically the chances of winning seem slimmer when they are ahead! Golden point?
Once again boneheads dominate and basics are missed. Sandow rarely triumphs under pressure, but will land a new fat contract? PLEEAASE! With Semi Radradra now going to court this week, I think it only leaves a handful in the first grade squad who have not cheated on drugs tests, left the scene of an accident, DUI'd, been in the clink, bet on their own team, hit their spouse or another woman or been arrested. Those who have been shot at, were in betting scandals and who fight outside at pubs have left. Someone needs to have a close look at their contracts and insert one little Sydney Swans clause: "No dickheads". It may have to start with the board. The joint is rotten to high heaven. Only then will Coles at Castle Hill finally have wooden spoons left on their shelves.
The love affair with Brad Arthur is only as good as his position on the table. The squad love him because they are losing? When will someone take hold of the joint and rid it of turds, turmoil and tossers?
2. Jason Taylor. It was predicted by many and it is becoming clear that he is as popular as a Dan Murphy's bill on a corporate credit card. He has not smiled for weeks. His surly, cranky demeanour is wearing thin already. Loved his blame of Mick Potter on the weekend..."we are a long, long way behind"...I am the Messiah, but it is taking me a while to fire up the magic wand.
3. GWS. On fire and a remarkable turn around. Whatever happens from here they are over achieving and are destined for great things in a short time. Conversely, very interesting to see the curse of the Gold Coast has bitten again. It is a holiday camp. Bring back Hemi.
4. Waratahs. A storming victory v Crusaders, but the South African leg will be a test. Australian teams rarely win in those parts. Can't see them there at the end, but pleasing news that Quayde Cooper will be heading to France. Surely Foley has to be our man. He is very consistent.
James O'Connor's kick to lose the match on Friday night was horrible, terrible and awful in one. He is rugby's Shane Watson sometimes. I also do need to concede I was wrong. I gave the Reds coach until the end of May before he was sacked. I am looking shaky. So is he.
5. NZ cricket. On the rise and giving England a real test. I still fancy that Broad and Anderson in England will test any batsman however. Interested too to see that Shiv Chanderpaul has been dropped for our series. They can't get anything right that mob. One poor series and gone. Their most reliable bat who Australia has struggled to dismiss.
6. I'm sure you are feeling the same...absolutely petrified that Jason Gillespie may be coaching against us. How they would ever consider a clown like that...even if he was dropped after scoring a double ton. No on second thoughts, I totally understand. Bowlers do not make good coaches.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Wrap - Relegated to The Scrapheap
1. Berisha for the Melbourne Victory is one of the great big game performers in Australian sport. What a thumping 3-0. However always a challenge travelling down south. Why was it not at the MCG? It would have been filled. Berisha has won more titles than Provan.
There must now be a highlights reel of big moments when people fall off podiums at sporting event presentations. Too many people on them in the first place!
2. Parramatta. Pencil them in for the spoon already. K-Mart is restocking. They fought gamely but with Cronulla winning, Canberra and all others in between having a dig, it is between them and the Titans. The impossible victory was unlikely as soon as golden point started against the Warriors. I feel for Tim Mannah, but at times you wonder if he has the required level of mongrel to carry a team over the line. He is no Ennis, Graham or Lewis. Does he know how to win? He must have the worst win-loss ratios in the NRL. The lack of smart players kicks in and they struggle. Wenty need Sandow more than Parramatta. Surely he is now gone. Norman to half...Foran to 5/8 (if he ever gets fit again).
3. Waratahs got across the line and the Brumbies' good form in South Africa continued. It is hard to see our teams figuring heavily in the final wash up. NSW in South Africa next week - never a happy trip.
4. Richmond v Collingwood - underachiever play off. Carlton are terrible too and the Malthouse excuses must surely be fading. The knives will sharpen. GWS keep surprising. They play a quick brand of footy.
5. So Brad Haddin retires from ODI cricket. Finally. He had a good World Cup but he has waited a long time to announce it. It is time to build new champions. If the Windies can get their proper side out of the riches of world 20-20 tournaments, they could be competitive.
If KP never plays for England again, we will beat them. They love a grudge does English cricket. KP gives plenty of ammo to the critics.
6. S. Gerrard departs and with him goes a miserable season for Liverpool. The decision to axe Suarez was a painful one. However, necessary. Hull look like being relegated. they need a win v ManU next start, but if they do win, Newcastle may tumble yet. Ouch!
There must now be a highlights reel of big moments when people fall off podiums at sporting event presentations. Too many people on them in the first place!
2. Parramatta. Pencil them in for the spoon already. K-Mart is restocking. They fought gamely but with Cronulla winning, Canberra and all others in between having a dig, it is between them and the Titans. The impossible victory was unlikely as soon as golden point started against the Warriors. I feel for Tim Mannah, but at times you wonder if he has the required level of mongrel to carry a team over the line. He is no Ennis, Graham or Lewis. Does he know how to win? He must have the worst win-loss ratios in the NRL. The lack of smart players kicks in and they struggle. Wenty need Sandow more than Parramatta. Surely he is now gone. Norman to half...Foran to 5/8 (if he ever gets fit again).
3. Waratahs got across the line and the Brumbies' good form in South Africa continued. It is hard to see our teams figuring heavily in the final wash up. NSW in South Africa next week - never a happy trip.
4. Richmond v Collingwood - underachiever play off. Carlton are terrible too and the Malthouse excuses must surely be fading. The knives will sharpen. GWS keep surprising. They play a quick brand of footy.
5. So Brad Haddin retires from ODI cricket. Finally. He had a good World Cup but he has waited a long time to announce it. It is time to build new champions. If the Windies can get their proper side out of the riches of world 20-20 tournaments, they could be competitive.
If KP never plays for England again, we will beat them. They love a grudge does English cricket. KP gives plenty of ammo to the critics.
6. S. Gerrard departs and with him goes a miserable season for Liverpool. The decision to axe Suarez was a painful one. However, necessary. Hull look like being relegated. they need a win v ManU next start, but if they do win, Newcastle may tumble yet. Ouch!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Wrap - Coaches Who Drive
1. Waratahs. Two losses to the Western Force in a season. Hard to take them seriously after that. The Australian teams won't trouble the semis. That miss in front by the Brumbies' kicker Leofiiano was shambolic!
2. Well it looks like the Eels are in the spoon frame again. A year when most teams have a bit of ticker and are all competitive on their day, the inconsistency of a team that cannot play for a full 80 minutes, is showing. Great occasional efforts, isolated talent, but no leadership and no sustained focus. Are they smart enough to win? 10,000 in the crowd will slip further next time. A perfect sunny day and just 10K? Brad Arthur sounds like the type of bloke who you'd buy a car off. Hasler, Bellamy, Toovey and Bennett - you'd check if there was an engine underneath the bonnet first.
3. AFL. GWS had some sort of win. Tide is starting to turn perhaps. Still very young and in need of more experience, but could well be in the top 8...staggering really. The Gold Coast Suns would die for that.
4. AFL. Carlton, Richmond and throw in Collingwood...all on the slippery slide again. What has happened to the pride of the AFL?
5. English cricket's new coach. Signing Justin Langer would be the best choice in the world at present. A tough nut who knows how to compete and win. Gillespie would be another dopey choice. It will be Gillespie. Maybe Trevor Bayliss is the man?
6. A-League GF for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. Could be a cracker. Get on Archie Thompson for a goal scorer! Alex Brosque too. The merits of Graham Arnold as a coach continue to spiral sky high. I think he is the best coach in any sport at the moment in Australia (outside of Justin Langer). Ross Lyon (Freo) goes well, but his press conferences would be good at a home for the terminally ill, but little else.
7. The relegation drop zone for the EPL is getting hot. Burnley gone and QPR. Newcastle could join them. Leicester have won 6/7 in the run home. Amazing for a team who seemingly could not care at Christmas.
2. Well it looks like the Eels are in the spoon frame again. A year when most teams have a bit of ticker and are all competitive on their day, the inconsistency of a team that cannot play for a full 80 minutes, is showing. Great occasional efforts, isolated talent, but no leadership and no sustained focus. Are they smart enough to win? 10,000 in the crowd will slip further next time. A perfect sunny day and just 10K? Brad Arthur sounds like the type of bloke who you'd buy a car off. Hasler, Bellamy, Toovey and Bennett - you'd check if there was an engine underneath the bonnet first.
3. AFL. GWS had some sort of win. Tide is starting to turn perhaps. Still very young and in need of more experience, but could well be in the top 8...staggering really. The Gold Coast Suns would die for that.
4. AFL. Carlton, Richmond and throw in Collingwood...all on the slippery slide again. What has happened to the pride of the AFL?
5. English cricket's new coach. Signing Justin Langer would be the best choice in the world at present. A tough nut who knows how to compete and win. Gillespie would be another dopey choice. It will be Gillespie. Maybe Trevor Bayliss is the man?
6. A-League GF for Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. Could be a cracker. Get on Archie Thompson for a goal scorer! Alex Brosque too. The merits of Graham Arnold as a coach continue to spiral sky high. I think he is the best coach in any sport at the moment in Australia (outside of Justin Langer). Ross Lyon (Freo) goes well, but his press conferences would be good at a home for the terminally ill, but little else.
7. The relegation drop zone for the EPL is getting hot. Burnley gone and QPR. Newcastle could join them. Leicester have won 6/7 in the run home. Amazing for a team who seemingly could not care at Christmas.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Wrap - Swanning Around
1. The Swans are getting lavish and extravagant. Wet weather AFL defines the player and the team's desire. To give up a 20+ lead in the first quarter was always going to be tough. This is a bit of a trend of late with the Swans who risk slipping down into the mob after two losses. The Western Bulldogs look tough this year.
2. City v Country. Is it just me, or is the intensity lacking in this game? Every year we see some pretty weak defence and barely a bloke who really puts his name out there to step up for NSW. There is a distinct lack of focus really. Probably a big week on the cans in the lead up for all of them. They must have found the only sun in NSW at that joint.
3. Jarryd Hayne. Never like to read that a player regrets making the decision into move to another sport. Maybe the Play Station wasn't the ideal preparation. Maybe, just maybe, the greedy entourage (think Mundine - or Mayweather) get it wrong and walk away with bulging pockets...while the athlete stays broken and inactive long term.
4. How about a massive free kick to that code granted the weather and the lack of NRL games this weekend. It is hard to get excited about the national league team and the state of international league. Surely a NZ team in an Origin style concept needs to be next. It would be huge. The game needs to evolve into this area.
5. Intriguing to see the Mayweather - Pacman fight underwhelm most. Should have happened three years ago. Mayweather is unlikeable (remember in Get Smart - "Simon The Likeable"?) but highly talented. Stand by for "The Money Man Mundine" to claim he should be the next challenger!
6. The Windies are an unpredictable lot. Why don't they produce those grassy juiced up wickets like the old days? They'd be better off. Chanderpaul has played for his nation since we were playing! Cook finally got a ton. Reminds me of Tubby Taylor's last ton - or Ponting's. Great till the end but losing sheen fast.
7. Love this EPL relegation fight. Chelsea home, but will the great Newcastle club be punted from the EPL? Hard to believe they are near trouble. Leicester on fire!
2. City v Country. Is it just me, or is the intensity lacking in this game? Every year we see some pretty weak defence and barely a bloke who really puts his name out there to step up for NSW. There is a distinct lack of focus really. Probably a big week on the cans in the lead up for all of them. They must have found the only sun in NSW at that joint.
3. Jarryd Hayne. Never like to read that a player regrets making the decision into move to another sport. Maybe the Play Station wasn't the ideal preparation. Maybe, just maybe, the greedy entourage (think Mundine - or Mayweather) get it wrong and walk away with bulging pockets...while the athlete stays broken and inactive long term.
4. How about a massive free kick to that code granted the weather and the lack of NRL games this weekend. It is hard to get excited about the national league team and the state of international league. Surely a NZ team in an Origin style concept needs to be next. It would be huge. The game needs to evolve into this area.
5. Intriguing to see the Mayweather - Pacman fight underwhelm most. Should have happened three years ago. Mayweather is unlikeable (remember in Get Smart - "Simon The Likeable"?) but highly talented. Stand by for "The Money Man Mundine" to claim he should be the next challenger!
6. The Windies are an unpredictable lot. Why don't they produce those grassy juiced up wickets like the old days? They'd be better off. Chanderpaul has played for his nation since we were playing! Cook finally got a ton. Reminds me of Tubby Taylor's last ton - or Ponting's. Great till the end but losing sheen fast.
7. Love this EPL relegation fight. Chelsea home, but will the great Newcastle club be punted from the EPL? Hard to believe they are near trouble. Leicester on fire!
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