1. Football - Graham Arnold. What a great comeback story about his coaching of the Iraq national soccer team. Iraq made the World Cup again this week just gone after a long absence (1986), which is better than Italy missing out for the third straight time (terrible). Arnold was always our pre-eminent national football coach before being dumped for Tony Popovic, but he has achieved some tremendous results locally and internationally.
2. NRL. Interesting to see the Panthers celebrate Liam Martin's 150th game with the first try - and Reece Walsh celebrate his 100th game with the first try too! Reece Walsh plays better when Adam Reynolds is out, so Broncos fans should not fear that. However, his injury is a disaster now.
The Panthers start to the year has been pretty impressive. Every player is always looking to get 1% better each game - especially Nathan Cleary. The scariest thing? They have played the very best teams in Broncos, Roosters, Sharks and Storm (and the Eels) and have crushed them all. However, it is amazing how injuries can change a season for anyone, regardless of who you are. The media tall poppy slashers have already started on new contracts and players off contract. Matt Cameron is too smart from them. I don't think we can seriously expect Nathan Cleary to be playing for the Chiefs in Papau New Guinea.
Meanwhile, St George-Illawarra looked dreadful. They are so disjointed, no coherence and so slow. Gutho, Holmes and Cook look well 'cooked'. They are in a world of trouble. They looked OK early, losing by golden point to the Dogs in Vegas, but their draw indicated that they should get a few early wins... v Parramatta, Titans, Cowboys and Manly. Suddenly they look like they will struggle to beat anyone across the next two months as they play the Rabbits, Roosters, Knights, Panthers, Warriors and Broncos now.
The Canberra Raiders are also in a hole. The close wins last year have deserted them. Young Ethan Sanders struggled big time today as the Henny Penny Knights hit a 4-1 season start which is an outstanding outcome for the new coach, Justin Holbrook (especially without Dylan Brown and Kaylan Ponga out at present).
3. AFL. The Swans belted the West Coast by 128 points (24.19. 163 v 4.11. 35) who had a couple of recent wins in a row. Heeney was dominant and yet they kicked 19 behinds. They could have easily hit 200 points, but are on top of the comp! North Melbourne had a victory too and now have three victories in 2026...seemingly more wins than the past three seasons. A comeback is on!
3. Super Rugby. Just when you thought the Waratahs might make a comeback after a good win v the Brumbies last week, a typical mediocre effort was made v the Chiefs which saw them soundly trounced 42-14. So disappointing. Almost as devastating as not seeing Zac Lomax debut for the Western Force, who remarkably won v the Reds without him. Gun for hire.
4. NBL - Sydney Kings Basketball. They gave an earlier winning advantage away really to see Adelaide 36ers force a fifth and deciding game in Sydney today. 2-2 is incredible after such a long season. The game is alive and kicking in Australia.
A stunning conclusion when behind by seven points, the Kings clawed it back late to 95-95 and overtime. They then staged the ultimate comeback and landed more and defended bravely for a 113-101 win. They now have six championships as a franchise and second only to the Perth Wildcats. In recent years they have won it in 2022, 2023 and 2026. A good era! Brian Goorjian has made a top resurgence as well. He also has won seven NBL titles as coach.
5. PGA Golf. Great results last week in the Houston Open for the Australians. Min Woo Lee was tied third and Jason Day tied sixth. Min Woo has had a great season to date. Gary Woodland's win was exceptional, especially having come back from brain surgery. Woodland's story is incredible. A college basketball star and a brain tumour detected in 2023 before surgery and recovery in 2025-2026. So much trauma and upset and a PTSD diagnosis, yet he has won a $1.8M cheque in Houston. An incredible and commanding win. A terrific story.
All ahead of the Masters next week. The Texas Open this weekend is in the shadows but Ludwig and Tommy F are warming up nicely. Robert MacIntyre looking strong.
6. EPL. Hostilities resume next week after the international round. The pressure is on the relegation bound, especially Tottenham after the internationals have been finalised. FA Cup semi finals saw Man City (4-0 over Liverpool, with Erling Haaland hitting three goals himself after a recent meagre stretch!) and Southampton (who beat Arsenal 2-1) win. Chelsea also won 7-0. This is the eighth time Man City has made the FA Cup semi finals. West Ham or Leeds will join Man City, Chelsea and Southampton in the FA Cup semis.
7. MLB. Baseball season is underway with Opening Days coming and going. The Boston Red Sox are off to a slow start, but 160 games tells you that you have time to redeem that record. Look out for boom young Aussie, Travis Bazzana to debut for the Cleveland Guardians this year. His oblique injuries are behind him now as he too makes a terrific comeback. A tough team to break into given their recent record.
8. Tim Tsyzu and NAS. Nelson is a huge man. So powerful. He dominated. Tim Tsyzu had a win to position him for a tilt at something more serious soon. However it is the 'Towering Inferno', Sebastian Fundora who is the real deal. He has continued to win...all the while studying engineering at Harvard University. Supremely talented with four successful defences of the WBC Middleweight belt.
9. Sheffield Shield Final Results. What a comeback! A tremendous result with Alex Carey dominating after Victoria started brightly. On the chase, South Australia got the remaining wickets. Coach Ryan Harris has done with many before him could not do and won back to back Sheffield Shields. Better than the Greg Chappell era.
10. IPL. Interesting to see players excelling in the IPL. Cooper Connolly has excelled in two outings for the Punjab Kings who are coached by Ricky Ponting. 70+no and 36 were impressive and represent a big statement after the misery of his T20 World Cup effort. The pressure is on Cameron Green who seems unable to bounce back with 18 and 2 so far. Hopefully he can be the amazing comeback story of the Indian cricket season.
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