Wrap - Where The Sun Don't Shine

1. The Sharks. Hopefully they can put away the loss of Gallen, Brayley snr and Prior, but with Fifita and Woods, I am not seeing the spark. Woods is massively over rated. Perhaps the death riding of a great recent club is topical (no home ground, CEO rotation, young coach...). Matt Moylan has been very disappointing with injury after injury. Throw in the over paid Dugan (not his fault and why would he want to go anywhere at $900K a year!?) and the imminent departure of Morris... mild turmoil pre season.

I am not as convinced as some re Bronson Xerri. He would have been awesome at Little Athletics, but his hands are problematic. His passing is problematic (he doesn't do that much) and he runs, but can he play? The reaction by a few to the signing of Jesse Ramien (who also rarely passes) has been petulant and childish. I am worried for their season already. But everyone enjoys seeing the Sharks triumph.

2. Chinese Swimming. We are always quick to throw stones at other nations, but have a pretty dismal record ourselves around drugs in Olympic sports if the truth by known. Sun Yang will hopefully be rubbed out, but Mack Horton needs to win now, or look a bit foolish himself. Like India in cricket, the Chinese are feared in Olympic sports organisation because they are a financial powerhouse! Sun Yang has been kicked where the sun don't shine.

3. New Zealand Cricket. Southee and Boult always seem to produce in New Zealand tests. They play best at home. A nasty chase looms for them but Bumrah is no bum. They can bowl these Indians and will never give up. Kohli is up to some whinging as usual, but they will aim up.

Fascinating how Australian Cricket can fold on itself sometimes too. A bad ODI loss to South Africa. Smith and Labaschagne need to score tons. Too often it is left for Warner or Finch. Can we omit Mitchell Marsh please? Every time he plays he gets a slow 15 runs and we lose. Not sure Hazelwood is up to ODI cricket any more.

4. Sheffield Shield. NSW are in the final, but it will be interesting to see if Cummins, Starc, Hazelwood, Smith, Lyon, Warner all play...If they do, call the engraver.

5. Rugby. The Waratahs have finally kicked in...like the look of this Angus Bell.

6. EPL. Well the great Liverpool run of success has been halted by Watford 0-3, but the race to avoid relegation is more exciting. Watford's effort underpins the desperation. Close at the bottom this year with the Canaries from Norwich even winning.

7. Tennis. Who would have thought...? Nadal wins the Mexican Open. Djokovic wins the Dubai Open. Same old, same old. The younger players are still not a patch on them after so many years!

8. AFL. Still months away from starting seemingly, but interested to see Dusty Martin still Best On Ground in the Victorian Origin game. Toby Greene, loathed as he is for his cockiness, is still one of the best in the AFL too.

9. NFL. Will he or won't he? Tom Brady's future at the New England Patriots is a huge story. He should insist they sign some decent receivers as part of any deal.