Wrap - Business End

1. NRL. So Parramatta have been a lot stronger than anyone - especially me - thought. There is a strength that Moses has brought to their attack and Semi is on fire. Since Moses arrived, Jennings looks like he can play again. While the rusted on Eels fans don't want to admit it, they have actually been better since Gutherson has been injured. The Broncos were terrible, but Parramatta still have much to work on. Penalties is the first thing. A 2-10 penalty count v Broncos is hopelessly ill disciplined. Offloading a few of the reckless blokes will be needed once Scott returns to full fitness. He can lead a team to glory.

A final round win v Souths gets the Eels a top four finish. Unfathomable.

However, Grand Final winners? Not a chance. Not strong enough defensively. Their hooker needs more pace and their defensive concentration across 80 minutes is not a patch on Melbourne, or even the somewhat inconsistent Cronulla or Roosters.

The strength of St George and Manly under pressure situations were the weekend highlights. Both should be doing a lot better, but are delivering with their necks on the line. A bad loss by the Panthers in their circumstances.

2. Daley Coach. It is hard to get emotional about Laurie Daley's passing as NSW coach. It is based on results. Laurie has had his shot, but has come up empty. It is a fine line -- sometimes a point or two - between the glory and the glum. My fear is we will have half the Channel 9 commentary team in the sheds in future. Staggered to read that Sterlo may throw it in already. Please...toughen up.

3. Test Cricket v Bangladesh. Has there been a time in Australian cricket over the last 50 years where so many have cared so little about our cricketers abroad. It will be interesting to see the impact of the pay dispute on TV ratings and the like this summer. Especially if we continue losing.

Cummins, Agar and Lyon all combined well to roll them for 260. Lyon now is the second highest spin bowling wicket taker for Australia, eclipsing the great Richie Benaud. An incredible effort really. However the old Khawaja run out tactic and the silliness of a night watchman has Australia reeling at 3/18. Who would have thought it...Warner failing on a tough deck overseas. Is it unthinkable, or could he be benched for the first time in his career?

The star of Jimmy Anderson continues to burn bright. Yet another five for v West Indies. How good is he? Is he the only world bowler that swings the ball?

4. AFL. Heaven help them all if Hawthorn - and the Western Bulldogs - had squeaked into the final eight. It must be said that outside of the first six weeks, the Swans have been immense in 2017. However Adelaide, Geelong, GWS and Richmond have been the best. It is anyone's flag. The inconsistency of all of them has been staggering. Sydney (sixth) head to an elimination final v Essendon. This silly week off before the finals business is a disjointed reality that the AFL cling to for some reason.

5. EPL. More than likely the best world TV sport week in, week out. AFL would be up there too. ManU have been electrifying early in the season. The less the coach talks, the better they do.

6. Wallabies. They were brighter and led for strong stretches. How you can allow a kick restart to come loose is beyond me with so much on the line. The hunger of the All Blacks is awesome. The clutch moment saw a familiar weakness. A lot of players are happy to come close.

Chieka seems incapable of stirring them. It would be interesting to see how the high rotation of players through the Wallabies jersey at present compares to the Wallabies numbers of the past. There is a distinct lack of knowledge regarding the identity of too many Wallabies. Better, but still hard to get any traction with an already perplexed and agitated fan base.

Conversely, the Rats v Norths at the North Sydney Oval showcased all that is great about rugby - to its absolute faithful in the GF of the Shute Shield.

7. Winx. I neglected to mention this last week. An unbelievable horse with a stunning penchant for winning. How we all love a winner...even at $1.01.

8. 'Money' Mayweather did all that everyone thought he would... win. Some sort of spectacle. Some sort of record for 50-0. What a champion. The Irishman McGregor reminded me of a Monty Python character claiming he was dudded by not being able to smashed to the canvas. Please! Now how would Jeff Horn go here?