The Wrap - Over Officiated and Overblown

1. NRL. What has happened to the great game of rugby league? Anything slightly high or loose is penalised (this weekend) and sin bins result. The retrospective sin bin five minutes after it was meant to happen is so frustrating. Think Rugby Union. We had this crazy overreacting at one point last year too. Too many appeals, protests, complaints, reviews…stoppages galore. Players who thrust the arms out sideways or fake injury should be binned too. The shape of the game has been changed. … for the worse. 18 players sinbinned in one weekend? Please…

Over governed, over officiated and a complete over reaction. Penalties, fines and judiciary intervention is a better result for the fans.

2. AFL. The Swans were terrible after leading at half time. Giving up 11 straight goals is horrific. They are certainly a bottom five team on that performance. Gold Coast could finally be the real deal. Carlton looked solid v Geelong. Carlton have won three in a row and Collingwood look too strong for most. The West Coast continue their quest for the spoon, getting hammered by Hawthorn. Brisbane still the faves.

3. EPL. Liverpool will be crowned champions tonight by dusting off the excuse laden Tottenham. Too strong and business like every week. Consistency. Great effort by Crystal Palace to make the FA Cup Final.

4. A League. The final weeks are nearly upon us. Auckland FC are certainly favourites, but the Wanderers are a smokey.

5. Super Rugby. Brumbies a loss but in the top four with the Reds. Chiefs and Crusaders, especially, looking far too strong. 

6. IPL. Hazelwood has moved up to the top of the highest wicket takers list - equal first on 16 wickets. Amazing health recovery for the IPL and not the ICC Champions Trophy. Maxwell and Fraser-McGurk have been dropped and banished too. A simple lack of currency...runs!

7. NBA Playoffs. Lakers and Celtics with work to do. Oklahoma Thunder already through! Not missing Josh Giddey, although he had a cracking season for the Bulls! 

8. F1 GP Victory. Piastri was in fine form winning in Bahrain last week. There are plenty more to come yet... The Australian drivers in F1 with the most ever wins? 14 (Brabham - won three F1 championships in 1959, 1960 and 1966), 12 (Jones - won one F1 championship in 1980), 9 (Webber), 8 (Ricciardo) and Piastri on 5 wins so far.

The Wrap - Galvanised

1. Lachlan Galvin. Unlike the opinions of many, and despite the hype, is he that good a player yet? He has a proactive and tough manager that is clear, but there are many journalists trying hard to critique the player and his world to settle a few scores. He is skinny, creative, but looks like the Jason Taylor type half...no speed, but smarts. He has potential, but has not achieved much yet. However, surely, like everyone, he is completely entitled to seek a better deal. The instant division in the Wests Tigers camp tells you that there is still a bit of wallpaper in the joint. Deep wounds and a lack of unity have plagued that place for years. Benji has managed himself well in the media, but needs to smile more. It seems a really tense and terse set up. The question needing answering is why would he want to leave? This is a hard reality for the club.

An "NRL halves academy" would be an excellent business to establish. The monies for great halfbacks and five eights is outrageous at present. 

Struggling to work out how an organisation like the NRL can't register player contracts to play in their comp by telling them there will be a graduation combine/ draft...and an annual trade window. No legal fights, just if you join our competition, these are the rules! Otherwise play in the UK Super League or in your own competition.

2. NRL Draw. We have been banging on about this for many years - unlike Seibold who has only started. Silly turn arounds... ridiculous double ups against teams twice in the first six rounds...byes... honestly. I think we could get two experienced NRL-loving teachers who do far more complex high school timetables to sort this out really quickly. Some clubs may also need to hear "NO" in response to their peculiar wishes. The current draw is truly ridiculous.

It won't save the Knights. They are looking awful. Dylan Brown may get an early release yet.

3. NRL - Bulldogs. What an awesome team (now). A complete rebuild and now a winning formula. Their defensive prowess is awesome. Ciraldo has brought his Panthers defence blueprint alive again. Two back to back weeks of no points conceded. They have players on edge and ready each week with pressure behind them...and juniors galore coming through. They are also breaking records with their re-energised fan base. Nearly 70,000 on Good Friday v Souths was a tremendous effort. No fitting that into Belmore. A huge success story, with much more to come. They seem to have a big salary cap, but Gus is a clever man.

4. The Masters. An amazing tournament as always. Rory too good, but a semi implosion in the last stages of the final round almost brought him undone. Justin Rose did well to push back into it all. Such a majestic tournament to win. Rory is truly one of the greatest now! 5 Major wins - and only one of six players to win all Majors. In our time, we really have only ever enjoyed Woods, Faldo and Mickelson...with a touch of Trevino and the late Niklaus years, including his 1986 masters win.

5. AFL. Carlton come roaring back albeit with back to back wins against some lowly opponents. Essendon started really poorly v West Coast but got there in the end too. West Coast need to lift. They have been bad for years, despite draft priorities.

Port looked in complete control v the Swans. The Swans finesse far too much and still lack forwards. Not sure what is happening with Chadd Warner at present, but they need him on the ball. 

The return of Bontempelli for the Bulldogs has transformed them. ST Kilda, like Essendon, go quiet at key times. SO frustrating for their fans.

Are AFL coaches phones, the only ones left in the world with the old cord?

6. Europa League - Tottenham. For only the second time in the Premier League era, they have reached the semi finals of a European competition. Ange Postocoglou is alive and kicking. Bodo/ Glimt from Norway stand in front of a finals appearance - and surely should be beaten. ManU are also in the semi finals too. Ange would be well served to string a few EPL wins together too. A win in Europe would give him a pass to continue in 2025-2026. It would be an extraordinary achievement really.

7. Eels - Discipline. Thankfully Joe Ofahenguae is on his way to the Leigh Leopards. Ironically a leopard doesn't change its spots as Parramatta have learned. A big body, but pulling players pants down on live TV just does not cut it. He should have been ended six weeks ago. Shaun Lane is also on extended leave... that leaves Matterson and Cartwright as the remaining players to be rolled over. They need a full rebuild with a couple of hard heads and quicker feet. Interesting to hear Ryles tell everyone he is after Galvin... after the dubious 1 November deadline, of course.

8. A League. The Wanderers still have scored the most goals this season. This helps in semi finals - if you get there. They are fourth placed now. Sydney FC also have goals galore...but both leak a few too. A couple of rounds to come yet.

9. Waratahs. Last week they beat the top team. This week they lose to the bottom team. Almost choked to hear that there was an ARU policy to rest players ahead of the Lions tour. Really? The Waratahs have no capacity to rest anyone! Misery once again.

When was the last time you went to a Waratah's game?

10. NBL Play Offs... down to the final 16 teams (8 from each conference). Love the concept of the 'Play Ins' to determine the final two spots (7 and 8) in the play offs. Something for the NRL. The NBA never miss the chance to squeeze the orange and extract more cash.

11. Saudi Arabian GP. Oscar Piastri is going to need to get his skates on later tonight. A tough track to muscle through and get the jump on others... he is in great form however.

The Wrap - 66 Clickety Click

1. NRL. The NRL is getting national indeed. The Perth Bears fiasco is tiring, but two games there on the weekend was not such a bad thing on the weekend. The Sharks and Cowboys actually thought it was great. Hard, fast day time NRL play is exceptional viewing.

What are Parramatta doing in Darwin? The worst investment for everyone there... another 50 point whacking. How can they be so bad? We saw the cultural problems at the start of the year and it has not improved. Poor attitudes. Also two serious foot injuries (Mose and Lomax). How does that happen?

How awesome are the Melbourne Storm? Never any excuses. Jarome Hughes in strife with his shoulder, but Melbourne playing at home in sunlight is dangerous. They have so many points in them! The Warriors only win at night.

The Panthers are really struggling...interesting new times for them. The Knights? They will be close to the spoon with Parramatta. Dreadful errors.

2. Rory. A pair of 66s! Absolutely owned the third round at 12 under, two shots ahead. Bryson is looming. Don't discount Sheffler. Rory's 79 back in 2011 at the same tournament (not to mention the US Open capitulation to Bryson) gives him a little "Greg Norman" quality here. Rose crumbles yet again when in the lead.

Rory will either join the elite (winning each of the four golf majors like Woods, Nicklaus, Sarazen, Hogan and Player) - or become famous for all the wrong reasons. Hopefully he can rise and put any doubts behind him. He's certainly speaking positively, for what that is worth.

He has an impressive record (twice as many majors as The Shark):

PGA Championship	Won: 2012, 2014
U.S. Open	Won: 2011
The Open Championship	Won: 2014

3. AFL. Carlton off the mark beating the absolutely terrible West Coast team, but Melbourne are in big trouble. Clayton Oliver is suddenly really poor. An incredible decline. Brisbane keep surging sitting on top of the table. Gold Coast and Hawthorn are also having a cracking start. A consistent and winning Gold Coast team of anything is a novelty!

4. Oscar Piastri. A pole position against the odds in Bahrain was a cracking effort. These drivers are special talents. Jack Doohan not doing too bad too. A late start tonight.

5. James McDonald. Surging ahead to the Damien Oliver Australian Group 1 win record of 125. His work on Saturday with the record breaking, best horse in Australia, Via Sistina - and Fangirl - showed his class. He wins a lot! If in doubt, follow JMac.

6. IPL. Travis Head gets a bit chirpy sometimes, even if it is Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis! He finally did the business to help get his Sunrisers Hyderabad team over the line. Stoinis' hitting has been on this season...as has Tim David and Mitchell Marsh is the third highest run scorer. This helps the bank balance longer term. Starc and Hazelwood lead the wickets taken, although there was 30 runs taken off one Starc over the weekend.

Extraordinarily, against all else we have seen, Marsh took family IPL leave for his daughter and missed the most recent game.

7. Super Rugby. A cracking win by the Waratahs v the Chiefs. Joseph Aukoso-Suaalii played a super game and the 100 metre team try was super impressive. Brumbies, Reds and Tahs all top of the table territory now. Hard to remember a year when our Australian franchises have been this successful. 

8. EPL. Since 1992 when it started, there are only a few clubs who have never been relegated: ManU, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea. Everton have cheated relegation for many successive years (beating Nottingham overnight 1-0) and Man City have been relegated twice! Conversely, Liverpool could be handed the trophy now. 

9. Gout Gout. A superstar well and truly in the making! Hopefully he manages the pressures and expectations well. How strong is the last 50m of his 200m? He has made Australian athletics popular more recently!

The Wrap - Master Blasters

1. NRL - Parramatta. One week St George beat the Storm, the next they lose to the likely 2025 wooden spooners. Zac Lomax has been exceptional. Tough and determined. The Parramatta fans have a little faith rebuilt, but they need a lot more yet. Liking the young hooker, Ryley Smith. Used to be a sensational junior cricketer too. Parramatta and the Dolphins have now broken their ducks. John Quayle and Arko will be proud of the salary cap with all teams on some points.

Latrell Mitchell is an absolute gun (when he is on). Yet he gets a lot less money than Dylan Brown, but is a genuine match winner! Dylan is going to remain a solid performer, but he is not a leader. His off field behaviours tell us that. Ironically, his defence is better than his attack. Rare for a five eight. 

The Panthers are being bagged, but they will be back. Always fascinating to see a coach's reaction in times of stress and trouble. Ivan Cleary is a classy guy. It is also amazing how the salary cap can level out all teams. What they have achieved is extraordinary. 

The Hess hit on Cleary was late and kickers need to be protected. This is an annoying feature of the game - that and fullbacks getting smashed when taking an uncontested high ball. In the contest is fine, but uncontested cheap shot merchants trying to wipe them out milliseconds after taking the catch. Poor form. Poor administration of the game.

The Storm and Manly are both 2025 semi finalists... even allowing for the near fifty points conceded. Their intensity was so much better than games we see most times across the season. Melbourne injury free will be so much faster and stronger than the rest. Give them the JJ Giltinan Shield now!

2. AFL. How about blokes taking guns to the MCG for the Carlton v Collingwood clash? Expecting a fiery clash, all guns blazing... Outrageous. The Giants keep surging and the Swans are back in touch after two opening losses. North Melbourne have shown glimpses, but they are a cranky side who need to focus on football. Melbourne are in strife and West Coast...new coach, same result.

3. Super Rugby. The Reds lose to the table topping Chiefs and the Waratahs lose to the Moana 45-28 on Saturday...what has happened to the Waratahs? The wheels are loosening and about to fall off. Consistency is the only true measure of high performance. Defence is terrible. The Moana beat the Crusaders last week and have a suite of former All Blacks in charge. They have improved out of sight it must be said.

4. IPL - Mitchell Marsh. Mitch Marsh has hit three half centuries in the IPL for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Starc is second on the wicket takers list with 9 wickets. Both are doing really well. Marsh is just a batsman now which he probably has been for many years. Fraser-McGurk and Maxwell are vying for the most ducks in an IPL season record. Young Fraser-McGurk looks like he needs a break and a mental reset. A lot of money earned and commensurate expectation on this bloke. This can crush the spirit of an aspiring star.

5. Tottenham - EPL. A 1-0 loss by Tottenham to Chelsea mid week and now possibly Southampton tonight. They have a shocking record with our Monday morning games. They are on the ropes and it is completely embarrassing. They are coming 14th... terrible. There is no excuse now and Ange is becoming bitter and antagonised very easily. They need a late season surge or could even face relegation!

6. Japanese F1. Oscar Piastri started on third position on the grid and continues his exceptional year, ending third. He will be kicking himself for that finish in the wet at Melbourne in the opening GP. It may be very costly eventually. Max Verstappen is still an amazing competitor and one of the best ever. Norris leads overall (second place today) after three GPs. A tight tussle early doors in the season, but Verstappen is a legend... he has 64 F1 wins, only behind Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (105). Incredible numbers travelling at that speed with so much skill and poise.

7. Matildas. Their new coach will arrive the same day the LIV and the USPGA peace plan is delivered. Quite ridiculous if you want stability and results.

8. A League. Western Sydney Wanderers... 7 undefeated games in a row (a few recent draws of course), but positioned fourth on a log jammed table. Any team dropping their guard late in the season stands to tumble quickly down the table. Ask Adelaide United.

9. The Masters at Augusta National. On later this week and a huge viewing event as always. Scottie Scheffler is the man with two Masters (no other majors!) championships under his wing. Ludvig Aberg may do well...Jon Rahm always impresses and possibly Min Woo! 

10. Tim Tszyu. An easy win and so it should have been against a lowly ranked opponent. He can be a little tiring in his pre bout antics. Yet to captivate the viewing public like a Jeff Fenech or even Jeff Horn.