Wrap - Short Shrift

1. Storm. Craig Bellamy did his finest press conference post the World Club Challenge on Friday night. He made the point that between Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, both have (currently) won the NRL minor premiership, the NRL Grand Final, the State of Origin series - and the Rugby League World Cup. Also, the Golden Boot, Dally M, selected in Rugby League World Cup team of the Tournament and Clive Churchill winning medals were held by these two players as well...not to mention most games, points, etc, etc...Two absolute legends....Cronk would make it three.

A current winning record in a year of NRL unlikely to ever be bettered.

When is a ban going to occur for players writing messages on their wrist or arm bandages? How ridiculous. If they need a written reminder mid-game of tactics or of an approach...wow! Send emails or transmit through bionic earpieces.

2. T20 Cricket. The Australian T20 team will become No. 1 in the world if it wins the final in this NZ-England series. A meteoric rise from position number 7...! Add Starc and it could be devastating. Not sure if Smith is required. D'Arcy Short has been powerfully stunning.

3. WSW. The style of the Western Sydney Wanderers has changed for the better under Gombau. They are scoring goals and winning tight contests. Still not a patch on Sydney FC, but they lost heavily mid week in the Asian Champions game, so our A-League still sits some way away from the top world leagues.

W League GF. A clinical effort with Melbourne City beating the Sydney FC team, 2-0. Even though they had also won the previous two, Sydney FC had some hope going in. Now for their men's team to lift and match them!

4. EPL. Huddersfield smashed Bournemouth last weekend to lift, but any of eight teams could perish yet - Swansea, Stoke, Newcastle,  Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Southhapton and Brighton. West Brom look cooked (20 points), but three points separate the rest (25-28 points).

5. Winter Olympics. Gotta love the Australian winter Olympics team with 'Scotty' and 'Chumpy'...love a good Aussie nickname. Any medal there is a surprise. James Magnassun is a true tool. Fancy bagging out another sport to make himself look better. An Olympic athlete is an Olympic athlete. No one gets there easily.

Everyone loves a snow stack however. A fan favourite...and these athletes go at extreme pace! The presence of coaches on the slopes is a tad strange however.

6. AFLX. Some pleasing rules being added for this pre-season "T20" version of the game. Seven a side (10 mins each way) and played on a soccer or NRL field (for maximum stadium use...and pre-season strugglers with fitness), it has some great features apart from the 10 point super goals (outside the 40 metre arc):

1. Last touch out-of-bounds rule 
2. No marks paid for backwards kicks, except if in attacking 40m
3. Free shot from inside the 40m arc if there is a rushed behind.

It is missing a key one:

• A free kick from the spot where an attacking kick goes out on the full.

The thought of playing on a conventional soccer field is alarming for many avid AFL fans.

7. Roger Federer. Number 1 in the world again...at the age of 36. Stunning!

8. Commonwealth Games Athletics -100 Metre Sprint. How about the mens' 100 metre sprinter - Trae Williams - "Quadzilla" - for Australia? 10.10 is super quick and hopefully all is legitimate. It is a podium finish at that time.

9. Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials - Wednesday 28 Feb. – Saturday 3rd March 2018. Keep an eye out for young Rebecca Sefton. A young star of the future with a great local opportunity to seize!

10. NBA. How good is the standard of that competition? The number of internationals is rising and with it, the aura of those basketball stars surges. A huge stage to be the best on in the USA! How amazing is the form of the Aussie, Ben Simmons?