The Wrap - The Little Show

1. T20 World Cup. The work of the minnows has been impressive this week. Ireland beating England and Zimbabwe nailing Pakistan was impressive. Incredible results really. However Duckworth-Lewis can impact like that. The weather too - despite an indoor stadium at Docklands in Melbourne not being used. How can that happen with Australia v England? Typical poor Cricket Australia organisation. Organisers seem so locked to their schedule that catch up games/ dates are too hard to consider. There should be a reserve day for each game!

Australia will need a miracle. The Big Show has become a 28 inch black and white Rank Arena TV. Calls to sack Cummins are interesting. Finch could be souring the good work he has done over time. No surprise to learn he is extremely close with the coach. hence his elevation and Langer's demise. Langer would not have put up with it. 

2. World Cup Rugby League. Australia look specials, even after all the others disappear (Greece, Scotland and Jamaica all look like they have had enough already). It is incredible league is actually played at all in those countries. Australia has so much depth and smart players. Ben Hunt is such a talent. Then Cleary...Latrell. If anything, our forwards are the weakness. 

3. NRL Coaches. Anthony Griffin seems to have a target on his back as the club leaks and lurches from release requests to dud signings to no one turning up at Hook's end of year presentation. No BBQ was on offer apparently. Adam O’Brien and Justin Holbrook have had it much quieter in the media by comparison. Perhaps their clubs are more united, but the wolves may be howling soon! 

4. NFL. Tom Brady. Sadly divorced from his supermodel wife. There will be much pain… a bit like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are slipping fast. If anyone can rescue them it will be Brady. Meanwhile the New England Patriots are in huge trouble. Belichick's promises of new quarter back talent are fading yet again. The knives are sharpening. The gun teams are starting to sort themselves out now…. the Ravens getting stronger.

5. Scottish Premier League. Tight between Celtic and Rangers. One point with Celtic having a game in hand tonight. This ding dong battle meets a crescendo when they both play each other on 2 Jan and 9 April 2023! Long season yet.

6. MLB World Series. Astros v Phillies. This is tight already, with the home diamond advantage truly massive. 1-1 after a shock Phillies win away ion Game 1.

7. EPL. Chelsea copped a hiding from Brighton 4-1. Arsenal have started to slow and Man City have started to really ramp it up.

8. Wallabies v Scotland. A cracking win in their European tour. Close, but significant as they try and rebuild and rescue their inconsistency.

9. Melbourne Cup. It is unknown, but Hoo Yah Mal may just about win the thing. Gai Waterhouse trained and an overseas stayer. I also like Arapaho at $81 with Rachel King and down in the weights.

The Wrap - Old McDonald Had a Shocker

1. Cricket. What a thumping. Old Ronald McDonald the coach will be thrown out on his ear soon. Soft and gentle on the players...and no silverware. It was Justin Langer who won the last T20 World Cup last year. All strength to New Zealand. Too good and too courageous. How often do we see Glenn Maxwell produce in Australia? Not picking Cameron Green was gutless and Aaron Finch should hang his head in shame...and what about those who agreed to this? Steve Smith either plays or he is replaced in the squad. Too many bowlers who don't bat as well.

2. Loud media mouthpieces. Once upon a time it was Neil Harvey. Man Mundine was an expert. Ray Price has dabbled and Jana Pittman was pursued and gave us comments on everything from medicine, marriage/ divorce and bobsleds too. Move over the lot of you...Erin Molan has arrived and re-arrived. Bullied, oppressed, downtrodden, married, divorced and comments on everything, from motherhood and politics. There is a reason her radio show rates so poorly... unfortunately it is all a little boring.

3. Netball. Talk about poisoning the whole sport commercially. $15 million for an organisation that is bereft of business acumen was a bonus. Now everyone is claiming it wasn't them that influenced it. Aboriginal programs are broad and flourishing under Gina Rhinehart and the silly old goose of a father is dead a long time ago. - and with it his twisted, sad comments.

Businesses are rightfully wary about going near sport. I am yet to see a wind farm sponsorship or a 'Climate Change/ Greenpeace' sponsorship of mainstream sport. Has anyone seen this?

If it is a betting company, alcohol, even banks and insurance companies... forget it. Qantas bailed. Cigarettes went years ago (Benson and Hedges, Winfield Cup, Craven Mild Cup), but what is left? Milk (OAK), but flavoured milk is unhealthy, car companies like City Ford are dangerous too...every single one has a fault in the eyes of many of our new age viewers. Casinos are in trouble. Even Souths pledged not to have pokies... is that still in place?

So too much squabbling - bad publicity - and now all players from the grassroots upwards suffer. Cricket has done this as well. Soccer/ Football as well. No strength or substance. Players need to be reminded that your never sponsor sport to make money. Pat Cummins is now a world energy expert too I see. If he took more wickets in T20 cricket instead, we would be better off.

4. Celtic. They break free and now are four points ahead of Rangers (who drew with Livingston) beating Hearts 4-3 on the weekend. I am noticing some loose play this year in Celtic however. They need to be on guard. It could come crashing down. 

Liverpool are experiencing this in losing to Notts Forrest 1-0 and their former legend, Steven Gerrard is particularly feeling it having been dumped by Aston Villa. Had to laugh re the home crowd's chant here when the result went to Chelsea 2-0: "you're getting sacked in the morning". And he was.

5. Rugby League World Cup. Love watching tries, but the minnows are a joke really. Addo-Carr is loving it. Jamaica? Italy? Lebanon? Scotland lost 84-0. Bring on the real stuff. 

Surely you fill the competition with those games which are fair dinkum contests only and play more regularly than once a week. The squads have enough players to do this. It stands to be a decent competition, but clean out the minnows. The game will never grow there. 

John Ribot promised China in Super League (1997). How's that one going? Russell Crowe promised the USA? How are they progressing? (Like NFL in Australia I suspect). We played Origin at Veterans Stadium in LA in 1987. Any day now we should see their excellent steps forward. They are not even amongst the minnows!

6. MLB. The Philadelphia Phillies lead the San Diego Padres 3-1 and the Astros lead the New York Yankees 3-0 in their best of seven games series. Both the Phillies and the Astros look like contesting the MLB World Series (limited to the USA - but played by the best players from across the globe).

The Wrap - Roodimentals

1. Rugby League World Cup - Kangaroos. There is always something amazing about watching rugby league in England, but the conditions always seem to be wet and slippery. Games in sunshine are rare in those parts. The small in-goal areas are annoying - and how long before we have  injuries from hitting boarding and camera stands and the like?

Munster excels in those slippery Melbourne-type conditions and Harry Grant is such a talent. So quick on his feet. Yet this is the thing with most under performing NRL sides - no pace around the ruck. Korisau has made a career on it. Cook used to have a bit more toe at his best. The Storm did the right thing in opting for Grant over Brandon Smith who is a different style of player.

No surprise to see Victor Radley do well for Great Britain under coach Shaun Wane (Warnie always haunts us with this fellow's name). Samoa were a major disappointment it must be said. Lazy and ineffective, despite the hype. Where was the great Luai? Paulo? A few of those boys will be regretting their decision to avoid playing for Australia already. All of a sudden to have Nanai and Tino playing for Australia suddenly seems odd.

The strangest thing of all is the ridiculous numbering on the jerseys. I hope Michael Hagan can offer more than this in the dressing rooms. Unfortunately Mal has been weak here. He needed to can this nonsense before it began. The organising mob should have ended it as well. Will this will be the next nonsense in the NRL?

These 'world' tournaments always seem like exhibition games in the early stages, before the real stuff kicks in.

2. T20 Cricket World Cup. Underway soon, but having Aaron Finch there as skipper exposes us a little. If he doesn't fire, we are in strife - especially now that Dave Warner has a neck injury. He has good hands in close however. No Cameron Green is unbelievable too. Dopey selectors. It will be interesting to see if Glenn Maxwell can do anything in Australia in T20. He is often a non-event at home.

On Warner, the governance and nonsense around re-instatement as a captain is unbelievable. Fifteen committees and twenty three panels. Please... No wonder we are in strife and the game is on the nose with the public. I wonder how ticket sales tot the T20 World Cup are going. Dreadfully high prices and no soul. This is no longer the 1980s-1990s white ball cricket. They need a serious marketing campaign with the 'C'Mon Aussie C'mon' tune again...

3. Western Sydney Wanderers. A bright early start to their A League campaign after years of misery. After three losing Grand Finals in 2013-2016, they have finished 8th, 9th, 8th, 10th in recent years. Time for a recovery!

4. EPL - Leicester. Still anchored to the foot of the EPL table and in desperate need of points. A terrible decline. I noticed Harry Kane played his 400th game for Tottenham, He is on 192 goals for Tottenham, the highest number of goals by a player for a single EPL club. 

Meanwhile Celtic knocked over 6-1 in an emphatic display against Hibernian, which certainly helps the for and against (35 goals for and 6 goals against now)!

5. The Everest. Giga Kick was sensational there. It has been running brilliantly in Melbourne and actually entered the race with the fastest time. Nice return at $20. Nature Strip was strong early but faded... too strong, too early. A big day and a thing called the Caulfield Cup also was run and won brilliantly by another outsider in Durston. Cox Plate next weekend.

6. Undisputed Lightweight Boxing Champions. Such a tough gig to earn money, but George Kambosos Jr did well - but not well enough against Devin Haney. There is a lot of hype in this show that is for sure. Thankfully belts are not allocated on the weight of ink on one's body. Kambosos would be up there in that world championship. You wonder about boxer health with concussions, but also in making weight limits as well. Kambosos looked like he was desperate for a feed after the weigh-in. 

7. Netball. How can such a popular women's sport be so incompetent in securing appropriate sponsorship to support their game? Defies belief. Too many white Larco tracksuits filled with self importance running the game and no business nous. It is also still one of the only sports on the planet that does not have a senior level female AND male option to play. Where are the men's action groups?

8. MotoGP at Phillip Island. Once upon a time when it all began back in 1989-1990 it was huge for Australians...Wayne Gardner (2 wins), Mick Doohan (3 wins), Casey Stoner (6 straight wins from 2007-2012).. now Jack Miller is the hope of the side. Remy Gardner (son of the great Wayne) is floating around too. Still picturesque and amazing talent on show - Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin. 

9. Des Hasler. The former Penrith great is out the door for Anthony Seibold (yes, really). He lands four games short of Bob Fulton as the greatest serving coach at Manly for all time. Ironic and significant. The decision is rough and clearly the Fulton faction have won and protected their father's memory. Can't for the life of me reason why anyone would be relying on Scott Fulton's or any of his surnamed relations rugby league knowledge. Bob was a legend...some others wish they were.

Manly are a club in for a tough time, no matter how many Trobjovics you may have in the locker room. They have never been a club to lose and leak players, but perhaps things are about to change. Their 'feeder' connection with Blacktown looks shaky too. You have to love private ownership of clubs...it often brings little stability and rash decisions.

10. AFL. Talking of coaching panic stations...what about St Kilda and Brett Ratten? Sacked with a few years to go on his contract. Please spare us with some of the names of coaches to come in...Ross Lyon? Retreads the lot of them. Some fresh faces might help.

11. Australian Cricket Batting. We have very poor batting stocks across the country. Not enough domestic tons either. When Peter Siddle is still getting four wicket hauls we are in trouble. To dominate, you need multiple tons from individuals. Jake Lehmann having a good start to the season.

12. MLB World Series. Coming soon, but League Championships first. The often failed San Deigo Padres (can you believe?) will play the Phillies (National League) and the once cheating Astros will play the winner of the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians (once the Cleveland Indians) in the American League Championship game, with the Guardians up 2-1. These next League Championship games are the best of seven series. 

The Wrap - Sporting Chance

1. NRL Premiers. Winners have parties and losers have meetings. The Panthers do it in their own way, but two premierships back to back is unheard of really in the modern era. The Storm, for all their brilliance, haven't even done it. The Roosters have in 2018, 2019 (as have the 1990s Canberra, Broncos teams). A three peat would mark them down in history of one of the best ever (Parramatta/ Canterbury 1980s, Manly/ St George in the 1970s, Rabbitohs/ St George 1960s, etc).

Not sure Ryan Matterson should be opening his mouth. Takes a three game suspension rather than surrendering $4K? Please.

2. EPL. Every now and then a sensational talent bursts into the limelight. And so it is with Erling Haaland, the Norwegian who plays for Manchester City. As a result of his 20 goals in 12 matches, Man City will no doubt be crowned winners this year. 33 goals for and 9 against. They are scoring so many goals it is ridiculous and unbeatable.

3. Celtic - Ange Postocoglou. Talk about last gasp. St Johnston's nearly take points from them in a 93 minute equaliser...until a 95 minute winner! Celtic are limping a little at present. 29 goals for and 5 against is pretty imposing, but Rangers are only two points behind them. Tight.

4. T20. Australia have done well against the West Indies. Tim David is killing them and suddenly Steve Smith is on the outer. Smith has been holding in there with T20 for far too long. He does not score briskly and needs to face facts. He is one of the best ever in tests - even ODIs, but T20? Almost defies belief that Cameron Green is not in the team. England will be a sterner test later tonight.

4. Bathurst 1000. The chaotic start reminded me of the excitement in the voice of Steve Raymond commentating on the Hardie Ferodo 1000 (asbestos brakes) and the Tooheys 1000 (1988-1995 great look) and the FAI 1000 (pre Mr Adler's prison term) all those years ago! The big names of Garth Tander and the biggest/ longest name of all in Shane van Gisbergen did it again in a Holden for their sign off from the sport (who can believe that?). 

Tander now has five Bathurst 1000 wins in the 161 laps (and 100 podium finishes now!). That is getting up there with the very best of them ever:

5. Mankad. Great to see its official sanctioned return into cricket. Every backyard cricketer can breathe a sigh of relief when their big brother notches up 200 no.

6. Parramatta. A great season for them in the end, but why would you allow Dylan Brown out of your sights. The guy is a 10 season purchase. Lock him in and set your club up forever. Moses...um, hard to replace (esp. goalkicking) and a a little older, but Brown and Penessini are worth investing in for 10 seasons each. Clubs need to get smart and lock away ten season players around whom they can build a club.

More discord and grief for them looms otherwise. A bit like Manly who want to get rid of Hasler. Honestly.

7. Kangaroos. The traditional Kangaroo tour is missed, but now we are apparently numbering players' jersies from 1-24 based on their Australian debuts and then alphabetically? A brainwave of Michael Hagan. Still trying to work out why Michael did not last as an NRL coach.

The Wrap - NRL Grand Final Recap

1. NRL Grand Final. It is almost unbelievable that Penrith won every layer of rugby league in 2022. What an outstanding achievement of high performance. They are applying for a NRLW licence next year too. They are set to extend their dynasty for some years to come yet. 

Four premierships (equal to Parramatta now) and more to come. Arrogance seems to be their only hurdle and we all love to see the tall poppy knocked over...eventually. No tears are ever shed for Melbourne. However winners can be a little loose with comments about the Tigers never winning premiership rings. 

Interesting that there was no HIA issues in the game either. 

The game itself. Hard to nail any really bad Parramatta performers, but some tactical areas were poor:

• Waqar Blake. He is a complete liability at times (29 errors for the season and 50 missed tackles and only 117 tackles made, admittedly playing on the wing). His tackle busts and running metres from his own area have been strong. He averages one error per game, so that was inevitable.
• Weaker players cannot be hidden in Grand Finals. Waqar played in the line and was clearly under instruction not to get in the way of the high ball.
• The absence of a centre with wisdom and pace. Young Penissini was absent early and needs an experienced, talented head next to him. I note they have missed out on some centres more recently (Gagai, Curtis Scott...).
• This cost them in defence at critical times as well.
• Short drop outs - low percentage, impatient tactics of panic.
• Kicking high balls to Brian To'o endlessly. Did they remember he has played State of Origin? Charlie Staines struggles under the high ball and did not get one all night.
• Failure to adapt: kicking hard and low to hit the ground and gaps to turn Dylan Edwards around with a strong chase?
• Not dominating the ruck, fearing another Ashley Clown penalty - and failing to bend back any of the Panthers forwards early in the set. Quick play the balls then result with greater flow.
• Slow Parramatta play the balls.
• Not playing the ball wider and getting the Panthers forwards running more earlier - especially when it was obvious that tactic of beating it up the middle was not working.
• Lack of genuine pace. Dylan Brown looked good when he can play with the ball. Arthur stifles this flair. He is a match winner. The forwards looked tired and spent from a torrid semi final campaign.
• Mitchell Moses. No running game.
• Offloads. There was fear early of errors and no creativity. No surprises allowed Penrith to fix and lock in their defensive patterns.
• Lack of leadership. Look at the Jack Gibson era... Sterling, Price, but Steve Edge and Bob O'Reilly were there...Stumpy Stevens. Even Mick Cronin. Parramatta need voices and wisdom under pressure.
• Absence of Parramatta juniors in the Parramatta system. Year after year there are no players coming through their system. Forging combinations and friendships early make it happen later. Division 1 players fade out and leave at the highest levels - clearly no data tracks this at all however. Why is this occurring? It cannot simply be talent. What pathways programs do they have? The NSW Cup area is a big weakness for the club. Second rate purchases prevail when local product should dominate.

2. Parramatta Under Pressure. Time and time again across the season, Clint Gutherson, for all his talent and perseverance, makes some bad decisions under pressure. The team lacks leadership.

In Grand Finals things go wrong, but the winners iron out the dips and troughs better than the loser. 

There were so many close challenge and other refereeing decisions where the leadership of the Panthers got it right. No emotion, just sensible leadership. 

Many will not have noticed, but at half time, Isaiah Yeo was being interviewed as the team left the field and the whole Panthers team waited for him before entering the sheds. Respectful and united. 

Where has the short drop out come from in the last twelve months across the NRL? Horribly low percentage. It has risen as a tactic for the desperate. The first effort goes out on the full...then Gutherson tries a short grubber drop out and misses out again. Send it deep, suck it up and play field position. Those desperate tactics send an awful message to the team. 

Here's an idea... when will the driving drop kick OR kick off to the sideline along the ground - at high pace - enter the minds of the NRL coach? Clearly you get the ball if it goes out, yet the silly low percentage drop kick is utilised. We used to do this in U/8s!

3. NRL Grand Final Media. It is hard to find any angle not explored in the media in the run up to the Grand Final. There were ex-players interviewed, Wally Wynn has never seen business like it, blue and gold donuts and sausages, wives, girlfriends, hard luck stories, inspiration stories and 'where are they now' stories... brothers, ex-coaches, signings, exits... nothing left in the journalistic draw. When Kevin Kingston was getting a run, it was time for the game to start. 36 years... was it 36? Of course it was.

4. Panthers. Awesome. An incredible first half without an error and with complete dominance. Their forwards - Leota, Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin were outstanding. Aggressive and disciplined. Cleary didn't really have to do much at all in the first half. Dylan Edwards was gifted the ball too often and what do you know he weaved and wound his way through the tiring defence. His tackle on Simmonsen was outstanding. Made better by sliding him over the sideline. Edwards is quicker than you think. A deserved Churchill Medalist.

5. State Cricket. The Marsh/ ING/ Gillette/ McDonalds/ FAI Cup is a sign that footy is over. NSW look to have a long season ahead, being rolled for 76 by WA! They like flat tracks that don't turn.

6. ManU. Any time you lose 6-3 in football, the lazer heads to the coach. A terrible loss as Man City surge back to greater things. Arsenal are proving more durable season.

7. AFL Trade Period. This is a good feature of the AFL, keeping interest in the off season. The losses GWS are set to experience are immense. They are right up there with North Melbourne for the spoon again... especially with Alistair Clarkson under fire. The request of North's young Horne-Francis to move clubs is interesting. Port are moving quickly and look good for 2023.