The Wrap - Zombie Mystery Ball

1. Scottie Scheffler. A clear world number one now after a very handy 2022 Masters victory worth $2.7 million, complete with a shocking final hole that no one cares to remember. Could be in for an extended run at the top on that form. Brave from Cameron Smith at T3 ($870K). Only $40K for Adam Scott at T48. Not a bad weekend's work regardless.

2. Anthony Milford. He beats the legal system challenge, but not the NRL Integrity Commission system. A wild night on the town indeed. Can't quite remember the last time The Wrap was out on a night with people breaking car windows and assaulting people. Then Haas and this Broncos team mate, Albert Kelly... the drink has claimed a lot of careers. Albert left the NRL some time back and has a new chance, but seems to have thrown it away now. 

Brisbane looked strong on Friday night, before their characteristic capitulation. Lock Penrith in for the title (a double with Melbourne in the AFL is still paying $10). Liam Martin is a pure Origin player. Scores a lot of tries too.

Noticing slight improvements in Kyle Flanagan's game, but attitude seems to be an enduring challenge. He is working to the line more, but Matt Burton is handcuffed playing in that team. Even the great Fox looks ordinary, only scoring his first try this weekend. Bad career move, despite the cash.

3. State of Origin. Origin 2022 looms as an intriguing battle. Tom Trobjevic has to play injury free hopefully. No Latrell? Katoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton look ready made replacements. Especially if Tommy T and Brian To'o can't play. Not sure Jack Wighton should be there. Ricky is fraying badly at present...Laurie Daley is the man to replace him as Canberra's season washes away.

Interested in the former Parramatta junior, Josh Curran (yes another one playing elsewhere) at the Warriors. Looks tough and talented on his feet and another Origin backrow option. Jake Trobjevic can't play forever.

4. Fireburn. Blistering pace in the Golden Slipper and Group 1 races since. First since Winx to almost win three Group 1 races in an Autumn season! The longer length on a heavy deck did not allow for his customary pace in the last 200m. Great win by a tough She's Extreme who just won.

5. New Australian Cricket Coach. In no real surprise, Andrew 'Ronnie' McDonald was announced as the new Australian cricket coach. Hopefully this goes better than his SCG Test debut with the helmet in 2009 against Morne Morkel. See: https://cricketcrowd.com/displayvideo.html?ccvideo=1600&ccdesc=Hit%2Bon%2Bhead%3A%2BNasty%2Bdebut%2Bfor%2BMcDonald%2B(SCG) 

Nonetheless, he was delighted with the news when The Wrap caught up with him earlier this week:

6. IPL. One of McDonald's key early issues is that of Aaron Finch. He has now changed his stance in a pretty extreme fashion in the IPL T20 cricket for the Kolkota Knight Riders. His technique is even more loose. He is in trouble. Maxwell and Warner continue to dominate. Cummins always seems to go for quite a few runs and his elite price tag would be worrying the bank managers.

Keep an eye on young Dewald Brevis from South Africa (Mumbai Indians). A sensational international bat at all of 18 years of age. A name of the future, but hopefully in all forms of the game.

7. Joe Root. Tosses it in as English captain yet looks to continue the trend that you hang around and play in the team - something Australian cricket has never tolerated. Think Gatting, Stewart, Hussain, Pietersen, Strauss, et al. Steve Smith is the only one I can recall in the Australian Test arena. He has however amassed the most English test victories as captain - ever - with 27 wins, but not a win in a series for a long time.

Australian Test cricket captain wins? Ricky Ponting (48 wins ), Steve Waugh (41), Allan Border (32) and Mark Taylor (26). Then you get to Steve Smith (19), Ian Chappell/ Don Bradman (15) Lindsay Hassett/ Bill Woodfull (14) and Richie Benaud/ Bob Simpson (12) with Tim Paine (11).

8. Liverpool (73 points) - ManU (74 points). Neck and neck for the title after a 2-2 draw last week. (A ripping 3-2 win in the FA Cup by Liverpool on the weekend as well, to make the final).  Awesome tension and drama in an EPL competition that is a showpiece in world football, regardless what many think. It is tough, talented and crowds are always full and spirited. The drop zone is getting interesting too. Leeds (33 points), Everton (28), Burnley (25), Watford (22), Norwich (21)...and not much in it. Unheard of that Everton could be in such trouble. Have not been relegated in 68 years! 

So much money at stake and the future of these bottom three clubs ride on this. With three points for a win, it can shift quickly. Only four or so weeks of the competition remain after this weekend.

9. AFL. Good Friday blitzes by both the Western Bulldogs and Swans. Bailey Smith hit 47 disposals which is phenomenal v North Melbourne. The work of Mills, Parker and Gulden has been impressive. Josh Kennedy has almost joined the coaching staff these days. 56-0 just before half time really showed how dominant the Swans were. Incredible scoreline. Carlton and St Kilda are showing more this year which is a little surprising and Adelaide are also looking more like a footy team. Young Josh Rachelle is doing some great things for them. Essendon, GWS and West Coast all look terrible early. Port were better v Carlton, but they have been the biggest early disappointment.

10. UFC. What about Volkanovski beating the Korean Zombie? Great names, but still a grim sport.

11. Stuart MacGill. 200 test wickets but no greater mystery ball than how you get kidnapped and released... Strange days indeed, most peculiar mamma. Something big is not making sense here.

12. French Open Tennis. Staring at the May 22 start date will widen Nadal's eyes as he seeks his fourteenth French Open crown. Extraordinary to even say it. 13 wins - is it the most Grand Slam victories at a single venue ever, in any top flight sport?