1. Billy Stanlake. A tall, raw fast bowler who is wayward and way under-done. He has played only a handful of first class matches and is being plastered into the advertising hoardings in the IPL at present.
What do you do? Give him a lucrative ICC contract of course.
Instead of a Coulter-Nile or Andrew Tye...or the leading Shield wicket taker in Chadd Sayers...choose Billy. Pleeeease!
Never thought I'd say it, but the second coming of Trevor Hohns in selection headquarters has made him into a complete dill. How Hohns can justify his comments that Hilton Cartwright is a likely player in THREE forms of the game is beyond me. Memo to Trevor - and the Hilton Hotel himself - try and make it in ONE form first. Hohns even said that Cartwright's Test debut was impressive. Are you kidding. From memory he bowled four overs of cover drives and then made 30 or so after being dropped on four. Hohns needs to retire.
That Chairman of Selectors must be a funny chair to sit in. It turns you into a complete dope ...Inverairity, Dud Marsh and now Hohns. Get out the Spray and Wipe and give it a good clean. Start anew. Maybe a bloke called Ricky Ponting would be a good place to commence the new order.
2. Post Script on Jana Pittman. She could have been married to royalty you know. Dropped her phone into a toilet and lost his number. Does this woman know no bounds in terms of being publicity hungry? She surely must be in the 14th minute of 'fame'. A very slow clock.
3. NRL. Can someone please explain how referee Ashley Klein is still in first grade? He makes a complete hash of the Broncos late try by Moga v Souths and backs up today with his 79th minute cracking penalty to rob the Roosters of a certain win. He has a future in Super 15 Rugby - or international rugby for sure. What a joke. And then you fine clubs $10K for talking truth. Incredible.
Would it surprise anyone that NRL referees were found one day to be betting on games? We all thought it would never happen with players...
Parramatta surprising, Sharks winning but struggling, Newcastle sinking fast, Storm holding strong.
4. International Rugby League. How strong are these two Pacific Islander sides? You would not want to have to feed them at the team BBQ! Some big, imposing individuals.
Tonga: 1. Will Hopoate (Bulldogs) 2. Daniel Tupou (Roosters) 3. Brenko Lee (Bulldogs) 4. Michael Jennings (Eels) 5. Jorge Taufua (Sea Eagles) 6. Tuimoala Lolohea (Warriors) 7. Ata Hingano (Warriors) 8. TBC 9. Siliva Havili (Dragons) 10. Leilani Latu (Panthers) 11. Sika Manu (c) (Hull FC) 12. Felise Kaufusi (Storm) 13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho (Roosters) 14. Sione Katoa (Panthers) 15. Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos) 16. Siosaia Vave (Eels) 17. Addin Fonua-Blake (Sea Eagles) 18. Samisoni Langi (Panthers) 19. Patrick Kaufusi (Cowboys) 20. Leivaha Pulu (Titans) 21. Sione Vea (Tongan Rugby League)
Samoa (squad): Leeson Ah Mau (Dragons), John Asiata (Cowboys), Fa’amanu Brown (Sharks), Herman Ese’ese (Broncos), Sam Kasiano (Bulldogs), Tim Lafai (Dragons), Joseph Leilua (Raiders), Isaac Liu (Roosters), Josh McGuire (Broncos), Peter Mata’utia (Knights), Sione Mata’utia (Knights), Suaia Matagi (Eels), Anthony Milford (Broncos), David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Kaysa Pritchard (Eels), Sauaso Sue (Wests Tigers), Antonio Winterstein (Cowboys).
5. AFL. How about good ol' Collingwood whacking Geelong? Sydney are shot. Lazy and lethargic. There needs to be a clean out at the joint. Adelaide continue to dominate. GWS shiny but lacking poise. Still like Western Bulldogs...and if West Coast could play every game at home...
6. A-League. Both favourites through. How terrible was the pitch at Allianz Stadium? Surely you have to have the GF game away from that venue? It has always struggled to look good. It is starting to resemble Brookvale Oval three years ago.
7. Boxing. Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in an IBF heavyweight boxing title fight. How gracious was Klitschko's speech after the bout. He is a class act. he even dubbed himself 'boring' after reflecting on his many years at the top!
8. Sharapova back. A bit rich to get too excited about her being a "drug cheat". Eugenie Bouchard
should concentrate on Twitter instead....and maybe winning a tournament one day. Rank irresponsible negligence perhaps, but the drug was only put on the banned list recently. She is a "drug dope" instead.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Wrap - Champions Salary Sombrero Drama
1. Jana Drama. Just when you thought there could be no more...Jana Pittman has announced she is getting married for the third time after divorcing the first husband twice now. She also has two babies with a sperm donor and has recently outlined plans to make a comeback to the track after her recent stint at the winter Olympics. She is also studying to become a doctor. Is she related to Jarryd Hayne?
2. NRL. Every one is seemingly now worth a million a season. This is a huge chunk of the salary cap. It won't be long before there is an NRL team based on the "MoneyBall" concept. Great percentages...low costs...better returns. The Sharks have shown how this can work, but are now having to pay big dollars to retain players.
Woods, Tedesco and Moses. High drama and much boredom. There will always be better players come along. Good luck to them on the million dollars a year gravy train. Hopefully they don't squander it all. I must say, that while he is solid, Woods is not spectacular. He is over priced and over hyped for mine. He is not a match winner like a Matt Scott. Tedesco is a star.
2A. A goal kicking five eight in Mitchell Moses. Maybe a player swap with Clint Gutherson can occur so his time at Parramatta can come to a crushing end.
The Dogs will now need to offload a lot of players. Mbye is average and should never have been signed for a squillion (bad luck Dogs!). Reynolds, Liicha, Hopoate, Eastwood (will be gone after his silly kick today!) and the Morris boys should feel a little uneasy. So too Kenny-Dowell, Napa, Guerro, Tupou, Gordon...There needs to be a clean out at both clubs Not sure how you keep Graham, Klemmer, Josh Jackson, Woods, Foran, etc under the salary cap. There seem to be different rules for some clubs. The noisy shaker and mover club CEOs (Dogs, Roosters, Broncos...) seem to do as they please.
Really liked the Gold Coast effort on Saturday night v Cronulla. Hayne was very good. They played tough and got a bit lucky. Maloney needs to stop giving away dumb penalties. He is like Joey Leilua...not State of Origin bound if that is your approach. The team is more important than you!
Fancy Parramatta winning again! A good win. Thankfully the Panthers were terrible. The bunker dudded Souths on Friday night. Why do the Broncos never get dudded? There is a bit more spirit in the Tigers than we thought.
3. Prayer Time. Are players getting all too chummy after the end of an NRLgame? It seems as though a love-in is the norm now...chatting on the field, man hugs - and now joint prayer. Might just be an Easter thing. It has certainly been alive and well in the NFL for many years post match on one bended knee. You can even have a coffee mid week with members of the opposition you eventually sign for...joke. Too much time on their hands.
4. AFL. Nothing like a derby. Amazing how results of 2016 for the Swans, North and Hawks which included many narrow wins, can make your season a completely different story with some narrow losses. These teams are being matched in swarming defence in 2017, but also try to handball far too often. Teams are onto them and both coaches need to modernise their strategies. More pace required at both clubs. More centering of the ball and switching it might help too.
Keiran jack could be playing with Robbo's young bloke in the NEAFL sooner than he thinks.
GWS are electric. Too fast, too fit and too talented. They are destined to be flag winners. Maybe lacking a bit of experience, but dominant. Stunning win by Freo!
5. Champions Trophy Cricket. God knows what the Champions Trophy is but it must make a lot of money for the dodgy, spineless ICC. How John Hastings was selected is a mystery. Khawaja needs to do more sprint training and lose weight to feature. Finch is in the same boat but has gotten the nod. He needs to rack up some big scores. He is flagging. How Andrew Tye misses out is unbelievable. How Zampa hangs onto a position is staggering too. Fahwad Ahmed is our best spinner in short form cricket.
6. Waratahs. This joint is bankrupt of ideas and inspiration. Nothing like an under performing schemmozle of a team in a competition where shenanigans dominate. I noticed Peter Fitzsimmons was calling for a joint Rebels-Force team, Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs. I would be calling for a joint venture with the Waratahs...maybe Waratahs-Rebels? Maybe they might get a decent crowd in Melbourne. The Sunwolves are a complete joke but are worth money. The Rebels may be our only hope.
Not one win by an Australian team against a Kiwi team in this season...incredible!
7. WSW. A limp exit by a terrible penalty shootout effort. They probably got to the semis when they should not have. They really lack goal scoring talent and need to recruit someone...or two...anyone. No doubt Poppa will do the customary clean out of the roster.
8. Melbourne City and Perth Glory. That Perth Glory have some flair. The old coach - Kenny Lowe - goes off too! Cahill on a big stage is something else. Perth Glory attack. That is their difference.
9. Ilie Nastase. A goose as a player...a goose as a coach. Who would have thought?
2. NRL. Every one is seemingly now worth a million a season. This is a huge chunk of the salary cap. It won't be long before there is an NRL team based on the "MoneyBall" concept. Great percentages...low costs...better returns. The Sharks have shown how this can work, but are now having to pay big dollars to retain players.
Woods, Tedesco and Moses. High drama and much boredom. There will always be better players come along. Good luck to them on the million dollars a year gravy train. Hopefully they don't squander it all. I must say, that while he is solid, Woods is not spectacular. He is over priced and over hyped for mine. He is not a match winner like a Matt Scott. Tedesco is a star.
2A. A goal kicking five eight in Mitchell Moses. Maybe a player swap with Clint Gutherson can occur so his time at Parramatta can come to a crushing end.
The Dogs will now need to offload a lot of players. Mbye is average and should never have been signed for a squillion (bad luck Dogs!). Reynolds, Liicha, Hopoate, Eastwood (will be gone after his silly kick today!) and the Morris boys should feel a little uneasy. So too Kenny-Dowell, Napa, Guerro, Tupou, Gordon...There needs to be a clean out at both clubs Not sure how you keep Graham, Klemmer, Josh Jackson, Woods, Foran, etc under the salary cap. There seem to be different rules for some clubs. The noisy shaker and mover club CEOs (Dogs, Roosters, Broncos...) seem to do as they please.
Really liked the Gold Coast effort on Saturday night v Cronulla. Hayne was very good. They played tough and got a bit lucky. Maloney needs to stop giving away dumb penalties. He is like Joey Leilua...not State of Origin bound if that is your approach. The team is more important than you!
Fancy Parramatta winning again! A good win. Thankfully the Panthers were terrible. The bunker dudded Souths on Friday night. Why do the Broncos never get dudded? There is a bit more spirit in the Tigers than we thought.
3. Prayer Time. Are players getting all too chummy after the end of an NRLgame? It seems as though a love-in is the norm now...chatting on the field, man hugs - and now joint prayer. Might just be an Easter thing. It has certainly been alive and well in the NFL for many years post match on one bended knee. You can even have a coffee mid week with members of the opposition you eventually sign for...joke. Too much time on their hands.
4. AFL. Nothing like a derby. Amazing how results of 2016 for the Swans, North and Hawks which included many narrow wins, can make your season a completely different story with some narrow losses. These teams are being matched in swarming defence in 2017, but also try to handball far too often. Teams are onto them and both coaches need to modernise their strategies. More pace required at both clubs. More centering of the ball and switching it might help too.
Keiran jack could be playing with Robbo's young bloke in the NEAFL sooner than he thinks.
GWS are electric. Too fast, too fit and too talented. They are destined to be flag winners. Maybe lacking a bit of experience, but dominant. Stunning win by Freo!
5. Champions Trophy Cricket. God knows what the Champions Trophy is but it must make a lot of money for the dodgy, spineless ICC. How John Hastings was selected is a mystery. Khawaja needs to do more sprint training and lose weight to feature. Finch is in the same boat but has gotten the nod. He needs to rack up some big scores. He is flagging. How Andrew Tye misses out is unbelievable. How Zampa hangs onto a position is staggering too. Fahwad Ahmed is our best spinner in short form cricket.
6. Waratahs. This joint is bankrupt of ideas and inspiration. Nothing like an under performing schemmozle of a team in a competition where shenanigans dominate. I noticed Peter Fitzsimmons was calling for a joint Rebels-Force team, Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs. I would be calling for a joint venture with the Waratahs...maybe Waratahs-Rebels? Maybe they might get a decent crowd in Melbourne. The Sunwolves are a complete joke but are worth money. The Rebels may be our only hope.
Not one win by an Australian team against a Kiwi team in this season...incredible!
7. WSW. A limp exit by a terrible penalty shootout effort. They probably got to the semis when they should not have. They really lack goal scoring talent and need to recruit someone...or two...anyone. No doubt Poppa will do the customary clean out of the roster.
8. Melbourne City and Perth Glory. That Perth Glory have some flair. The old coach - Kenny Lowe - goes off too! Cahill on a big stage is something else. Perth Glory attack. That is their difference.
9. Ilie Nastase. A goose as a player...a goose as a coach. Who would have thought?
Monday, April 17, 2017
Wrap - Mankad Mania
1. NRL Penalties. Penalties are the cruellest punishment in the NRL. I must say that if you are at the bottom of the table, you get penalised much more readily than a 'high flyer'. Melbourne rarely get pinged and are the worst at it. Why is that? Fewer penalties need to be the NRL's goal if it is to remain the premiere TV choice to watch.
The abundance of 'get square' penalties in the NRL in the attacking 22 metre zone requires some serious attention. The penalty happy refs can even things up, but it is no real advantage to the attacking team (especially if they are trying to make up points). Penalty goals don't win modern footy games.
One idea, is that ANY penalty given away in that attacking 22 metre zone meets with a five minute sin bin (player waits in a box behind the posts). He re-enters if the attacking team score a try - or after five minutes. This will sort out the problem.
The deliberate kick dead of the past has been ironed out with the fast 22 metre re-start. A great innovation.
2. The NRL Offload. This can be worth as much as ten extra metres and is again proving to be the most valuable attacking strategy in an otherwise predictable attacking pattern in EVERY NRL team...block plays...terrible 'wish' bombs... Is the game becoming too formulaic? We need some new coaches on the scene who are not Brian Smith clones. Who can be innovative and different? We had Jack Gibson-Warren Ryan-Wayne Bennett-Brian Smith - now Craig Bellamy impersonators...
3. NRL Update. St George march on, but went to sleep...the Panthers remain asleep and the Sharks are by far the most unified team in the NRL. They will put Bird's defection to the side, but they are strong. Melbourne are amazing, but boring. Raiders bring excitement and interest. Matt Moylan is a really decent bloke. He was on my staff for two years, but is not a loud leader type.
Is James Graham next to go? A million $$ back ended contract...crazy.
4. AFL. Is it any surprise that all teams are now wise up to the 'push' of the Swans and the Hawks which has been so mesmerising over the past five years. Their surprise swarming defence is the same for every team now. Business as usual. Geelong and Adelaide look awesome early. A long way to go yet, but the Hawks and Swans are up against it. Both need some serious roster changes for the future. Even Richmond are winning!
5. Waratahs. Some bright rugby type scheduled a bye on Easter weekend when crowd numbers may have rescued sponsors from the mire. They cannot get anything right. Their coach Gibson needs to go. He is a fool in critiquing other Australian franchises when the Waratahs may have been a better choice to be given the punt on present form.
6. IPL. Steve Smith, Dave Warner, Henriques, Lynn and Tye have all excelled so far. The IPL table is unpredictable. There are no certainties with those dodgy pitches under lights!
Interested to see the new ICC cricket rules this week. Cannot for the life of me see why they have gotten rid of 'handling the ball' as a mode of dismissal, but kept it under 'obstructing the field' instead. There will now be "Mankad" mania in park cricket. Interested to see the arrival of a bin for dickhead cricketers. Could be a big innovation. Looking for the first international cricketer to be sent there!
7. Chelsea...Chelsea...their demise is something else. An unassailable lead has been minced. They could be in trouble but have an easier run into home.
8. A League. Liam Reddy's effort with the ball at his feet as the goalkeeper, well out of his goal area was terrible. No wonder he has played at more clubs than Slim Dusty. Surely Sydney FC will win the comp given their record breaking win this season. I can see Melbourne Victory lifting and Perth Glory look like they have more goals in them than most.
9. Lewis Hamilton. He is a prize goose. His effort in pit lane was disgraceful. He should be suspended.
10. Bells Surfing. Mick Fanning seems to be the gatekeeper of Bells most years. A gun.
The abundance of 'get square' penalties in the NRL in the attacking 22 metre zone requires some serious attention. The penalty happy refs can even things up, but it is no real advantage to the attacking team (especially if they are trying to make up points). Penalty goals don't win modern footy games.
One idea, is that ANY penalty given away in that attacking 22 metre zone meets with a five minute sin bin (player waits in a box behind the posts). He re-enters if the attacking team score a try - or after five minutes. This will sort out the problem.
The deliberate kick dead of the past has been ironed out with the fast 22 metre re-start. A great innovation.
2. The NRL Offload. This can be worth as much as ten extra metres and is again proving to be the most valuable attacking strategy in an otherwise predictable attacking pattern in EVERY NRL team...block plays...terrible 'wish' bombs... Is the game becoming too formulaic? We need some new coaches on the scene who are not Brian Smith clones. Who can be innovative and different? We had Jack Gibson-Warren Ryan-Wayne Bennett-Brian Smith - now Craig Bellamy impersonators...
3. NRL Update. St George march on, but went to sleep...the Panthers remain asleep and the Sharks are by far the most unified team in the NRL. They will put Bird's defection to the side, but they are strong. Melbourne are amazing, but boring. Raiders bring excitement and interest. Matt Moylan is a really decent bloke. He was on my staff for two years, but is not a loud leader type.
Is James Graham next to go? A million $$ back ended contract...crazy.
4. AFL. Is it any surprise that all teams are now wise up to the 'push' of the Swans and the Hawks which has been so mesmerising over the past five years. Their surprise swarming defence is the same for every team now. Business as usual. Geelong and Adelaide look awesome early. A long way to go yet, but the Hawks and Swans are up against it. Both need some serious roster changes for the future. Even Richmond are winning!
5. Waratahs. Some bright rugby type scheduled a bye on Easter weekend when crowd numbers may have rescued sponsors from the mire. They cannot get anything right. Their coach Gibson needs to go. He is a fool in critiquing other Australian franchises when the Waratahs may have been a better choice to be given the punt on present form.
6. IPL. Steve Smith, Dave Warner, Henriques, Lynn and Tye have all excelled so far. The IPL table is unpredictable. There are no certainties with those dodgy pitches under lights!
Interested to see the new ICC cricket rules this week. Cannot for the life of me see why they have gotten rid of 'handling the ball' as a mode of dismissal, but kept it under 'obstructing the field' instead. There will now be "Mankad" mania in park cricket. Interested to see the arrival of a bin for dickhead cricketers. Could be a big innovation. Looking for the first international cricketer to be sent there!
7. Chelsea...Chelsea...their demise is something else. An unassailable lead has been minced. They could be in trouble but have an easier run into home.
8. A League. Liam Reddy's effort with the ball at his feet as the goalkeeper, well out of his goal area was terrible. No wonder he has played at more clubs than Slim Dusty. Surely Sydney FC will win the comp given their record breaking win this season. I can see Melbourne Victory lifting and Perth Glory look like they have more goals in them than most.
9. Lewis Hamilton. He is a prize goose. His effort in pit lane was disgraceful. He should be suspended.
10. Bells Surfing. Mick Fanning seems to be the gatekeeper of Bells most years. A gun.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Wrap - Spoons - The Teak, the Maple, The Mahogany, The Pine, The Cedar...
1. You heard it here first. After this weekend, it is clear that Newcastle will not get the spoon. They have spirit, if not points. The Tigers? Nup...The Titans? They have too much fight. It is also clear that Parramatta will now go close to spoon winners this year again. They have no answers. Not a young bloke in the District who is better than Takiarangi at five eight? Please. Not an offload or an ounce of creativity amongst the bone brained forwards? No goalkicker?
3. Anthony Griffin? Not sure of the success of the dramatic disciplinary move pre game. Micky Arthur may have a view on that! When you lose, it looks like a coach who has lost the plot and over reacted. He seems as though he has not learned much from being punted by the Broncos. He strikes me as too arrogant for that part of Sydney.
4. Waratahs. Perrenial losers. Have we hit rock bottom yet? Is this the best our state can produce...? Surely this is an utter embarrassment. Australian rugby is unhealthy despite the rhetoric. We may well never win another Bledisloe in our lifetime! NSW may be the franchise sold down the river from that other bastion of world sport incompetence and mismanagement - SANZAR. Get rid of the Japansese Jokers and the Argentina Alligators for starters.
5. The Swans at 0-3 are in a deep hole. The low hand ball was smothered easily and there was some really bad hands...even if it was a little greasy. Sam Reid was terrible for a forward. Swans taking contested marks are non-existent. Hayward looks great, but still not enough pace in the ranks for mine. I watched the Swans Reserves in the NEAFL on Saturday too. (The great Luke Robbo was playing). Unfortunately in that squad, there is not much pace there either. They need a player purge.
It looks like Brad Arthur may have finally read The Wrap. He was quick to move his 'rock solid' five eight Gutherson to avoid Foran. Sadly it did nothing. He has even signed Mitchell Moses after looking closely at Jack Bird. Brad Arthur is a big part of the problem. He trims a goalkicking fullback who goes to the Roosters, does not get a goalkicker (tries to cover it by sounding out Kyle Feldt) then admits his Gutherson experiment is an abject failure by seeking all sort of replacements in Round 4! Is this the same bloke who could not get the Eels to the semis two years ago when they needed one win from their last three games?
Parramatta have a fine array of recent 'woodware' - The Teak, the Maple, The Mahogany, The Pine, The Cedar...it is a disgrace. Cronk...arrives from The Storm but Parra sign Mitchell Moses? And their halves combination is fine? Gimme a break.
Conversely, Cronulla played amazingly well to toss the Storm. Brilliant stuff. Saints were a stand out too. Really like that McInnes as hooker.
2. Pickle juice. Is this the greatest hoax in the NRL since the Powerbalance wrist band? We may need to ask Benji Marshall.
3. Anthony Griffin? Not sure of the success of the dramatic disciplinary move pre game. Micky Arthur may have a view on that! When you lose, it looks like a coach who has lost the plot and over reacted. He seems as though he has not learned much from being punted by the Broncos. He strikes me as too arrogant for that part of Sydney.
4. Waratahs. Perrenial losers. Have we hit rock bottom yet? Is this the best our state can produce...? Surely this is an utter embarrassment. Australian rugby is unhealthy despite the rhetoric. We may well never win another Bledisloe in our lifetime! NSW may be the franchise sold down the river from that other bastion of world sport incompetence and mismanagement - SANZAR. Get rid of the Japansese Jokers and the Argentina Alligators for starters.
5. The Swans at 0-3 are in a deep hole. The low hand ball was smothered easily and there was some really bad hands...even if it was a little greasy. Sam Reid was terrible for a forward. Swans taking contested marks are non-existent. Hayward looks great, but still not enough pace in the ranks for mine. I watched the Swans Reserves in the NEAFL on Saturday too. (The great Luke Robbo was playing). Unfortunately in that squad, there is not much pace there either. They need a player purge.
A few key upsets this weekend...Hawks down again, Gold Coast Suns win (yes, not a misprint) and the Western Bulldogs going down to Freo. The comp has started against all expectations. Eade and Buckley (Pies) look like world beaters this week!
6. Far from hailing the great Nick Kygrios for his Davis Cup efforts (how could we ever bring ourselves to this?), Kygrios and Jordan Thompson did remarkably well. He is a supreme talent but an unpredictable deadbeat too. A great effort to get through into the semis of the competition. Real tough from here, but Hewitt is the man to achieve greatness for us, if it can happen.
6. Far from hailing the great Nick Kygrios for his Davis Cup efforts (how could we ever bring ourselves to this?), Kygrios and Jordan Thompson did remarkably well. He is a supreme talent but an unpredictable deadbeat too. A great effort to get through into the semis of the competition. Real tough from here, but Hewitt is the man to achieve greatness for us, if it can happen.
7. The Masters. How good is golf? The showdown between Rose and Garcia - and who knows...maybe Scott, will be intriguing. The traffic is always a bit thinner on the Monday morning of the Masters finishing. The tension and the size of the galleries is always outstanding! It never disappoints. Somehow I think the green jacket will be more prized than the Arnold Palmer winner who gets a red cardigan!
8. Noticed the Aussies have been doing well in the first week of the IPL. Smith 90+, Lynn 90+ and Maxwell a typical blinding aggressive innings. How is this thing funded? No one watches it out here.
Is Steve O'Keefe getting ahead of himself a bit...slagging off at other cricketers? And women cricketers...please. He sounds like a prize tool.
Is Steve O'Keefe getting ahead of himself a bit...slagging off at other cricketers? And women cricketers...please. He sounds like a prize tool.
9. EPL. Chelsea are home, but ManU continue to stutter. Jose could yet be hosed away! Tottenham have had a great year!
10. The A League is the longest running sideshow in the joint. 55 round games wears a bit thin eventually. Then the semis hit and it is all over in a second. The prized "dunny seat" trophy is then at rest.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Wrap - Just Then Alice Springs Into Action
1. AFL. The standard of umpiring when a local Victorian team plays an interstate team is really poor. The inability to cope with pressure situations should have a new mental health sponsor on the back of the umpires' green shirts. The visitors get stitched up quite frankly. The Swans again felt this at a clutch moment of a strong game. This is a huge issue for the AFL which has not been addressed since last year's Grand Final. Zero points for Swans and Hawks is unusual. Two wins for the Demons and Richmond is hard to fathom. Both Adelaide teams look strong simultaneously. A rare day.
Surely Eade is first coach sacked in 2017 - or maybe even Buckley at the Pies.
The Swans have not learned why the Bulldogs succeeded last year - fitness and pace. Swans have no pace still...why? Longmire needs to sharpen the axe. One of Jack or Hannerbery need to go in favour of a paceman. Hawthorn had to do this to Mitchell...it happens in elite sport.
2. A big congratulations for Victoria in winning the Sheffield Shield final that was put in Alice Springs by an absolute administrative dunce. Do they know what the game is up there?
Victorian players who have all failed to make or just failed to impress on the Test stage - White, Finch, Quiney, Holland, Ahmed, Boland, Christian... all seemed to be able to hold it together to win again.
In the current cricketing environment, is a Shield win a sign that the players are second rate? Good second rate. I note Victoria have now won three in a row.
3. NRL. The battle for the spoon is on...Tigers, Eels and Knights. No one wants to admit it, but the Eels were again terrible - unable to defend for any large stretch without giving away penalties. Forwards OK. Halves a weak combination. Outside backs old. Jennings and takarangi are showing signs of their careers needing to end...or be ended. Fullback, Bevan French, talented but too small and short (notice the bombing raids that are now growing). Nonetheless, Bulldogs and Sharks showed everyone how to 'win tough'.
4. What a lame loss to India in the cricket by Australia. We seemed to accept it was a good effort to get that close. Not good enough for mine. A few names should be scrubbed off future teams - Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh...how you could not give Khawaja a run is beyond me. Those who will need to see a financial adviser about the future: Wade, Bird. Those who will never ever do as well as this: O'Keefe.
Chadd Sayers again tops the Shield wickets - and Ed Cowan the runs. A chance for a national call up?
5. Kane Williamson is nearly as prolific as Steve Smith. Quite superb. Quention de Kock is still killing it. A very talented keeper-bat who is doing what Gilchrist used to do. Every team needs a solid rock or de Kock.
6. Roger Federer. Unbelievable stickability and form at his age. He is the greatest there has been in men's tennis.
7. The US Masters is upon us. Dustin Johnson is surely the biggest favourite for a while. Is Tiger finished in golf. I suspect so...
8. Leicester are suddenly winning. ManU look set to not make the top four (incredible) and Chelsea are getting the shakes on the run home, but should hang on. Two teams set to drop - Middlesborough and Sunderland, but the third will be interesting. It certainly brings the best out of some teams when relegation hovers! It also makes for a very exciting end to the season as the axe looms.
Surely Eade is first coach sacked in 2017 - or maybe even Buckley at the Pies.
The Swans have not learned why the Bulldogs succeeded last year - fitness and pace. Swans have no pace still...why? Longmire needs to sharpen the axe. One of Jack or Hannerbery need to go in favour of a paceman. Hawthorn had to do this to Mitchell...it happens in elite sport.
2. A big congratulations for Victoria in winning the Sheffield Shield final that was put in Alice Springs by an absolute administrative dunce. Do they know what the game is up there?
Victorian players who have all failed to make or just failed to impress on the Test stage - White, Finch, Quiney, Holland, Ahmed, Boland, Christian... all seemed to be able to hold it together to win again.
In the current cricketing environment, is a Shield win a sign that the players are second rate? Good second rate. I note Victoria have now won three in a row.
3. NRL. The battle for the spoon is on...Tigers, Eels and Knights. No one wants to admit it, but the Eels were again terrible - unable to defend for any large stretch without giving away penalties. Forwards OK. Halves a weak combination. Outside backs old. Jennings and takarangi are showing signs of their careers needing to end...or be ended. Fullback, Bevan French, talented but too small and short (notice the bombing raids that are now growing). Nonetheless, Bulldogs and Sharks showed everyone how to 'win tough'.
4. What a lame loss to India in the cricket by Australia. We seemed to accept it was a good effort to get that close. Not good enough for mine. A few names should be scrubbed off future teams - Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh...how you could not give Khawaja a run is beyond me. Those who will need to see a financial adviser about the future: Wade, Bird. Those who will never ever do as well as this: O'Keefe.
Chadd Sayers again tops the Shield wickets - and Ed Cowan the runs. A chance for a national call up?
5. Kane Williamson is nearly as prolific as Steve Smith. Quite superb. Quention de Kock is still killing it. A very talented keeper-bat who is doing what Gilchrist used to do. Every team needs a solid rock or de Kock.
6. Roger Federer. Unbelievable stickability and form at his age. He is the greatest there has been in men's tennis.
7. The US Masters is upon us. Dustin Johnson is surely the biggest favourite for a while. Is Tiger finished in golf. I suspect so...
8. Leicester are suddenly winning. ManU look set to not make the top four (incredible) and Chelsea are getting the shakes on the run home, but should hang on. Two teams set to drop - Middlesborough and Sunderland, but the third will be interesting. It certainly brings the best out of some teams when relegation hovers! It also makes for a very exciting end to the season as the axe looms.
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