Wrap - Monumental Wins

1. AFL. Buddy Franklin was outstanding for the Swans scoring six goals and hitting the post with three more. His hands were excellent under pressure too. A big win for the Swans who were under a lot of pressure. may not get there in the end however with a tough road home (Demons, GWS, Hawks). They simply cannot score points! Is Nathan Buckley a double of that bloke who rapped and caused mayhem from the last series of Married At First Sight (Dean)?

 

How close was the AFL this weekend? Five games determined by three points or less. Hawthorn win tough by a few points over Essendon as do Richmond over Geelong and North Melbourne by three points over Brisbane. Adelaide by three over Port. Close games showing fight and steel under pressure. No wonder AFL crowds and ratings are through the roof.

 

2. NRL. Souths beating Melbourne was an upset despite being on the same points. Anthony Seibold has worked a miracle so far with the Rabbits, but I can't see them winning the comp. The Eels win against the Gold Coast was a match of the most woeful. The Gold Coast are appalling. Parramatta have thrown away games all year. The wooden spoon race is one of the most interesting in the comp at present. Wins to Manly and the Dogs too. St George have also hit a bad patch which is an annual event. Widdop and Hunt need to step up. Cannot believe how terrible the Sharks were. Valentine Holmes was awful when it mattered.

 

3. Super Rugby. Crusaders won their ninth Super Rugby title and the coach Scott Robertson’s dancing celebration post game was again outstanding. He needs to keep up the lessons as they will no doubt continue to win it. What a dominant force.

 

4. Surfing. Stephanie Gilmore zooming in on seven world surfing titles. A staggering success rate.

 

5. Hockey - Hockeyroos. Penalty shoot outs in hockey are ridiculous. Keepers running out from the goal one on one with a player running in. Silliness.

 

6. F1. Daniel Riccardo to Renault from Red Bull. He needs more tall podium finishes. Surprising move, cash talks and he obviously needed a change. Red Bull's loss. Perhaps a more marketable European star (Maxy Verstappen) was chosen over an Australian star with a 'shooey' or two?

 

7. Cricket. Virat Kohli. Scored 200/ 436 of the team’s match total runs. The highest percentage ever for India in a single Test match. A truly great performer but needs some mates. India’s batting away from home is poor. Ben Stokes brained them. He will kill Australia if he can stay on the park. And he bats. A phenomenal test played with great intensity. Edgbaston is a fortress for England. It is 17 years since England lost a Test there to an Asian side. England’s 1000th Test ends in victory.