1. NRL. The Cronulla-Melbourne game became the Ashley Klein show. Blowing 18 penalties was a joke. His relevance and self importance sometimes conflict and he makes some crazy decisions sometimes. It is not the Bill Harrigan 'brave call', it is the Ashley show and sometimes he cannot resist being front and centre. Surely he cannot oversee a Grand Final. Too unpredictable and too disruptive to the game. The preliminary final was so stop-start and really, it became boring to be honest. Cronulla were especially limited in attack. Such a shame and the inconsistency of time holding down in the ruck between both teams was breathtaking.
Nonetheless, Melbourne were too good. They continue to be too good and Bellamy now enjoys a stunning record and really is the best we have seen. The big prop from Parramatta and Wests-Tigers - Stefano Utoikamanu - was absolutely what they needed. They will be hard to beat.
In the Penrith-Brisbane showdown, Nathan Cleary's defence was spectacular. He can do it all! 14-0 at half time said it all. Three goals and try assists...Tight, pressure and methodical. Nothing stunning, but rock solid. Completions and error free.
The second half? Brisbane surged, but Talagi is a worry. Blaize is not up to it yet. Silly charge downs, drop balls, a shocking pass on the line and a critical missed tackle at the end. Under pressure errors and lots of them.
A bad Panthers decision not to take the two points for 16-0 which could have steadied the ship. Instead a great Broncos comeback for a 16-14 win and a premiership shot v Melbourne. Michael Maguire has done a top job.
The Panthers lost two games by four points in extra time in the lead up to the semi finals - Canberra and Melbourne - and then a two point loss to the Broncos today. That is the difference to their team in 2025.
2. AFL. Snoop Dog could actually kick the football well. Some footage pre game showed he had ability! See: Bing Videos . As predicted, Brisbane were on fire. Their mid field is so strong and while it was close for half a game, the customary 'Swans GF blowout' hit and destroyed the hapless Geelong. Dangerfield was quiet, Cameron was injured and played with a broken arm... Geelong know how to fold under pressure, yet they keep buying the best players around. Charlie Cameron nailed them and Coach Fagan picked their pockets. Back to back premiers is pretty awesome.
What is it about these back to back to back wins by the elite teams?
3. Wallabies. Speaking of which, the 28,000 year consecutive Bledisloe winning streak continues. We were brighter, but never in it really. We really struggle it must be said. The losses have started to pile up again, yet we keep making the same mistakes. Injuries hit of course, but we keep changing the team, tinkering, moving key personnel... the proof is it does not work. I wonder if Les Kiss can work this out.
4. EPL. All of Liverpool, Chelsea and Nottingham lost. A topsy turvey year already, but Man City look impressive after six rounds. Erling Haaland has already kicked 8 goals. More goals than most score in a career! Tottenham were lucky to get away with a draw v Wolves.
Memo to Ange: look at how West Ham just turfed their coach this weekend. It won't take long for Ange to bite the dust if he can't start winning. Losing to Sunderland (Till I Die) is a low ebb. Sunderland surge to third place!
5. Sydney Thunder - Ravi Ashwin. Not sure what sort of T20 Big Bash crowd puller he will be. Talented Test player, but T20? Not sure he has the personality of a franchise breaking player too. Has always seemed to be on the outer with Indian players and stormed off when they needed him most in the last Australian tour. It could all end in tears.
Meanwhile India v Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup (whatever that is). India make a habit of winning this tournament with no hand shakes, no travel to Pakistan and military tensions forever at the forefront. Politics gets in the way all the time for Pakistan, so they are hoping for some skill later tonight.
6. Ryder Cup. What spectacular crowds at Bethpage Black in Long Island NY! Rare you see crowds on both sides of the tee outside of the Masters. A great course, but lots of fired up players with Lowry and McIlroy leading the charge. The New York crowds love it. They are irreverent, rude, offensive and fire up opponents in all sports - and golf is no different. However, the Europeans are smashing the US and are on track for their first away victory since 2012. No abuse or homophobic comments can stop them.
7. F1. Oscar Piastri needs to lift and re-invent. Verstappen is closing fast and McLaren are faltering a little at present. Plenty more races ahead, but he needs to improve or perish.
8. MLB Playoffs. Closing fast with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox through... Dodgers, Phillies, Mariners and Guardians all through too.
9. NFL. Early days, but the usual suspects are already surging. The Philadelphia Eagles, the 49ers, the Bills, Chargers and Buccaneers.
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