1. Tassie - A Devil of a Time. Tasmania have had a mixed week sadly. Their new jersey in the AFL looks a bit drab (are there any jersey's that don't jar when there is no history? I could only imagine the hoo har when the Hawthorn one with the poo brown was announced - even the GWS one when that was launched).
The Tassie Jackjumpers have taken the lead in the NBL finals v Melbourne 2-1 in a cracking display but the Tassie Sheffield Shield hopes have all but evaporated. Nothing like a hard headed cricketer in a final to take it away from a team. Sam Whiteman (104) and Hilton Cartwright (55 and 94) have been exemplary, but Tassie batted poorly all the way through their order, both times. The fascination of a Shield final is why they change the format all year and use a completely different approach (five day game) for the one game that truly counts?
Cameron Gannon bagged three wickets in the first innings and two early ones in the second innings (five in all). He has made a huge difference. Wade a pair of failures in his last game. 500 to win in the fourth innings chase? WA will win their third straight Sheffield Shield final.
Tassie also had an election on the weekend too. Exciting place at present.
2. NRL. The Roosters look sharp in 2024. How quick is Dom Young? Totally deceptive, but what a signing. Put him down for a weekly try. Just needs to watch his cross field running... Pythagoras' Theorum tells you he will not be as quick as he thinks in such moments. JWH played really well in his 300th. He is amazingly agile for a big man. His toughness when disciplined, is formidable.
Souths? Like most underperforming people, organisations or enterprises...excuses and disharmony. Latrell, for all his talent, needed to be sanctioned by the NRL last week. Not for his swearing, but for the intentional way he did it. He is a great ambassador for the game, but this was not a career highlight of pride. Too many impressionable kids out there... and mothers who decide what sport their children play. However, I can't imagine 2MMM has much of an audience either just quietly.
Nothing sadder than seeing Des Hasler crumbling. He looks like time has passed him by. He needs to get fitter too himself and set that example. They were awful. Yet they have a lot of talent in the ranks at the Titans. Foran may needs to go soon. It is a younger man's game. St George fell in a heap too. They will rue that one with their capitulation.
Clearly some teams are simply fitter than others.
Should we get too excited about the Wests Tigers? A great win (how uncharacteristically bad were the Sharks?). Surely they cannot be as bad as they have been in the past few seasons. The Titans look early spoon favourites. Thankfully they have the bye victory already.
Parramatta? 50:50. One week a win, the next a loss. They have proven that Manly and themselves (if injury free) will be in the top eight this year. Great intensity in that game. Parramatta may just have found an excellent centre with pace! Just what they needed. Morgan Harper promises a lot at times, but he may be Waqar Blake in disguise sometimes too. Incredible how only the Cowboys (and possibly Melbourne who are struggling early in the second half) are the only teams that remain undefeated after three rounds.
3. AFL. A nasty clash between Essendon and the Swans on Saturday night. Typical Brad Scott coaching effort - the 'Essendon edge'...phff. Peter Wright might get a few weeks. Draper's cheap shot was worse in so many ways. A bizarre weekend of AFL with a crowd intruder collared by a player and a runner grabbing his own players to prevent a brawl! Travis Boak 350 games as well. Impressive career.
Essendon were run ragged eventually. Errol Gulden killed them. A complete gun since he was a tiny kid (with a huge mouth at that time) learning his trade at Heffron Oval in Maroubra. The Collingwood performances early are of concern. Melbourne are rolling through a few teams, but the season is but young! Sydney 3-0 to start is a dream position to be in.
Richmond and the Western Bulldogs are clearly two of the most entertaining teams in the AFL, but lose games they should not.
4. F1. Ferrari celebrating loud! Sainz and Le Clerc. A shame that there were no Max at the end, but both these drivers are now on the great Max Verstappen's hammer.
Daniel Ricciardo? Woeful qualifying luck on the weekend and finished well back in twelfth spot. Oscar Piastri, the mild-mannered quieter driver, nailed fourth and just seems to be driving really well and consistently. Coming fifth on the F1 driver's standings at present.
5. A-League. In case you cared, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers are sitting fifth and sixth on the table, led by Wellington Phoenix. Do you know anyone who has actually attended an A League game?
6. IPL. Warner (29) and Marsh (20) are opening for the Delhi Capitals with starts but no more. M Marsh bowled terribly 0/52 off four. Starc (0/53 off four and 6no) and Cummins (1/32 off four and 0no) are also in action, weighed down a little in the opening game by the coins in their pockets. They will win games for their teams soon enough (Starc - Kolkata Knightriders and Cummins - Sunrisers Hyderabad).
7. Waratahs. Another narrow loss. In the last three weeks, a three point loss (Highlanders), two point loss (Blues) and three point loss (Drua) is not good for your season. Narrow wins is what you want. The Rebels next week should brighten it all up! They are showing better signs than the past few seasons. There is hope!
0-5 from the Crusaders has New Zealand in free fall! The breakdancers are nervous. Most peculiar mumma.
8. EPL. A week off. In the Championship (second division English football), three teams look destined for promotion with an eight point break on the chasing pack: Leicester City, Leeds United and Ipswich Town. Interesting to note Sunderland (Till I die) are in twelfth position, but are in no risk of relegation this year!
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