1. State of Origin. Love how Ashley Klein ('Clown' to some), our third best ref, gets the nod. He was the 2006 International Rugby League Referee of the year. That was 16 years ago! Klein loves a get square, so this always helps to keep the game competitive.
The Origin sell-out bodes well for the Western Reds reincarnation! Down 1-0 is tough in Origin, whoever the team. There have only been seven teams in Origin history (out of 35 series) to win after trailing 0-1 in the series. The last time was in 2013. QLD are hot favourites.
Can we start the game any later? Ridiculous.
* POST GAME ADDITION: Well a lot stronger from NSW. Quicker line speed, more pressure on the QLD kickers, faster play the balls. A better, deeper kicking game with Burton in the mix. More experience helped with Jake T and Angus Crichton on the field. They got their bench rotation right too this time. Less fancy ball movement by our forwards and more yardage. Junior Paulo was immense. QLD used Papalli poorly off the bench.
No room for Sims - or the Fox sadly. Not sure what they will do with Jack Wighton - in for Stephen Crichton? Otherwise, no changes for mine. Murray was good starting. Liam Martin was better with Yeo on the field. Luau started very emotionally and gave away penalties, but he unifies a team and makes players work harder. Clever, incisive ball runner. Cleary spot on tonight.
2. Rugby League. While respect for the talent and courage is always there, is it just me who finds it hard to get too excited about U/19 and women's rugby league instead of regular first grade games on prime time TV? I noticed young Jonah Pezet has joined the Melbourne Storm. Superb signing. Good luck to them and all strength to these players. Some brilliant athletes, but bring back the regular comp.
Has anyone heard how Netball Australia are progressing with their national men's competition?
3. Test Rugby League. The weekend test matches (NZ v Tonga, Samoa v Cook Islands and PNG v Fiji) really underline how the Pacific Islander body shape and strength is ideally suited to the NRL. Some really powerful players with skill. How they love a flick pass! All those things NRL coaches ban, made the tests a little entertaining. The Fiji fullback surely needs a full NRL gig. They should be splashing the cash his way now.
4. NZ Cricket. Daryl Mitchell, the NZ middle order batsman gets New Zealand off the canvas with three hundreds in a row in England. He is again not out overnight and staring at another loss. Mark Tayloresque! Jonny Bairstow is similarly placed. Both have rescued their sides wonderfully well and repeatedly. Bairstow has played so well (like he did in Australia) and has really turned the results towards his team. 2-0 up and they have the edge now in the third test.
5. Australia v Sri Lanka. Losing an away series of cricket (T20, ODI and Test) is a specialty for us. To lose that ODI series is a disgrace, yet great spirit from the Sri Lankan crowds. Coach Ronald McDonald may need to check his Big Mac recipe fast, or he will be handing out posters in red boots and wearing yellow gloves. Sri Lanka is ranked 8th in the world, teetering on oblivion and we are fifth. A bad loss against a wily and valiant opponent who simply played better.
Once again, spinning decks are our nemesis. Has Cricket Australia thought of creating a deck or two like this? They are all bouncy drop-in seamers these days... bad news for Australian players wanting to play in the rich (and soon to be richer) IPL too.
6. AFL. Melbourne asserted their dominance again after a few rusty weeks, crushing Brisbane and getting ahead on the ladder again. The form of Essendon in losing to last placed West Coast was appalling. A great pressure win by Geelong over Richmond was a surprise. Carlton also aimed up v Freo. No more surprising than the Swans who finally competed for the full four quarters v St Kilda to win. Port and Collingwood in the winning books too. The eight look almost set.
7. Wimbledon 2022. Tsitsipas looms as the dark horse here, but Djokovic could equal the Sampras record for wins there (7), one behind the great Federer (8). Nadal will compete as well - as usual!
8. Matildas. A crushing 7-0 loss to Spain overnight. This is one of the worst results on record for a highly successful and stylish football team. Surgery required.