1. The Cowboys. Todd Payten signed his contract extension at the right time a few weeks back. Having 80+ points put in your team is very unusual, but also incredibly embarrassing. Noticed Tom Dearden will now stay in North Queensland, even though his pregnant girlfriend has a successful business in the Hills District. Could have been a great signing for Parramatta! They play an open brand of football, but were sliced and diced. The Roosters have strung together a few wins now and look strong. Beating the top teams is their nemesis.
The Panthers backed up with a strong performance in Mudgee v Canberra. A complete team who have had the stutters more recently. The Knights are also such a different team this year. The coach, Justin Holbrook, has done a remarkable job. A wonderful win without a couple of Dylans v the Broncos.
Tigers v Eels. The battle for the spoon remains with an error-athon. Hard to think that Tigers and Eels are still fighting for the spoon. The Doueihi nonsense... please. The Tigers will not make the semi finals with the current coach and current chemistry in that team
St George seem to have the spoon for themselves. How bad are the Broncos? So much talent, but terrible.
Cronulla are looking stronger and stronger. Perhaps they can do something magical this year?
2. PNG Chiefs. Wayne Bennett is absolutely right. How ridiculous that they have tax concessions and different rules to the rest of the competition. They will need every decent player they can grab, but the safety and living standards in PNG are a massive trade off. I wonder what would happen if the NZ government and the Warriors did similarly.
3. AFL. Carlton are surging and really put it to the resurgent Brisbane team. That helps the Swans. The Swans had a strong win v St Kilda, but did it tough. GWS are still alive against a Port Adelaide side that has lost five games this year by less than 15 points!
Melbourne continued the Gold Coast's misery and Essendon keep getting closer to the spoon!
4. PGA Golf. The Detroit Rocket Classic is a lesser tournament, but still offering big prize money. It ends this year after eight years. Cam Young, number 3 in the world led after two rounds but still looms large for the mid 60 scores needed to win in tomorrow's final round.
Worth noting so far in 2026: Scottie Scheffler has 1 win yet 11 top ten finishes. No. 1 in the world.
5. Commonwealth Games. Some great performances on the track and an avalanche of gold medals for Australia. It seems we have outgrown the games. 65 gold and 158 in total!
The boxing results (men and the women especially) were outstanding for the unheralded India! An interesting development in world sport.
6. Netball - Diamonds. What a disaster losing to Jamaica...and now fighting for a bronze. Incredibly poor result. A few players and coaches may be looking in a different direction for the next team. Bad for an unstoppable team in every major tournament!
7. FIFA. What a bunch of self seeking fools. President, Gianni Infantino needs to take his governance and fundraising ideas with him out the door. His future is bleak, but he will no doubt come up with more ideas that benefit member countries and despite the current reactions, he will stay on. Money talks. The thought of missing out on more cash and being banned by member nations was enough to have the idea dropped.
8. 'Clicky' Ponting Scandal. Clicking when a batsman is beaten and claiming a wicket has been happening in the Parramatta District Cricket Association for the past 50 years. Just started in England apparently.
