1. NRL - Magic Round is a big test for the curators and the 150,000 fans. The re-laying of turf ahead of the women's State of Origin (how talented are they?) looked late, but it held up nicely. The Queensland teams struggled and the Panthers announced to one and all that they were far from dead. A bye gets them right in the thick of things on 8 points. Other teams will be fearful.
There is no better team to watch than the Melbourne Storm. Their first twenty minutes in every game is electric. So good. Papenhuyzen is a try scorer every week. Hard not to admire Canberra and the way they aim up each week. 100%, even for their flaws, but talk about extracting every ounce of talent from the roster. Ricky has reinvented himself nicely and seems less cranky.
2. Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos. This team and franchise continues to be a massive problem. Des Hasler looks worn out and lacks spark. So does his team, despite the talent and pace they have. They seem to be unable to match teams with fitness and in the arm wrestle needed.
The Broncos have been so inconsistent this season. One week premiers, the next week ho hum. There is a cultural piece in that camp that lingers, bringing great disappointment. They need to address it and shake it off - and quickly. It is hard not to escape it with Kevin Walters in the commentary box.
3. AFL. Sydney bounce back. A great record v the Giants who are on the slippery slide of three straight losses, despite all of their talent. They have been really disappointing in recent weeks. The Geelong v Collingwood game was a cracker, but it is the Western Bulldogs (without the temperamental Bailey Smith) who are surging, despite the odds with three wins on the trot. Hawthorn, Brisbane and Collingwood look best at this early stage.
4. Cricket. South African quick, Rabada tests positive to some sort of "recreational" drug. Bad timing with the Test World Championship around the corner, but honestly... too much coin and too little direction.
5. IPL. Starting to drag a bit now into its final week or two, but Tim David and Mitchell Marsh have proven our dominant match winning batsmen in season 2025. The demise of Maxwell (injured) and poor form of Fraser-McGurk, Stoinis and even Travis Head it must be said, continues. There are really very few Australians playing there now. We are simply not good enough on their pitches. Hazelwood (top wicket taker) and Starc (top 10 wicket takers) have been awesome it must be said.
We have more coaches than players involved these days. Lots who have seen little to no action: Ellis, Bartlett, Zampa, Hardie and Inglis. Spencer Johnson has been pretty loose too.
It underlines how brilliant David Warner was in the IPL for many, many years, being the third highest IPL run scorer ever - and having won the award for the most runs in an IPL season THREE times!
How about the 14 year old Indian opening batsman, Vaibhav Suryavanshi? Incredible. Let's hope the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry Office is not the same one being used in Junior Rugby League circles for many years.
6. F1 - Piastri. A disappointing effort (and circumstances) in the lead up to today's big Miami feature race. The sprint race was intriguing, but that track is massively limited and in a highly unspectacular venue. The wet weather barely helped. Right next to a freeway... you would have thought they had nicer streets and views to showcase.
7. A-League. An interesting top six concept where teams 3-6 play off when teams 1-2 get the first round 'bye' and await their semi final opponents. Not sure this rewards the best performers, but it is a swift end to the season!
8. Tottenham. It is possible that Tottenham don't get any more EPL points in the remaining handful of rounds. Incredible to contemplate, but they have been a misery, injuries or no injuries. Their UEFA Europa League journey is a little brighter with the return bout in Norway v Bode/ Glimt this Friday. Up 3-1 going in, they are in the box seat. If successful, the ever bubbling might of ManU, who have also had a miserable year, await in a final that Tottenham have not seen for many years.
It has been since the early 1970s (1971-72) and 1980s (1983-84) that Tottenham achieved anything on the highest European stage.
9. Waratahs. Hammered by the Brumbies... and an all too familiar outcome. They have really dived in the past month and look destined for yet another lowly year. They seem to lack resolve and purpose - and consistency is non-existent.
10. NBL Finals. The longest final series in history... Celtics, Cavaliers and Pistons seem strongest in the Eastern Conference, but the Thunder and the Timberwolves will be there and thereabouts too. An horrific exit yet again this week for the big ticket LA Lakers.
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