Wrap - The Significance of Davina and Dean

1. Ball Tampering. The Smith-Bancroft-Warner-Lehmann nonsense has hopefully come to a merciful end. A gross overreaction by a pathetic CA administration who think that by being 'tough' they are doing a good job. They are terrible and Sutherland needs to go. I read his young bloke, Will, damaged a hotel room or two..or three...himself recently. Was there a ban there at all? A 12 month suspension?

David Saker (bowling coach) and Brad Haddin (fielding coach) might be more than a tad nervous and need to stand aside. Pat Howard surely has to go as well. They have tried to look tough when really they have been pathetic and useless for a long time.

Warner is unpopular and crass, but should have had his wings clipped some years back. However I clearly recall a ton in a session at the SCG, phenomenal striking of the ball, 21 Test tons (@48.2) which were always full of emotion and courage. He lost the plot in the end and with it sadly, all respect.

The hypocrites are certainly out in force. Fancy having South Africa lecture us on morality and human decency? They kill white land owners and own the awful human stain of apartheid, which many still there believe heavily in....and their record with ball tampering is awful. India are pathetic too with abject poverty and disgraceful treatment of their people rampant. Yet they always find the moral high ground quickly. It is never them. India have had more matchfixers than most (Mohammad Azharuddin, Manoj Prabhakar, Ajay Jadeja, Ajay Sharma, S.Sreesanth).

The Australian siege mentality/ 'snow cone' effect around crowd vile abuse of families and players, ICC incompetence, shoulder charging the captain and walking away innocent...they have taken the rule of the jungle option in defiance and come up empty of sense and manners.

I am most intrigued in Mitchell Starc. He reverse swings the ball more than most and had no idea? Give me a break. He should front the media too...but won't. The bowlers knew what was happening. How could they not?

Not sure how much change comes under a Justin Langer or Ricky Ponting as coach. Gillespie made some dumb immediate comments too so he is gone already for mine..

We have also been treated to the hypocrisy of many former players who were all either banned, fined or discredited.

Think Atherton (in 1994 with dirt in the pocket), Tendulkar (picking at the seam - and then typical Indian reaction when accused...protest...appeal...plead and inescapable victimisation, national innocence...but what of ), Dravid (rubbing lollies on the ball), Michael Vaughan (captain of the Ashes team where Marcus Trescothik used lozenges to alter the ball), Broad and Anderson in 2010 v South Africa (rubbing the ball into the ground, captained by Hussain), Afridi (biting the ball), Faf du Plessis (2013, zipper on trousers to alter ball), Vernon Philander (2014, scratching ball with fingers/ thumb), Faf du Plessis (2016 - lollies). Funny how these fools all raise their stupid heads. Vaughan is an absolute disgrace. Yet the Poms too quickly forget their terrible history as well.
Meanwhile we see a demoralised Australian side too scared to say boo and ripe for the picking. We are a hated cricket nation, but not a successful one at present. The top order of Burns-Renshaw-Khawaja-Handscomb-S Marsh-M Marsh could be one of our worst since World Series cricket. Would you rather Darling, Weiner, Moss, Sergeant, Toohey, Whatmore and Laughlin?

The techniques of Smith and Hanscombe have been picked apart by the very good South African bowlers. A huge final innings for Shaun Marsh. This will be it for him with another sub-par performance. he has had a horrible tour really. So too has Lyon who has been smashed by Maharaj. Cummins and Paine are probably the only ones to excel in any meaningful way.

Tim Paine has shown steel top scoring in our first innings debacle, but I am struggling to see him as a long term option as captain.

I suspect too that Warner sits on the full truth. He knows more than most. Every bowler is into it. They have been at it in grade and in state cricket since Imran Khan was a lad.

The ludicrous nature of it all as more serious than drugs, murder and death was seen in that galoot from the Kyle and Jackie O show who thought Dean and Davina were worse! Somehow the stupidity of that comment sums up the whole saga and how the overreaction of the media has fuelled the most ludicrous circus. 'Crash' Craddock has been one of the worse and should know better. Ironically, he has lacked the same composure and calm that he accuses Warner of having exhibited.

I'll leave it to the great Richie Benaud when saying this after the underarm fiasco: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIL6KZox6Ao . It's relevance now is still powerful.

2. Sledging/ Sin Bin. The banning of sledging in all levels of the Australian game would be an excellent development. Offenders should be binned. This would shut the lid on poor behaviour which breeds worse behaviour.

3. NRL. The NRL have completely lost the plot. There is nothing more entertaining than penalty goals! It will surely bring back the crowds. Great TV too. The game has gone backwards this year. Refs have returned to the Hartley era of referee self promotion and indulgence. And we have two of them in each game! More sin bins since Jack Danzey. Penalties right in front of the sticks are a specialty. An absolute delight for the crowd.

Channel 9 should stamp their feet. The fans have had enough. The game under Greenberg is in trouble. His arrogance is such that he now wants to give league a union flavour. I have written him an email this week myself.

There is a penalty in almost every play if you want to find it. If Kerry Packer was alive still, he would rip him to pieces for that debacle in the Storm v Sharks on Friday night.

Canberra are in big strife. Ricky is on borrowed time. He has lost the dressing room I suspect.

The Eels too could implode unless they win well against the Tigers. Really liking the spirit and fitness of the Warriors. Blake Green on fire. Tom Trbojevic was outstanding for Manly and needs to be in the NSW team straight up, if fit. Jake his brother is outstanding too. The Storm are missing Cronk and the Roosters are struggling to get him going early, which is understandable. However, Jake Friend needs to run the ball more often. They should be looking for a new hooker long term to be honest...a great defender, but not mobile enough to put pressure on the opposition defence.

How hard is the tipping at present? Titans win? Storm lose? Roosters lose?...on it goes.

4. Rugby Union. The Brumbies have fallen apart and they are having a season of failure... something that the Melbourne Storm will one day experience again. The Waratahs got over them, but only just.

5. A League Soccer. The Wanderers are a shambles. Gombau has to go. Not to make the top six in a comp that has more episodes than My Kitchen Rules, speaks of a weak leader and bad strategy. They need a clean out. Not a patch on the other teams.

6. EPL. You have to admire the English crowds. Every game is an event and they simply do not care that they are not winning the comp. There are other European options and midweek/ FA Cup games. Plenty of options. Leicester and Burnley as comparative minnows have had great years sitting at position 7 and 8 on the table respectively. Southampton, Stoke and West Brom look done.

7. AFL. It looks like Melbourne may have turned a corner. Scully's leg injury for GWS is a bad blow. Still think the Swans are too slow in the middle on a big field. They need two more centres with sheer pace. A bad loss once the sun set v Port. Their skills and overuse of the handball cruelled their chances. Too predictable, no targets up front and completely lacking pace to break away and convert chances into results. The Western Bulldogs are shot! How far have they have fallen in two years? Incredible.

Wrap - Yellow Taped Galoots and Nitpicking Winkers

1. Australian Cricket Cheats. Waking up on Sunday to the news that we tried to cheat through using a piece of yellow tape with small hard rocks on it to rub against the ball - and that a whole leadership group - presuming Smith, Warner, Lehmann, Saker - were behind it was staggering. What gets into their brains? What a dumb arse plan with walkie talkies. They should have tied a piece of string to two empty cans and listened down the line. Rank amateurs.

Now the fall out. All the regular Twitter wisdom - Pietersen, Vaughan, Hussein, Steyn, Rodney Hogg, AB, Clarke...on it goes. Tim Paine as skipper...please. What about Nathan Lyon (or is he part of the dopey plan?), Khawaja (or is his spot on the line for Handscomb?). Bancroft will be barred and with him will be Smith.

Our whining, whinging and pathetic behaviour on these overseas trips has gotten worse with Lehmann. Langer to take the coaching reins...or Ponting?

2. Australian Batsmen Problems. Our batting woes also continue. We simply do not have enough excellent batting options in domestic cricket – or in the national team for sustained Test success. The Marsh brothers are going back to their bad ways. Khawaja may not tour England with his lumbering, lazy dismissals. Steve Smith has been tested on those quicker, less predictable decks in South Africa and is no Bradman all of a sudden.

When Matthew Wade is one of your best domestic batsmen (108 in this weekend's Shield Final v QLD), you are in trouble. There does not seem to be any new young guns coming through...that spells an entrenched problem for the future. Is the modern young cricketer a different breed not prepared to do the hard yards?

3. Nathan Lyon. He continues to disappoint on this tour of South Africa, while Cummins leaps ahead. Lyon got runs finally, but wickets are scarce outside of numbers 10 and 11. He needs to stand up or we will be struggling to win anything.

4. NRL Refereeing. This nitpicking start to 2018 is boring and dumb. Raking the ball back with the foot in the play the ball is excellent, preventing ‘touch football’ tempo; so too the sin binning of repeat infringers in their own red zone; but the penalty blown by Ashley Klein (Clown), in Tigers v Broncos, was awful. It was typical Klein grandstanding and attention seeking refereeing. He seems to bring this nonsense out when refereeing the Broncos in particular. Always trying to be in the limelight of the game. He needs to back down and let the players showcase their skill – not him.

How many penalty goals are being kicked? How few tries are being scored in some games too? This is why rugby union is on the nose as a viewing sport. Greenberg is not very smart unfortunately. However, missing conversions these days is more costly than ever before.

5. NRL. Manly. Crushed Parramatta last week and this week nothing. Souths looked sharper. Warriors look smarter and tougher. Like the Raiders the Eels are rooted - to the bottom of the table. Panthers have a bad early attitude and Cleary’s loss spells danger! Sharks and Tigers look like they cannot score points. Loved the Dragons work against the woeful Titans. Roosters starting to click.

6. AFL. Collingwood look ordinary again. Surely the coach, Nathan Buckley, is on borrowed time. Geelong look strong. The Demons may finally have some steel. Carlton no good again either. The Western Bulldogs were horrible and the Giants again dominated...but will lose in the semis again no doubt!

7. A-League. Interesting to see Paul Okon leave the Central Coast Mariners. Will not be missed. Played his favourites, ignored others and lost the dressing room. A few fresh faces arrived from the reserves on Saturday night and what do you know... 1-2 v the likely premiers, Sydney FC, after being 1-1 for a long time.

8. Winx. Brilliant as usual. What a horse! A world record number of Group 1 winners. Meanwhile Chautauqua, who has won more money than Black Caviar, refuses to move out of the starting gates at any barrier trials - in Sydney, Melbourne or anywhere else. Stubborn!

9. Socceroos. Losing 4-1 to Norway who are not in the World Cup is terrible. A straight sets exit from the World Cup lies ahead for us on this count.

10. Super 15 Rugby. The Rebels win again and it must be said...our quality of rugby across three teams is definitely stronger without the Western Force.

11. Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton could just about be the best ever, despite his shock loss to Vettel. On 62 wins, he trails Schumacher on 91 wins.

Wrap - Payne Seeks Release

1. NRL I. Beating the Melbourne Storm these days is like winning the comp - especially in Melbourne! The Tigers are showing some newfound steel in their defence and did really well to win. Comps are not won in March however.

Refereeing. The absolute obsession with silly penalties and nitpicking is making the game look stupid. Penalty goals are not great entertainment.

2. Eels. Well the curse of Hayne may just strike Brad Arthur yet. A 54-0 smashing is a complete embarrassment for a team who were 'training all the winter...and there is not a team that's fitter". 54-0 speaks of massive attitude problems. I suspect they need a clean out already. Hayne is done and I am tipping that he may get an early release soon. Who would have thought that they would fold in a heap with all those poor decision makers in their team? This broken record is finished with them. They are barred from The Wrap until they next win three straight.

3. NRL II. Conversely, Penrith comebacks in the heat continue (down 14 as well this week), with them capitalising on the oppressive western heat that they are well used to in those parts. I noticed Robbie Farah is stirring up again being on the bench and not playing. I wonder if they are getting the ladder ready at Redfern Oval for Robbie to sit on the old scoreboard and attract further sympathy. The Tigers look like they have moved on.

The Broncos played strongly and were beaten but for a last minute tackle by the goalposts. No Michael Morgan in that North QLD team changes them big time.

The Warriors look at lot sharper (especially Tuivasa Sheck), but got a bit lucky with the video referee. There are some big blokes in that team and no Simon Mannering yet either. Great start, but they have not played the top teams yet.

Billy Slater is a class act. 300 games and still as fit, skillful and slick as ever. Genius.

4. Newcastle Jets. A tremendous turn around this season in the A League by Ernie Merrick to ignite the fans up the M1. Sydney FC losing to Brisbane again opens the door. Ever since Graham Arnold has announced his Socceroos intentions, the wheels have fallen off. Can't believe reports that David Carney got in the car and went home after being subbed off. Surely the petulance of soccer players does not extend that far.

5. About Time. Heard the most important improvement in high levels of junior rep soccer. The sin bin for players arguing with the referee. Who would have thought? Long overdue. Now for it to appear in the top leagues and the game will be striding ahead.

6. Rugby. Australian team dominance over the South African teams continues. Brumbies back in the winners list. Beating the New Zealand teams is the next challenge. The Waratahs 51 point defeat of the Rebels was pretty awesome too. Ireland also won the six nations Grand Slam on St Patrick's Day! Top effort that! Eddie Jones is on the skids...great and surprising while it lasted. He would be hard to cop after a while I suspect.

7. Cricket.  The demise of NSW cricket is extraordinary and generally, the standard of Shield cricket has slipped massively. The absolute absence of batsmen who have steel and character is further evidence that batting in Australian national teams will remain a huge problem for some time to come. It makes being the world's number one team impossible long term. When Hilton Cartwright is the leading run scorer, you are in trouble.

8. Golden Slipper Next Week. 'Sunlight' first and daylight second....

9. PGA Golf. Tiger's resurgence is heating up nicely for The Masters. Dipped a little in the second round at the Bayhill but is five shots off the lead in tenth...can he do it?

Wrap - Warnings and Vets

1. Australian Cricket. Nathan Lyon needs to step up. He is never going to get a million wickets every innings he bowls of course, but no wickets in the second innings of the First Test was quietly left alone by the media. He only picked up one on Day Two, but as the GOAT, more is expected. He needs to lift if we are to win. Maharaj has more wickets than him. These South African decks are probably the fairest in the world for bat and ball. Steve Smith is certainly finding it harder to play there too. His technique is being tested and he is no longer having the ridiculous Bradman parallels flowing his way. His LBW dismissal was ugly.

AB De Villiers is a champion. We have really struggled to make an impression on him barring that crazy run out in the second innings of the First Test.

2. Dave Warner. When Dave Warner is roused, he becomes a dangerous power and batted brilliantly at a tough time. Those SBW masks are a pathetic South African ribbing, devoid of what it means. Fancy your cricket officials posing next to them thinking that was a good idea. 

There is an unfortunate "outward looking" surveillance culture in South Africa where they love a scandal (as most countries do...England, Australia), almost delighting in what they can unearth about others - except of course if it affects one of their own players. A little like India, without their respect. They are 'ten mile toughies' in many respects and when cornered, bleat and plead their innocence. Unfortunately the Warner ball tampering accusation is exactly the poorest side of the South African spirit - nitpicking claims against others - coupled with support of players whose faults they are blind to. A shame they did not offer the same scrutiny to Hansie Cronje all those years ago. Maybe they need to sort their crime ridden country out first, deal with the absence of water for their people and eliminate the racism that lingers in the joint first. Check your own backyard as well for weeds.

3. NRL. Fantastic to see the NRL back. Some great games: a golden point thriller with Newcastle v Manly; a sideline conversion to win in Tigers v Roosters... great crowd enthusiasm. Very impressed with the Warriors too on a fast deck. They could be a force on their home decks this year too. They certainly looked fitter. The Tigers will become sharper, but had the right attitude. Eels lazy late, but the heat is an unfamiliar foe in the NRL. Most games are at night. The Panthers hyphenated surnamed players are big in name and big in size. They did better in the heat.

Amazing how the salary cap may just be continuing to even out the player talent more and more.

St. George looked sharp too, but how often have Saints roared ahead in recent years across the early rounds only to fall in a heap? Widdop looks much better outside Hunt. The Broncos look a bit old. Bennett may need to lead the retirements and hand it all over to Kevin Walters sooner than he thinks. Souths were terrible. Roosters disorganised. Storm were superb as usual. Nothing stops them.

4. Matt Lodge. How was it decided that of the $1.6 million he 'owed', that he ever going to pay it back? Or is that the point? Grind him into bankruptcy and cash in? Odd logic. Terror of the example.

5. NRL Press Conference. Is the NRL press conference the ultimate in amateur hour? Cranky coaches, a cosmetic player in shellshock and questions you cannot hear unless you are a Port Elizabeth groundsman. Need to give a microphone to the media. It’s like listening to a dying man.

6. Tiger Woods. Roaring back into some ominous form and hoping to live the dream. Golf diehards love an 'old' name on the leaderboards...and elderly winner. The nostalgia of the game perhaps shines through at these times. Former champions remain champions in their eyes. Maybe Tiger's form at Copperhead may be the sign of imminent major success.

7. Sheffield Shield. What a great time to be a batsman. How much easier can it be to make Australian international teams? Not since Dav Whatmore, Jeff Moss, John Maclean and David Ogilvie played for Australia in the late 1970s has it been better. I note Matt Renshaw has now scored three successive tons, but too late. Cameron Bancroft has shown some steel and determination in South Africa against some of the best bowlers in the world. That NSW top six are some of the greatest under performers in Australian cricket ever. Peter Nevill just quietly has been awful all summer with the bat too. He may never play Test cricket again.

8. Chautauqua. This great grey horse may never run again. It apparently will not jump from the starting gates anymore. It is jacking up something chronic. Like trying to get the dog out of the car at the vet.

9. Super 15 Rugby - The Melbourne Rebels. Three from three. On fire and carving it up really. Cannot fathom the fall in the Brumbies' stocks however. They have rarely if ever looked so bad. The Reds have also won again v the Bulls. Coach Brad Thorn is one of the 'winningest' blokes in all forms of NRL/ Rugby as a player and coach that we have come across in our lives. He has already done more than his predecessor.

10. NFL. What about the Cleveland Browns? Fresh from a 0-16 NFL year, they are securing trades left right and centre. Surely you trade nearly everything for the best quarterback in the business?

11. A-League. This is the comp that never ends. Western Sydney Wanderers have made a strong late charge, but the impressive form of the Jets under the journeyman coach Ernie Merrick is the story of the year. Both Melbourne teams are in the mix, but Sydney FCs disastrous Asian League efforts show they just may be overcooked and ready to be defeated at the business end of the season. The hopes of the other sides is growing by the week.

Wrap - Winx Jinx

1. Australian Test Cricketers in South Africa. A cracking start by our boys, but we do have a track record of struggling to defend big totals in South Africa. Hopefully not in this test.

I must say that the Marsh boys at the crease have become a formidable alliance. Shaun's clever blade work on tricky decks is impressive. He looks to attack and refuses to be bogged down. Mitchell's power has been awesome. However, media calls for Mitchell Marsh as captain one day are way off beam. Ridiculous.

I really liked Warner's first session of the first day's work (albeit a lazy late out brought him undone). These tricky decks unpick techniques. Ask Khawaja who will struggle to retain his spot again abroad. Bancroft's first innings dismissal was terrible...walking across the crease to nick one. His 'bounce back' half century in the second innings was a lot stronger. Smith looks like he is in two minds half the time and has hit reality after a mighty run.

Nathan Lyon's turn/ guile/ deception and the stunning bowling of Starc and Cummins will put plenty of pressure on them. Hazelwood needs to bowl quicker than he did in the first innings. He was an uncharacteristic pop gun pace then.

2. Nathan Lyon. Troubling to see the ex-wife set up a blog to haunt him. Whether he has made a wise decision is for them to work out, but his bowling is certainly getting better. He is on 293 going in to the second innings at Durban and has just passed Craig McDermott (291) and is closing in on 300 test wickets...then Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313). That will only leave DK (355), McGrath (563) and Warne (708) in front. Incredible for an offie really.

3. NRL Kickoff. This Thursday it is all underway. Thankfully no more trials and talk. Matt Lodge will enjoy getting out to play a game without the media. His NRL inclusion - and not Carney's - is perplexing...even Russell packer's is more brutal. That footage of Lodge's  rage is unbelievable. Does anyone know why he was in that house - or was it a case of mistaken identity? Tipping a Storm v Cowboys Grand Final.

4. Commonwealth Swimming Trials. All the usual names and suspects will again compete for us in a swimming meet which is surely one of the weakest worldwide. The incredible thing is how many of the team train and prepare in Queensland. Sure, longer daylight saving time, warmer weather, but their coaching programs must be so superior - or the intensity of their swimmers' preparation. Fast pools, down hill pools might help, but ultimately it is the same water and distance. Nothing else explains the massive gap to the rest of the nation.

5. Winx. Can it get any better? An absolute thumping was handed out to its rivals on the weekend. Not sure it needs to race at Ascot or in Europe. The slower tracks will do it no favours, but money and fame talks. It needs to race in dry fast conditions in the USA perhaps. Most Group 1 wins ever in Australia...closing in on the 25 straight wins of Black Caviar.

6. A League. Newcastle Jets getting the jump on Sydney FC 2-1 was unusual for its precision and power. Maybe the 'stainless steel dunny seat' premiership trophy is not a foregone conclusion yet.

7. Waratahs. Time to applaud a comeback draw in South Africa. Foley is a matchwinner. Looking a more composed and complete team, although Beale's injury may test them next game.

8. Shield Cricket. The run of poor batting - especially in NSW - continues. Sean Abbott is having no luck and hit young Will Pucovski in the head to send him into the turf. A tough memory. Good to see the ICC have raced to implement world wide reform with helmets. There should be a crackdown at every level of cricket with every club/ association required to provide two per kit. No excuses.

9. A League. Sadly it is in free fall at present. Crowds are getting smaller. The WSW 'Bloc' are sooking as well. The organisation is having its usual tantrums and soccer/ football problems. Most Australians are over it. They need to put away the flares, get rid of the politics and stretchers and bring in some big names.

10. Surfing - Nazare, Portugal. The footage of Ross Clarke-Jones riding the huge waves there - and almost dying - are amazing. Not sure why you do that at 52 years of age, but there you go. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od6wTno4tp4 . Alongside me, he could just be one of the ugliest men alive.

Wrap - Plane Crickets

1. Jarryd Hayne. Like him or not, Hayne is getting more press and press-ure in this pre-season than any other player outside of the Broncos' Matt Lodge. For all his faults, the press (in the absence of any other controversies outside of the dynamic dopes - Dugan and Fifita) are hounding him somewhat unfairly at present, but Brad Arthur is a composed man who has it in hand. For Lodge, the extraordinary events in New York are violent, crazy and menacing. How he gets back into the NRL without any payments to his victims and Todd Carney does not, is very interesting. Perhaps both should be banished. Hayne may yet be banished too depending on his charges.

2. An NRL Testimonial Game. Please...isn't that when blokes are retiring? Thurston may be, but Smith? We'll get an outbreak of these before too long. A salary cap dodge? Time to make a big difference with third party agreements...

3. Sonny Bill Williams returning to the Roosters? That might just make them Premiership favourites yet. Injuries like all teams will hurt - but especially at the Roosters. Lots of leavers. Great signings, but if great signings fall...

4. Cricket. In the Shield, Renshaw finally gets a ton. Even Henriques too. Blue Moon watch out! Some continued poor batting seems to plague us in the game v South AfricaA. Handscomb needs a miracle to play Test cricket again any time soon. Those decks will really test us. An enthralling series ahead this week. Cummins is building nicely as a tremendous all rounder. His batting saved us.

5. Rugby. Great win by the Waratahs - and the Brumbies. The Rebels did it easy too. Brad Thorn will come under the blow torch if he doesn't lift the Reds to a better performance. A terrible start.

6. EPL - Huddersfield. Two wins can change your EPL life. This year, 6 points makes a stunning difference - more than most years. Suddenly they are almost safe...for a few weeks yet at least.

7. Winter Olympics. A great effort to win three medals by the Aussies. The summer Olympics are a fabulous event, with the winter Olympics, the poor cousin. Lots of skill, entertainment and injuries... but still in the back seat.

Wrap - Short Shrift

1. Storm. Craig Bellamy did his finest press conference post the World Club Challenge on Friday night. He made the point that between Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, both have (currently) won the NRL minor premiership, the NRL Grand Final, the State of Origin series - and the Rugby League World Cup. Also, the Golden Boot, Dally M, selected in Rugby League World Cup team of the Tournament and Clive Churchill winning medals were held by these two players as well...not to mention most games, points, etc, etc...Two absolute legends....Cronk would make it three.

A current winning record in a year of NRL unlikely to ever be bettered.

When is a ban going to occur for players writing messages on their wrist or arm bandages? How ridiculous. If they need a written reminder mid-game of tactics or of an approach...wow! Send emails or transmit through bionic earpieces.

2. T20 Cricket. The Australian T20 team will become No. 1 in the world if it wins the final in this NZ-England series. A meteoric rise from position number 7...! Add Starc and it could be devastating. Not sure if Smith is required. D'Arcy Short has been powerfully stunning.

3. WSW. The style of the Western Sydney Wanderers has changed for the better under Gombau. They are scoring goals and winning tight contests. Still not a patch on Sydney FC, but they lost heavily mid week in the Asian Champions game, so our A-League still sits some way away from the top world leagues.

W League GF. A clinical effort with Melbourne City beating the Sydney FC team, 2-0. Even though they had also won the previous two, Sydney FC had some hope going in. Now for their men's team to lift and match them!

4. EPL. Huddersfield smashed Bournemouth last weekend to lift, but any of eight teams could perish yet - Swansea, Stoke, Newcastle,  Huddersfield, Crystal Palace, Southhapton and Brighton. West Brom look cooked (20 points), but three points separate the rest (25-28 points).

5. Winter Olympics. Gotta love the Australian winter Olympics team with 'Scotty' and 'Chumpy'...love a good Aussie nickname. Any medal there is a surprise. James Magnassun is a true tool. Fancy bagging out another sport to make himself look better. An Olympic athlete is an Olympic athlete. No one gets there easily.

Everyone loves a snow stack however. A fan favourite...and these athletes go at extreme pace! The presence of coaches on the slopes is a tad strange however.

6. AFLX. Some pleasing rules being added for this pre-season "T20" version of the game. Seven a side (10 mins each way) and played on a soccer or NRL field (for maximum stadium use...and pre-season strugglers with fitness), it has some great features apart from the 10 point super goals (outside the 40 metre arc):

1. Last touch out-of-bounds rule 
2. No marks paid for backwards kicks, except if in attacking 40m
3. Free shot from inside the 40m arc if there is a rushed behind.

It is missing a key one:

• A free kick from the spot where an attacking kick goes out on the full.

The thought of playing on a conventional soccer field is alarming for many avid AFL fans.

7. Roger Federer. Number 1 in the world again...at the age of 36. Stunning!

8. Commonwealth Games Athletics -100 Metre Sprint. How about the mens' 100 metre sprinter - Trae Williams - "Quadzilla" - for Australia? 10.10 is super quick and hopefully all is legitimate. It is a podium finish at that time.

9. Commonwealth Games Swimming Trials - Wednesday 28 Feb. – Saturday 3rd March 2018. Keep an eye out for young Rebecca Sefton. A young star of the future with a great local opportunity to seize!

10. NBA. How good is the standard of that competition? The number of internationals is rising and with it, the aura of those basketball stars surges. A huge stage to be the best on in the USA! How amazing is the form of the Aussie, Ben Simmons?