1. Masters. A cracking end to the Masters and Hideki Matsuyama's worldwide wave of popularity has sky rocketed. His caddy moreso! Still one of the best worldwide sporting events...even with fewer in the crowd. Such a great course which really tests the skill of players. Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith both did a great job.
2. Sheffield Shield Final. Marnus Labaschagne was sensational. 192, but a double century went begging with some overly slow play from him late in the innings. Prolific and an amazing talent who saves every team he plays for.
Hard to believe how bad the NSW bowling attack was...and a familiar ring of flat incompetence was there again, like it was in the Indian Test series. Three days only of a five day game. Not surprising after being rolled for 32 two weeks back. Lyon was the leading Shield wicket taker this season, but sometimes you wonder how he ever gets a wicket. Starc can talk a big game, but sometimes he is flat mediocre too. Worrying signs for Australia.
The two Australian IPL mega-signings - Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith - have also been flat and ordinary in the early IPL games so far. Pat Cuummins not much better. Smith and Henriques have not played yet in the IPL. The 'Big Show' is on fire there!
Probably a good decision to avoid COVID for those like Hazelwood and Mitchell Marsh, but hard to believe that Steve Smith, Moises Henriques and Pat Cummins are all there and the Shield is sacrificed. They know who butters their bread.
3. State Funerals. Important if you were a politician, a fashion designer, but no room for former rugby league players. Tommy probably would not have wanted one...the SCG sounded right.
4. AFL. Western Bulldogs 5-0 season start. Best since ages ago. They are speedy and have the tough attitude needed for excellence. The power of Richmond is not far away either. Good to see GWS stand up, but the Swans went to sleep at the end and should never have lost. A big wake up for Adelaide as well...
Despite the limping win, Geelong are terrible (17 behinds and only 4 rush behinds) and the great Gary Rohan can guarantee a kick out on the full when the team does not need one. Close in the pink footy boots may reveal half the issue... ego and lack of unity. Perhaps symbolically important, but should it be 'all in'? I noted Gary Ablett has indicated he can still play for them if need be too. Odd.
5. NRL. A revival weekend for a few teams - Broncos, Tigers, Bulldogs were all better - but still lost. Souths needed a jolt and got it. Saints also came back to ground with a terrible loss really to the Warriors. The Eels and Raiders were a good match and an entertaining game. Sadly for both, they have the same issues: good forwards, flat halves and a lack of pace. The Eels win there for the first time in a million years. Storm and Panthers look the powerhouses again.
Dud buys of the year thus far - Kyle Flanagan and Nick Cotric. The big young forwards at North Queensland will eventually be awesome in time. Rangy, skilful and tough.
6. F1 Predictability. Lewis Hamilton nails pole position yet again. 99 pole positions compared to Schumacher's 68 and Senna's 65. Meanwhile Riccardo has an excuse every week...
7. FA Cup. Chelsea v Man City FA Cup semi ended in a shock loss to the dominant Man City. Leicester look set to join them in the final. In the championship, Sheffield United are definitely relegated and West Brom and Fulham are on the slippery slope. Exciting times.
8. 100 Metre Sprinting - Olympics. Rohan Browning has qualified for Australia in the 100m sprint for the Olympics. The first since 2004 - Josh Ross! Why are we so slow? Slow to the chemist? Slow in the lanes?
9. Cody
Simpson swimmer. Not winning, but a good story. Can anyone explain why swimmers need to get up so early to train? Clear access to the pool is easier at 4.00am, but can't the same access be secured in the afternoon too? I wonder if this actually hurts performance and discourages athletes and families long term?
10. Tokyo Olympics. This is looming as a complete fiasco. Lots of changes and moves to make to venues to accommodate anticipated weather temperatures/ humidity and move personnel too because of COVID. Not the best suit for the Japanese when there is unpredictability and flexibility and adaptability is required. Perhaps Hideki has now shown the Japanese a new way of achieving despite the odds!
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