1. Gold Coast Titans. Offloading the salary cap heavy sponges (Boyd, Cartwright, Peats, etc...) makes sense, especially if David Fifita is now taking up half of the salary cap! Issac Yeo is a valuable player for the Panthers. He and Crighton have lifted their standards and they are starting to look much stronger. Looks like a strong spirit and connection between players. Cleary needs to take the line on more frequently however if they are to win the comp.
Interesting to see the dud buy of the year, Curtis Scott, being shopped around already by Canberra. I don't know how good he actually was with so many gun players around him at the Storm, but it is an unhappy time for him at Canberra thus far.
2. NRL Split. The top four teams are stepping up - Panthers, Eels, Roosters and Storm (maybe Canberra...maybe Manly) but you get the feeling that the Roosters (especially with SBW) will win again to make it a threepeat. Injuries are the key thing. The Knights are having no luck. The Andrew McCulloch hamstring injury was really bad. The Raiders and Knights are copping injuries big time. The lack of a 'second grade'/ 'Reserve Grade' may be a factor.
3. Bulldogs. Interesting that the Bulldogs can lift when their coach has vanished. They have had the chat re contracts moving ahead. Trent Barrett looks as though he has sent the players an email too. Interesting how that can impact!
4. Bunker. Can we end it now? Not sure what the difference between a video ref and a bunker is..maybe a few large TVs and a microphone perhaps. The errors are inexcusable. The Dragsters could have won late, but it never looks good. When is another coach going to ask for an investigation into this? Geoff Toovey cannot be the only one surely.
5. Rugby. They have truly lost the plot in trying to spend 3 million on a Kings student in Year 10. Remember Barney Haslett, signed by Parramatta at 14 years of age? Let the kid grow up and spend the money on something sensible for the greater good of the game. Honestly. How daft.
6. AFL. Tom Papley staying at the Swans was important. Without him they would have two fewer wins and no way for Alistair Clarkson to get upset with the Club! Clarkson seems to be getting quite cranky lately. This is a sure sign the knives are out for him. Port, Brisbane and St Kilda looking strongest. Not enjoying the footy as much this year thus far. The quarters are too short and not as free wheeling for the running games needed for maximum entertainment.
7. Test Cricket. England v Windies. As mentioned, the Windies cannot string together enough quality sessions to win Tests regularly. They look doomed again. 1-1 with this Test to play. Looking like a 2-1 test series victory to England. James Anderson is nearing in on 600 test wickets too. Broad closing in on 500. When they retire things could be different for England. Legends are irreplaceable.
8. A-League Champions. Sydney FC win the Premier's Plate, but no one really cares sadly. The game has hit the wall.
9. Hugh Bowman. Sadly for Hugh, who rode three winners on the day, his effort in race 1 on Smart Image looked like an impatient older jockey who was showing up a younger rider in Andrew Adkins. Ribs, legs all broken and a stunning horse of huge potential (Hot n' Hazy) dead. Hugh has a fair bit to answer for here and should receive a lengthy suspension. The connections of the horse will be looking for him too.
10. Towelflicks. Good to see the towelflick championships through Sportsbet still alive as a sport in COVID-19 times. What's next...nipple cripples, sack whacks, bum flicks...?
11. EPL. The top four is yet to be decided (outside of Liverpool and Man City). Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester compete for Champions League places this weekend. All must win, but Leicester host ManU. Jamie Vardy looks like remaining the highest goal scorer this season at 23. Norwich are gone, but a couple of others will need to join them...Bournemouth? Watford? Aston Villa? A great competition where everything matters right down to the end.
If ManU win, a third place end point would be an exemplary season after the start they had.
12. A-B...C? I have been assured that Bronson Xerri's B Sample is on its way.
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Sunday, July 19, 2020
Wrap - Hands Like a Digital Watch
1. Swans and GWS. Just when they should be dominating with home games, they are folding up under pressure. With no pace, there is a sameness about both of their under performing teams. There will be no cleaning the trophy cupboards there this year. Keep the lock on it. Swans may need to house the spoon. Gold Coast carving it up! Brisbane looking sharp.
2. Bulldogs. Nothing like a player dropping a straightforward ball and giving up a try. Montoya and a few others. Basic errors. Nice to see Foran being offered what he is worth now. Talk about a player getting overs, but his body looks beat now. Steve Georgalis knows his footy, but you get the sense that coaching gig is a poison chalice. Trent Barrett as coach? As talented as he may be, not sure that is what they need right now.
3. Warriors. Another mortifying loss. They have no pride in their jersey at present. They are doing more that just doing every one a favour they are involved in the disrupted 2020 season. They need to work on what they believe as a football team and manage themselves carefully. Their brand could take irreparable damage here. Todd Payton is up against it.
4. Broncos. Isaako also had the dropsies on Friday night to gift a try for Benji. Hands like canoe paddles. Apart from Seibold, there are a few players that need the chop - Croft, Millford, Boyd... all badly out of form and on notice. Lots of injuries, but honestly...48-0 v the Wigers. Pleeease. However, it is worth remembering that it is more important that everyone has fun and tries their best. Even if that means getting rid of the traditional Broncos BBQ! Five wins to keep your job...excuse me?
5. Eels Arrogance? A few wins and you think you are better than you are. Matterson and Ferguson resting or injured? Matterson makes a huge difference to the team. The greats of the game seem to string games together...ask Cameron Smith what he thinks. How Brad Arthur thinks eliminating offloads is a good tactic is beyond me on a slow field. They lacked spark and focus. The tactics were poor on that ground.
6. Michael Jennings seems to have more speed this year and is surging up the all time NRL try scoring list into the top 10 ever, equaling Nathan Merritt with his double! Six more to beat Matt Sing and Hazem El Masri (11 behind ET). How good was Billy Slater?:
7. Paul McGregor. Funny to hear Paul McGregor thanking the Board for their "full support" recently!
8. Ben Stokes. How good is this bloke? Admittedly it was against the Windies, but he gets wickets, big runs and takes amazing catches. Interesting how the Poms produce Botham, Flintoff and Stokes and we produce Trevor Laughlin, Simon O'Donnell, Shane Watson and Hilton Cartwright? We did have Gilchrist however! Windies up 1-0, but you get the feeling that it is not for long. Once Jofra Archer gets back on a seaming deck...curtains.
9. Black Lives Matter (BLM) in South African Cricket/ Rugby. A super hot historical and current issue. Lungi Ngidi their current crack fast bowler is taking them on and shaking up a few of the past players (Symcox, of course) in his BLM stance. Disturbing reports from some former greats of South African cricket - Makhaya Ntini (390 Test wickets) - about how lonely the team bus and team hotel was for him...latent racism and troubling stuff. A huge divide looms here. One to watch.
10. Adelaide AFL Club. When will they stop whinging about a pre-season disaster a few years ago? Surely their poor form and roster is not linked to that. Talk about not owning your own performances.
Tom Papley leading the most goals for the season? Surely that is a sad indictment on the game at present. Plugger used to kick that many in an afternoon.
11. Rugby. Catering for the limited audience involvement and trudging around in a reasonable show of skills. Brumbies too good for Tahs at the last moment, but a few bright lights in the younger brigade on show.
12. A League. Central Coast Mariners. Is it time to shut the joint down? They have really struggled to win anything. They seem incapable of turning any game their way. Professional football requires more than this. They need some significant international investors to buy in and restore the club to a powerhouse.
13. Golf. Is the great game of golf under threat with the antics of a growing number of current players? There have always been a few hot heads (Big Phil Mickelson, Long John Daly, VJ, et al), but the presence of Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and Bryson De Chambeau seem to be taking the sport into the drink a bit more regularly...
2. Bulldogs. Nothing like a player dropping a straightforward ball and giving up a try. Montoya and a few others. Basic errors. Nice to see Foran being offered what he is worth now. Talk about a player getting overs, but his body looks beat now. Steve Georgalis knows his footy, but you get the sense that coaching gig is a poison chalice. Trent Barrett as coach? As talented as he may be, not sure that is what they need right now.
3. Warriors. Another mortifying loss. They have no pride in their jersey at present. They are doing more that just doing every one a favour they are involved in the disrupted 2020 season. They need to work on what they believe as a football team and manage themselves carefully. Their brand could take irreparable damage here. Todd Payton is up against it.
4. Broncos. Isaako also had the dropsies on Friday night to gift a try for Benji. Hands like canoe paddles. Apart from Seibold, there are a few players that need the chop - Croft, Millford, Boyd... all badly out of form and on notice. Lots of injuries, but honestly...48-0 v the Wigers. Pleeease. However, it is worth remembering that it is more important that everyone has fun and tries their best. Even if that means getting rid of the traditional Broncos BBQ! Five wins to keep your job...excuse me?
5. Eels Arrogance? A few wins and you think you are better than you are. Matterson and Ferguson resting or injured? Matterson makes a huge difference to the team. The greats of the game seem to string games together...ask Cameron Smith what he thinks. How Brad Arthur thinks eliminating offloads is a good tactic is beyond me on a slow field. They lacked spark and focus. The tactics were poor on that ground.
6. Michael Jennings seems to have more speed this year and is surging up the all time NRL try scoring list into the top 10 ever, equaling Nathan Merritt with his double! Six more to beat Matt Sing and Hazem El Masri (11 behind ET). How good was Billy Slater?:
7. Paul McGregor. Funny to hear Paul McGregor thanking the Board for their "full support" recently!
8. Ben Stokes. How good is this bloke? Admittedly it was against the Windies, but he gets wickets, big runs and takes amazing catches. Interesting how the Poms produce Botham, Flintoff and Stokes and we produce Trevor Laughlin, Simon O'Donnell, Shane Watson and Hilton Cartwright? We did have Gilchrist however! Windies up 1-0, but you get the feeling that it is not for long. Once Jofra Archer gets back on a seaming deck...curtains.
9. Black Lives Matter (BLM) in South African Cricket/ Rugby. A super hot historical and current issue. Lungi Ngidi their current crack fast bowler is taking them on and shaking up a few of the past players (Symcox, of course) in his BLM stance. Disturbing reports from some former greats of South African cricket - Makhaya Ntini (390 Test wickets) - about how lonely the team bus and team hotel was for him...latent racism and troubling stuff. A huge divide looms here. One to watch.
10. Adelaide AFL Club. When will they stop whinging about a pre-season disaster a few years ago? Surely their poor form and roster is not linked to that. Talk about not owning your own performances.
Tom Papley leading the most goals for the season? Surely that is a sad indictment on the game at present. Plugger used to kick that many in an afternoon.
11. Rugby. Catering for the limited audience involvement and trudging around in a reasonable show of skills. Brumbies too good for Tahs at the last moment, but a few bright lights in the younger brigade on show.
12. A League. Central Coast Mariners. Is it time to shut the joint down? They have really struggled to win anything. They seem incapable of turning any game their way. Professional football requires more than this. They need some significant international investors to buy in and restore the club to a powerhouse.
13. Golf. Is the great game of golf under threat with the antics of a growing number of current players? There have always been a few hot heads (Big Phil Mickelson, Long John Daly, VJ, et al), but the presence of Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and Bryson De Chambeau seem to be taking the sport into the drink a bit more regularly...
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Wrap - Buddy Hard To Watch
1. Warm Up Injuries. Interesting to see more and more NRL players getting injured in their warm ups - Morris (Roosters), Liam Knight (Rabbits), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm)? This is ridiculous. They crap around for too long with silly run throughs. In the old days, Reserve Grade used to play and you would never get on the field to muck around. There is too much silly shoulder rubbing and internal run throughs. Honestly, what happened to the footy being passed round the circle, muck around kicks for goal, drop kicks off the tryline to try and thread the posts...field goals...
2. NRL Haircuts. Why do so many players look like they have their hair cut by the council at the moment?
3. Melbourne. First they completely stuff up COVID-19, then we change the world for them. They get special treatment everywhere they look. The refereeing to allow them extra time at goaline drop outs and extras here and there is masterful, but the web is tightening around them. The wrestle that has plagued the game has been removed, but not completely...the slow play the balls have been eliminated. Through all this, injuries and new signings, Melbourne Storm keep surging ahead. Would it be wise for the Bulldogs or Warriors to sign Cameron Smith up as their long term coach?
4. Broncos. You can stop crying now. They beat the Bulldogs. Dean Pay is shot and has been telling people for some time. I think the exit of Foran, Hopoate and a few others will help ...more pace out wide and some leadership in the backs will do the trick. Their forwards have slow feet (Tolman, Jackson)...it is a brutal game. The new Englishman forward, Luke Thompson, looks like a young James Graham. Not very creative, but tough. The life of an NRL forward is very limited. Leg speed matters.
Manly were absolutely pole axed by St George. Their best win in a long time. They have some talent in their side...Sims makes a big difference. Young Lomax is really stepping up.
Loving some of the big hits on the attacking players in these wrap/ decoy plays.
5. Ill Discipline. Joey Leulia and Hudson Young..maybe Josh Maguire...are these the most ill disciplined players in the NRL? Nathan Brown (Parramatta) is up there.
6. Bunker. Sick to death of bunker decisions which over assess the play. Can we get rid of it? The single referee has barely raised an eyebrow of difference, outside of some dodgy touch judge forward pass calls. Back to the original model? Or in goal touch judges perhaps? Live decisions are always best.
7. West Indies. It is a shame they are not as terrifying as they once were. The fear of batsmen in the 1980s was something else. They can play one or maybe two good test innings... but never four innings. England at home under sunny skies will punish you. A tricky chase of 200 or so will be interesting when James Anderson is playing. Hard to believe you drop Stuart Broad. He has almost taken 500 test wickers and is one of the game's most elite players ever. He specialises in winning games in England in the fourth innings.
8. EPL Relegation. Norwich are gone. Bournemouth and Aston Villa look like joining them. Liverpool are within an ace of 100 point season... a remarkable sign of domination, despite picking up a draw with Burnley at Anfield overnight. Leicester and ManU have a chance to leapfrog Chelsea into the top four as well.
9. AFL. Hard to knock Port Adelaide's domination. Lots of ups and downs for GWS continue and the Swans are cooked. Their poor recruitment of lots of midfielders and very few blokes with speed is hurting them now. They got focused on a certain style of player - Heeney, Mills... What an atrocious style of play they are bringing to the game each week. How long away is Buddy Franklin. There is no doubting he will be fresh when he arrives back. He's been injured for over a year!
10. Super Rugby. No one is quite clear what is going on with this sport, but the Waratahs had a win (just) over the Force who would be happy COVID-19 arrived. A lifeline.
2. NRL Haircuts. Why do so many players look like they have their hair cut by the council at the moment?
3. Melbourne. First they completely stuff up COVID-19, then we change the world for them. They get special treatment everywhere they look. The refereeing to allow them extra time at goaline drop outs and extras here and there is masterful, but the web is tightening around them. The wrestle that has plagued the game has been removed, but not completely...the slow play the balls have been eliminated. Through all this, injuries and new signings, Melbourne Storm keep surging ahead. Would it be wise for the Bulldogs or Warriors to sign Cameron Smith up as their long term coach?
4. Broncos. You can stop crying now. They beat the Bulldogs. Dean Pay is shot and has been telling people for some time. I think the exit of Foran, Hopoate and a few others will help ...more pace out wide and some leadership in the backs will do the trick. Their forwards have slow feet (Tolman, Jackson)...it is a brutal game. The new Englishman forward, Luke Thompson, looks like a young James Graham. Not very creative, but tough. The life of an NRL forward is very limited. Leg speed matters.
Manly were absolutely pole axed by St George. Their best win in a long time. They have some talent in their side...Sims makes a big difference. Young Lomax is really stepping up.
Loving some of the big hits on the attacking players in these wrap/ decoy plays.
5. Ill Discipline. Joey Leulia and Hudson Young..maybe Josh Maguire...are these the most ill disciplined players in the NRL? Nathan Brown (Parramatta) is up there.
6. Bunker. Sick to death of bunker decisions which over assess the play. Can we get rid of it? The single referee has barely raised an eyebrow of difference, outside of some dodgy touch judge forward pass calls. Back to the original model? Or in goal touch judges perhaps? Live decisions are always best.
7. West Indies. It is a shame they are not as terrifying as they once were. The fear of batsmen in the 1980s was something else. They can play one or maybe two good test innings... but never four innings. England at home under sunny skies will punish you. A tricky chase of 200 or so will be interesting when James Anderson is playing. Hard to believe you drop Stuart Broad. He has almost taken 500 test wickers and is one of the game's most elite players ever. He specialises in winning games in England in the fourth innings.
8. EPL Relegation. Norwich are gone. Bournemouth and Aston Villa look like joining them. Liverpool are within an ace of 100 point season... a remarkable sign of domination, despite picking up a draw with Burnley at Anfield overnight. Leicester and ManU have a chance to leapfrog Chelsea into the top four as well.
9. AFL. Hard to knock Port Adelaide's domination. Lots of ups and downs for GWS continue and the Swans are cooked. Their poor recruitment of lots of midfielders and very few blokes with speed is hurting them now. They got focused on a certain style of player - Heeney, Mills... What an atrocious style of play they are bringing to the game each week. How long away is Buddy Franklin. There is no doubting he will be fresh when he arrives back. He's been injured for over a year!
10. Super Rugby. No one is quite clear what is going on with this sport, but the Waratahs had a win (just) over the Force who would be happy COVID-19 arrived. A lifeline.
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Wrap - Something In The Water
1. COVID-19 Crazies. Put down Joey Leilua as the goose of the week. He loses it too regularly, but has a lot of ability. He needs to show more guidance for the younger players like Tommy Talau and play without chronic errors. Ricky Stuart got some good work out of him (until the GF) last year but the Tigers have not got the discipline or talent. They lack halves speed. Simple. However good Josh Reynolds has been, he is dogged and tough, but too slow. Same with Benji. The quicker teams run rings around you. Look at the Roosters. Blistering. Even Michael Jennings is showing the same turn of foot that he showed running from the coppers at PJ Gallaghers in Parramatta all those years ago.
2. COVID-19 Crazies. The Fonua-Blake bust up late for Manly v Newcastle was not good, but I suspect Jake Trobjevic giving it to the touch judge was no better. Their discipline was out and Des Hasler needs to eliminate this outdated 'whinging Manly' culture if they are to make finals and excel.
Surprised to see the red headed Canberra dude - Corey Horsburgh - admit to acts of madness himself in the past and as late as last week. Target drawn and being coloured in right now, ready for his return to the field.
3. Sivo, Sivo, Sivo. He did an absolute number on Kyle Feldt (who still has the best kick off in the NRL it must be said). Makai Sivo has done wonderfully well since coming from Penrith. Brad Arthur has a set of forwards who are pretty dominant and physical now...Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown, Oregon Kafusi...fast feet. The footwork, step and offloads of Junior Paulo is exceptional. He is a super talented player - up there with David Solomona in his hey day.
4. EPL. Wolves and Sheffield United are making ground on the big name clubs in the EPL. ManU are rebounding and the drop zone relegation battle is outstanding. Norwich are gone, but West Ham are holding strong and so are Brighton. Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are nearby... all the while, Leeds are ready to spring back into the top flight football from the Championship. It has been a long time coming!
5. AFL Bubble. Victoria has absolutely dropped the ball with coronavirus and as a result the AFL is in turmoil. They have not really done COVID-19 really well at all down there. Players travelling, not travelling... some think they are in Africa. What do cricketers do all year long?
6. AFL. GWS are making a resurgence after a slow post COVID-19 start. Brisbane are flying under the radar too. What has happened to the once proud Melbourne AFL club? They continue to disappoint badly!
7. Eric The Injured. Not since the twilight of Eric Grothe Senior's career have we seen such injuries...Buddy Franklin or Matt 'Hamstrings' Moylan for the most injured modern footballer?
8. Broncos Demise. I think we are all supposed to be in tears about the Broncos situation. Does anyone care and what makes them so special? Maybe only that they have all the talent in Brisbane and Queensland at their disposal. Can't wait for State of Origin again.
9. Bronson Xerri. That B Sample should be arriving any day now...
2. COVID-19 Crazies. The Fonua-Blake bust up late for Manly v Newcastle was not good, but I suspect Jake Trobjevic giving it to the touch judge was no better. Their discipline was out and Des Hasler needs to eliminate this outdated 'whinging Manly' culture if they are to make finals and excel.
Surprised to see the red headed Canberra dude - Corey Horsburgh - admit to acts of madness himself in the past and as late as last week. Target drawn and being coloured in right now, ready for his return to the field.
3. Sivo, Sivo, Sivo. He did an absolute number on Kyle Feldt (who still has the best kick off in the NRL it must be said). Makai Sivo has done wonderfully well since coming from Penrith. Brad Arthur has a set of forwards who are pretty dominant and physical now...Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown, Oregon Kafusi...fast feet. The footwork, step and offloads of Junior Paulo is exceptional. He is a super talented player - up there with David Solomona in his hey day.
4. EPL. Wolves and Sheffield United are making ground on the big name clubs in the EPL. ManU are rebounding and the drop zone relegation battle is outstanding. Norwich are gone, but West Ham are holding strong and so are Brighton. Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are nearby... all the while, Leeds are ready to spring back into the top flight football from the Championship. It has been a long time coming!
5. AFL Bubble. Victoria has absolutely dropped the ball with coronavirus and as a result the AFL is in turmoil. They have not really done COVID-19 really well at all down there. Players travelling, not travelling... some think they are in Africa. What do cricketers do all year long?
6. AFL. GWS are making a resurgence after a slow post COVID-19 start. Brisbane are flying under the radar too. What has happened to the once proud Melbourne AFL club? They continue to disappoint badly!
7. Eric The Injured. Not since the twilight of Eric Grothe Senior's career have we seen such injuries...Buddy Franklin or Matt 'Hamstrings' Moylan for the most injured modern footballer?
8. Broncos Demise. I think we are all supposed to be in tears about the Broncos situation. Does anyone care and what makes them so special? Maybe only that they have all the talent in Brisbane and Queensland at their disposal. Can't wait for State of Origin again.
9. Bronson Xerri. That B Sample should be arriving any day now...
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