1. NFL - Bill Belichick. The New England Patriots coach had outstayed his time, departing this week as one of the most successful of coaches in world sport. Six Super Bowls is outrageously successful (and three Super Bowl losses). A winner in every sense, but unable to rouse the team in the past three -four seasons. He has struggled to be fair and the quarter back question is one that keeps arising. Brady was good, but better than Belichick? Nice to see the superstar quarter back, Tom Brady acknowledge the impact from his former coach on his own career this week.
2. BBL - Retirement Home. The retirements of Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Steve O'Keefe and Dave Warner in recent weeks are timely. The BBL has been cluttered by a fair few franchises unable to make firm decisions about past greats. No sentiment in success. Why did the Renegades sign Nathan Lyon? Never played.
3. The BBL. The Melbourne Stars are slipping into their usual pattern... lots of potential and lots of waste. Maxwell is a super talent, but he is frivolous too often. Trying to hit every ball for six is not going to win in the end. He really does not seem to care that much. This is why he has not played Test cricket. Attitude, not talent.
An abbreviated version of the shortened season in the end, but the usual customers - Heat, Scorchers, Sixers succeeding. The Dave Warner helicopter ride was very theatrical, but Kerry Packer was drying out pitches with his helicopter in the mid 70s!
The dud international recruit is a problem across the competition. Are they needed? Tom Curran (disgraceful and papers stamped), Crawley (so so), de Kock (MIA) and Alex Hales is done surely. Billings has been solid.
4. Sydney Thunder. That pitch at the Sydney Showground is horrific. A complete dud. They have been dishing up that crap for years now and the end result? Zip. It either turns like the old SCG or is wet and slow. The Thunder have massive problems as fans walk. Or they play out of Canberra which is another poor pitch where fog, fire or flood impacts.
There are too few runs scored by that underperforming team. Sams is not a batter. Repeat: Sams is not a batter. This creates imbalance in that team as they are always a batter short. They need a couple of decent middle order bats. Look at the Scorchers. They are doing it in fine style without Ashton Turner this year and have a pretty fixed formula. A batting keeper who is a dasher is the key.
5. Steve Smith. An interesting decision for Smith to replace Warner. He has become stodgy and boring in his style of late, which is very unusual, so maybe he can re-invent himself. His career is nearly over, so a last hurrah of sorts. The decision to take Renshaw in over other players is diabolical. He is the least talented of all the openers on offer - Harris and Bancroft. Hard to see what he offers. Versatility we are told? 12th or 13th man!
6. Jerome Luai. A saga and a solution. The Tigers will benefit, but so will the Panthers. The last 20 minutes in the 2023 Grand Final v Brisbane showed that the Panthers have benefit to be derived from a five eight who runs straighter and not someone who doubles back and runs in circles as much. No Luai or Yeo in that last twenty minutes was a huge statement. Having said that, the unpredictability of Luai is an absolute strength - as is his drive to support his team and create a positive atmosphere in the club.
The feeding frenzy by other clubs is a sight to behold and a product of the salary cap of course. Hosking, Staines, Cogger, Burton, Leniu, Crichton... what price Matt Burton returning eventually? The signing of Paul Alamoti and Duane Laurie are great additions to their squad. Crichton will be missed most.
7. Novak Djokovic. No chance he will lose anytime soon at the Australian Open. He is evergreen and just continues to produce, no matter what challenge. The younger players need to really learn from him, but seemingly will not or cannot. High performance is uncomfortable. Iga Swiatek or Sabalenka in the womens' draw are a long way in front of their rivals too.
As an Olympic Games year in 2024, the chances are Djokovic (a former bronze medallist) could win every Grand Slam on offer and the Olympics as well! Past tennis winners at the more recent Olympics (no tennis at the games from 1924-1988) have been interesting (Andy Murray a two time Olympic Gold medallist!):
8. NFL Finals. We are ready for the cold conditions in northern America to play havoc with the NFL finals! Buffalo is a snow capital of the US and have had to postpone their game. Interested they offered their fans $20 per hour to help clean it up! The Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs both have had dominant wins.
9. NBL. The Sydney Kings look to have fallen off a cliff at present, stringing up the losses... what is going on there? New coach and all, but on the skids. A timely win v NZ yesterday, but Melbourne United are miles in front.
A big week for kings, Danish or otherwise.
10. Socceroos - Asian Cup. Is this a priority? We get excited about beating India (2-0), Libya, Palestine or Lebanon, but really? Graham Arnold is exceptional, but world club contests suffer massively. Growing the game internationally is critical however... The womens' game does not seem to have an equivalent.
A strong 2-2 result for Tottenham v ManU overnight. They should have won it really, missing a couple of simple headers from close range.
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