1.The Ashes. England seem to be full of words and theories. It would be a sensation for a 3-0 start and end to the series by Australia. We have led 2-0 before and stumbled however. Many doubted Australia in the lead in, citing the English batting strength, but Starc and Head - and Smith - have been the difference. English arrogance has helped too.
Their batsmen have faltered. They seem to have a pretty odd view of how to play on Australian pitches and have run into some moisture in two areas of the country who have had a fair bit of unseasonal rain (Perth and Brisbane) over the past three months. That changes the conditions of play quickly. The mental side of the game is where the biggest difference is evident.
A bit sad when the biggest story of the week is either a holiday snap of an English player at the beach or a security guard getting feisty. Bring on the games and compress the tour.
The Big Bash is underway again with the Hobart Hurricanes winning the womens' competition - and the carry over champs in the mens' competition. A very successful state!
2, NRL - Wests Tigers. What was the Pratten Park protest about? It looked like 500-1,000 people worried about the fate of a club which is a complete mess. How pathetic is the in-fighting and backflipping? They can't win a comp - and they extend Benji Marshall until 2030? The thought of Brad Arthur taking the reins was a hopeful note for the fans. If you are a player interested in building a career and winning, you are out of there.
Harry Grant. Golden Boot winner is well deserved. He is a sensational competitor and player. No real kicking game but an attacking and defensive game like few others can match. Tough.
Liam Henry. Talented but hardly going to put the Perth Bears in the top eight. They are in trouble. The toughest job for Mal Meninga since his political career sunk after 30 seconds.
3. Oscar Piastri. A respectable third place in the end to Lando Norris, but it is a missed opportunity after having a sizeable lead mid season. The politics and nonsense from McLaren and others needs to end. Verstappen was superb and almost won the thing from nowhere.
We can forget that while Piastri finished third, Mark Webber finished third too - three times!
4. EPL. Arsenal got lucky with some own goals and skipped away again for a five point lead. Man City and Chelsea are snapping at their heels. Liverpool are regathering a bit of fight. Mo Saleh should never be dropped. He has the most goals and goal assists for a single EPL club on record. Hard to beat!
Sydney FC are on top of the comp, but the Western Sydney Wanderers are struggling still mid table. Still working on the pronunciation of the Sydney FC coach's name: Ufuk Talay.
5. IOC. Remember when the rorts and the corruption ruled the processes and decisions made there by Samaranch and his cronies. FIFA has always been concerning, but the big sports seem to attract the greed and 'favour seeking' folk.
6. India - Messi. Very messy after Kolkota fans go beserk after spending a lot and getting nothing for it! Apparently all the police and security got the photos and the fan's paid a month's salary to see him, getting no photos or a chance to see him kick a ball. Not sure why you would pay so much for a glimpse from the stands. A great corrupt promotion by the sounds.
7. NFL - New England Patriots. On a 10 game winning streak and up against the feisty Bills from Buffalo. A big statement game. The play off crunch is also fast approaching. A big weekend for the Ravens, Rams, Eagles and 49ers who need critical season turning wins. The Kansas City Chiefs are teetering and inexplicably stand to miss the play offs after so much recent success.
8. Winter Olympics. It is nearly that time again when we claim US residents with a distant Australian relative for our own. They are busy down at the archives in the passport office.
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