The Wrap - South Melbourne Geese

1. Swans. What a monumental disappointment. Promising so much, but once again obliterated on a big field on the biggest day of the year. Sure, they make Grand Finals to be in contention, but it is a sorry recent history. Some of these players need to have a good look at themselves. The absence of pressure...the lack of aggression for the ground ball...barely a tackle all day and hardly a contested mark. The danger signs were there early again. But for some wayward kicking by the Lions, they could have been up by 40 after the first quarter. 

It is not the loss, but the capitulation really. How does this happen time and time again? The older heads in Rampe, Lloyd and Parker now have four GF losses. The team needed more from them all. What sort of preparation occurred? What sort of readiness existed, because this is the fourth time it has happened.

Is it the lack of daytime games? Or is the myth that the MCG (160m long x 141m wide) is far bigger than the SCG (149m long x 136m wide) or something else?  It's doubtful that the two metres at each end and on both sides makes that much difference. The TV angle at both grounds is as deceptive as the team itself sometimes! 

Longmire was incapable of changing tactics under pressure. Short hand balls and deft short kicks stifled their play. Slowing it all down was seen as the solution, but really the Swans were not quick enough (again) and really got found out. That team lacks aggressive forwards who have height and attitude. Amartey was so disappointing. There is little mongrel there. The possible signing of Jake Stringer looms large. 

We joked about more tats and sharp haircuts last week, but it is a factor. More mongrel and physical power is needed in that roster. There are a lot of lovely blokes, but how intense are they? Want...want?

In the end, a weak, meek sad display with no intensity is a huge concern. An absence of desire… rarely did we see tackles or ground ball wins. John Longmire needs to aim up here too. Has he failed to plan or simply failed to understand? He must take responsibility. His future depends on it. Longmire would be interesting to hear from about his team's preparation.

1A. Pre game GF Entertainment. Why does Melbourne do this so much better than Sydney? Katy Perry was pretty awesome...but Robbie Williams, KISS, Lionel Ritchie, Chris Isaak, Tones and I, Sting, Tom Jones, The Killers, Irene Cara (1996)..one disaster: Meatloaf.

The NRL... Jimmy Barnes has played seven Grand Finals!...biggest disaster: Billy Idol. Tight arsed NRL who have little respect for the fans, yet charge top dollar. Do better.

Cody Simpson did a ripping AFL national anthem this year. What a talent...swims like a fish, acts, dances and sings... and is a good looking rooster. SO unfair.

2. Panthers - Nathan Cleary. Five Grand Finals in a row! Talk about drive and desire. And yet they are set to lose Luai, Turuva, Fisher-Harris to add to Burton, Crichton, Staines, Salmon, Hopgood, Leniu and Kikau. Paul Alamoti came the other way as a ripping signing. His defence is so much better.

Nathan wants to ‘achieve great things..,’. yet walks around the ground signing and taking photos well after the end of the game. Truly a legend of the game and a future immortal. Better than Joey Johns.

3. Cronulla. Bridesmaids again and lacking a halfback who can turn games. Nicho is not a matchwinner and sadly lacks speed. That is the essential ingredient to win comps. Who are your speed men? This is where the Panthers are lacking in 2024. Outside of Papenhuyzen, the Storm don't have a heap either. 

The good news for Cronulla is that their NRLW team has made the Grand Final. Sadly, not a hope against the Roosters team... Millie Elliot is exceptional, but so is the older fullback, Sam Bremner and the half Jocelyn Kelleher. Too fast and strong.

4. Newtown Jets. It has been a while, but they won a scrappy affair v the Bears. Such a long way from that standard to NRL - or NRLW it must be said.

5. Broncos - Kevin Walters. Not too surprised, having suggested in August after a bit of mail, that he would be sacked:

6. EPL. Man City draw again and slip a little, but it is a long way to May 2025. Tottenham need a win v ManU tonight, but they are a bit flat in 2024/5. I am not hearing the song from Robbie Williams being sung too often this season. Liverpool on top again! How about Chelsea's Cole Palmer? Four goals himself in the first half v Brighton. First player to score four goals in one half of the EPL! He is a product of the Man City junior system (of course).

7. President's Cup Golf. The USA lead 11-7 over the International team in the President’s Cup. The first International win since 1998 seems a long way off despite the second day heroics. Adam Scott scored a record number of points and the first two days were reverse clean sweeps! Very unique. In the end it seems that class wins again. A much better showing however.  

8. The Wallabies. They are hard to like and harder to know. They therefore feel like they are not a team we all love. Last in the Rugby Championships under new coach Joe Schmidt. Honestly, choose a team and stick at it. The backs are in slow motion and like the Swans, not enough guys prepared to put their bodies on the line! 

9. International ODI Cricket - Australia v England. Locked at 2-2… the decider tonight! Starc copping a bit of tap early, but Aaron Hardie has stepped up. The injury to Cameron Green sadly does not seem to have had much impact. Hardie and Beau Webster are ready and able. The Aussies need to get middle over wickets and turn the screws. The Poms have obliterated us on the chase! Hopefully we can turn this around.

10. Doping - Tennis. Janik Sinner's drug doping case is back on. There seems a need for some sort of penalty. A massage gone wrong? Please. Makes the excessive sex stories, the cocaine kissers, the contaminated meat stories, the three hundred cups of coffee stories, the toothpaste baitings and the pill from mum (Warnie) or in the bottom of the bag (Sam Riley-Scott Volkers) seem a little more authentic! Even Dean Capobianca looks innocent sometimes! Werner Reiterer was one of the earliest offenders.

The Wrap - Shake Down the Thunder

1. The Opening Phase of Big Games. Getting a strong start in finals games matters. Incredible how the start becomes the critical and pivotal part of semi final success, regardless of the sport. The Wallabies give up 21-0. The Sharks get a flyer. The Roosters were super aggressive early and set the tone. Hard to come back in a finals game - which makes the Brisbane Lions efforts quite amazing! The Swans have lost three GFs with poor starts in Grand Finals!

2. NRL - Sharks. Nicho Hynes bounced back and the Sharks' finals misery was eased. Their stretch of finals' losses ends, but the Panthers await. Is there a weakness in the Panthers outside back defence? It must be said that Paul Alamoti, a signing from the Bulldogs, has been terrific in defence, but is a little inexperienced. There is a little flicker of hope there for Katoa, Mulitalo, Ramien, Trindall and Talakai.

Not sure they can beat the Panthers, but a good finish in the end for them at any rate. The year long inconsistency of the Cowboys became telling in their final game. Holmes will be a great Dragons signing. he looked better than most literally playing on one leg.... with a leg in the air!

3. Manly v Roosters. How important are the enforcers in big games? JWH, Radley come back and add so much. They had a horrific start last game, but not against Manly.

The Roosters are a better chance of knocking over the Storm. A shame Sam Walker is not playing. That would make it very interesting! At any rate, it will be an enthralling contest. Why do the Storm get two home finals? This is a joke and a massive leg up. Time for this to return to a common playing field for all.

4. AFL - Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide. The Swans were 'on'. Great use of the field and absolute experts at the SCG. The MCG is going to be a big challenge for them. Are they tough enough? (Do they need more blokes with tats and fierce haircuts?). Their marking across the park was a vast improvement.

Some mental toughness is needed now. It is time for Sydney to step up and make a difference. In the 2014-2016-2022 GFs they were rubbed out in the first half of each game. Surely they have learned a lesson here.

Callum Mills? Injured? Karma is a troubling thing for some... for a player who hurt his shoulder horse arsing around at Mad Monday and disadvantaged his team all year, this could be his annus horribilis.

5. AFL - Geelong v Brisbane. Brisbane's defence and turnovers cost them big time early on. They lacked intensity at key times, but came home hard. Cam Rayner was immense. Geelong faded in phases of games all year and it has cost them at the worst time. They seem to be a superstar team, but need a recalibration, which will come through retirements of Hawkins and Tuohy.

Lachie Neale is so good. Tough, clever and a deft touch under pressure. A definite for the Brownlow.

Brisbane lost last year's GF to Collingwood (2023). Sydney lost to Geelong the year before that (2022). Both are ready to rumble now. Set to be a cracker! An out of town Grand Final is an intrigue in Melbourne, but they love their sport and are not fussy!

6. Wallabies. 23 years of Bledisloe gloom continues, but they did not embarrass themselves thankfully. The 0-21 start made us all think this would occur, but they recovered this well. 68,000 in the crowd was the most extraordinary thing too...day time international rugby is popular! 

Even more popular for Argentina who beat the Springboks!

Joe Schmidt is proud of everyone, admired the effort, loved the passion, appreciated the commitment, saw pride in the jumper...but sadly lost. We have so much to learn. Stopping this outrageous mixing and matching of key combinations with huge squads is the first thing. Trim the squad to 20 blokes and stick at it!

James Slipper. Most capped Wallaby ever? Hard to believe, but good on him. Hooper deserved this honour.

7. F1 - Singapore GP. Oscar Piastri's win last week gets him up the rank order. Incredible effort really. McLaren dominating.

8. Travis Head. What an incredible player he has become. He wins games single handedly for us now. he has won 7 man of the Match awards in test cricket at an incredible rate (out of 49 tests). He is an absolute match winner.

The overnight ODI effort from the Australian team was outstanding. Interested to see Hardie lead the way and Green on the bench. Star and Hazelwood returned...too good! Not sure how much longer Maxwell has left, but nice to see Alex Carey making a difference there. How shoddy does Steve Smith look sometimes of late? Hopefully he can do a Joe Root and rack up a few more test tons this summer.

9. EPL. Tottenham win, but the Man City v Arsenal clash tonight will be the one! Chelsea in good form too. Liverpool and Aston Villa join Man City on top. Everton get a point and all teams are off a duck egg.

Interesting to see Sunderland coming second in the English Championship! The Netflix series "Sunderland Till I Die" may become a best seller soon if they get promoted to the EPL! Early days of course...they have a special knack of pulling themselves into the fire!

10. Horse Racing. Fangirl won running away on Saturday. The form of Autumn Glow was impressive. Liked McHale's win... big price too. Buckaroo had the Waller stable excited at Caulfield with its win... Liked Jimmystar too.

The Wrap - Call Off The Fight

1. NRL - Panthers. How good is Nathan Cleary? His ability to slot into that team post injury as if he has never left is incredible. He creates such doubt by running to the line with an amazing short and long kicking game and a passing game the equivalent of the best ever players. He is an immortal in waiting surely. Three comps and still very young. He transforms the game when he plays.

Ashley Klein is an interesting ref...loves a close game and a controversial call! The Roosters were unlucky, but they were also outclassed. 

Panthers play the winner of Sharks v Cowboys. They will surely go through to the Grand Final. This will be their FIFTH successive Grand Final! Hard to know when that might ever be beaten again.

The work of Ponga on Saturday night was incredible. A tough man to tackle, especially with his footwork and speed. A really bad decision to pass right when the left was completely open. The heat at this time of the year in Cowboys land is hard for visiting teams to beat - especially in the second half Tom Dearden has become a super force in the NRL. A massive transformation after being cut by the Broncos going back.

The Sharks need a bigger home ground. They talk about their new financial prosperity, but they need a ground that suits a modern football team. That may arrest the seven successive final losses. They give up such an advantage by not having this.

2. NRL - Storm. How awesome are the Storm? They just win and win and win... They do it with new personnel and have such strong patterns, recruitment practices and styles of players that deliver in an amazing culture. A home final every year too helps.

The funny thing is that this team is possibly not one of their stronger groups in recent years. Yet they crushed the Sharks who looked completely over awed at times. Nicho Hynes is a problem unfortunately...like Matt Moylan was as well. Not quick enough. He needs some experienced halfback coaching around him. Cooper Cronk?

The Storm play the winner of the Roosters v Manly. They surely progress as well. 

The Josh Addo-Carr behaviour at this time of the year (any time?) was so disruptive for his team. Not what the Bulldogs needed. However, it may be bad news for Addo-Carr. They played really well without him! Maybe they don't need him at all. Can anyone work out his cocaine story? Surely it can't be that complicated!

Young Hopoate is tough. Small and targeted big time, but saved a try and took the bomb just before half time for a slashing try. 

The commentators make out that we all supposed to be grateful that Manly supporters make their way to watch a finals game at Homebush. Sounds like Burke and Wills when it is a few kilometres really.

3. AFL - Finals. The Port Adelaide v Hawthorn final was a cracker. Hawthorn have over achieved in 2024 but they had their chances late. The Ken Hinkley blow up at young Ginnivan was great theatre. Ginnivan needs to be a better team mate sometimes and not put pressure on his side with silly social antics and social media commentary. Ken needs to grow up, even at the age of 58. There are many looking to have him fired and he keeps rallying, but this makes him look stupid. The Swans will find Port tough to toss next Friday night.

The GWS v Brisbane final (with the chance to play Geelong for a GF position). Toby Greene was strong, but Jesse Hogan was incredibly wasteful (scored a few but missed a few uncharacteristically easy ones as well). GWS seemed so much more switched on in defence early, but a familiar story then unfolded. 

Applying pressure across all four quarters is the test of all AFL teams if you want to win finals. GWS fade late too easily...they need to invest in a stronger pre-season of fitness or perish. The ghosts of the Swans game hit them hard. They needed stronger leadership in clutch times. What a terrible two losses for GWS in successive weeks. Devastating. This kills off teams. The crowd was worse. They have an identity problem. Homebush is not true western Sydney and they don't publicise the game.

4. Socceroos or Wallabies. Who are our worst international team at present? It would be tough to distinguish which one. There was a time we used to beat Indonesia by eight goals... and Argentina in rugby got beaten by 60 - not us! NZ will be an embarrassment if something magical doesn't happen. 

5. EPL. Tottenham v Arsenal will be a huge game for Ange Postocoglou tonight (they are all huge,. but this may be more huge than most!). Thank goodness the international week is over. It is a bit tiresome to be honest. The club football is so much more entertaining and exciting. Man City continue to dominate. Haaland scored another double, hit the woodwork and missed close calls twice and could have had five! Nine goals after four matches is extraordinary. Liverpool's first loss was bad, but Brighton stay undefeated.

6. Davis Cup Tennis. The whole concept has been ruined, but it appears we have done well. If you can understand it. Our doubles success in recent times is continuing to pay dividends in this form of the game. How the tennis authorities ever gave in to the almighty dollar around Davis Cup tennis is staggering, trading off their tradition for a private entrepreneur's great idea! Hard to believe.

7. T20 - England v Australia. No one really cares of course, but... Matthew Short took five wickets and scored runs which surely puts him in our best team. Head is possibly the most damaging T20 bat in world cricket at present. Fraser-McGurk hits a 50, but have we got a strong enough middle? The second game should have been iced, but David and others in the middle order need to dominate. Not sure why we are there playing this series, but someone does! Our bowling stocks are thin but Sean Abbott is doing fine business there.

The Wrap - Toothless Tigers Can't Change Their Stripes

1. AFL - Swans. Great game and finish. Braedon Campbell played his best since he ran out for Westbrook at Cherrybrook 10 years ago. A greater level of intensity was evident in the fourth quarter. They need a little more confidence and dare I say it...arrogance early. Some of the defensive efforts were terrible early on. Blokes running into each other...like a fear factor in the culture. A home preliminary final now v the winner of Port Adelaide and Hawthorn. GWS must be shattered now. They really were the better team and will find it hard to come back.

It is one of the first close wins they have had this year.

Incredible how the Swans actually warmly acknowledge the fans and head to the seats at the end of the game. They are a team easy to like and very popular. A lesson to a few other teams out there from all codes. They know what it means for the fans and their leadership insist they know why they play the game. 

Incredible how some players on $500K a year dish up very ordinary displays. This is unacceptable to fans and clubs.

Geelong smashed Port and Brisbane absolutely obliterated Carlton. The GF winners look to be  Geelong on the weekend's performances. Brisbane play GWS. GWS still have some life left.

2. The Wests Tigers. In the end they were just awful in the Spoon Bowl. Giving up 60 points is horrible. A full house and a need to win, yet totally unable to do it. Incredible. Three successive wooden spoons. The Jets, Newcastle, Gold Coast Seagulls, the Eels (6) and Sydney University have also achieved three spoons in a row since 1908. They should have to front up at the Dally M Awards and at the GF Pre Game to collect it. Wage deductions too.

I can't see them doing much better in 2025. Their recruitment of Luai is excellent, but who else? A lot of players to offload.

A really bad season for Souths too who came second last on for and against. Parramatta were third last in the end, surprising many, including themselves. The Dragons and Broncos fell in a heap at the end. So bad.

The Panthers look dusted in 2024 unless they sharpen up their line speed. The loss of Cleary is huge for them, but they made plenty of mistakes too. The Bulldogs were abysmal. A massive turnaround from recent successes. Manly not much better, but the Sharks looked impressive. 

The semi final match ups:

• Melbourne v Cronulla
• Penrith v Roosters
• Bulldogs v Sea Eagles
• Cowboys v Knights

3. Scotland v Australia T20s. Hard to believe we are playing over there, but interesting foggy conditions.  Not many would have played in such conditions. It will be interesting how we go against England. Head and Inglis have starred with the bat. Green too.

4. EPL. Ange Postocoglou is under pressure suddenly. That team looks like it has no cohesion or flow. At the same time Man City are totally dominant. A lay week this week for Internationals... how bad was the Socceroo loss to that powerhouse, Bahrain?

5. The America's Cup. Strange name still, but no Australian crew contesting it all in Barcelona. NZ doing well, but sailing on AC75s is hardly Denis Connoresque - more like Ben Lexcen on steroids. I must say, a return to the traditional hulls and spinnakers is more appealing. The technology however is extraordinary.

6. US Open Tennis. Jessica Pegula is a successful woman. She is also incredibly talented, playing Aryna Sabalenka who crushed her spirits and game in a tight result. Jannick Sinner is in the final tomorrow against Taylor Fritz (the first US man in the final for many years), but his accidental positive drug test earlier this year is casting a cloud over his work. The world wide excuses for drugs infringements are pretty inventive.

Alex de Minaur seems unable to crack it higher than a quarter final. It was a little bit of a capitulation to be honest.

Great win though in the US Open Finals doubles...Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell. We have had rich doubles success in the men's for a while now. John Peers and Matt Ebden only won the Olympics a fortnight ago as well.

7. England v Sri Lanka Test Cricket. England just continue to dominate, although Root's run of tons has been ended. The Sri Lankan bowling is pretty ordinary. Mark Wood is injured again with an elbow injury. Jofra Archer is another one on the recovery. Fast bowlers with elbow injuries are a real risk long term. Tommy John surgery is the only answer.

Intriguing to see Olly Pope as the England captain while Stokes is out. He was struggling to make the team a year ago. He hit a nice ton on the weekend.

8. Wallabies. It is sad how awful they have become. Leading and turning up their heels to let in 60 points meant this was the worst result ever for a Wallaby team. Not a great tag.

One point of possible improvement? Pick 20 players (not 40) and keep and develop combinations. Changing the team every Test was an Eddie Jones tactic. We know where that led. The new coach Schmidt is under immense pressure now. Hopefully the All Blacks don't wipe us off the park and we can bounce back...even a little.

The Wrap - Terrible Smugglers

1. NRL - St George. Terrible. Even the collapsing Parramatta team who leaked 30 points in a half hold on when Saints needed a win for the semi finals. So bad after a good year. As for Parramatta...how can their defence be so poor? Completely unfit and they have done nothing about improving it. Saints have come home in a hearse. 44-40. Young Blaize needs complete surgery on his defence to be the great signing he and his family and his manager think he is. Good luck to him however.

Parramatta need to sign some mobile, smaller guys with quick feet...Wishart (Storm) and Plath (Dolphins) are two such guys. The Connor Watson/ Brenton Nikora style player is so valuable. Big boppers can only do so much. The Spoon Bowl awaits! Trent Barrett is a relaxed fellow... perhaps too relaxed. When you can't hold on when 30 ahead, there is a severe attitude problem. The Tigers look to be improving.

Seeing Clint Gutherson appear at the post match interview in his budgie smugglers and answer questions in a smug way, tells us that as the club captain, he may be lacking in leadership too. It said a lot about their season. Is Moses back for the final 'spoon' game - or just ready for the Kangaroos?

NRL - Broncos. What a poor effort when the semi finals were on the line. They lack spirit after a Grand Final last year. Kevvie looks out of sorts. 

The eight looks much clearer now... Manly produced under pressure. Broncos gone and really it is Dolphins v Knights for eighth spot.

NRL - Sharks. How do you lose that one to the Warriors? They had so much riding on the result. A win was almost a definite top four finish. How good was Shaun Johnson v the Sharks. Suddenly teams are being exposed under pressure.

NRL - Roosters. What an horrific afternoon of injuries - Walker, Smith and Radley...This tests a team and their character. The Raiders have shown a lot over the last month, but what a terrible mid season effort. Too inconsistent.

2. AFL. Is it wise to have a whole week off for everyone? Some bad trade moves too (Petracca could not be let go from the Demons...and Bailey Smith owes the Bulldogs big time. I wonder whether he will be available if they go deep into the finals?). We love the AFLW, but it seems to lack a little at this early stage and then it will be cast aside for a month too.

3. Test Cricket. Joe Root loves a mediocre attack, but as an expert batsman, he cashes in regularly. He has picked up two tons at Lords in this current Test v Sri Lanka, adding to one in the last test. He now has as the most tons for an Englishman and more Test tons than the previous leader, Alistair Cook (34 at 50.93). Incredible record, despite having had some lower moments, mostly against tough attacks like Australia. 

Apart from most Test centuries for England, Root becomes England's highest ever run scorer, most Test runs in England, most runs and centuries at Lords - and first Englishman to take 200 catches. Handy.

4. EPL. Liverpool v ManU is always special, but the Tottenham v Newcastle game is a telling one for Ange. Man City power on and are like St George NRL in the 1960s! Haaland scored his second hat trick this season. He now has seven goals in three games - a record and as many Premier League hattricks as some of the game's greatest ever players. He is one of the greatest ever.

5. US Open Tennis. Alexi Popryin beats Djokovic. Unheard of in recent years. Maybe when the Poo beat Sampras one Australian Open night rivals the upset. Won the Montreal Masters last week and was seeded, so not ridiculous. 14 double faults for Djokovic is a worry. The crowd loves to boo Novak. An unexpected early exit for the Olympic champion. No Djokovic, Nadal or Federer left in a Grand Slam since 2002!

Jordan Thompson is doing well too. Alex de Minaur has now made all four Rounds of 16 in all four Grand Slams this season... a rare Australian feat. One of these two make the quarter finals from here.

Not sure how Sinner is there after a drugs testing controversy. He should have stood down for a time, but hasn't. He is a whippet, but even still.

6. PGA Tour Championship. An awesome concept with a staggered scoring start. Shades of LIV! Adam Scott at 44 years of age is playing some great golf. A 66-67-68 start is handy. Tied fifth after two rounds in a $100M tournament puts you on good terms with your bank manager. 

Scottie Scheffler though is a mile in front after a staggered start (10 in front, up front...now 26 under!). He is a gun and will net multiple millions...following his recent Olympic gold medal. He can't afford to have a free shot, let alone 10! He looks like winning his seventh PGA title for the year. Tiger at his peak won nine in a year. Byron Nelson holds the yearly record at 18 wins in a year. 

7. Gout Gout. A memorable name and some memorable sprinting performances as a sixteen year old flyer. His efforts in the U/18 World Athletics titles are very promising. We get very excited about sprinting prospects in Australia. Our last appearance in an Olympics 100m sprinting final was in 1956 - Hector Hogan. There is something in the athlete's name perhaps that makes them great.

8. Wallabies. Once upon a time we never cheered when we beat Argentina. However, these days it is like winning the Bledisloe Cup. Great to see Laurie Fisher in the coaching staff for Australia. He has one of the best Australian domestic rugby coaching records. The Springboks beat the All Blacks in a boil over too. Rough times for Scott 'Raygun' Robertson's break dancing career.

9. FI - Oscar Piastri. A Melbourne lad doing well for McLaren... starting on the front row of the grid and is half a chance at the Italian Grand Prix tonight. Riccardo is starting twelfth.