2. Parramatta did a hell of a lot better than most thought. 16-18 loss. Semi's replacement in the new season will be hard to find. He does a lot of grunt work. In the style of David Vaeleki, Brad Takairangi should be retired quickly and gracefully...He is too slow and makes defensive errors at the worst times. A chip over the top straight to Billy Slater just about does it for me. Parramatta have a crack junior centre or two...they need to bring them through earlier. First time they have been in the semis of the NYC and the NRL! A good season by Parramatta nonetheless. The prospect of playing the Cowboys will not be easy. Their forwards are amazing - Bolton, Hess, Cooper, Lowe, Granville. Taumalolo is an awesome machine. Cronulla unfortunately met them on a day they have never had before post Thurston.
3. Manly appear to have been gipped by the video bunker, but Tony Archer could justify a murder. The likelihood of a knock on by Peachey was pretty high. The on field ref made a howler really and the bunker fell into line with that. That is the issue...how does an on field official make that call. Dylan Walker needs to grow up. He can be a team liability as well. Uate needs to go down and play cricket in the off season...hands like canoe paddles.
4. AFL. The Swans were awesome, but playing at the SCG will not happen again in 2017. Parker, Lloyd and Kennedy were incredible. Towers, Naismith and Sinclair were great too. Tippett was not missed and really should be traded ASAP (if anyone wants him). Playing at the MCG is a huge hurdle for them. Geelong won't be lying down. A cracking game ahead.
The West Coast victory after the siren in extra time was massive, but the penalty that lead to it was dubious. AFL refs love these. It must be said that the finals experience of Sam Mitchell mattered. This is where Stevie Johnson not playing for GWS was an issue too. Those blokes can swing games big time. The GWS were shattered and could be on the slippery dip out of there.
There is some great culture in AFL - the banner, the team song, the on field team huddle at the end of each quarter, the applause for an opponent who achieves a great career milestone. NRL misses out on that front, but the group prayer and chest slap post game seem to be the new equivalent.
Richmond are suddenly an exciting proposition. They have energy and are making the fans believe it may just come true. Hardwick is a calm presence as coach. These composed leaders stand up and make their mark in September.
5. A good bounce back win for Aussie cricket. Lyon has stood up and made a huge difference. Warner too. Two great tons. Big question marks still hover over Maxwell and Wade. Cartwright is surely a failed experiment for the short term. He is no Ben Stokes. Smith refuses to bowl him or back him. A new keeper who scores runs is essential. The chirpy keeper has lost a Test series in India and struggled with the Bangers...hardly a reason to retain him long term.
The West Indies were unfortunately thumped by 9 wickets. This Shai Hope is something special. The problem of course in English cricket is that if the sun comes out, the conditions change dramatically. Very seldom do lots of wickets fall in the sunshine. If you are lucky enough to bat with sun, you can win. Tests change with weather of course, but over there they change total complexion with their weather. Jimmy Anderson shuffles along to 505 Test wickets. An incredible achievement.
6. Wallabies - 23-23 draw v South Africa. Their defence is still poor. and the lineout/ scrum...we say they "need work", but how many camps and sessions will it take? Are we simply not good enough? What will it take?
7. US Open Tennis. Surely Nadal will take his Grand Slam total to 16 wins v Kevin Anderson? Astonishing dominance in this era of tennis with Federer 19 wins and Djokovic 12 wins. We once thought Sampras at 14 wins would never be beaten! Sloane Stephens too had a cracking win. A great character and a spirited, quality person. Well deserved after fighting back from injuries. US women dominated this year as all semi finalists in the women's draw.
8. EPL. Man City pump Liverpool 5-0 and Arsenal win 3-0. ManU held to 2-2 by Stoke on the weekend which was unexpected. Stoke are one of those great tribal teams that have energy and spirit. With a vertical striped jersey, they need something. Not many vertical striped kits left in world team sport!
9. Nadal. He is the man. 16 Grand Slams and more in the vault than most of his rivals. An absolute champion!
There is some great culture in AFL - the banner, the team song, the on field team huddle at the end of each quarter, the applause for an opponent who achieves a great career milestone. NRL misses out on that front, but the group prayer and chest slap post game seem to be the new equivalent.
Richmond are suddenly an exciting proposition. They have energy and are making the fans believe it may just come true. Hardwick is a calm presence as coach. These composed leaders stand up and make their mark in September.
5. A good bounce back win for Aussie cricket. Lyon has stood up and made a huge difference. Warner too. Two great tons. Big question marks still hover over Maxwell and Wade. Cartwright is surely a failed experiment for the short term. He is no Ben Stokes. Smith refuses to bowl him or back him. A new keeper who scores runs is essential. The chirpy keeper has lost a Test series in India and struggled with the Bangers...hardly a reason to retain him long term.
The West Indies were unfortunately thumped by 9 wickets. This Shai Hope is something special. The problem of course in English cricket is that if the sun comes out, the conditions change dramatically. Very seldom do lots of wickets fall in the sunshine. If you are lucky enough to bat with sun, you can win. Tests change with weather of course, but over there they change total complexion with their weather. Jimmy Anderson shuffles along to 505 Test wickets. An incredible achievement.
6. Wallabies - 23-23 draw v South Africa. Their defence is still poor. and the lineout/ scrum...we say they "need work", but how many camps and sessions will it take? Are we simply not good enough? What will it take?
7. US Open Tennis. Surely Nadal will take his Grand Slam total to 16 wins v Kevin Anderson? Astonishing dominance in this era of tennis with Federer 19 wins and Djokovic 12 wins. We once thought Sampras at 14 wins would never be beaten! Sloane Stephens too had a cracking win. A great character and a spirited, quality person. Well deserved after fighting back from injuries. US women dominated this year as all semi finalists in the women's draw.
8. EPL. Man City pump Liverpool 5-0 and Arsenal win 3-0. ManU held to 2-2 by Stoke on the weekend which was unexpected. Stoke are one of those great tribal teams that have energy and spirit. With a vertical striped jersey, they need something. Not many vertical striped kits left in world team sport!
9. Nadal. He is the man. 16 Grand Slams and more in the vault than most of his rivals. An absolute champion!
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