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!