1. NRL. Parramatta were very lucky v Manly. The work of Simonsen is not good enough in defence in first grade at present. Rushing up like Eric Grothe Junior or Blake Ferguson is too easy to break through. Both teams were as bad as each other in defence really. Tommy T's season ending injury is bad, bad news for Manly.
The Panthers surge on...and the Roosters suddenly look ordinary in attack. They need more creativity and lack a little speed out wide. The Panthers will need the four point break at the top of the table as they head into Origin (possibly losing To'o, Korisau, Cleary, Yeo, Luau, Crichton, Martin, Leniu for NSW).
The form of the Broncos and Cowboys is a bad omen for NSW origin as injuries plague NSW (Turbo, Latrell, et al). They will need to be on their game. Chadd Townsend's manager is also looking like a genius. He is in top form when there were many doubters (!). Well done to Todd Payton who has really nailed it this year so far. His young forwards are outstanding and their patterns across the park are extremely strong. Forwards with explosive speed over ten metres are so valuable in today's game...in defence and attack. They have thumped the Storm and Eels.
The Storm meanwhile have fallen in a hole. They look pedestrian without Hughes and Papenhuyzen. Losing so many players in 2023 may present Bellamy with his biggest challenge yet.
The Sharks are definitely not looking as sharp as they were earlier in the year, but still pushing through. Winning form is good form.
2. AFL. St Kilda, Geelong, Carlton, Fremantle and Melbourne are starting to put a gap on the rest quality wise. Brisbane a shock loss to Hawthorn. The Swans were miserable again really. Carlton though were excellent v the Swans and Richmond with Dustin Martin are looking so much better. When is Dusty arriving in Sydney? Tom Lynch can sure miss the easy goal sometimes. Essendon are great to watch, but they are weak in key positions.
3. IPL. Semi finals start this week. The top four in order of finishing? Gujarat Titans (Wade), Rajasthan Royals (Coulter-Nile), Lucknow Super Giants (Stoinis, Tye) and The Royal Challengers Bangalore (Maxwell, Hazelwood, Behrendorff).
The Delhi Capitals (Mitch Marsh and Dave Warner) missed out after a last game capitulation v the Mumbai Indians (David, Sams). This Tim David has been amazing. The best strike rate in the whole competition with his late innings cameos. He has hit 186 runs at 216! He must come into the Australian T20 team. All will finish soon and normal international cricket transmission will resume.
4. Aaron Finch. He is surely finished as Australia's T20 Captain. His stance and technique has really deteriorated. A sad shift. It was loose, but it is now diabolical. Maybe he should sound out the coach he refused to listen to - Justin Langer - and get some tips.
5. A League Football. Has anyone seriously watched a game in 2022? That league has almost been relegated to park level now. It is hard to believe it has fallen so far from what was a bright start. All the while a zillion kids across the state pay top level money to join "academies" which don't really have much to show for themselves.
6. NBA - Celtics. A slip today v the Miami Heat. 2-1 series to Miami in the best of five. An exciting end of season period, but the Celtics need to lift.
7. Everton. A win midweek over 3-2 v Crystal Palace saw the Toffees overrun with delighted fans at Goodison Park. They just escape relegation under Frank Lampard's coaching and maintain their 68 year reign in the top flight. A near miss and will need to recruit well in 2023. Relegated will be Burnley or Leeds (most likely), Norwich and Watford.
How good is the final week? All games start at the same time and great tension over the final finish. Man City need a win v Aston Villa (or draw if Liverpool draw) to be crowned champions. Liverpool need a win v Wolves - and a Man City stumble - to snatch it! Man City have the goal differential in their favour. Tension.
8. French Open - WTA-ATP. Amazing how the ATP/ WTA want to take on the establishment tournaments like Wimbledon. The greed of players is something else. The worst side of tennis, with no regard for what is right...just the cash thank you very much.
The French Open starts tonight and young Carlos Alcaraz looms as another gun of the future. Can he win?
9. USA PGA. Southern Hills, Oklahoma. Amazing quality as always, with a Chilean leading the way - Mito Pereira - but Cameron Smith (+1) always seems likely to produce regardless of the circumstances on these big stages. Lucas Herbert (-1) has been solid too.
Greg Norman's discredited Saudi tour is surely not likely to be supported through the turnstiles by the US public. His distaste for the PGA has been a lifetime mission. The Shark has lost the plot and is discredited himself. Wayne Grady didn't miss him.
10. Waratahs. A cracking win v the Highlanders. Their dreadful form looks to be turning.
11. Political T-Shirts. It must be said... fascinated why some people get so keen about politics and don a coloured t-shirt supporting their local MP ? It is a staggering thing, but good on them. Maybe they wonder why people like sport?
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