1. NRL. The media finally exhausted all the stories, family tales of rags to riches, parent interviews and injury hoopla...game on! No Ashley Klein on the field - and just Grant Atkins, a famous Parramatta premiership name. What a relief because Atkins did it in fine style. Klein was trying his best to influence the result from the bunker, but thankfully not close enough. Not sure how you qualify for the bunker after your efforts in the preliminary final.
Mariner scored early, but Meaney and Katoa hit back fast! Nice open play and maybe a product of nerves - or the heat! A very unusual weather pattern, but hot day time Grand Finals could be almost unbearable. The Queensland teams hold a big advantage there.
Walsh's try before half time was just outstanding, but Hughes is so tough. A costly drop over the line by the big Melbourne forward saw the game turn on its head in the second half. They were fitter than the rest and proved it against Canberra, Penrith and Melbourne back to back.
Nick Meaney's defence was a concern, as was Wishart and then Hughes in the second half... and the Broncos found it. Reece Walsh's speed was the difference. His bullet passes and his speed to the line late, killed them. His defence was outstanding too. He took a punt on the late break and pass to Papenhuyzen and barrelled him. They could have won it right there. Turning up for each other.
Congratulations to the Broncos Assistant Coach, Trent Barrett, who has won nothing - ever. Coach Maguire has done it again too! A superb effort. He has won for the Kiwis, for NSW Blues, for Souths and for the Broncos...and in the UK with Wigan. A long way from Tiger Town!
Two Brisbane Grand Final wins - NRLW and The NRL - and AFL. Thankfully the Warriors won something over the Burleigh Bears!
For Coach Bellamy, he has coached in 11 Grand Finals now... 5 wins (2007*, 2009*, 2012, 2017, 2020) and 6 losses (2006, 2008, 2016, 2018, 2024, 2025). In essence only three wins with the two cheating years. Munster did not sound like he was coming back post game!
2. AFL. The Trade season is underway. Very exciting in a weird sort of way. If only rugby league could be as enterprising and as organised. It brings TV coverage, analysis and allows the sport to stay in the spotlight. It also enthuses the fans of the dud teams! Living in hope.
3. Wallabies. Joe Schmidt continues with a 45% coaching win record. Too many big squads, too many changes, no consistency. Eddie Jones made an art form out of it with misery. We seem to have started to accept respectable losses. Next...!
4. EPL. Ange has a fortnight or he bites the dust. Tonight v Newcastle is one for his career and future. He seems a lot darker this time in but will remain very wealthy if he goes. The severance pay at Tottenham was about $12.5 million. Nice if you can get it!
5. Singapore GP. George Russell on pole and he or Max Verstappen will win. Can't see how you pass anyone on that track. Max is third on the grid and needs a miracle. McLaren are struggling since the long break.
6. Sam Konstas. His form is so bad and his technique so wobbly, he will be minced by the Poms. He needs to get back to basics. There are better options. A sad demise for a young man.
Matt Renshaw hit a timely ton (surely they don't go there again...) and Khawaja and Marnus are hitting back. There is a massive batting gulf, but Victoria and South Australia hold most of the young guns... (Henry Hunt, Lehmann, Scott, Sangha, Kellaway, Peake,...). Jack Edwards is of interest too.
7. Mitchell Marsh. Absolutely dominated in NZ in yet another nothing series. It will be a long time before the fans head out to watch white ball cricket in droves again. No one really cares. There are so many ICC and World Cups nobody can quite keep up!
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