Wrap - What You Talking About Willis?

1. The energy of Ben Hunt was the difference for the Broncos. He has followed the Lockyer style with the rocket pass. It makes a huge difference. The absence of muscle up front hurt the Roosters (Hargreaves!). No brutal front man like Parker or Thaiday. Lots of game wiry blokes, but simply not good or big enough. Too much cross field crabbing from the Roosters. Tupou was terrible.

The Wests Tigers must feel great about the form of Adam Blair. Apparently it brought a smile to the face of Jason Taylor. As I am sure the Knights fans were cheering the transformation of Darius Boyd. The Spa Club and Retreat in the USA seems to have worked wonders. Bennett always seems to get the best out of blokes at the right time. How is Anthony Griffin this week? 

2. Another massive disappointment for Mitchell Pearce in a big game. He has an attitude that is a concern, but nothing will change. The form of young Hastings though is something else. He will be a star but needs more pace. Was it just me or was there a boot on the sideline for that second try? When Tallis, Lockyer and Lewis are on the call, it was ignored! Maybe I need OPSM. Jack Reid is a poor defender out wide. They have some problems when Hodges retires.

 

3. The Cowboys were impressive away from home. Thurston - brilliant as always. He produces in every big game and is so tough. Gracious in defeat and electric in triumph. Coach Green has been superb too. Ditched the silly losing blue checked shirt last year and look what happens! Melbourne, gallant, but poor ultimately. They really need a talented number 6 again. Ben Roberts? Blake Green? When does Widdop's contract end?

4. The Hawks. Too much skill. Can anyone get close? Once they get on the MCG they will run riot v West Coast! West Coast were underwhelming by comparison. If North can hold you goalless in a prelim final, what will the Hawks do to them in a GF? Engrave the medals already for mine. Hodge will be BOG. get on it. The pressure and experience of the Hawks wins big games. Fourth straight GF! Super impressive. First Melbourne team to win an interstate prelim final! One of the best teams ever.

 

Is there any reason why the AFL TV coverage is more lively and spirited than the NRL? More microphones? Commentators? On the ground commentators and interviews? Or is it the team song at the end? The crowds are more animated and alive too.

5. However, the crowd behaviour from many of the Freo fans was disgraceful. Purple ferals. Blokes raising hands to opposition players, to women, leaning over fences and gesticulating...it started with the disgrace against Micky O'Loughlin (the Irish one) in Perth behind the goals way, way back. The AFL have allowed this free rein by the crowd to prosper. The Adam Goodes stupidity was unchecked. The crowd simply feel they can do anything now and get away with it! There will be more in the GF too.

 

Can't wait for the voice to be rolled out at the AFL GF....the gravel sounding CRAIG WILLIS!? We used to have Brenno in Sydney for the NRL GF...nothing like it now.

6. Chelsea. Mourinho is still struggling. Unlike the horse namesake who cleaned up on the weekend after seemingly years of understated and limited promise.

7. The Rugby World Cup. Is the TV coverage and its timing killing the event off? How many really knew it started? Or is the sporting public just sick of World Cups going on and on...Soccer started it...cricket has two: 20/20 and ODI...rugby league...golf...hockey, rugby union? I think darts might have one too!

It will be quite miraculous if we can beat England or Wales really.

8. Here's hoping Hayne can find some space and carve out a new chapter for the SF49ers. To be honest, since the season proper has started he has struggled two games in. He needs to relax a little I suspect. Some more dominant forward play might help him too.

9. It goes without saying that the government's sudden shock safety announcement last night re the Australian cricket team visiting Bangladesh, were "bombshell" revelations.

10. Not sure what to make of the fact that Parramatta have signed more back office staff than your average Kebab store. Serious investment. Shame they chose the former fitness guru for St Kilda and Essendon. They came 14th and 15th out of 18 teams. Maybe someone from the decidedly more successful Hawthorn or the Swans perhaps next time? Memo to all rugby league personnel, Roosters included...don't associate yourself with Essendon. Not good for the CV.

 

 

Wrap - Dud Siblings and Sticking To Your Guns

A1. Japanese Rugby under Eddie Jones. Talk about increasing your price as a coach on the world stage. South Africa have been a little under their best for a while, but not this dreadful. A horrible loss, but good luck to Japan. Plenty of surprising multicultures in the national team too. The minnows strike back.

Pleased to see Georgia get a win against Tonga. The Middle East don't get much of a look in to world sport outside of football, so an interesting development. They really stuck to their guns.

1. Buddy Franklin. A sad end to the Swans 2015 story. How they missed him, Keiran Jack (Brandon Jack is a little like Merv Muggleton, Don Price or even Jamie Mahon...not as good as the sibling...John, Ray or Scott), Parker et al. They lack pace however from the centre and got found out.

By the way, I think everyone knows Buddy could not possibly be having an affair. His partner is elite in character, loyalty, spirit and everything else too.

2. Adam Goodes leaves the game with more headaches than ever. The behaviour of the North Melbourne fans on Saturday night at ANZ was appalling. Compensated by over enthusiastic local cheering by Sydney for a bloke who has been honoured twice as the BEST player in the AFL. Been honoured FOUR TIMES as one of the best in the country. 372 games and the low vermin of Melbourne think this is appropriate. Melbourne should hang its head in shame. North, West and East...maybe saved by the South. It is suddenly revealed as a small town with a disgusting attitude and will never become accepted on a world stage with that appalling rubbish.

Keith and every other apologist should go away and look at whether Melbourne are actually up to it as a sports town. The fans have shown they are worse than the worst the NRL can dish up. They have shown it through their appalling attendance at ODI fixtures and their inability to get over themselves and support the Melbourne Storm outside a cheated Grand Final Day or two.

At least the Canterbury Bulldogs just give the finger and look terrible. The Melbourne fans have proven TO BE terrible. One would have expected much, much better from this self appointed "sports loving" capital of the world. No, a joke of a city who were embarrassed and shameful. They will get smashed in the west nest week. That club has spirit, but they lack class. An absolute embarrassment, despite their crushing and convincing win.

An empty day for AFL. "Absolute Foolish Losers".

3. Cowboys. We would all like to see them knock over Melbourne. Thurston deserves to be on the end of great rewards. His consistency across the season is unbelievable. He should win every single award going. He is by far the best in the game.

4. Cronulla did really well to get this far, but ended in a heap. How can that happen at such a critical time of the club's year? Unbelievable. Gummy sharks...Perhaps over achievement at its best.

5. Roosters. They will do a number on the Broncos for mine. However the Broncos and Cowboys have had the advantage of hot weather prep for an extended time. If either team make the Grand Final, they will shine.

6. Davis Cup Tennis. Tomic did really well. His work under pressure was impressive. A shame that pink headed galoot, Kgyrios, was not up to it. He could have helped us if he had his head removed from other orifices. Hewitt and Groth almost made it too, but Andy Murray, as cranky as he is, was far too good. Another one with a sibling not as good.

7. Jason Day. Possibly world number 1? A great story of consistency and defiance of the odds. What an effort.

8. Jarryd Hayne. He has found a good team and home where he is at present. Some great spirit and a coach who knows how to manage men. Hoping he can deliver some excellence in Pittsburgh. It would be great to see him cut free and razzle dazzle. It looks like the extra muscle has cost him pace. Hopefully not.

9. Ronda Rousey is something else as a UFC fighter. Don't like the sport much, but appreciate the craft and the athletic ability. She is doing an awesome promotional job...and can fight.

10. Back on June 7 2015 I wrote this: I am sensing too that it will all end in tears at the Tigers with Jason Taylor. He is incapable of smiling and I see a bloke whose negativity will bounce heavily on a team of emerging whingers and brats. Get set for the tears. We are getting close to a show down.

Wrap - Jim Who?

1. The arrogance of Australian cricket knows no bounds sometimes. 2-0 up v England in the ODI series and now 2-2. They decide to rest Starc...suddenly he is back and gets a wicket in his first over. Not many teams have ever turned around a 0-2 series situation. Australia may yet go home with nothing. Maxwell is the new freak. Eoin Morgan has been in fine touch. He hits the ball with a pure crispness!

2. It is going to be hard work for the Bulldogs (v Roosters) and Sharks (v Cowboys) next week. A tough match up for the winners of the elimination finals. The top four teams seem to be so far ahead of the rest, but never discount the Bulldogs in a Finals series. They are an unbelievable club with an unbelievable record. Great effort from Melbourne and the Broncos.

I wonder how long it will be before we have another Sydney led conspiracy to oust the Cowboys from the finals?

3. Hawthorn will be back, despite their loss to West Coast. I still fancy them to win the whole show. The Freo win was only just over the wasteful Sydney. How Richmond can lose to North Melbourne is beyond me. They may well toss Sydney to the side too. The story is Adelaide however...what a phenomenal performance to down the gallant Western Bulldogs.

4. Pennetta did well to win the Women's US Open, but Serena Williams must be kicking herself. To lose to Vinci was pretty feeble in the circumstances. She has struggled at times at the US Open including losing that final to Sam Stosur when she fell apart. Will be interesting between Djokovic and Federer. How Federer keeps making finals after all these years is beyond me...a true legend and the best we may ever see.

5. He joins the following athletes of our time that we may never see the equivalent of again...Shane Warne, Kelly Slater, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods...and of course Anthony Mundine who would put himself in that company.

6. Floyd Mayweather can join that list too. A loud mouth goose at times, but can fight and does the business time and time again.

7. Jarryd Hayne. A phenomenal effort to make the top squad. Hopefully he will be used. Jim Tomsula is now better known than most NRL coaches!

8. Chelsea. Awful. They need a re-think before it is all too late.