1. Ashes. There is a decided worry when you win the toss at the Oval (noted batting deck) and bowl. Why do you do it? Is it a rain forecast (clear), arrogance (possibly) or is it that your batting is so terrible you want to test the opposition's terrible batting (tick). Across the system, the top order batting of Warner, Harris, Bancroft, Khawaja, Wade (one ton aside), Paine has been awful. Horrible. Stuart Broad never tires of playing us. His wicket tally blooms against Australia. James Anderson would be very upset. Warner and Harris can't get out of there quick enough. Pathetic really.
I noticed Australia needs a bowling coach...Jimmy Anderson might be worth using? I noticed Brad Haddin is returning home too... I like the presence of Steve Waugh around the team - and if Warney could pull his head in for a short amount of time, he would be useful too. I think he gets too much money elsewhere. Imagine if Warney was a selector!
The best news of the whole campaign is that Greg Chappell is finished as a selector... Hopefully Hohns follows him out the door too. He should join Kevin Chappell playing golf making a 59!
Steve Smith to return as skipper ASAP. Wade never to play again. Carey in for Paine. Joe Burns in as opener with Warner and Pucovski and Patterson included and patiently nurtured as the future with Labaschagne and Smith. Positions are up for grabs. Travis Head has let his position slip badly. He was 'a lock' going over.
2. Fireworks. Have we become fireworks mad as a country? We seemingly need fireworks whenever we step out to watch sport at night - or so some people think. One in the eye for little Joey... there's a court case right there. The fireworks metaphor is so clichéd in contact sport at night, but this might represent a re-think. The gas flame burst is the other approach....warms you up on a cold night at least. More day time games for me. A better standard.
2. NRL Finals. You have to give it to Canberra. Two wins in Melbourne this year on the back of thumping defence. Love this Horsborough and Bateman is a superstar (best pom since Ellery Hanley). Jack Wighton has become a super player this year. So quick on his feet and tougher for the Origin run. Sezer is also playing really strongly. Compare that game to the Manly-Cronulla game. Chalk and cheese. Manly won well, but no intensity really. What a disappointment Cronulla have been. They are set to go backwards like all premiers, but need to offload the salary cap "sponges" of Moylan, Woods, Johnson and Prior... expensive players who should go to England. Where was Fifita when you needed him? John Morris may need the hall of mirrors in the off season. He is on thin ice.
3. Touch and Go. Storm blow up about a touch judge call late in the game. Why can't that be reviewed? Anyhow, bad luck. Storm will still be there. Parramatta were awesome 58-0 v the terrible horses, but somehow you struggle to believe Parramatta will trouble them. As for the touchie...it could be "go" for him. BankWest stadium is a great venue it must be said.
4. AFL Finals. A great game between the Brisbane Lions and GWS. A great advertisement for supreme pace and its dominance in sport. Both teams are incredibly young and quick. That is the future. Liked the Geelong effort through Dangerfield. Always great to see the back of West Coast... so Collingwood, Geelong, GWS and Richmond it is... Richmond are specials for mine. A massive unbeaten run is their only issue.
Can GWS overcome their qualifying final hex? They need to be smarter in the key contests under pressure. Really like Toby Greene (grubby at times, but exceptional) and the flying blonde wig at the back, Nick Haynes. Supreme talents.
5. Basketball World Cup. The worldwide strength of this game is getting better and better. We just never seem to get to that gold medal game... Bogut is close to the Kgyrios of the sport. No medal in the end was disappointing.
6. EPL. Man City a loss to Norwich Canaries. Thank goodness. The EPL needs more upsets to keep its spice. It can become too predictable.
7. US Open - Nadal. How good is Nadal? He may pip Roger.... but those three will always be remembered as the best ever. Dominant.
8. Rugby World Cup. Does anyone hold any hopes for our chances? Maybe the fact no one does, is our best chance?
9. Great run on the weekend by Bivouac in the 'Run To The Rose' - and by our mate Tony Macrae's horse, Spanish Dream in the ninth at Rosehill on Saturday. A Sydney winner - sensational effort.
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