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.
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