Wrap - Sold, Sold, Sold Coast

1. Brad Fittler. Brad may have his job on the line, but he has panicked. Just when we thought he had brought a change of culture to the NSW jersey...no. Sadly he has done what all of the failed NSW Origin coaches in recent years have done - not backed their players. He now only has 8 players in the same positions as they started with: Tedesco, Addo Carr, Cleary, Jake Trobjevic, Cook, Vaughan, Cordner, Frizell. Ridiculous.


To drop Latrell Mitchell is weak. He played poorly in Game One, but was Nathan Cleary any better? Mitchell is a match winner. We will be in a world of pain with Jack Wighton in the centres. He does not play there each week and Will Chambers will cut him apart. Fittler listens to Ricky Stuart too much. Cotric was a disaster last match. Ferguson has not been in good enough form either...another risk with bad hands and someone who will be anthem obsessed. Dale Finucane on the bench is a good selection. Wade Graham adds strength and toughness. They will miss Klemmer. What did Morris do wrong? Old legs, but I thought he was one of our better backs in Game One. Walker and Crichton did not aim up and needed to go. I like James Maloney. He wins a lot. Select winners - they do the job for you!


2. Strange. Is there a reason we sing the national anthem before a State of Origin game? Strange. Is there a reason outside of government cash, why we need to play Origin 2 in Perth? Stranger.


3. The Melbourne Storm continue to be the most consistent NRL team over the last 15 years... no matter who is in the team. An amazing record. Everyone thinks when Cameron Smith retires it will be different, but that is unlikely too. The comment from the Newcastle coach, Nathan Brown, was gold - "we have had a good last six weeks, they have had a good last 15 years!".
The coaching future of Anthony Seibold looks shaky at the Broncos. They are simply not turning up. Millford is very disappointing. Parramatta played well (frame this sentence), but now must back up next week and play well. Must say that the Rabbits are also looking lost without Reynolds too, racking up a number of losses.


Can we agree on one thing in sport...ban the bye! Lazy administrators love it. No one else.


4. Gold Coast. Not sure how long the NRL can continue to support the Gold Coast as a team... Poor performances, small crowds and terrible to watch on TV. The same with the AFL (Gold Coast Suns).What is wrong with that joint? A history of failure in all codes, including the famous NRL journey of Gold Coast Giants, Gold Coast Seagulls, Gold Coast Gladiators, Gold Coast Chargers not to mention  Clive Palmer's soccer team, Gold Coast United? John Cartwright and Scott Prince were iconic in their day, but the best team there is Team Jupiter who rakes in their cash.


5. Waratahs. What a pitiful season. Who will they blame next year when Folau is not there? That team looks flat and ordinary really. Daryl Gibson has recently had his coaching contract extended! They won't need the new stadium in Sydney when it is built. They will only have enough supporters for North Sydney Oval or Rat Park. A complete disappointment at a time when they need success for the code in the state of NSW. Would you not venture over to NZ with a chequebook...maybe around Christchurch way?


6. Nadal. Wins his 18th Grand Slam and holds the greatest wining percentage now. Intriguing to note:


Federer - Grand Slam wins:    20         Grand Slam Final losses: 10 (30)  66% winning percentage
Nadal - Grand Slam wins:       18         Grand Slam Final losses: 8 (26)   69% winning percentage
Djokovic - Grand Slam wins:  15      Grand Slam Final losses: 9 (24)      63% winning percentage


7. World Cup Cricket. Have we beaten anyone of note yet? England? India? South Africa? Crushing loss to India. Starc bowling well. A bit of a scare re the Sri Lankans, who can bat. Cummins causing headaches too with sheer pace. Not sure why Jason Behrendorf is playing and not a spinner. He has struggled. Nathan Lyon has not been treated very well here. Kane Richardson has been a surprise packet. A shame we couldn't have unleashed Jhye Richardson too. He is genuinely sharp.


8. US Open Golf. Brooks Koepka. This guy knows how to win big. An amazing talent and a back to back Majors talent too. GaryWoodland looks like a minder who hits straight. Dustin Johnson has not fired as expected. A tricky course Pebble Beach. Woodland is solid, but vulnerable. Justin Rose well placed. Had to laugh when Jason Day's new caddie (Steve Williams) told him that he would sack him if he didn't work hard enough. Caddie harassment!


9. Sam Kerr- Matildas. Awesome work to beat Brazil. They need to knock over Jamaica and possibly rack up a score so they top their group. Bad loss to Italy last week.