Wrap - Steve Smith Duck

1. Serena Williams. Still the greatest but has lost four out of the last eight finals. She appeared a shoe- in at the US Open and lost. She has been in 33 Grand Slam finals for 23 wins/ 10 losses... still two away from beating Margaret Court. I cannot see Rafa having any troubles in his final. He will go to 19 Grand Slams once behind Federer if he wins. Awesome player.


Meanwhile Ash Barty is in the doubles final. She keeps on winning but was disappointing in the singles.


2. The Ashes. Steve Smith is incredible. Sure, it is against a lower ranked side in England, but he is amazing. Gets 82 in the second innings toying with them. If he ever gets out we will struggle.


I think the whole of Australia lives in fear of a Smith duck. That might be bigger headlines than sandpaper gate! A Steve Smith duck is when you get belted so hard all you can do is duck! How good is it seeing the opposing skipper get a golden?! Joe Root under pressure.


The openers have been abysmal. Warner is the first since the great Graeme Wood to get three ducks in a row as opener. Wood was the greatest 'duck or a hundred' man you had ever seen. Mark Taylor had a terrible Ashes series going back and got a career saving ton at the Oval...hopefully Warner gets the chance, but Broad has him beat! Harris has been abysmal. I would be tempted to bring Carey in from county cricket - or Kurtis Patterson/ Will Pucovski, especially if we win this test.


Smith should be reinstated as skipper and Paine retired this summer. Carey is needed for the future.


3. AFL. Super wins by Richmond, Collingwood, GWS and West Coast. The crowds at GWS are getting worse. They are not western Sydney at all and have no traction there. Homebush is not west - sorry. West of Bondi, but not heartland. Richmond will be too strong again. The MCG masters.


4. NRL. Staggering that the Broncos will get a semi spot after the year they have had and they could knock over Parramatta first week as well. Tigers v Sharks was a cracker, but a shame they could both not be there. Loved the Gal field goal. He struck it well. Still believe Roosters are foxing and can win it again. Storm are strong as usual and with the NRL giving them rings and concessions left right and centre under Greenberg, they will be there at the end. Sam Burgess is a liability these days. He needs to be punted soon. Too ill disciplined.


Talking of which, how bad is this Hudson Young? What gives with this galoot? Suspend him for a long time and get rid of the current match review mob. Too confusing and pot luck.


5. NFL. How about the great coach, Bill Belichick? He gets a disaffected Antonio Brown from the Oakland Raiders on the cheap and again it will be a master stroke. He will star for them and they will go close again under Tom Brady's lead. Nothing like the attraction of success.


6. EPL. What about Watford? Four games in and their coach is sacked! Love it.