The Wrap - Shields and Trophies

1. NRL. Raiders have the minor premiership - and the JJ Giltinan Shield - which is some sort of effort. Tradition and better than the Winfield Cup (who ever thought that was a good idea?). Ethan Strange continues to be a revelation, but their big outside backs are a huge plus. No nonsense forwards and a unity and self belief. It could go deep into September. Melbourne are a colossus and will take some beating. Not sure the Bulldogs or Panthers or the Broncos/ Sharks (woeful defence) have enough to stop Melbourne... despite being lapped by the Roosters on Friday night. 

• Marky Mark continues to do things other players in the game have never done. An awesome talent. Elite. A Dally M?
• Des Hasler and Adam O'Brien both gone... the coaching merry-go-round continues.
• Parramatta with their newfound fitness and speed are also sending teams ragged. Their defence needs to improve however. They do not control the ruck like Melbourne do. Melbourne would be crucified if a referee actually insisted on a speedy play the ball from both teams. Parramatta do this at their own peril and get touch football scores as a result.
• Parramatta are on the same points as the Wests Tigers and could finish as high as 10th! A stunning end to the season.
• The Gold Coast to pick up the wooden spoon after losing a lot of close games? Or Newcastle?
• Dolphins v Roosters for the final spot.

2. AFL. Can never work out why they take complete momentum out of their season by having the week off. A 'Wildcard weekend' could work better... but injuries are attended to in the week away, but I wonder how many more injuries it then brings? Brownlow Medal season is fast approaching.

Interesting to see Tom Papley shopped to rivals.

3. Tommy Fleetwood. Breaks through finally at the Tour Championship (after 164 PGA starts) with a BIG $10M purse. The US PGA completely dominates LIV and has actually rendered it irrelevant. Tradition and routine has triumphed.

4. US Open Tennis. Jelena Ostapenko is one of the most unpleasant women's tennis players we have ever seen. She has problems with her attitude and superiority complex - and her serve. Racial comments the lot. She needs to be banned from the game for a time. Conversely, the Naomi Osako story is amazing. She is doing good business once again. In the wrestle for the 'US Open Tennis Trophy' (no sponsor).

Alcarez, Sinner, Zverev, Dokovic... all warming up for the men's quarter finals which get under way this week. Alex de Minaur joins them in the final 16. He only has a top 8 game at this point, but it is still a stunning achievement on the biggest stage.

5. Rugby Union. A week off for the international play, but injuries for Australia are crushing them. Locally, Warringah 37-24 to win the Shute Shield. More famous than the Stanley Cup!

Tremendous to see young Douglas Sullivan (Eastwood) and young Henry Oxenham (Sydney Uni) in action at Leichhardt Oval in their lower grade Grand Finals. 

6. F1. Back after an AFL-like window which is absurd and lengthens the season incredibly (until 8 December!). The Dutch Grand Prix it is now this weekend and Oscar Piastri is looking to assert early dominance over Lando Norris in the home stretch. Oscar has such amazing poise.

7. Sunderland Till I Die. They are on fire. Two early wins in the EPL after being promoted. Incredible start, but a long way to go! 35 points (12 wins) just about sees you safe from relegation. Chelsea looking solid and of course they, Arsenal and Liverpool have not lost yet. Defence! 'The Premier League Trophy' is on the line!