1. NRL. Terrible times for the Storm with seven straight losses, but after a million years of supremacy, this happens. They will probably be back in the semis. There is a long way to go. The Bulldogs have been a disappointment and simply lack pace. It will kill a lot of teams.
Newcastle looked different with Ponga, Lucas, Best and Frizell... Dylan Brown is one of the best defenders in the NRL. Latrell was awesome again. The Roosters were great and then loose...so were Newcastle. The comeback of Cody Ramsay from an horrific medical situation with his bowel was good to see. Great belief in him by the Roosters.
The table is starting to stretch out now: Souths and Tigers were disappointing, giving up a solid position on the table with their inconsistent efforts. Panthers, Warriors and Roosters are surging.
Daniel Tupou hits 190 first grade tries and goes into third place behind Ken Irvine (212). Johnston is up to 221 now! Amazing how quickly he has continued moving ahead.
2. Jerome Luai. Seems like a top person, but his behaviour with the Galvin signing fiasco last year was forgotten very quickly by the media when he unexpectedly broke ranks to sign with PNG. He speaks well and manages his emotions well, but the Tigers must be really upset. PNG will get lots of players with their tax deal. Hard to resist for a young talented player with a young family.
3. AFL. The Swans suddenly have some great depth, with Gulden to come back soon. Rosas kicking seven goals was pretty amazing! He has been an excellent pick up from the Gold Coast. Interesting to read of the impact of ex Melbourne head coach, Simon Goodwin on the Swans players. Very positive and he would have delighted in beating Melbourne this afternoon.
4. Tszyu. Is anyone sick of the hype...Tim, Nikita? Lots of swearing and tough talk, but the Australian public are tiring of it all. Kostya, the old man, was so understated, super talented and better than the lot of them.
5. EPL - West Ham. They have been holding on after an horrific start to the season, but lost 3-0 to Brentford on the weekend consigning them to the relegation zone if Tottenham can beat Aston Villa tonight. They needed a win there and face Arsenal next week. They will need a miracle now as Leeds have stepped ahead and Notts Forest may be play Chelsea, who have lost five in a row!
Ipswich Town and Coventry City are on the way up for next year from the Championship too! One more of Millwall, Hull, Southampton or Middlesbrough to join them!
6. Boston. A terrible week for the Bostonians. While the Red Sox have been mightily disappointing this season, the Bruins (NHL) and the Celtics (NBA) have been dumped unceremoniously from their play offs. Shocking news for the locals and lots of heads destined to roll.
7. Travis Bazzana - MLB. Travis made his debut for the Cleveland Guardians this past week and was a little quiet early - understandably. He is a rich talent and got his first hit today. So good. Off to Kansas soon for the next round of games. An amazing time for his family on the biggest of stages in world sport.
8. Oscar Piastri. Just when it looked like McLaren had got their act together in the sprints, the Miami circuit was too tough for them in qualifying, now starting fourth (Norris) and seventh (Oscar). Antonelli has genuine speed and will be hard to toss.
9. Scott Scheffler. Second at the Masters, second in the playoff last week at The Heritage and in second position at The Cadillac at present. On good terms with the bank manager, as they say. Paying $8.50 to win it, but Cameron Young is six shots in front after an 8 under first round. If Scottie gets a good first round under his belt he would win everything. Not to be.
10. Waratahs. Lost to the Western Force this weekend hitting rock bottom. 11,000 attended to watch them which is a world record of support for such a disappointing team. Now third last, one point ahead of the Force. Horrific. Reds are fifth and Brumbies have slipped to sixth.
11. Marathon. How about the new world record for the marathon...breaking the magic two hour mark at 1:59:30! Worth a second look!
12. IPL. Noticed Mitchell Starc (an iron horse) has joined the IPL, alongside Hazelwood and Cummins who both made stunning injury recoveries in time for the IPL riches and four overs of effort. Cricket Australia need to pay more, so the same miracle recoveries can occur in future Ashes series.
