Lads, with the sporting world in freefall - 'postponement', 'cancellation', 'self isolation' - become important words. More important for some sports than others. Fancy The Masters, French Open/ Wimbledon, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA, EPL, European Football...all of them going into stoppage mode. Unprecedented, but important for world health. Although Anthony Mundine would dispute this (hopefully his brain is donated for scientific examination one day). Over reaction? By some I suspect, but we are not medics. Cancelling events seems to be panicking. Postponing and delaying them, more considered.
The current climate is a great opportunity for these athletes to earn money without playing, rest up and do some running repairs and surgeries... the fans now have to do a double take. The world without sport is a little dull it must be said.
Playing behind closed doors (NBA Grand Final, ODI, League? AFL?) can't be much fun however. It will test the character and patience of fans.
The fear of legal recourse against owners and corporations is lively!
The power of Pay TV and streaming services is very apparent too. Play on behind closed doors and give us content - or we won't give you cash!
1. Best News. The best news to come out of the lot is that there will be an end to the useless ODI cricket series between Australia and New Zealand! Also, if the Warriors could just return home to NZ and not bother us ever again, it would all work out nicely too. Oh, and a merciful end to the A-League season would be really well received too. Supercar season? Waratahs collapse? Add that to the same dung heap.
Interesting to see how sports played over multiple countries are impacted, but localised ones hold a little more control.
2. NRL. When will we simply get to a point where player discretions equal loss of competition points - and individual fines set by the Integrity Commission (they are a limp lettuce leaf). The impact on the team would be immense, but it would straighten out the idiots real fast. Fans would rise up through the traditional trolling online and clubs would get rid of fools and recruit on character - and skill. Self regulation. What young player would step out of line with a Shane Webcke or a Glenn Lazarus staring at them in a team talk?
Great to see the game back on our screens, but cannot see the season exciting too many with empty stadiums, if it lasts. Maybe one fan in every row?
The thought of taking games to the north of the country in the warmth, makes sense, but bringing every player to a 'Super Round' arrangement at a single venue represents a complete ignorance of the spread of coronavirus. Dumb.
Crystal Ball: as players test positive at certain clubs, other clubs will not want to play against them! This amounts to forfeits and then we will have complete chaos. Let's see where we are by next weekend.
3. NRL - Round 1. Eels looked only just, but what do you expect...lacking pace out wide. How Michael Jennings got another contract is beyond me. He was done six years ago at the Roosters. Roosters rusty...Sharks gallant (they will absolutely miss Morris - and needed to offload a forward instead. eg. Araon Woods). Titans woeful and Warriors horrible. Interested in the Henny Penny Knights under Coach O'Brien. Could surprise with a solid roster and great juniors.
4. ODI Cricket. Mercifully it is over. A series win? Will Cricket Australia come out and admit the season was a disgrace? Or will they make India share IPL players with them for two weeks each Australian summer for the BBL? We have gone soft. packer would never have allowed it.
5. EPL. Who wins? Surely Liverpool take the title if the competition is unable to recommence? However who is relegated? This will be problematic and may see a season next year with those heading upwards crowding out the top league...on that principle, does the bottom league become an untenable size?
6. US College Sport. What about US College sport... you have four years of eligibility to play. With their basketball and baseball/ softball being cancelled (not postponed), this means that a player in the final year is now done. So, regardless of their form, their potential or their emerging talent...they are finished.
Wait, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) then weigh in and say that only baseballers in Division 1 colleges will get an extra year - so everyone else will whistle in the wind. Surely not. For a new player coming in, they now have to compete with five years worth of players. Older players staying (if they have no job already lined up) will bring extra costs to parents and greater competition, meaning first year players will be put onto the bench. Crazy topsy turvey times.
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