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.
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