1. Daly Cherry-Evans. What a great achievement to play the most ever games for Manly (310), beating the great Cliff Lyons (309), but Steve Menzies played for the Northern Beagles as well (280 games for Manly and 69 for the Beagles = 349 games... um?), so not just quite there yet. 350 is the mark. That's a few more seasons yet. He is evergreen and rarely if ever injured. Tough and a winner through and through. Interestingly he is only four tries (86) behind Tommy T (90) for the club. Four extra years mind you. One Premiership in 2011, but a tough and uncompromising customer. A great win by Manly v Penrith.
2. NRL. A few real heavy losses this weekend. Souths were appalling for the strength of their roster. They have massive problems and Cody Walker may be one of them. He has slowed down a lot with age - like many of us all! Campbell Graham is a big loss.
The Tigers plunged back to earth under the weight of exceptional speed from the Dolphins. Speed wins as play the balls are on the increase and fewer stoppages in the game. St George also lost heavily in the wretched conditions v Newcastle. A smart win by the Bulldogs as well. The Storm keep powering on and the Broncos look sharp (with Walsh and Haas yet to return!).
Penrith got nailed by Manly. Maybe there are signs of a changing of the guard...until Cleary returns. The Cowboys have had a dream draw, so they look glamorous, but the Dolphins and Cowboys will be levelled out soon. Kyle Feldt is now their leading tryscorer of all time, not forgetting he also won a GF for them as well in the corner.
Get the engraver onto the wooden spoons for the Titans. Better v Cowboys, but not up to it.
3. Parramatta - Brad Arthur. Brad Arthur is a fascination. He dines with Zac Lomax mid week but then starts Willemu Greig as prop - not Junior Paulo. He also has no pace in the backline which he has recruited. Sivo looks like he is transporting billiard tables when running the ball back. He is also in a world of pain with his forwards giving away far too many penalties this season. The experiment with the young five eight is not working so well either. His defence is dreadful at key times. Too many shifts in tactics...offloads evaporate at key times too. He seems lost and frustrated.
50% success rates bring a W-L-W-L start to the season - like many other seasons in recent times.
10 seasons and five where he has made the semi finals. 50%! Glass half full. Unfortunately, the clock is ticking on his reign. Wayne Bennet would be interesting.
3. NRL Safety Issues. A few safety issues arising this weekend. 10 concussions now to James Tedesco. That sounds a lot, even across a long career, and you wonder what damage this causes longer term. The two other rule changes that clearly need to be looked at:
i. The kick off return at speed into the defenders. Huge contact and good for the crowd, but not great for the body of attackers or defenders.
ii. The other one that needs scrutiny is the fullback under the bomb. It is a ridiculous rule that you can take the bomb under no pressure and then be walloped. Two changes: either no contact for the fullback under the bomb and stay five metres away - or seriously contest the bomb. Simple. Maybe fewer silly rules like "cynical disruptors" and more protection for players.
3. AFL. The Swans are starting to stammer and West Coast showed signs that their three year slump may be about to turn. Geelong were fortunate really v Western Bulldogs and Carlton being gifted a dissent penalty for the win v Fremantle was quite incredible. Richmond are an entertainment machine, but St Kilda showed some surprising strength under pressure (for them). GWS are the danger force this year yet Melbourne lead the way at the top of the comp!
4. Waratahs. Another loss to the all conquering ACT Brumbies (our most successful rugby franchise over the past twenty five years). The Super Rugby comp remains wide open, but the Waratahs narrow losses earlier are getting wider. Injuries mounting too. The crowds will be contracting as well.
5. EPL. Aston Villa are holding fourth spot, but are stumbling into draws and loss territory. Ange has a chance to pounce, but there are no easy games anymore in the run home. Desperation of lower teams rises. The promotion from the Championship is sealed... Leicester, Ipswich Town and Leeds are all ready for promotion!
6. IPL. Awesome strike power. Royal Challengers Bangladore, Kohli hits 113 off 72 balls and then gets run down by Jos Buttler who was coming off a string of ducks with 100 off 58 balls for the Rajasthan Royals. Kohli has scored the most IPL runs and most centuries (8). He is incredible. Plenty of stars there...but no one as awesome as the new Indian quick who hits 155kph regularly! - Mayank Yadav.
Cameron Green is doing it tough, but not as tough as Glenn Maxwell. He is close to being dropped.
Olly Davies got his hundred in the second innings for Manly in the Sydney Grade Cricket Final. Some sort of talent. St George won it.
7. Masters Week ahead. Some great golf at the Texas Open this week. Bhatia well in front, but Rory lurking. Rory will be looking for the Grand Slam of golf this week. The Masters seems to be the hardest to win for all. For the last ten years, incredibly there have been seven top ten finishes by Rory. Only twice MTC as well. He needs to build on his four majors (British Open, US Open and 2 x USPGA) soon as he hits his sweet spot of golfing age (mid 30s!).
8. F1. Max Verstappen restores normal order winning the Japanese F1. No good in Melbourne, but back to the top of the driver's championship after three wins and four pole positions in the first four races of the season.
9. Rafa - Tennis. He looks cooked and ready to retire in this year's clay court season ahead of the French Open in May. Sadly injuries have plagued him. He is so committed on the court and that hurts the body longer term.
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