1. NRL - Parramatta. Well, well, well... amazing what the licence to play football does to a team. Offloads in the modern game kill defences which are so patterned and routined. The Penrith defence is next level. Full marks to Brad Arthur with the selection of Dylan Brown at five eight. He is a sensational talent and must be prioritised close to the ball. Maybe one day he becomes the team's half back. Junior Paulo is also an amazing footballer...such skill. His name has now apparently changed from Junior Poor-lo to Junior Parr-lo as well. No impact on form. (Kikau was exceptional for the Panthers too).
Mitchell Moses is an intriguing study in big games. His composure goes south at key times and the arms often start waving in the exasperated fashion that would give away a 50m penalty in AFL every time. The wider the arms, the more the worry. His high kicks don't trouble a player like Dylan Edwards, but he must run the ball occasionally. Not a run in the game v Panthers when the element of surprise makes a difference. Goal line defence is not a specialty.
The skinny wingers for Parramatta stayed lower this week and avoided the sidelines, but Bailey Simonsen rushing up in defence will have taken the eye of all NRL coaches. He is a risk. Think Eric Grothe Junior.
A step forward for this team, conquering a mountain at the foot of the mountains.
The Bulldogs fell in a heap again and the Gold Coast look like a team in need of a new broom. The Broncos however, seem to be hitting their straps. You have to give it to Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin. This new 2022 version started poorly, but to beat the Sharks and Rabbits in successive weeks is a great achievement. The Warriors promise a lot, but deliver nothing and regularly.
The Storm - an incredible club and culture.
2. AFL. The composure of the Western Bulldogs is starting to become a worry. They are languishing, despite their talent. The role of Caleb Daniel has changed and this has unsettled them. They are in trouble with Alex Keath on the sidelines and their defence was awful. Without Bontempelli as well made them look second rate in the back half of the game.
Hawthorn again seem to be on fire and flagged late to allow Essendon the victory. Essendon could be something quite special. Really troubling with the Swans however. A little like the Western Bulldogs, they lacked energy at key moments - especially early. Tired legs or inexperience? They could be in some strife if their loss to the Gold Coast is their standard. Horse Longmire was unimpressed. Always hard to reconcile how a week of "work" results in this outcome.
Brisbane looking the goods in 2022 - and Geelong always look good at this time of the season, before fading under pressure. No one is as good as Melbourne however. Brilliant and look good to go back to back.
3. Ange Postocoglou. Celtic have their Scottish league championship in the bag with a strong win over Hearts 4-1. Nine or six points ahead and a +21 goal differential. His coaching record is outstanding. What an achievement really after the team was a rabble last season. A hard fan base to please, but silverware keeps the critics quiet. With Russian teams sidelined, Champions League representation awaits. A lucrative reward for a sensible investment.
4. Jose Mourinho. His Roma team have been striding out too, making the Europa Conference League. His record as a coach is outstanding really, despite his quirky manner and interesting press conferences - and facial expressions.
5. EPL. Liverpool have stumbled with a draw to Tottenham 1-1...opening the door for Manchester City to take the title at this late stage. Their Champions League capitulation to Real Madrid (when Liverpool wait in the final) could be sweet revenge now. Watford and Norwich City are now officially relegated. One more team to go... Everton (32 points/ 33 played), Leeds (34 points/ 34 played) or Burnley (34 points/ 35 played).
Manchester United losing 4-0 to Brighton could just about be their worst loss of their existence. What a pathetic effort from so many overpaid players. They are coming sixth and have more hoopla than most, with little to show for it.
6. IPL - Dave Warner. How talented is he as a cricketer? Once again he is in the IPL runs, now the fourth highest run scorer (356) in the whole competition after being discarded last year. Such tenacity and spirit and the Dehli Capitals are the 2022 beneficiaries. A few rough edges, but he has proven time and time again he is one of the best ever. No one is near Jos Butler from the Rajasthan Royals in 2022 however. He has the orange cap in his safe keeping as he has over 600 runs and counting.
7. Kentucky Derby. The annual race at Churchill Downs, Louisville, on dirt - the 148th version. Dirt is apparently the quickest surface for a race horse, but its tradition is like the Masters. Amazing how their ESPN coverage takes in the journey of the whole day...taking viewers into the jockey's room, parade areas, explaining key parts, critical roles of staff, behind the scene moments and allowing US sports fans to really understand the day. The Melbourne Cup coverage has a lot to learn. It could be so much better.
An 80-1 pop wins - Rich Strike. Aptly named and a winner at the largest odds in its history. The crowds and atmosphere, especially with the grandstands on the inside of the track are something else. Flemington needs to step up.
8. Wells Fargo Championship. Nice to see Jason Day back doing a little better at the best named tournament on the circuit. Made the cut but an awful third round outcome sadly. Really bad...
9. Sydney Kings NBL Championship. NBL Championship winners in 2003, 2004 and 2005... but losers ever since (2006, 2008, 2020). They need to beat the new franchise, the Tasmanian Jackjumpers, or forever be reminded of this in life. 2-0 up now.
There are some great non-existent teams in this league now - think Canberra Cannons, Nunawading Spectres, Townsville Crocodiles and the West Sydney Razorbacks. The Cairns Taipans have a great name, but can you name a taipan variety in Australia?
10. Greyhounds. Amazing that a greyhound race - The Million Dollar Chase - can attract a purse of a million dollars, but She's a Pearl (paying skinny) won it on Saturday night at Wentworth Park from the blue box. The former Premier, Mike Baird, would have been enjoying that one from his loungreroom.
11. Waratahs. Another win...and in New Zealand. It is not April 1.
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