Horse Racing - James McDonald. An extraordinary effort at the age of 34. He now has the most Group 1 wins out of any Australian jockey ever (100 Group 1s in Australia!)cand a record partnership of wins with trainer Chris Wallerc(56).
An incredible achievement and representation of hard work (and wealth). Sure, as you get better, you get better rides, but you still have to get the most out of the horse. His partnership with Chris Waller is amazing too. He brings at least half a length to the horses he rides.
Autumn Glow is something else. 11 from 11 and climbing. It made a mess of them in the George Ryder, winning by nearly three lengths. Incredible. It has a turn of foot like few other horses.
NRL. Injuries can ruin your year and depth is critical. The loss of Ponga, Brown and Sharpe is cruel for Newcastle and the Tigers (Luai and Doueihi) will really derail their early season work. The lower leg injuries of players are excessive. Is this over working them in the off season, bad luck or bad preparation on the day? Some clubs certainly get more than others.
The toughness of the NRL player is extraordinary, but the after life cannot be great. Earn up big in your career with loyalty to your family only.
The Sharks had a bad loss. They look a bit slow in their backline now and need changes. Lumbering. You get the feeling they are sick of striving, working hard and making the finals, but falling away. A good problem to have in some ways.
Saints are struggling too all of a sudden. The Parramatta defence improved for the win, but they will need to do that fifty times over next week v the Panthers.
AFL. The competition motors on and the Swans are similar with injuries: no Gulden and no Heeney - and no points. They were gallant throughout, but need to show themselves on the bigger field. This was classic Swans. In front, but ran out of legs and puff. The Gold Coast look the real deal this year, but GWS seem to be an underperformer far too often.
Super Rugby. Waratahs up 17-8 at half time and lose with the Blues scoring late for the bonus point. They are one of the greatest 'patience testers' in world sport that mob. Slumping in a distant seventh spot while the Brumbies sit third. The Reds look tougher too. Winning the tough games defines your season.
Sydney Kings. A smashing victory in the first Championship game v the Adelaide 36ers. Romped it in. Rarely does a team sweep to win a best of five championship in basketball. Let's see how they go on the road.
EPL. Big games tonight in the race to the spoon. Leeds (33 points)-Tottenham (30)-Notts Forest (29)-West Ham (29) all play with seven games remaining after this one. Burnley (20) and Wolves (17), already seemed doomed for relegation. Arsenal stretch their led to nine points in front. Unassailable.
Haaland sits on top of the EPL goal scorers (22) after a lean year by his standards.
Everton are on 46 points and are just five points from fourth spot (Aston Villa - 51). Champions League (top four finish) and Europa League (fifth spot) spots are still up for grabs. This brings an added level of excitement to what is the best football league in the world. You don't want to be relegated from this show.
Sheffield Shield 2025-2026 Averages. The final kicks off with Victoria v South Australia this week on Thursday 26-30 March at the Junction Oval. If we needed any confirmation of the problems we face in Australian cricket on the dud super seaming pitches served up each year at present, the Shield averages show mediocrity... Averages in state cricket in the 30s do not cut it. Renshaw, Green and Weatherald didn't play all games, so really Liam Scott and Jake Lehmann were our best bats. (Sam Konstas does not make this list and scored 600+ runs @33 in 10 games... barely state cricket tolerable).
Our bowling on green tops aims up better. Liam Scott (ex Ryde-Hunters Hill Pirates) aims up here too. Handy season. Swepson takes wickets but expensively. Rocchiccioli (not many surnames in world sport with four 'c's in it) from WA is the spinning guru, yet somehow Todd Murphy gets the media. Really like Matt Elliott-Megan Foley's son, Sam Elliott. A star of the future.
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