1. Parramatta and Essendon. Two similar, but different clubs. Both with huge fan bases, but both with massive challenges in the face of underperformance and early season smashings. It might help if Dylan Brown ran the ball and did something. I would be very nervous if I was a Newcastle supporter. A ridiculous sum of money for him, but good luck to him and his family.
The Gold Coast Titans seem to be perennial underperformers as well... even with a plethora of new signings. Their win over the Knights was horrific for Adam O'Brien. Not one to lose. The greatest trap for visiting teams is its holiday destination. Des has cut a very under stated figure on the Gold Coast. They were quietly impressive. Very patient.
The Parramatta misery continues, albeit a little more mild. Jason Ryles has much to learn...he's in the media again telling anyone that they are a "young side" (1, 5 and 7 only this week) and yet he got rid of experience when he arrived - and bought them! He has Lomax, Russell, Penisini, Brown, Lane, Paulo, Hopgood, Matterson, Addo Carr, Lussick, Ofahengaue - very experienced first graders who are not producing. No Moses hurts them, but he bought two half backs this year too (Hawkins and Volkman). Stop the excuses and coach a team of discipline and mental toughness. You have simply not prepared them well enough with the right attitude. The coach sets the standards. Addo-Carr at least wants to win!
Is Rueben Garrick is one of the best goal kickers the game has seen - 78% is up there with Daryl Harrigan and Hazem El Masri. Adam Reynolds now has the second most goalkicks ever (still 200 goals below Cameron Smith), but Garrick rarely misses. How prolific is Ethan Bullemor as a try scorer (ex-Broncos)?
2. AFL. The loss by Geelong to St Kilda, is vintage Geelong. They have every top player in town (or think they have) and then they fall over too often. The Swans? They scrap and scrounge, but will do it tough in 2025. A great win v Freo away in WA. Chad Warner was outstanding. He needs Dylan Brown money!
3. Socceroos World Cup Qualification. Heading to China this week, Tony Popovic is resurrecting the chances of automatic qualification. What a journey that is! Losses early n the campaign have not helped, but we hardly play the super powers of world football.
4. IPL. Started over the weekend with its millions and zillions on offer. Our stars will cash in again, but Hazelwood on $2 million+ is hard to believe. He did get 2/22 in his return. Amazing how our fast bowlers are all fit and ready, not a family issue in sight, for the IPL ($$), but not the ICC Champions League! Kohli again won the first match off his bat with yet another 50.
5. EPL. Ange is on life support. He keeps losing, gets cranky with media, fans and himself and then occasionally wins. Too inconsistent and lots of excuses. It's been a while since the fans sang the Robbie Williams tribute song, "I'm Loving Ange Instead". Sadly, it might be time to move on - or be moved. A Europa League win would be staggering.
6. Sheffield Shield Final. South Australia v Queensland starts on Wednesday. An intriguing end to the season with Khawaja accused of feigning injury by his own QLD cricket administration. Not a good look by Joe Dawes who clearly was after some relevance post playing career. He was also on Peter Dutton's staff some years back...interesting. Starts Wednesday (big crowd not expected!) at some back water oval in South Australia. Love how you change the format for a final and go for five days... why?
7. A League. A break this week for the international week, but the season has two months to go yet!
8. NBL Champions. The Illawarra Hawks v Melbourne United. A 2-2 deadlock in the best of five finals series was broken by Illawarra 114-104 despite injuries, controversies and a drive to win successive games was achieved finally. Quite a riveting final series and a big plus for the game. Our NBL franchises are selling for $50 million which is staggering. The Celtics have just been bought for $6-7 Billion!
9. Super Rugby. Awesome form by the Waratahs in beating the Brumbies. Their season is fast becoming quite the turnaround. A huge transformation. Could this be part of the rebuild of the code in Australia? Reds doing very well too.
10. Oscar Piastri. Pole position in China. His error in Melbourne would still be stinging. A super drive in much better conditions. He did it in fine style.
11. Six Nations Rugby. An uncanny finish to a try-laden season... France, England and Ireland all had four wins, but France win it! Over one hundred tries scored in total and a record by France. England looked good too. The British and Irish Lions tour looms as a ripper.
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