1. Dolphins. How good are they going for a team no one thought would aim up? Dominated both the Roosters and Raiders. A lot of teams will be nervous playing them - especially away from home. The genius of Bennett's recruitment is amazing. Experienced forwards and quick athletic backs. Picking up Farnsworth and Flegler as well for 2024 - gold.
Interesting that getting rid of the five eight, Anthony Milford. Osaka looks to have become such a better player too under Bennett. The Broncos are the real deal again too.
2. Parramatta. Concerns they could slump to 0-4 or 0-5 to start the year with their draw (Storm-Sharks-Panthers-Roosters-Tigers). One big difference this year is their dummy half. How they ever lost Mahoney is staggering. Josh Hodgson does a few things right, but is a problem. He is a top defender and leader - no risk. However, he is too slow from dummy half and takes steps before passing the ball. This is a critical pressure point for the attack. His pass is not as crisp and when compared to Mahoney's long passing game from dummy half, there is no room out wide. Hodgson does not do this and is easy to defend. he also has no pace to scamper. Defences are too slick these days for this.
Poor old Waqar Blake. His reads in defence continue to be a massive problem and his hands are awful under pressure. Miracle that he gets selected each week, but Arthur loves him. They can't get an outside back at the club to save themselves. Cut him free and rebuild. Simonsen also has hands like a digital watch. Ricky Stuart rarely gets rid of great players.
Cronulla are the real deal. So silky in attack. They will be there in September. The Storm without Munster looked a different team.
The Tigers? I cannot see them changing much. Douhiei just does not have it for mine. Not quick enough. Their fullback is nimble but too small. They have problems early, but hopefully can give the fans hope. Newcastle tried to throw it away late, but failed.
3. Rugby - Waratahs. Once upon a time, NSW would lose nothing - especially in the arm wrestle. These days... They need to smarten up because Eddie will simply look at other blokes. They look tested already.
4. Cricket. Usman Khawaja is an incredible story at the age of 36. Easily our best batsman in India, yet denied games for two previous series under this stupid coaching belief that certain players struggle with spin. Think Travis Head too. He is getting on in years however. Nice to see Cameron Green do well. Super Talent, but you get the feeling his bowling is in the Shane Watson style, rather than the Imran Khan all rounder type.
One player who has done nothing to enhance his reputation and in fact looks under pressure, is Carey. You can be as great as you want with the gloves, but to offer nothing with the bat kills the modern Test team. He has been limp. Especially when the whips are cracking. Steve Smith has been a disappointment too with a lack of patience.
There is an ominous feel to this final test. India get ahead by 150 and roll us? We have seen this movie before in this series. You always know in India that if we can get 450, they will get 650.
Peter Handscomb is playing for his life in the second innings. A score he stays; a failure he goes. Simple. The age of the team is a concern moving ahead, but Broad and Anderson have a pipe and slippers and it does neither any harm at all.
5. Tim Tszyu. Can there be any more hoopla in boxing weigh ins? It has become a sport of so many divisions and associations, it gets very confusing for the mug punter. Bottom line is always, who won? A slashing win. Brutal. Tony Harrison was tough, but outgunned.
6. Zougotcha. What a talented horse and trained by Chris Waller. One to watch. Younger than Winx when it started winning, but it is winning well already. Jamie Kah took a bad fall on the weekend at Flemington. Such a brutal sport for whispy skinny jockeys when horses roll onto them or they fall. Injury is guaranteed.
7. EPL - Celtic. Still 9 ahead, eight rounds to go. Likely League Cup, Scottish Cup and Premiership winners! EPL winners included Everton whose life saving work continues to stay in the top flight. They need to recruit more good players!
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