1. NRL. 'We didn't see that coming" or "that was not us" (yes it was!). A lot of coaches use these expressions to excuse poor performances or deflect from their players, but the fans marvel at how a team can spend a whole week practising in their salubrious facilities - Centres of Excellence of course - and dish up frightfully inept performances. Sometimes week in and week out.
The Broncos have massive problems. Time for a Netflix show like 'TigerTown' I suspect. They lack enthusiasm and there is a cancer in that place that needs to be called out, fixed or removed. Perhaps it is a star player or two that needs to go. Something is amiss and if they can't identify who it is and the team culture issue, the coaching staff need to walk. Poor old Trent Barrett is again there when a team goes bad. He will wish he never left Penrith as an Assistant Coach. Ricky Stuart is the master of culture. he could lead a review!
2. NRL Wrap. The Titans who score a lot of points, leak even more and Des Hasler is not enjoying life. I wonder how Justin Holbrook is feeling. They had a chance to build a future under him, but threw it away with customary impatience. From afar, the club seems to lack that spirit and culture needed to win regularly.
Sadly, the media love a coach in distress and pile on quickly. Benji is really struggling too. Adam O'Brien as well. Cleary is spared and Ryles for very different reasons. O'Brien is right about the rubbish draw.
Manly were pretty awesome it must be said. They can really fire at home when it counts. Always have. All without the key Trobjevics. There may need to be some harsh calls there soon granted Tom's injuries. He may be better off at another club. Unthinkable of course, but the reality.
St George keep motoring along... they are into the eight now and with a little more poise with their close losses, they could be doing a Bulldogs with at least six additional points! The results of close games define your season!
The Cowboys and Manly are also hovering around the bottom of the eight. All strength to their persistence and resolve. Souths are an amazingly disappointing team. Bennett cannot be happy with this.
After three tries v Warriors this weekend, Johnston may now overtake Irvine this year if he stays fit! 200 tries is some sort of effort. The second ever player to achieve it!
3. The Swans. Pre-game they welcomed back Adam Goodes and old premiership winning players from 2005 and then they got absolutely whacked by a so so team in Adelaide - at home. This team needs some ego checking. I suspect a lot of younger guys (not a lot of hard headed experienced guys in the place) are not aiming up in the tough stuff. They need some leaders and their forward line remains super limited. There are young careers on the line there. The Lizard Blakey touched the ball 11 times... Lloyd 11 times and Campbell 8 touches. Not good enough.
4. Football. How about Melbourne City? 1-0 over Melbourne Victory, cementing their name as champions. City have now won two titles to Victory's four. Sydney FC lead the way with five titles.
Paris St Germain win 5-0 on the Champions League final v Inter Milan... the biggest win ever.
The axe has been quiet Tottenham way ... surely news this week as trade windows open. Would Gareth Bale be open to a return?
5. NBA. The Eastern Conference Final was tight between the Pacers and Knicks in a 4-2 wrestle leading them into playing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Final. OKT were the team that sent Josh Giddey packing last season and used their trades really wisely. Well positioned to add a championship ring to their last 1979 victory. The Pacers have never won it (the Knicks last won in 1970 and 1973, but have lost a final series SIX times).
6. NHL. Florida Panthers v Edmonton Oilers. This was a cracking Stanley Cup Final last year and it is underway again this week. Both the Panthers and the Oilers won their conferences 4-1. Decisive and clearly superior teams.
7. IPL Final. The Punjab Kings play the Mumbai Indians tonight for the right to play the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2025 IPL final. The Kings are coached by Ricky Ponting and have Stoinis, Hardie, Owen, Inglis and Bartlett in their squad. Inglis is the only one playing regularly at present. The Mumbai Indians have NO Australian players.
RCB have Virat Kohli and Tim David, but Hazelwood is the weapon! He now has taken 21 wickets in 11 games. Third on the list of highest wicket takers at 15.81 which is the second best to Bumrah (15.33).
The Test Championship Final is fast approaching. This should be excellent v South Africa.
8. Women's Origin. Love the game and the NRLW is awesome viewing. However the NSW try where the ball was not placed down over the try line (no sideline, no held up) was really unfortunate, effectively costing them the game ultimately. Such a basic not done, by a really talented player in Isabelle Kelly. There are a few NRL players who do this too I suspect and have not been called on it. It is not a bad rule, it is THE rule and always has been.
9. The Waratahs. Oh dear. Season on the line, a must win game... they lose by 40. How can you cheer for this mob at present? So disappointing after a bright start to the season.
10. French Open. Novak Djokovic. What an awesome player! 100 tournament wins in the ATP. Into the fourth round v Cameron Norrie with his 99th French Open win. This should be yet another quarter final. Sinner, Rune and Zverev look the only other options to win it. Sinner looks fresh after his pathetic drugs ban.
11. PGA Memorial Open. The amazing Scottie Scheffler looks poised to win again, following his recent USPGA win at Quail Hollow, leading into the final round. Was able to get there on the morning of the first Round of the USPGA. A real buzz.. $US300-400 entry fee for the day!
12. Oscar Piastri. Talk about a driver on the move. More pole positions and victories by an Australian F1 driver in a season since Alan Jones in 1980! Alan won 7 races and the title. Piastri has four wins this season (Chinese, Bahrain, Saudi. Miami GPs...maybe the Spanish tonight!). He is on pole tonight.
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