1. Mascot Dangers. Not since 1995 when the great 'Stanley the Steeler' (Illawarra Steelers) got sent off for his role in sideline biff with Balmain players have the mascots worldwide seen a week like it. First Reggie Rabbit (South Sydney Rabbitohs) had had a gutful of fans and goes the shirt fronting...now the Manchester City mascot is speaking out after some gentle byplay saw the mascot concussed. Dangerous work!
2. Sheffield Shield. Ryan Harris has done a top job as coach of South Australia. Greg Chappell, Jason Gillespie, Tim Neilsen...none of them could make a dent. On the back of Brendan Doggett taking 11 wickets in a Shield final - the most EVER by a bowler, a Jake Lehmann/ Jason Sangha/ Alex Carey tons and some excellent fielding, their first victory in 29 years. They are a bit of an odds and sods team, but they have triumphed before a record crowd. Unheard of numbers in the last decade plus!
Great to see the return to the old days with the crowd running onto the field and stealing stumps as well!
Jason Sangha, former U/19 Australian captain and ex-NSW was the eventual hero with 126no. Third ton of the year! Shield Final tons count more significantly on the resume, that is for sure... especially when completing a record run chase like they did. A few ex NSW players in their ranks - Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Jason Sangha. Harry Conway and Liam Scott.
Moises Henriques has finally pulled the pin on his Shield career. Second only to Mo Matthews in games played for NSW, but a lean average to be fair - 13 tons and 6830 runs at 34.84 AND 127 wickets at 30.75. A great ambassador and leader, but probably good at both, not great at one discipline. A solid career regardless, playing for Australia and playing IPL. He won't have troubles finding a bank manager.
3. IPL. Mitchell Marsh has started the tournament with a bang. A couple of half centuries to he and Head. Interesting that he too is fit and well...like Hazelwood (5 wickets), Cummins (3 wickets) and co. We should have more IPLs to keep our players fit. Not a family reason or personal reason in sight either. "Starc is taking wickets (3 wickets) and Head is clearing pickets". Cummins is hitting sixes and getting wickets. Maxwell is still getting ducks as well. He has more wickets than runs at present.
4. NRL. The Cowboys bounce back v the sloppy Raiders and St George win the completely unexpected in beating Melbourne. A sensational victory masterminded by Shane Flanagan who has done it before, famously for the Sharks in the 2016 Grand Final. The Sharks were disappointing at home. Stephen Crichton is some sort of player. Awesome strength and leadership. They are the real deal those undefeated Berries.
How bad is the bunker getting? That missed try by Moses Leota was so bad...so bad. The NRL are pathetic trying to cover it up. Ashley Klein has a terrible record too. He is our equivalent of Joel Wilson, who was recently sacked as an international ICC umpire.
There are three teams who have never registered a win in a NRL season: University (1935); South Sydney (1946) and Eastern Suburbs (1966). Parramatta (2025) are a strong chance to join them. Who can they beat?
5. AFL. Carlton are in a lot of bother. So are Melbourne, who look terrible. Sliding down and losing early never helps a season of any team. Early days, but Hawthorn and GWS are looking really good. The Freo buying spree does not look to have worked. So much more ahead. Adelaide looking brighter too.
6. Oscar Piastri. THREE F1 wins now after last week's China GP victory. He is still behind Daniel Ricciardo (8), Mark Webber (9) and Alan Jones (12) and their GP win totals. Piastri looks good to get a few more yet in season 2025. Japan next week.
7. Super Rugby. The Waratahs were whacked again v Hurricanes. Sadly, this is the sort of result (57-12 loss) that the fans have become used to seeing. This was an incredibly disappointing result. A shock loss by the Crusaders too. The Australian teams are currently right up there with the Reds leading the whole show! Great job.
8. Ange. Photos are apparently emerging of Ange's replacement at Tottenham - that or old photos resurfacing! It never takes long in the EPL. There are a lot more coaches and teams that want success than cups to win! Simple.
Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forrest are into the FA Cup Semi Finals. For Notts it is 34 years since they have enjoyed such success. What a year they have had!
9. Socceroos. Games v Japan (already qualified) and Saudi Arabia await in June at home. Can we make it? Tony Popovic has done really well since taking the helm. He can coach and does it humbly.
10. Min Woo Lee. Texas Children's Houston Open PGA Leader by four shots heading into the final round. Interesting that a bloke called Scottie Scheffler is hovering. Hopefully Min Woo can hold on, but he has imploded before at The Players Championship. Maybe things will be different this time after than crushing experience. Big crowds!
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