1. Manny Pacquiao v Jeff Horn. Pacquiao is a legend. He is an eight division world champion. He has won eleven major world titles and is the first boxer to win the 'lineal title' in five different weight classes. Horn won, but he is no Steven Bradbury. He stood toe to toe with a bloke who has won world titles in EIGHT divisions and got the World WBO Welterweight belt.
Everyone loves seeing the underdog win a world title fight and Jeff Horn showed the world. Probably a little fortunate, but the judges were from the US (2) and Argentina (1). To score it 117-111 shows someone may have been on drugs or the take. A bad look for boxing. As a woman who scored this, the usual sexist bleatings are being raised by cranky commentators and 'experts'. (There are more experts here than around SuperBowl time).
It is truly a mug's game, the fight game. There are some mighty whingers in this boxing gig - the ringside chairs are too flimsy, the ref, the weather, the judges...compliments for the amazing winner anytime soon would be nice too...crickets...chirp...crickets...
The arrogance of Manny on the phone texting at the press conference, turning up late and disrespecting his opponent backfired. He even admitted he did not expect it to be this hard. He was gracious in defeat and amazingly seems incapable of experiencing hurt of any nature. You do have to wonder how much damage is done to their brains, but the fans loved it.
The Suncorp footy ground in front of 51,000 was a great venue in the sunshine. Not as hot as the silly conditions for the Fenech and Azumah bout at Princes Park all those years ago. He is also smart in reaching out to Mayweather (not sure the walking stick gag worked) post match, but the girls loved his line that the best part of his life will be when his first child is born - not this win.
We need more teachers with this tenacity, passion and steel. In fact, more leaders like this in all elements of society too!
2. Biff. Stories of post fight biff at hotels and pubs will be the next angle.
3. NRL - The Sharks looked crisp this weekend. Great first half with 19 completions from 19! They have not looked this good for a long while. Storm still the benchmark. The Knights are awful, but their crowd as so loyal. No chance of getting off the bottom of the table. They lack experience but also lack strength of mind and heart. Panthers terrible for a team who promised so much. They and the Raiders have been the surprise duds of the year. Ricky has huge problems. The team are not playing wide enough and they are suffering.
Getting afternoon footy before the slippery frosts and wretched conditions hit is a good idea at this time of year.
4. Swans moving forward but need to toss the Gold Coast next week. A great comeback in an even comp. Port need to lift. Like both GWS and Geelong...but a shocking miss by the big Hawkins after the siren. Almost kicked it out of bounds on the full...terrible.
Western Bulldogs are limping...Richmond are better than last year, but North are falling off a cliff at present.
5. Lions v All Blacks. A cracking series, despite the ridiculous IRB obsession with bringing hopeless out of touch referees from the northern hemisphere down here to control games. The second half got better in Wellington, but two tries to zip makes the Lions deserved winners. SBW gets a four week ban. Hope these refs get similar. Where is the strength in the southern hemisphere at the table to reject these refs and tell the north where to get off?
6. Cricket Pay Dispute. Is there anything more boring? There is zero sympathy for the players and the administration of cricket has been a joke since we were born. The sight of blokes like Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell - two of the greatest under achievers and over paid players of Australian cricket in recent times - moving earnestly into high level meetings re more cash is a bad look. So too is Steve O'Keefe. He should be staying at home more often after the year he has had.
I wonder what these stars who rake in the millions from IPL and everywhere else have planned for the future of cricket? Do they actually care less? Some can't even press out an autograph for a kid! Maybe when their kids grow up they will see the neglect...
Is it a case of once you are at the top of the tree, take as many apples as you can carry and the bad ones that fall will suffice for the plebs?
Cricket Australia should never have tried to break the current deal. Wait for it to elapse and then move. Now, blokes like Kevin Roberts (who was a very handy cricketer at state level, but would have earned nothing) will look silly backflipping.
7. Super 15 Rugby. Is it time to abandon the whole concept?
8. Wimbledon. You have to laugh when Nick Kgyrios tells the world (or those that tolerate him) he is a strong chance to win Wimbledon this year and he is not afraid of the Murrays, the Nadals, the Djokovics, the Federers, the Zerevs...(even though there is generally only one of each of these)...Not scared? Memo Nick. They are certainly not scared of you either!
Ash Barty has the hardest draw of the lot, but could surprise.
Sunday, July 2, 2017
Sunday, June 25, 2017
Wrap - Near Miss
1. The Sharks. A very disappointing display in attack by the Sharks v Manly. Manly were well rested (no game for two weeks - one Origin player), but they have been great this year after a terrible start. The lack of pace in Cronulla with the loss of Barba is a worry. Holmes seemed jaded and will be in danger of losing his spot to Oates in Origin III too.
2. State of Origin. Playing at ANZ at night in June is very different to the GF in September. That slower, greasy surface makes it a favourite for Melbourne Storm players. NSW were abysmal really when it mattered. Great first half, but protecting a lead is never a good tactic. One problem they face is the surprising ill discipline of the Cronulla players - Maloney, Graham, Fifita...too many penalties. They were all a heap better for the Sharks v Manly. The other is a malaise when you need to keep attacking. It reminded me of the night Wayne Bennett did the same in a Broncos v North QLD Grand Final. Feldt scored and they won in extra time. Score points to kick ahead. Don't protect a lead. Blokes simply cannot concentrate that long in the NRL.
3. Ricky Stuart is imploding. His players tire of him at all clubs. Too intense and demanding, especially after a string of losses. Panthers extremely disappointing and lose under pressure. How good was the Ethan Lowe conversion under immense pressure? He is a player. He, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess. They can produce a mobile back rower.
2. State of Origin. Playing at ANZ at night in June is very different to the GF in September. That slower, greasy surface makes it a favourite for Melbourne Storm players. NSW were abysmal really when it mattered. Great first half, but protecting a lead is never a good tactic. One problem they face is the surprising ill discipline of the Cronulla players - Maloney, Graham, Fifita...too many penalties. They were all a heap better for the Sharks v Manly. The other is a malaise when you need to keep attacking. It reminded me of the night Wayne Bennett did the same in a Broncos v North QLD Grand Final. Feldt scored and they won in extra time. Score points to kick ahead. Don't protect a lead. Blokes simply cannot concentrate that long in the NRL.
3. Ricky Stuart is imploding. His players tire of him at all clubs. Too intense and demanding, especially after a string of losses. Panthers extremely disappointing and lose under pressure. How good was the Ethan Lowe conversion under immense pressure? He is a player. He, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess. They can produce a mobile back rower.
No one worse than the pathetic Tigers. The form of Woods and Tedesco in Origin must amaze their fans. Look at who they have lost and add Marty Tapou and Addo-Carr. A shambles.
4. Swans out of jail. Any win by less than six points swings your season. Some teams jag a few each year (GWS), but prior to this, the Swans had lost two of these earlier in the season. 8 points there is some turn around.
5. West Coast Eagles. A bad loss v Melbourne at home. They have become a frustrating team to follow. They also need stronger lights at their ground. There are more shadows than a park training ground.
6. Wallabies v Italy. Thank goodness we have Foley in the team. His try and leadership under pressure got us out of strife. Compare that standard to the All Blacks v Lions. Sadly, a terrible hiding awaits us in the Bledisloe. The ball play on a greasy surface at Eden Park was a joy. That is how rugby should be played. A southern hemisphere ref helps as well.
4. Swans out of jail. Any win by less than six points swings your season. Some teams jag a few each year (GWS), but prior to this, the Swans had lost two of these earlier in the season. 8 points there is some turn around.
5. West Coast Eagles. A bad loss v Melbourne at home. They have become a frustrating team to follow. They also need stronger lights at their ground. There are more shadows than a park training ground.
6. Wallabies v Italy. Thank goodness we have Foley in the team. His try and leadership under pressure got us out of strife. Compare that standard to the All Blacks v Lions. Sadly, a terrible hiding awaits us in the Bledisloe. The ball play on a greasy surface at Eden Park was a joy. That is how rugby should be played. A southern hemisphere ref helps as well.
7. What about Ash Barty in the tennis? Turns her hand to the women's T20 cricket then back to tennis and suddenly she's in the top 50 players. Doesn't look like a lot to manage, but has immense talent. The right coach could turn her into an absolute machine - Stosur like.
8. How about this rule interpretation on jason Roy being given out for 'obstructing the field'? Ridiculous. This will create mass confusion and controversy world wide now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH_v43SGpb4 . You are now apparently supposed to turn on a dime and give the fielder a clear shot at the stumps. Not sure when that rule changed. Another example of video refs getting in the way of the game and trying to look important. Can you imagine Saturday afternoon cricket now?
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Wrap - Good Homework Fakhar
1. Champions Trophy. Bangladesh do a Steve Bradbury. How can you schedule a one day cricket tournament in England with no replay dates? Unless it is a meaningless tournament that counts for zip - other than lining your own ICC wallet. Weather kills it. Really, you get the feeling with international cricket that the money/ the wage matters more than the result. No one quite cares - especially with an ICC tournament that does not matter beyond fund raising!
Surely India cruise to victory. Kohli has been dynamic. A string of half centuries and no panic. Dharwan and Rohit are superb. I like the newfound fight in the Pakistanis. Clearly Mickey Arthur has them doing their homework. I always like to see those Pakistani names. Fakhar scored a ton tonight.
2. Wallabies. If that is our nation's best we are doomed. I continue to be fascinated by the way international rugby try to control Southern Hemisphere rugby with their test rugby referee appointments. Not sure how these work, but this game was appalling in every sense. What do these tests matter - or count for? All with two Scots in the Lions team too. I doubt we would get one player in a World XV or even a second World XV. Cheika is nearing the end. Lions - All Blacks will be awesome.
3. Sharks. Winning ugly has become their specialty. They have some super second tier players - Bukuya, Lewis, Lee...The Tigers are soft. Maybe Jason Taylor wasn't so bad. They won more with him. Ivan looks like a tremendous fellow, but he has a horrendous win-loss ratio.
4. Swans. A great win against the card folding Richmond Tigers. A great year to start on zero for over a month. All teams keep losing to each other! No real gap between the front runners. Swans are suddenly back in it, but can't Richmond find a way to lose. Melbourne Demons looking good.
5. Some big EPL dollars for two Aussie soccer players this week - Mooy and Matt Ryan. Maybe there is hope for the zillions of Saturday morning hopeful players.
Surely India cruise to victory. Kohli has been dynamic. A string of half centuries and no panic. Dharwan and Rohit are superb. I like the newfound fight in the Pakistanis. Clearly Mickey Arthur has them doing their homework. I always like to see those Pakistani names. Fakhar scored a ton tonight.
2. Wallabies. If that is our nation's best we are doomed. I continue to be fascinated by the way international rugby try to control Southern Hemisphere rugby with their test rugby referee appointments. Not sure how these work, but this game was appalling in every sense. What do these tests matter - or count for? All with two Scots in the Lions team too. I doubt we would get one player in a World XV or even a second World XV. Cheika is nearing the end. Lions - All Blacks will be awesome.
3. Sharks. Winning ugly has become their specialty. They have some super second tier players - Bukuya, Lewis, Lee...The Tigers are soft. Maybe Jason Taylor wasn't so bad. They won more with him. Ivan looks like a tremendous fellow, but he has a horrendous win-loss ratio.
Melbourne Storm won a beauty the other night when the Cowboys refused to defend. They have some talent, but no one replaces legends like Smith, Cronk, Slater. Blokes try, but these are rare talents.
4. Swans. A great win against the card folding Richmond Tigers. A great year to start on zero for over a month. All teams keep losing to each other! No real gap between the front runners. Swans are suddenly back in it, but can't Richmond find a way to lose. Melbourne Demons looking good.
5. Some big EPL dollars for two Aussie soccer players this week - Mooy and Matt Ryan. Maybe there is hope for the zillions of Saturday morning hopeful players.
6. US Open Golf. A huge field reduced to tears and whinging. Aren't golfers a precious lot. Please, if you are that good, ignore the rough. When I play, I look at the rough as I give it a lot of business. These blokes should not be concerned. Had to laugh at the reaction of Johnny Miller who held the lowest score in a US Open in one round. He bags out Justin Thomas and looks like an absolute tool. Anyone would have thought it was Greg Norman for an instant. Sure, he did it to win the thing in the 1970s, but give the guy some credit on that course.
7. 'The King' Gutherson. A great trainer and great bloke. Lots of points in him. Kicking goals better now that earlier. However Brad Arthur is a slow learner. Gutho is not a five eight (learned - sign Moses) and he is not a centre (learned - get Jennings back in). He is a winger who occasionally spends his holidays at fullback. Parramatta will turn after the bye rounds on 20 points which is a fair effort. Things ramp up now.
8. America's Cup. Are they kidding? This thing has become a circus. A best of 13 - yes, count them in - finals series. Please. USA v NZ and no one cares. Those boats may be better to watch, but it is hardly stuff to get excited about. Bring back the winged keel!
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Wrap - Coach Wheels Turning
1. Champions Trophy Cricket. Australia's batting was awful when it was there to be won. Warner really struggles when the ball seams. No patience. Henriques (Smith's mate), Maxwell and Wade are simply not good enough for a middle order. No composure. Henriques averages while Lynn sits on the bench. They lost 5/15. How Wade is there I will never know. He also dropped Morgan with a sitter catch missed down the leg side before he was 10 which has gone a bit quiet in the media. Surely we have better ODI options. Thankfully Starc and Hazelwood can bowl, but even they were too short. Zampa would not get a run in colour comp. He is money for old rope and Smith knows it. That said, Smith lacks creativity as a captain. He panicked.
A humiliation, but really does anyone care? Now they will be able to focus full time on whinging about how much money they are all owed. Cricket has some serious problems. We need new blood - and I must say...a new coach. Lehmann's time is almost up.
2. AFL. Pathetic travelling teams...West Coast, Freo and Port Adelaide. Teams that turn their toes up when travelling away from home cannot win comps. They lack mental strength. I also note that GWS have hardly played in Melbourne this season too - and have lost both times. A narrow loss to Carlton who look to have more running in their legs than most. As they say, you can't win a comp if you don't win in Melbourne!
3. These soccer tours of old Liverpool players and half rsd teams from Brazil are a cynical fundraiser for desperate stadiums. Like reunion tours of old bands. Is this as good as Australia can muster?
4. NRL. Thurston is a champion. Norman is a pretender. 32-6. End of story. Can someone tell me how you play Gutherson at centre? He is a winger. Repeat...winger. And if anyone suggests he will win the DallyM, get them to the psych centre. Melbourne Storm look absolute dead certs for the comp this year. They now rest key players like Cronk and still win!
Canberra are losing too many tight ones at present. Manly have done exceptionally well this year again. Love a Ricky Stuart press conference blow up!
5. Wallabies. A tired and unimpressive win v Fiji. They lack flair and will be belted by anyone decent. Chieka may be reaching his expiry date too.
2. AFL. Pathetic travelling teams...West Coast, Freo and Port Adelaide. Teams that turn their toes up when travelling away from home cannot win comps. They lack mental strength. I also note that GWS have hardly played in Melbourne this season too - and have lost both times. A narrow loss to Carlton who look to have more running in their legs than most. As they say, you can't win a comp if you don't win in Melbourne!
3. These soccer tours of old Liverpool players and half rsd teams from Brazil are a cynical fundraiser for desperate stadiums. Like reunion tours of old bands. Is this as good as Australia can muster?
4. NRL. Thurston is a champion. Norman is a pretender. 32-6. End of story. Can someone tell me how you play Gutherson at centre? He is a winger. Repeat...winger. And if anyone suggests he will win the DallyM, get them to the psych centre. Melbourne Storm look absolute dead certs for the comp this year. They now rest key players like Cronk and still win!
Canberra are losing too many tight ones at present. Manly have done exceptionally well this year again. Love a Ricky Stuart press conference blow up!
5. Wallabies. A tired and unimpressive win v Fiji. They lack flair and will be belted by anyone decent. Chieka may be reaching his expiry date too.
6. French Open. How Jelena Ostapenko wins the French Open is beyond me. 20 years old and unseeded. She should be thankful Serena is pregnant. Serena would have won it again in a canter.
The pending glorious triumph of Rafa Nadal should not be missed. Stan Wawrinka is an awesome striker of the ball, but no one knows clay like Rafa. 10 French Open wins is unlikely to ever be beaten. He already has 14 Grand Slam titles (7 other finals lost). One loss in the Australian Open to Stan. We are watching one of the greatest ever.
Sunday, June 4, 2017
Wrap - Champion Clowns
1. Champions Trophy Cricket. What is this tournament? We are dead. Smith and Warner fail? We are done. Warner on a seaming deck is in trouble. He lacks patience at key times. Mediocre crowds abound.
Plenty of work ahead for (Rob) Duckworth and (Wally) Lewis who will be modelling the world's most complicated methodology with some regularity based on their weather. A terrible time in London at present.
However, I cannot believe in 2017 that we still have practice wickets on the main field! Amateur hour and bad viewing for the fans.
2. Rafael Nadal. Possibly 10 wins in the French Open. He is a legend like no others in the current game. Andy Murray can be so tiresome. An early exit with him is a god send.
However, I cannot believe in 2017 that we still have practice wickets on the main field! Amateur hour and bad viewing for the fans.
2. Rafael Nadal. Possibly 10 wins in the French Open. He is a legend like no others in the current game. Andy Murray can be so tiresome. An early exit with him is a god send.
3. Margaret Court. Who really cares? Did she actually say those things. I liked McEnroe's comment "sure let everyone marry...why should they be spared from the misery?". Margaret and Ille Nastase seem like a good pair.
4. AFL. GWS continue to ignite the comp and win the tight games. this is the key difference for those who are semi final bound. they do not lose tight games. Special mention to the West Coast Beagles who were appalling this week. Their efforts away from home are abysmal. They cannot win jack with that attitude.
5. NRL. State of Origin ripper mid week. The game played by Tedesco was superb. Fifita was immense. Queensland will be back however. They have some bottle and will not lie down...ever.
I am struggling with golden point. It is oh so predictable. We need to get golden try into it. This will showcase the real skills of the players. It would be absolutely captivating.
6. Ronaldo. A showpony like no other, but how skilled?
7. Waratahs. They are appalling and are contributing to the death of the code like no others. No intensity and play best in the last ten minutes when it doesn't matter.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Wrap - Silver Fox
1. The Origin and Bye rounds are a disaster. Great to see some heavyweights fall aside (Brisbane especially), but they disrupt the season. The tempo of the season is broken, but I am not sure how much State of Origin compensates for this. QLD at home will be hard to toss.
2. Every now and then a coach pulls something out of the fire...Arsne Wegner did just that in the FA Cup with Arsenal. A 2-1 victory over Chelsea on a huge stage. It is not a bad life that of the EPL coach...you have about five bites of the cherry in different cups to claim some silverware. God help you if you miss out.
3. AFL. GWS keep winning tight games and surging onwards. Their performance v West Coast over there was amazing. A million injuries, but rock solid. Conversely, Brisbane almost look like folding. They are a misery of the highest order.
4. Paul Gallen annoys a lot of people, but his performance v the Bulldogs on Saturday night was ridiculous. He ran the ball in key moments and secured the win by getting so close to the sticks that even the most incompetent field goal exponent could not miss.
5. Champions Trophy Cricket. A one day comp that fills the IPL coffers. Hardly riveting stuff. England appear to be favourites (Ben Stokes has been in unbelievable form, but this David Miller from South Africa hit the ball better than Kluesner!). When will South Africa rise up to win one of these competitions? Talk about no silverware.
6. I had to laugh seeing Rocket Eade on the massuer's table pre game. Bad neck or stiff luck? One for 'The Backpage'.
7. Noticed Sam Stosur is winning again pre French Open. She is dynamite on clay and terrible on grass. Like a few weekend golfers.
8. Is it conceivable that the greatest clay court player of all time - Rafael Nadal - will win a 10th French Open. This will never be beaten. He is a legend in every sense of the word.
2. Every now and then a coach pulls something out of the fire...Arsne Wegner did just that in the FA Cup with Arsenal. A 2-1 victory over Chelsea on a huge stage. It is not a bad life that of the EPL coach...you have about five bites of the cherry in different cups to claim some silverware. God help you if you miss out.
3. AFL. GWS keep winning tight games and surging onwards. Their performance v West Coast over there was amazing. A million injuries, but rock solid. Conversely, Brisbane almost look like folding. They are a misery of the highest order.
4. Paul Gallen annoys a lot of people, but his performance v the Bulldogs on Saturday night was ridiculous. He ran the ball in key moments and secured the win by getting so close to the sticks that even the most incompetent field goal exponent could not miss.
5. Champions Trophy Cricket. A one day comp that fills the IPL coffers. Hardly riveting stuff. England appear to be favourites (Ben Stokes has been in unbelievable form, but this David Miller from South Africa hit the ball better than Kluesner!). When will South Africa rise up to win one of these competitions? Talk about no silverware.
6. I had to laugh seeing Rocket Eade on the massuer's table pre game. Bad neck or stiff luck? One for 'The Backpage'.
7. Noticed Sam Stosur is winning again pre French Open. She is dynamite on clay and terrible on grass. Like a few weekend golfers.
8. Is it conceivable that the greatest clay court player of all time - Rafael Nadal - will win a 10th French Open. This will never be beaten. He is a legend in every sense of the word.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Wrap - IPL, AFL, NRL, EPL and ECL
1. IPL. I must confess to following the IPL closely this year from afar. The size of this competition and its reach - let alone its money - is something to behold. In the end, Steve Smith and MS Dohni's team, Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) lost by ONE run. Dan Christian and Adam Zampa played most games for RPS as well. Talk about a miracle...Mitchell Johnson led the Mumbai Indians to victory with his scintillating 3/23 and not giving up 11 runs in the last over.
The weather has turned the usual Indian pitches into low scoring grinds, taking some gloss off the usual higher scoring games. A Smith 51 was not good enough. It must be said that Bumrah is a superstar bowler of the future. With Johnson and Malinga, the Mumbai Indians had too much firepower.
2. State of Origin. Who would have thought - the annual Queensland whinging about a possible injury to Thurston (it is usually GI) and him "being in doubt". Away it goes again. Every year gets a bit boring. QLD should continue to pump NSW. Wallace's position in a NSW team as hooker was surely only paper talk. The cranky Nathan Peats hardly seems the ideal replacement. The St George hooker McInness is the best...maybe even young Brailey at Cronulla.
3. NSW Origin. This will be Daley's last show as NSW Origin coach if he picks Pearce and we lose. Pearce is not mentally strong enough to lead us to an Origin win. Coupled with ordinary forwards like Klemmer and Tamou...we need more go forward from the big blokes...Vaughan and Boyd...Hayne in the centres? He is a lazy whiner. We are in trouble.
4. Richmond Tigers. Their supporters are long suffering as they stutter and stammer their way to impossible defeats at the worst of times. The GWS team have learned a lot from their brutal 2016 semi final defeat by the Western Bulldogs and seem to have some newfound composure and steel when it gets tight. I note their injury toll has little effect on their power. They will be magnificent for some time. West Coast are the biggest pretenders in the show. Too weak away from home. Very weak. Adelaide seem to be the key squad at present, dominating in many facets. A 28 point season start is hard to peg back. The loser of Swans v Hawks this week can pack their bags. Troubled by the early season inconsistency of the Western Bulldogs. They should have powered on against Geelong from where they were...they choked.
5. The Storm. They win 50:50 games like no other team we have seen. Their ferocity and strength in the tussle...their grind in all sorts of conditions is like no other team - perhaps ever. It won't last forever, but gee it will be remembered. Counter them with the pathetic efforts of the Tigers and Warriors this weekend. Both clubs need serious improvement in attitudes. Foran is also to blame here in how he has managed his move. A mercenary who moves from club to club in the most selfish ways...no wonder he has had so many challenges in recent times on so many fronts...all about him.
6. Waratahs. A big win over the dreadful Rebels. Let's see if they can beat a NZ team now.
7. EPL - Chelsea finally get there. Liverpool nab the last European Champions League position...and goodbye to the rung below to Middlesborough, Hull and Sunderland. The 7-1 loss by Hull and a 5-1 loss by Sunderland shows the pathetic side to English football - capitulation and dummy spitting from a long distance! With Liverpool in and Arsenal out of the top four, Wegner is surely gone!
The weather has turned the usual Indian pitches into low scoring grinds, taking some gloss off the usual higher scoring games. A Smith 51 was not good enough. It must be said that Bumrah is a superstar bowler of the future. With Johnson and Malinga, the Mumbai Indians had too much firepower.
2. State of Origin. Who would have thought - the annual Queensland whinging about a possible injury to Thurston (it is usually GI) and him "being in doubt". Away it goes again. Every year gets a bit boring. QLD should continue to pump NSW. Wallace's position in a NSW team as hooker was surely only paper talk. The cranky Nathan Peats hardly seems the ideal replacement. The St George hooker McInness is the best...maybe even young Brailey at Cronulla.
3. NSW Origin. This will be Daley's last show as NSW Origin coach if he picks Pearce and we lose. Pearce is not mentally strong enough to lead us to an Origin win. Coupled with ordinary forwards like Klemmer and Tamou...we need more go forward from the big blokes...Vaughan and Boyd...Hayne in the centres? He is a lazy whiner. We are in trouble.
4. Richmond Tigers. Their supporters are long suffering as they stutter and stammer their way to impossible defeats at the worst of times. The GWS team have learned a lot from their brutal 2016 semi final defeat by the Western Bulldogs and seem to have some newfound composure and steel when it gets tight. I note their injury toll has little effect on their power. They will be magnificent for some time. West Coast are the biggest pretenders in the show. Too weak away from home. Very weak. Adelaide seem to be the key squad at present, dominating in many facets. A 28 point season start is hard to peg back. The loser of Swans v Hawks this week can pack their bags. Troubled by the early season inconsistency of the Western Bulldogs. They should have powered on against Geelong from where they were...they choked.
5. The Storm. They win 50:50 games like no other team we have seen. Their ferocity and strength in the tussle...their grind in all sorts of conditions is like no other team - perhaps ever. It won't last forever, but gee it will be remembered. Counter them with the pathetic efforts of the Tigers and Warriors this weekend. Both clubs need serious improvement in attitudes. Foran is also to blame here in how he has managed his move. A mercenary who moves from club to club in the most selfish ways...no wonder he has had so many challenges in recent times on so many fronts...all about him.
6. Waratahs. A big win over the dreadful Rebels. Let's see if they can beat a NZ team now.
7. EPL - Chelsea finally get there. Liverpool nab the last European Champions League position...and goodbye to the rung below to Middlesborough, Hull and Sunderland. The 7-1 loss by Hull and a 5-1 loss by Sunderland shows the pathetic side to English football - capitulation and dummy spitting from a long distance! With Liverpool in and Arsenal out of the top four, Wegner is surely gone!
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