1. AFL. The Wildcard Weekend has been a huge success. Massive crowds and it has breathed life into the usual boring bottom team semi finals and the silly AFL week off. It is one the NRL should have moved more quickly on. Both wildcards had one of Carlton and Collingwood who are huge draw cards!
Western Bulldogs squeaked past Collingwood who know how to lose a close one. This time it was 96-93.
Carlton (10th place) scored a cracking win v Melbourne (12 wins in their last 14 games!). They move to a semi final game v Geelong and could seriously beat them too.
2. NRL. Some much greater intensity on this weekend just gone by. Penrith really knuckled down for the win v Bulldogs. Liam Martin really steps up in these moments. For all Tom Jenkins' tries, Alex Johnston sits on top with 29 tries. Incredible. He now has 239 tries (Ken Irvine has 212)!
The Dolphins may have actually stamped themselves as the real deal (despite losing by 50 points this year already)- and have put the silly Wayne Bennett curse story to rest as well. A terrific win and an unexpected one v the Roosters. The Cowboys had it all on the line, but could not do it at home and all. The Broncos have become a complete misery too.
The Roosters Hugo Savala looks likely to return to half back to replace the injured Sam Walker. The Roosters seem to get a lot of injuries at semi final time...or maybe every good team gets injuries near semi finals. It doesn't matter for the poor teams.
The work of Parramatta v Cronulla was surprising. Parramatta tried hard to lose it. They can only play for 60 minutes with a complete lack of fitness and concentration. Apa Twidle is a great signing for the Bears, but a young guy who needs patience - and who needs to stop falling to the ground when catching bombs. Penisini has improved his intent and Ronald Volkman is taking on the line with speed and a handy step (although he misses too many tackles - he is tenth worst in the NRL which also has da Silva fourth worst in 2026...but Tallyn can score tries!). Losing five games by less than 10 points this season would have had them up there with a few of them turning their way.
How big is Ryda Talagi? He certainly ate more than Blaize at dinner time, but is equally as lazy in defence.
3. Jye Arrow. How wonderful to see him chalk up the 99th and 100th this week. What a hideous disease and rapid deterioration. A great gesture, showing there is some compassion in the game. It seemed to help Cody Walker relax and not play too intensely.
4. PGA Tournament Championship in Atlanta. Min Woo was on fire early and then turned to ash in the second round. Bounced back on moving day, but has it ahead of him. All the stars are out.in force with a $10M winning purse keeping everyone interested. Viktor Hovland (-15) has it to lose with so much low scoring on this course.
Scottie Scheffler sits at 12 under on the run home... ominous with his form this season. Along side of him on -12 is Adam Scott who won the tournament 20 years ago! Staggering longevity.
5. Cricket. Pakistan are struggling on the seaming English pitches like Lords, being rolled quickly by the English bowlers. Robinson, Archer, Tongue have seized the chance to impress. Luckily rain delayed the miserable end. Pakistan are hard to watch.
6. EPL. Haaland has continued his incredible goal scoring feats, hitting a brace v Crystal Palace. The demise of Tottenham continues, despite the large purchases. They are already getting desperate. They and Notts Forrest need to go. Hull City start with two wins and 6 points. They need 35 points to avoid relegation.
7. Wallabies v Argentina. The Les Kiss Rhyming Slang era continues unabated. The first time we have won four Tests in a row since 2021! He has had the best starting draw, but they look like they are more settled, playing better more consistent patterns. The Springboks and All Blacks will test that. What a sensational series there!
8. US Open Tennis. No Sinner, but Alcaraz returns when things kick off this week. Lots of player whinging re fitness and injuries on the ATP circuit, but no complaints about the prize money! Djokovic could just be a sneaky chance!
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