Wrap - Narcissus Norman

1. British Open Golf. Speith is a genius. Down to earth, solid, seemingly a top bloke and a two time golf major winner. Maybe three? Compare him to another two time golf major winner in Greg Norman whose supplies of lakes and mirrors at an age makes him an avid fan of himself. Tremendous physique, but he is sadly and desperately out of touch. Very sad for a bloke who did so much in the game. Humility and judgement seem to have gone south. Extremely hard to like. Who posts a photo of themselves like this? Greg, you are fair dinkum kidding mate.

"Unable to leave the beauty of his reflection, Narcissus lost his will to live. He stared at his reflection until he died. Narcissus is the origin of the term narcissism, a fixation with oneself and one's physical appearance and/or public perception"

2. AFL. Adelaide look like they will smash most comers in 2017.  They have a clear break now. Their swarming defence is outstanding. They absolutely overwhelmed Geelong. Precision, but I worry about them in the wet. Essendon it must be said have really excelled after a bad drugs related year in 2016. GWS have hit the wall. They need to seriously regroup or they will not figure.

The rise of the Swans has been impressive. Kurt Tippett is finished. Earning a motza, but unable to crack it back into the team. Attitude. Great win by Richmond as well. Their terrible tide may be turning.

3. Cricket. This whole charade is a very, very boring joke. $200K for a Shield cricketer? That is a healthy earn for a zero crowd pulling player. The Ashes are probably under genuine threat, but these blokes are not putting their bodies on the line each week. Physicality is not taking a toll on their futures. They are very fortunate to be in an era of immense cricketing wealth. This summer may see the rise of the women's game instead. Fewer whingers, despite the World Cup exit.

4. NRL. How bad are the Bulldogs? Jackson, Morris x2, Klemmer, Hopoate, Reynolds, Mbye...surely they should win more than this. Stranded on 18 points and feeling like Parramatta fans. Des Hasler has stacked on the beef of late. Maybe they are all getting a little too indulged. Time for a clean out. Foran and Aaron Woods to come in? Not sure that will cure it. Watch Kasiano become an absolute powerhouse at Melbourne.

I noticed Cronulla have signed Aaron Gray from Souths. A talent. They may be worried re Dugan, but St George look like they may have made a very good decision. Widdop is possibly the best pivot in the comp at present. Cowboys doing really well without Thurston and Manly...an awful loss.

5. Parramatta keep winning ugly and are the only top eight team with a negative point differential. Good luck to them. They need the hard headed Beau Scott back on the run into the semis. The first bloke I would sign for them would be Simon Mannering from the Warriors. What a week in-week out champion he is in a dud team. Unfortunately, The Eels simply cannot beat a top four team - Storm, Roosters, Broncos or Sharks. It won't happen. The Storm are a mile in front in July...but September is when the sun shines.

6. NRL Referees. A weekly refereeing wrap surely is not too much to ask from the NRL. A published sheet to the papers - or an appearance by Tony Archer on NRL360 or similar. I wonder whether Tony Archer has counted more than five errors by referees in 2017 after their remarkable numbers in 2016? The first bloke sacked needs to be Ashley Clown. This business of

7. Brumbies. As the top ranked Australian team, they sunk to a dismal exit Friday night. A deserved thrashing for Australian rugby. They don't get much right rugby. Even their GPS Sydney heartland are giving the game the flick. Crusaders to win it again for mine.

8. Federer. Legend. Unbelievable finesse and power for a bloke of his age and experience. He must enjoy smashing the younger Tomic/ Kgyrios type brigade.

9. Origin. Blame Dugan and Ferguson? What about just applauding the greatest team since St George in the 1950/60 era. Phenomenal spirit and skill.