1. State of Origin. As mentioned weeks back, an awesome NSW backline was always going to be a huge threat. There seemed to be a clarity in their game with few errors and a composure that is not always familiar to NSW. The power of Cleary and Luai and the way they attack the line and force the defence into making rushed decisions is awesome. You can see how much Penrith flounder when they are not there in the club team, too. Dynamic pairing.
Amazing how the media fall over themselves with Origin and hype up every moment, every photograph, comments and the mystery Inglis-Thurston-Gagai illness, which didn't seem to work either. Queensland we are told stick solid with their coaches in Origin, but already the knives for Green are sharpening. Johnny Peard only lasted one series as did Tim Sheens.
Now of course we have a Maroons injury crisis... the hype they muster knows no bounds, but it gets ratings and loot into the game, so hey...
2. NRL. Sharp shooters with field goals.. old Shaun Johnson and young Sam Walker. Worth your weight in gold (or more) if you can win games under pressure like these two. If Walker's body holds up, he could be one of the very best. Joseph Suiali is exceptional too for an eighteen year old. So tough. Did anyone notice he had a different sponsor on the back of his jersey (Gotchaforlife - a suicide prevention cause) compared to the other players (Unibet - gaming/ betting)?
Manly are right back in the contest in season 2021 after looking lost and horrible early on. Sitting on 16 points, once again they are finals bound. Incredible. Tom Trobojevic is simply the best player in the comp. So athletic and physically brutal. He used to be in the Swans set up way back, but elected to follow this route. Good choice.
3. Peter 'Zorba' Peters. Zorba still has it. Heard a funny interview with him this weekend. A few highlights:
- High tackle fiasco and referee inconsistency is a joke.
- The people in the bunker are only there because they are not good enough to ref!
- Brisbane Broncos have turned into a retirement home - David Mead, Ben Teo, Albert Kelly, Karmichael Hunt.
- Ken Maumalo is a great signing - he is the slowest winger in the comp! Hope they didn't pay too much.
- Jason Taumaulolo used to be a workhorse - now he's turned into a drafthorse!
4. AFL. Adelaide Crows did the extraordinary v St Kilda on Saturday night not having scored a point in the whole game until late in the second quarter. They recovered in time for a Greg Brentnall 'over the head' kick to win it with moments remaining! The Swans were dreadful on Friday night and the momentum for the competition is enhanced whenever a coach like Nathan Buckley from Collingwood is shown the door.
The Long Weekend showdown with Melbourne is a showpiece game in the AFL, but the SCG won't do it justice. Great theatre nonetheless! Richmond look like they are coming back strongly. So good at moving the ball around.
5. Mens French Open Tennis. The extraordinary Djokovic is about to win yet another major and head to his 19th Grand Slam win, unless the Greek God, Stefano Tsitispas can seriously challenge here. Djokovic strangles the opponent and dissects them. He could have the Grand Slam record this year.
6. Womens French Open Final. Czech Barbora Krejcikova beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. A crushing win by an unseeded player. The central European and Russian women own this tournament most of the time. Barty would be seething quietly as she could have done it again.
7. A League. Macarthur FC look set for more unlikely glory after defeating the Central Coast Mariners 2-0. Big win! Almost better than the Socceroos beating Nepal! Although Melbourne Victory getting the spoon is just horrible for a once great club.
8. Cricket. Nice to see the ICC (Indian controlled) decide to support yet an even longer IPL window in world cricket. To hell with everyone else. Then they bar their players from other leagues worldwide. It is right up there with the IOC for credibility.
9. England v NZ. Somehow England conditions are always the right fit for New Zealanders who experience the same sort of pitches in their world. They are tenacious that is for sure and are a formidable opponent. The selectors in NZ cricket cut and swap their team like no other it must be said. Little stability, despite increasing domination. Maybe they hold players to account and don't hold them too long for the coach's sake like us? A crushing win coming up for NZ. That Wagner is a big moment player.
10. Australian Swimming. Anyone who gets up at 3.00am every day of their life to swim copious laps of a pool and count tiles on the floor of the joint will eventually crack. The recent allegations re coaches are severe, but the proof seems a little shallow at this point. The non-selection for the Olympics of Mack Horton shows how brutal and difficult that world actually is...something that does not suit those who miss out of course. A lifelong ambition and then what? So many former swimmers struggle after sacrificing so much for their dream. The sport needs a re-think. One suggestion...train in the afternoon when it is warmer. Swimmers rely on parents who can drive for most of their formative years. When parents' patience thins...so do the swimming ranks.
Mack Horton..sympathy in missing out on the 400m for the Tokyo games? I think he summed it up best. 'We want the fastest representing us - and that wasn't me tonight!'.
11. Brooklyn Hustle. One of the quickest horses in the business. A crushing win at Eagle Farm on Saturday in Race 9. Keep an eye on it!
Zaaki and Converge look to be emerging stars! (Not to mention Ayrton). I really like Adelong with a little give in the ground too. A class horse that wins tough.
12. Waratahs. 0-13 season. Thanks for coming. Dreadful. Lights Out.
13. Paul Gallen - Justis Huni Bout. Hopefully competitive, but you get the feeling it could end really poorly for one of them. Gallen has made a lot of coin out of this, so all strength to him. The critics will enjoy a picture of him on the canvas...as they did with 'The Man' Mundine as well. Loves a tall poppy does Australia! Lights out here too for one of them!
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