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 Their discipline was out and Des Hasler needs to eliminate this outdated  'whinging Manly' culture if they are to make finals and excel.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...