1. Las Vegas NRL. What a stunning spectacle! The standard of NRL has never been higher for an opening round. The Raiders looked sharp and defensively strong, winning 30-8. The skinnier field allowed for stronger defensive patterns to work. The Warriors have fallen for the Parramatta trick...too many slow backs. They will really struggle this year, especially with no Fonua-Blake too. Surely there are quicker kids in New Zealand than that!
The Jillaroos. A waltz. Almost 100-0! That might sum up England at the moment in a number of sports. Nice to see Jessica Sergis in the Australian team. The former coach, Brad Donald, became a joke leaving Sergis, the Dally M Player of the NRLW, out of his squad. Never like seeing game playing and nonsense from coaches. Be honest and communicate, but save your nonsense. It kills trust, builds a fear in players of not speaking up and leads to lack of accountability and poor results. The Roosters will dominate the NRLW again this season. They have all the stars.
The Panthers. Their culture and connection in their club is awesome. Their intensity was great. The trust is huge of each other and they have a pipeline of coaches and players who know that 'community pride' drives them. A super win, with a lot of troops down, but the Sharks were definitely a notch better than last year. They could step up further in 2025, but they may need a new fullback soon however. They really targeted him.
2. Champions Trophy ODI Cricket. No one knows what it is, but everyone wants to beat India to win it. India again dictate world cricket, telling everyone that they do not travel into Pakistan. Instead they stay at their 10 star hotel in Dubai and again have NO excuses. New Zealand have to travel around the world and have done well. Australia have hardly played a game with the surprisingly poor wet weather. South Africa have the firepower, just not sure if they have the bowling.
Meanwhile England have disgraced themselves. Baz Ball? How's that going for you? Pathetic really, losing all three games, including to Afghanistan. This is in keeping with their recent ODI form. Heads need to roll. Jamie Smith at number three was a disaster and their bowling was ordinary. Jofra Archer did OK, but they were all too expensive. Most of their best players are playing in T20 leagues around the world!
3. Super Rugby. The Reds have knocked over the mightily impressive 2025 Force team 28-24. So impressive have that been that we make errors in the scoreline - disbelief! The Tahs made it two from two beating the Drua. The Brumbies look a little looser than usual, leaking points and dropping another game. They're averaging giving up 40 points. Most unusual.
4. FA Cup. This comp rambles on and on. It gives a few lesser lights some gate takings they would never see, but it can become a stretch.
In EPL season 2024-2025, Liverpool's Mohammed Saleh (25 goals, 27 assists) is the man of the moment this season. Erling Haarland has 20 goals in second place. A quiet season by his standards, but Man City are unleashing now.
5. South Australian Cricket. A big win in the domestic ODI comp v Victoria. They have struggled in all forms for a long time. New coach, Ryan Harris, is making his mark where Jason Gillespie could not. Young Liam Scott, a boy from ryde-Hunters Hill, has stamped his class, winning the Player of the Tournament. Bravo!
6. NBL. Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats are 1-1 in the best of three games with a finals spot on the line. The Illawarra Hawks v the South East Melbourne Magic are 1-1 as well and both winners of the third games will make it into the final. The final is best of five. Talk about milking the golden cow! Sout hEast Melbourne Magic started the year with five straight losses too.
7. A-League. The Western Sydney Wanderers are charging, having completed 19 matches, now with the most goals scored in the comp. They are eyeing a top tier finish now after beating Perth Glory 2-1 - after really struggling early on in the season. Suddenly they are coming fourth! A tight go at the top this season, but a point or two away from second spot.
Meanwhile the Young Socceroos win the U/20 Asian Cup. A good sign for the future as we try and recreate the national team, its profile and anyone's affection for them.
8. Swans. Disaster. Errol Gulden has broken his ankle in a pre-season hit out (do we need trials?). Their season is in some early ruins already. He does so much work. An intriguing start now ahead for new coach Cox.
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