1. A League Winners. Sydney FC have been Premiers 5 times (to Melbourne Victory's 4 titles), but not today. They had been dominant for a long time and coach Steve Corica played in the very first win. It is clear that the dunny seat trophy needs to be replaced soon. Designed by someone trendy, but it looks terrible. It could well symbolise the standard of some of the players. Melbourne City had more control and poise at key times. Not sure when the new season resumes...possibly next week some time.
2. US Open Golf. Jon Rahm bounces back from a PGA COVID disqualification when a mile ahead and then becomes a Major winner. Poor old Louis Oosthuizen came second again. A first world problem, but a concern... Koepka in the top five yet again. He could well be one of the greats eventually. Five or six Major victories puts you there forever.
3. No NRL. Terrible scheduling really - and now a COVID lockdown. The greedy wasteful clubs are already whinging. Not sure how the broadcasters tolerate it to be fair, but the AFL dominated this weekend. State of Origin is a great showpiece, but how great? The women's State of Origin was full of big hits, but in the wet was hardly the entertainment showpiece that many were hoping for... Lots of toughness and skill on show it must be said.
4. State of Origin. The usual Queensland mystery illness. Reece Walsh this time. The tactic is used in every Origin. Farcical. In some ways the silly NSW gamesmanship around the eligibility for Mulitalo plays straight into QLD hands. Fittler would be annoyed he has so many administrative idiots around him. Stupid old fashioned nonsense. He is hardly going to be selected for NSW anytime soon... and he's no Greg Inglis.
In the end a great game. The NSW backline was put under pressure, but not to be. Latrell Mitchell was brilliant (one on one strip, defence to contain QLD in their own in goal, intercept try, sideline defence...outstanding). Too slick for Queensland. The Cronk-Smith-Thurston- Slater era was spectacular, but time changes everything. Always seem that our forwards might not really aim up in Origin as much as Queensland's forwards do, but Sims, Murray and Saifiti were spectacular. Really like Junior Paulo and he hasn't been able to play with the ball in hands yet. He could be the closest we have seen to some of the greatest ball playing forwards.
Jack Wighton almost did an Aaron Raper, playing next to no minutes.
Capewell looked like he was running on a Heavy 10 every time he touched the ball. He missed so many tackles it was ridiculous. Trobjevic was awesome as usual. One of the best we have seen.
5. Warriors. Nice signing of Shaun Johnson, but how will he go back smoothly at the club who didn't want him? Gus is building some sort of roster there. Distance allows for salary discounts I suspect.
The signing of Nick Meaney is also typically visionary from the Storm. On song and strategic - and Xavier Coates coming on deck too! He will be better than anyone can believe once he gets weekly confidence in a top side. If George Jennings can become a world beater, anyone can!
6. Bulldogs. Why are the most hopeless teams also the most ill disciplined? COVID breaches? Dylan Napa again. He should have been cut before. Unfortunately the hippo ears are alive and well with players in the NRL... not the much needed elephant ears.
7. World Test Cricket Championship. Great work by NZ to beat India. Lords conditions suits their game to a tee. A monumental achievement really by a cricketing minnow. Ross Taylor keeps producing runs in pressure moments. Kyle Jamieson justified his IPL price tag with a MOTM performance. Interesting Australia could have been there but for a ICC ruling to penalise us for a minor discretion. Absurd, but never really contested by Australia. Boony had to make the call!
8. AFL. Richmond were dreadful (lowest score since the 1960s). No pressure and lacking intensity. St Kilda were pretty solid for the first Friday win at the MCG since 2010. Brisbane have jumped in flag favouritism after their effort v Geelong. COVID could impact big time now. Really liked Port Adelaide's form v Swans who lack punch up front.... and the effort of Melbourne v Essendon for their twelfth season win tells us they are Grand Final bound! Western Bulldogs belted West Coast too. They will be there. Keith gave us all the tip at the start of the year...Marcus Bontempelli the Brownlow too! Get on it!
9. Andrew Hoy and Mary Hanna. Olympians for Australia at 62 and 66 years of age in equestrian! Some sort of achievement at that age. Should it be an Olympics sport? How does it survive? Is there a succession plan in the sport?
10. UEFA Euro Football. There is always excellent football in world wide competitions. Outstanding. The big name countries lead so powerfully at these tournaments. Italy, Denmark...England v Germany. The fans love it, but it will test the best alarm clock...