1. NRL. The Raiders have been extraordinary this year. On top of the comp and two byes ahead yet - an extra four points! They could be minor premiers when some were tipping them for the spoon. They have a fabulous future ahead too with lots of young players signed longer term. The number of close games they have won is outstanding. This is the difference between great years and ordinary years.
The standard of the NRL falls in a heap by the third Origin and six week disruption. It is a bit of a circus really. The dropped balls and mistakes are exponential, underlining the elite nature of some players. State of Origin is great, but is the weekly competition greater?
Latu Finau is a top operator for the Wests Tigers who could be awesome with Luai (should he stay with his get our clause!).
Two new trends in the game: not catching bombs and use of the word 'Derek' for a hopeless joke (eg. the old Nigel... Karen). A bit unfair on the many good Dereks who have excelled in international sport including Derek Moritz (Bears, NRL), Derek Randall (English cricket), Derek Pringle (English cricket), Derek Jeter (MLB), Derrick Rose (NBA), Derrick Murray (WI cricket) and of course Bo Derek.
2. AFL. The Swans get a breath of life to move to tenth on the table. A massive 12 points adrift from eighth! Really, when maths is your best chance of making finals, the hall of mirrors is needed to have a good look at yourself. A big crowd nonetheless.
3. Test Cricket. Two enthralling Tests on at present. The Windies have been better than many would have thought on dodgy home decks, but have it all ahead of them tonight. Our batting is still dodgy - especially first innings runs. Green hit a half century in the second innings, but we are loose. Alex Carey and Beau Webster have been our best.
Khawaja is getting LBW and caught behind the wicket more now than at any other time in his career. He is slowing right down. Konstas...back to Grade cricket please.
Our bowling is brighter:
- Nathan Lyon (562) - one wicket short of Glen McGrath (563). Warnie's 708 Test wickets is safe, but Broad (604) and Kumble (619) are not far away.
- Pat Cummins (307) - just shy of Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313)
- Starc (395) - fourth highest Australian in front of DK Lillee (355) now.
- Lyon, Starc, Cummins and Hazelwood (292) are in the top ten best ever Australian test wicket takers. Incredible really that they are all from the same era and same team.
4. Oscar Piastri - British F1 GP. The only world sport where the key combatants are known by their first names and called as such by the commentators, fans and drivers... a limited pool of elite drivers. Verstappen is a legend. Still collecting pole positions when his car is clearly not as great as the orange McLarens. Such an arduous tour with Piastri clinging to a sub 20 lead. He has five wins and needs six+! Nine wins beats Ricciardo and Webber's records (in almost a quarter of the race starts).
5. International Rugby. 21-18 win over Fiji by the Wallabies playing in Newcastle. Such a shame the Wallabies are playing at suburban grounds. The quality of the game is not improving. It is a punish to watch. A solid loss by the Waratahs v Lions 21-10. The Lions will absolutely massacre Australia. We are so loose.
6. Tour de France. Not as popular as it once was, but still a spectacular event with mad locals and beautiful views. Harrison Sweeny is our main hope. Looking forward to the mankini wearers, the offers of pizza and cigarettes to the riders, the nude supporters, the mad dogs and animal life - and the cycling....
7. Wimbledon. Hopefully Alex De Minaur (v Djokovic) and Jordan Thompson (v Fritz) can progress beyond the round of 16 into the quarter finals. It is interesting that at age 38, we still expect Novak to triumph! Sinner looks a special now that Alcaraz is carrying an injury or two.
8. Liverpool FC have had their share of disaster. Diogo Jota tragically killed in a car crash. Thinking of the Hillsborough disaster, the car into the crowd this year at their victory ceremony... they can't seem to escape it. The beauty and expression of youth... and the waste and loss.
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