Wrap - Likeable Flare Throwing, Shirts off Derbies

1. The world's busiest - and safest - job is the NRL Integrity Commission. There is no shortage of work. They are like school prefects with badges and little else. The dobbers come from near and far all year round - cyberbullies, dog photos, gambling, fights in pubs and clubs, DV accusations, drink driving...phew...a busy off season.

Their lack of grunt with idiots (although I do note Todd Carney seems to have been black banned) is staggering. This Foran text message caper is outrageous. He dudded Parramatta (who doesn't?) and suddenly is fully recovered...crisp and clean...good to go. They need to re-open the Foran matter and deal fully with it.

If they don't we may have to endure another Eddie Hayson press conference.

2. Fresh from playing cricket with items of outdoor furniture in Dubai, our cricketers are good to go. Shaun Marsh gets the customary ton before the Test and is now in the team and will again fall in a heap like his brother Mitchell. Poor old Geoff Marsh. Tough as teak, heart and soul of the team and his lads squander opportunity after opportunity.

I noted one key fact this weekend. Dave Warner has only ever batted a full day once...not a problem of course when you score as quickly as him, but he or Smith need to rival Kohli with runs or we are done. Time in the middle with all of the batsmen will really count. No good though if they don't score.

3. Did anyone give a fat watoosi about the T20 on Friday night - or tonight? Pat Cummins I must say has been a substantial disappointment all year. Quick...but quick to the fence. Billy Stanlake is another Greg Chappell joke. Billy needs to see if he can hit the stumps in the nets first.

That commentary team needs a real overhaul. It is a tired formula. Slats is a key part of the problem although he is likeable. There was also a character in Get Smart called 'Simon the Likeable' who wooed and schmoozed people...but eventually got smacked in the face by 99's mother.

4. Love an NRL pre-season injury and coach reactions. Get rid of all of them. Play 16 rounds (one against each team). Then State of origin on saturday nights in between. It needs to become more professional. Huge contests on a home and away rotation every second season.

5. Soccer. Popovic will leave WSR - surely. However after the Sydney Flare Throwing Derby, victory, there may be life left? However he is also in charge of recruitment and has stuffed it up too often. Why are WSW fans so keen to get their shirts off - regardless of weather? Some need to join the rest of us in the gym.

6. GWS. Could be awesome this season. Too much paaace! How long will we be pedalled the Essendon loveathon? All year? No more Melbourne Demons revival stories either. They are a failed club.

7. Almost joined Twitter this week after Genie Bouchard's dating service opened.