The Wrap - Roos and Boos

1. Australian Kangaroos - Reece Walsh. What a brilliant display in the grand Final. Hopefully no off field shenanigans this post season... post GF behaviours can sometimes define the person. Time to move on and start getting his head right for the Kangaroos. 

Did I read correctly that Kevin Walters said he would've won a comp anyhow? What a goose if that is true. Show some humility. How he ever got the Kangaroos job is a joke too. A few league podcasts really seem to get some loose lips. 

Thank goodness we could beat the Kumul CHIEFS (new NRL name) with the PMXIII. That team is almost like the last men standing. There were quite a few unknowns there.

2. Bathurst. Garth Tander joins the legends now with six wins on the mountain. He joins Mark Skaife, Larry Perkins (6), with Jim Richards and Craig Lowndes (7) and the greatest Peter Brock (9 wins). 

How about the efforts of a three time winner, Shane van Gisbergen...

2. NASCAR Success. Shane van Gisbergen from NZ is carving out a sensational career and success in the US. He has five wins now this season (remarkable for any international driver) - Mexico City (VIVA Mexico 250); Chicago (Grant Park 165); Sonoma (Toyota/ Save Mart 350); Watkins Glen (Go Bowling at The Glen) and Concord (Bank of America ROVAL 400).

3. Cricket. Marnus - and No Cummins (?). Marnus scored a ripping century under massive pressure in the Shield and backed it up in the FAI-Ford Ranger-McDonalds-Marsh Cup with another 105. He is one of our best techniques and must play. Like the look of young Hadley for NSW. Ripped through WA who really need a new leaf now. The old names keep failing (Bancroft, Whiteman, Cartwright...). 

4. AFL Trade Window. Clayton Oliver would be a huge bonus for the Giants who will keep surging on. St Kilda are the smokey, still piling up the big signings. Their treatment of young Leek is abominable. Fancy courting, promising and then dumping him leaving him stranded.

The Swans seem so keen on retaining mids and trying to secure Curnow on a shoestring. Why would Carlton do business with that? Trade off a few of the useless blokes in the middle. protected species. Amarty, Papley, Logan McDonald...these blokes are on notice.

Curnow, Petracca and Merrett...is the trade window a tribute to whingers and malcontents? 

5. EPL. Notts Forest continue to slide. They need salvation and soon! Ange is on death row. Relegation costs a club its fanbase, merch and significant dollars. The next two weeks are tough for Ange, but he needs a miracle. Great win 1-0 v Canada by Tony Popovic's Socceroo team.

6. MLB Results. The Mariners and Blue Jays play for one spot in the World Series and the Dodgers and Brewers in the fight for the other World Series spot. Blue Jays v Dodgers for mine. The Mariners is a great story!

The Dodgers have been World Series champions eight times (six losses for 14 appearances). The Blue Jays have won it twice. The Brewers have won it three times, but the Seattle Mariners have never won it!

7. NFL Upsets. The New England Patriots are storming back with three wins (while Bill Belichick struggles with his college team in Carolina)...hard to believe as they have been woeful for a long time.

8. Willie Peters. Completed the rare three crown wins as coach for Hull Kingston Rovers, who had not won the Challege Cup since 1985! He is in the prime position for an NRL coaching gig now.

9. Shubman Gill. He is putting together quite a string of tons as the Indian skipper v some Test cricket minnows at present. The West Indies continue to be abysmal. His skill as a bat under pressure is starting to build, but his temperament at times falters.