The Wrap - Erl of England

1. NRL. Not FINished yet! This Dolphins team are semi final bound (with two bye points yet to come). They just continue to show up every week and do the business. They unearth potential stars all the time and rekindle fading stars. I bet a few players who were to sign there might be regretting it (eg. Paulo, Matterson). What about the size of this Valynce Te Whare? He looks so strong and massive thighs...like Mal or the great Dean Carney. He will continue to do damage to defences.

Souths v Broncos Grand Final? Both are looking strong...and the Panthers once their star forwards return. Roosters perhaps, but far too inconsistent.

Parramatta are now in the dustbin... how bad? They leak points and it is not Waqar Blake's fault. Dylan Brown has a lot of talent. Compare their attitude to the Dolphins.

2. Alex Johnston. He gets yet another double to hit 171 tries, just five behind Brett Morris now - and nine off Menzies. he has five for the year which is a little slow for him, but another 10-15 tries in 2023 gets him to about 185 by the end of season 2023.

3. Roosters. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is well in line to be the longest serving Rooster ever (Mitch Aubusson - 306 games) with his 286th game now under his belt. He is a fearsome presence - and hopefully can iron out the rubbish niggle and ill discipline and lead the rash Radley to secure premiership glory. Surely Sam Walker needs to be sent packing, if not required... but they are nervous about Luke Keary's concussions.

4. County Cricket. Steve Smith hit 30 for Sussex on debut and Michael Neser got a hat trick. Surely he has to be brought into the team at some stage? Mitchell Marsh has talent no doubt, but 20 wickets are needed and if ever there was a bowler - like Alderman - who swings it both ways in the English conditions, it is Neser. A no-brainer!

5. IPL. This Tim David is a T20 sensation. What a talent and how regularly he wins it at the death for his Mumbai Indian team! A bit less effective when the team bats first, however. He and Cameron Green have been impressive for young men forging their way in the riches of the new world of international cricket. 

This franchise push internationally by greedy IPL owners is interesting, but will it benefit the game worldwide? They will do what Kerry Packer did to West Indian cricketers... make them rich and make them turn their back on their tight-fisted local boards and myopic local officials. Gone is the 'serving one's nation' ethos in world cricket...Test cricket or otherwise.

6. AFL. The Western Bulldogs have breathed life into their 2023 campaign with some nice recent wins. Caleb Daniel gives hope to every small kid with skills. Brilliant as always. Their mid field is surging. The reappearance of Liberatore makes a huge difference.

Geelong are absolutely powering at present knocking over the revitalised Adelaide Crows. Melbourne are always close to the top too. The Swans will now be in the premiership dustbin without a win against Collingwood, anchored on 12 points and having butchered at least 8 more points! GWS continue their yo yo year... that team needs consistency more than they need fans. 

We are still trying to find someone in Sydney who is passionate about GWS. There is very little western Sydney in that team and they should be relocated.

7. NHL. The Bruins were humbled by the Florida Panthers in an absolute boil over, who are now leading the Toronto Maple Leaf team 2-0 in their series. They look tough to beat. This is a brutal sport at high speed. Buggered if I know how the crowd sees the puck from the nose bleed stands.

8. NBA. The big dogs have come out to play in the conference semi finals and the final eight teams alive. Boston Celtics (2-1) v 76ers; Denver Nuggets (2-1) v Phoenix Suns; Miami Heat v NY Knicks (2-1) and LA Lakers v Golden State Warriors (2-1). LA looking ominous. Celtics not far away either.

9. Waratahs. Suddenly into sixth place after a win v the Reds on the weekend. A long way from the top five teams (10+ points away) so they will need to start rolling some of the big guns soon to make semi final headway!

10. A-League - Western Wanderers. A million seasons without semi final play and then a semi v Sydney FC...which they lose 2-1 and get booted out of the season finish. Very disappointing.

11. EPL. With Lampard's managerial career almost over, Chelsea win... Intriguing progress by Brighton this season...and a 1-0 mid week win over ManU who desperately needed those points for European football glory.

Erling Haaland (Man City) is also now the most prolific EPL goal scorer ever! Incredible. It may now become unbeatable - ever - by season's end with a few games in hand yet.

Love that final round of EPL football when all games start at the same time and the nerves and hype reaches a crescendo as the top teams fight out their positions and EPL relegation is confirmed!

12. NSW Sheffield Shield. Greg Shipperd is given the state coaching gig at the age of 66...good going. They have also signed Jackson Bird from Tasmania apparently... solid, but hardly Shield winning.