Wrap - Freddie, Regan and Tex

1. Parramatta. And so does anyone know why Brad Arthur has not been re-signed? Or some of the overpaid players? Honestly, how did they get five wins? Their defence was horrible, their decision-making is woeful and their discipline poor. Moses is not a leader and cannot be there long term. I'd cut him and go with youth. You need leaders in the halves... otherwise you will never win. Is it just me or is Sivo the world's slowest winger?


While they are at it, they should sign Rhyse Martin from the Bulldogs. A goalkicking forward on the outer who knows how to win. The only club who was worse this weekend was Penrith. Cleary's terrible coaching record continues.


2. Gutho. I am tipping Gutherson will re-sign this week. If he does a knee again, his price is cut in half instantly. A big risk with any greedy agent. If he plays like he does on Saturday night, he will have his price cut by the club again. He is getting overs big time. The King? Please, spare me.


3. Magic Round. Magic in some senses, but they were very lucky there was no rain. The field has taken a hammering. Too much for one field and if wet, it would have been a big problem. Good concept. I wonder how many injuries were due to the sandy soil and loose turf tufts?


4. Freddie. Is Regan Campbell-Gillard really Freddie Mercury in disguise? Or maybe Tex Walker from the Adelaide Crows. Cracking players both, but not a patch on Freddie.


5. Blonde AFL Players. Interesting discussion on Melbourne radio in the Carlton-Collingwood game on Saturday...do blonde haired AFL players look like better more athletic players than darker coloured haired players? Do they seem to move faster and take better, more dramatic marks? Optical illusion surely.


6. IPL. The Mumbai Indians (MI) v the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the final. Chennai have Shane Watson, MS Dohni and Faf du Plessis, Bravo and Harbhajan Singh. Mumbai Indians have Bumrah, Pollard, Pandya and de Kock. Great tournament about to come to a end. The World Cup nears.


7. AFL Showdown in Adelaide. Great game in the AFL with Port Adelaide surging back against Adelaide in the last quarter. They were down by 38 at three quarter time and got to within 12 points. A great game. Melbourne still alive and the Western Bulldogs are not out of it.


Troubled by the GWS brainfades every two or three weeks. They look like world beaters and then get pumped...this time by Hawthorn. The Hawks continue to defy the critics and offload "over stayers"...Keiran Jack, Jarrad McVey anyone?


Does anyone know what got into Dane Rampe's head when he scaled the post at the end in the Swans v Dons game? He played stunningly well, but really? Can you do shoulder stands to stop a ball going through as a goal? I thought they might make it like a Cold Chisel concert and have all the small blokes on the shoulders of others.


8. A League. Tremendous qualifying final between Perth and Adelaide with Perth sneaking home after a million penalty kicks in the penalty shootout. Liam Reddy did the business as goal keeper, saving four. A great effort. Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory... Sydney FC completely dominant by half time at 3-0, but wait...


Midweek the Liverpool comeback and the Spurs comeback in the Champions League final were both extraordinary...then Arsenal and Chelsea led the way into the Europa League final. English teams on fire. Next they will be telling us that the FA Cup has English teams in the final too.


9. EPL. And there it was... Man City needing a win v Brighton. Liverpool needing a draw or a loss and then a win v Wolves themselves... The EPL are smart. They schedule both games at the same time to add to the tension. A fabulous competition this year, but Man City look red hot. Matt Ryan in goals for Brighton could be the difference between Man City having a meeting or a party.


10. F1. Is Riccardo's new move to Renault one of the most unsuccessful on record? He has struggled and despite the dollars, seems to be going backwards...faster than he goes frontwards!


11. Intriguing that Nadal lost again in the semi at the Madrid Open. He could be finished on clay at the supreme level he has set... Djokovic remains the favourite this year, but they said you'd never make it to Tiger too.... Thiem, Zverev and Tsitsipas are contesting.