Wrap - Blonde Headed Return From The Dead

1. NRL Return. Great to see some NRL. Not sure how they meet any COVID-19 rules...hugs, handshakes, close talkers, dressing room huddles, etc. maybe no one cares any more. It may attract some concern from government too.

Why are the support staff all on the one side of the field? One team on one side...one on the other?

Parramatta looking good, but premiers? Let's not get too enthusiastic. St George and the Titans will definitely not win. Canberra looked sharp. Parramatta can't beat the defence of Canberra. Liked the fake crowd members and the repetitive soundtrack of the crowd... hard to recreate the viking clap however!

Hard to cop Nelson Asafa Solomona and Curtis Scott back unscathed post COVID-19. Both needed a long spell away from the game - and Mitchell, Addo-Carr.

Harder to understand than the blonde hairdo paint that greeted the viewers this week.

2. NRL Rules Changes. Much better to see more ruck speed. The six to go call is excellent. It is funny how boring the game had gotten really. As mentioned for years by me, one ref is so much better. Fewer penalties. Don't burn your challenges too early - you'll need them later in a tough game.

Even Cameron Smith has a beard to try and disguise his tactics in the ruck.

The bigger players are going to be a complete liability with the speed of the game.

Great to see the comeback of the dodgy touch judge decision too.

A few more rules to consider to keep the speed of the game up:

• Throw the ball away from your opponent when required to surrender it following the end of a set, error or penalty?  (like in AFL) 30 metre penalty and automatic restart at pace
• Throttle a player under a high ball after they catch it? 5 metre rule after they catch it. Play on if the possession is seriously contested in the air. Too dangerous. 
• Try scored = time off. No time on for goal kicks, but keep the shot clock. If it goes off/ no kick.
• Approach the ref after a penalty/ try/ video request? Possible 8 point try.
• Deliberate slow pay the ball? - surrender the ball to the opposition.

Brutal, but it will keep the pace up and the audience interest high.

3.  Bronson Xerri Drug Fiasco. A complete dill. I wonder who told ASADA...not someone seeking that same position in the centres? The impact on the Sharks is incredibly bad. They have been dudded by one of their own. ASADA should have told him earlier, but it is a lame bleating excuse. He has taken drugs that are 'old fashioned' and easily detected. Dumb. 

4. Goggle Box Craig Bellamy. There's a reality TV show!

5. AFL Return. The AFL should be back playing already. They have missed an opportunity here.

6. Buddy Franklin. Still injured...the end may be nigh. Recurring hamstring injuries are an old man's disease (as we all know).

6. A-League. Still asleep... they are in a constant state of slumber at the A-League. Has anyone missed this season? It is unfortunate, but that competition has faded like a Mike Eden conversion.

7. The NRL GF - On The Move? Surely this threat and the thought of a second Brisbane team are two of the NRL's great mythological stories... and a mid year draft window. Time for action I would have thought.

Wrap - Nay Sayers Say Hey!

1. The NRL Return. It is upon us despite the 'nay sayers' (like me). Outrageous steps to make it happen, but you are never real confident with the NRL. The ref debacle was well done. I like how Peter V'landys is trying to make the game more entertaining. It has become stale with some coaches whose tactics and wrestling obsession will remain as a blight on the game. One ref stands to make the footy more controversial and more entertaining. The game lasted for over 100 years with one ref and can do the same. Refs need to get fit! The lazy ones will be found out.

Waiting for V'landys' plan around half time entertainment at the NRL Grand Final.

2. Salary Cap Fiasco. Stunned that V'landy's is not adjusting the salary cap and creating savings. I thought he would have taken the chance while it was there. Then we have John Bateman carrying on like a goose reinforcing all the poor judgement of player manager-NRL relations. Everyone loves a bloke whinging on $800,000 a year when worldwide unemployment is upon us. These blokes and their agents should go and play another sport. The silly clubs are like moths to a light in these moments and deserve pain through stupid management decisions. I do fancy fewer teams, playing each other home and away. Huge possibilities. Axe the Warriors and Gold Coast for starters and we are nearly there.

3. COVID-19 Data. Have we seen any COVID-19 data on the NRL players being tested? Are they all perfect? Sounds like it. Maybe the missing North Korean leader is running the program out of Driver Avenue at the moment.

4. Other Sports. Lots sitting on their hands. The NRL has led the way here by necessity. Still struggling to see how golf with no crowds and no carts could not continue...struggling to see how singles tennis with no crowds, linespeople and ball collectors could not continue... The ruling bodies must have plenty of cash. Simple.

5. Cricket. Why does cricket seem to be run by amateurs? Their negotiations and player payments and shortening the women's game/ the Sheffield Shield... they seem like ad hoc solutions. Is there a broader and deeper plan? Kevin Roberts needs to step up.

6. Mat Moylan. There is a rumour even he might play a game this week. He has the new perpetually injured title I suspect. Can't be much fun.

7. Warnie v Waugh. This is a topic where Shane Warne looks really bad. He keeps recycling old views and is becoming a little boring unfortunately. He needs to reignite his life on the strength of other things. Tiring of rolling out old Michael Jordan, Shane Warne and Lance Armstrong tales...yaaawn.

8. Greg Norman. Who would have thought? A bloke who doesn't consult, thinks he knows best and runs into perpetual conflict with others. Not Greg. He just wants his own arrogant way at The Medalist golf club. Hard to feel any empathy for the guy, no matter what he did for the game. Why do we rarely hear from the true legends of sports. eg. Pete Sampras? Too busy being professional.

9. Mike Tyson. Looking forward to having him back in the ring. His strength, speed and guile will take some beating!

10. Eddie Maguire. Shortening the AFL quarters by five minutes (20% reduction)....try shortening the outrageous long half time break first. Then look at the most obvious rule change of all. Turnover for a kick out of bounds on the full at the place it was kicked. Surely that is common sense and will stop negative tactics.

Wrap - Bengal Lancers Reborn

1. Referees. The propensity to be a whinger is made much more likely by social isolation and COVID-19. If you are a referee who has had this ridiculous two referee nonsense propping you up for years...it's worse. Off to the International Court of Sport Arbitration. Honestly. Fewer officials and don't for a minute think they are irreplaceable. Ashley Clown is on notice. Plough on and bring these blokes under control.

The touch judge has just made a comeback! When will they run onto the field to report blokes. Zorba and Hollywood used to love the 'Bengal Lancers'. There are third referees and touch judges and replacement bunker blokes... out of control. Good news for the game.

2. NRL Nerves. A nervous week ahead. The whole show could come tumbling down...videos and extortion...dobbers and curfew breakers. Who will be next? Hopefully radio silence.

3. Bryce Cartwright. Interesting comment made that he has not made a proper tackle for two years, so maybe this has been catching through the Titans team set up! A vaccination may help him. The bench can cure that one too.

4. Idiotville. Nick Kygrios on the drink. It is hard enough for Nicholas not to make silly comments and do dumb things when sober. On the drink? We're all in trouble! I think he needs a WTA ban to make him think clearly about his privilege and get serious. Sadly, he never will.

5. Rugby. Looks like they may have some stability...so long as they have success. There are still significant issues at provincial level. Cut South Africa free...not crowd favourites and no one watches their games after midnight anyhow. Do we just connect with New Zealand teams and axe the Argies, the Sunwolves and the Springbox? I suspect so...

6. Horse racing. Really liked the run of Oceanex over 2800m and it goes through to the Melbourne Cup. The strength of Super Titus over 2000m was impressive too.

Bowman was back at it with Perfect Pitch, but Macroura, Dawn Passage, Fituese, Irethea, Dirty Work and Ranier were the most impressive.

Oasis Girl over 2300m was another long race star, while Chapel City at 101:1 was nice! Trekking did well, but Lyre is a wonderful swooper if ridden properly. Gets too far back.

Look for Kissonallforcheeks in WA, Bruce Almighty and Speeding Comet. Laverrod is near invincible there over 1400m.

7. 3pm Sunday Grand Finals. Nostalgia yes, but have we all moved on? Daytime rugby league is a better product. I'm looking forward to the half time entertainment on a shoe string. Junior footy relays, kick for goal competitions?

8. V'landys Touch. Loving the anti-coach sentiment with rules, interchange and wrestling... speeding up the product and making it more entertaining is critical. The game has become too programmed under Bellamy and his cronies. V'landys may just be making the biggest difference the game has seen for years...all in the name of TV rights! No wonder The Everest was born on the Opera House!

Wrap - Flu Jabbers

1. Anti-Flu Jabbers. Amazing how needles for pain killers, illegal drugs and tattoos are all fine, but a flu shot...run for the hills. The NRL has gone into meltdown not knowing what to do given that a huge name like Bryce Cartwright has dug in and refused to cooperate.

It is pretty simple - axe him and move on. I am pretty sure the game will survive. Trust the Gold Coast Titans to pull this nonsense. A basketcase for years and this is why...too much player influence - and WAGs too. The lack of leadership and communication by their administration has allowed this. Where is Mal? Where is the new coach? Honestly... it took one day before another crisis. The selfishness of NRL players defies belief. No wonder no one attends games any more - why would you? The TV allows you to be removed enough.

2. V'landys. Cutting $50 Million from the NRL is a tantalising proposition. What a fat cat sport it became under Greenberg. Ridiculous. As much as we hate two refs, the cut to this has to be in terms of the Bunker as well.... How many blokes do you need on duty to watch TV? Get rid of silly, expensive advertisements and get real.

3. AFL. Barely a word. Professionalism and no tantrums. Code envy right there.

4. EPL having whinging from some club bosses about neutral venues of all things. These people don't get it. No one wants to hear from you when you are a spoiled sook - especially when they don't have a job anymore!

5. Mike Tyson. Some people need to get some perspective. Tyson could get $30 million in a rematch v Evander Holyfield for instance...and they say fight Paul Gallen? SBW? Honestly, it would be the quickest fight in history. As Fenech said, he would literally kill them. He still looks awesome on the pads. Maybe he could fight James 'Buster' Douglas instead? Or Darcy Lussick!

6. Tennis. Moves afoot for it to come back..should it have stopped? Crowdless/ singles could have continued. Djokovic has clearly lost the plat with his silly comments about changing water quality through thought. 'Dysentry Djokovic' now. Isolation does funny things to some people's minds!

7. Warnie. Is he our greatest human headline - or is it Erin Molan? Warnie has been heavy in the media. Erin talks too much. They are both bored. They are both boring the public now.

8. UFC. Gets back first as a sport, but hard to watch or follow. They have issues with convincing Mums that this is a great pathway to pursue for their kids in sport!

Wrap - The Fluffy End of the Feather Duster

1. Rugby League Fools. It officially took one day since last week's Wrap about ill disciplined rugby league players. Latrell Mitchell, Addo-Carr and Cleary. How stupid are these blokes? Addo-Carr firing a gun and then gets caught speeding on the M1 on the way home...and he puts the photos on social media. You can't put brains in statues. Honestly... The game will not be able to last without more incidents. Social media clowns. Self indulged and bored.

Cleary also chose to tell lies about it too. Fair dinkum. Immature and should get some new friends - these girls have done him no favours.

They are also too stupid to know what the real world is about. Laws apply to them all, but when you are in the NRL you can seemingly choose if you follow them.

The Warriors are jetting in to Tamworth and the Central Coast. This will test them as the losses mount up. Teams will be imploding. Excuses abounding.

To rely on the sense and sensibilities of a 'workforce' who are proven to be unreliable is wracked with risk.

2. Peter V'landys. Good to see Peter has found the same feather duster in the NRL cupboard with its special label...'use fluffy end only'! The fines and suspended fines for Addo-Carr, Mitchell and Cleray are a complete joke...competition points...hello? Todd Greenberg was more fierce.

Greedy players? No way...not us...we were seeking clarification...honest!

3. Cricket Australia Contracts. Of course Mitchell Marsh needed to get a contract. He is a complete disappointment - and they axe Khawaja. I think Usman needs to look at his attitude to fitness and fielding. No doubting his talent.

Number one in world test cricket and T20 cricket is a pretty good achievement in recent months for the Australian cricket coach and general set up. Don't tell the CA heirarchy, they will spend money on a party or another wage of a bloke they don't need and cry poor again. Kevin Roberts will do well to last the Raelene-Todd curse!

4. Hugh Bowman. He rides a phenomenal five winners at Randwick on Saturday was a mighty effort... Yonkers, Dirty Work, Rocha Clock, Hightail, Phaistos...and a narrow loss in the last on Juventus. Glen Boss knows how to win big races too. The man rarely misses.

5. Chris Gayle. Interesting to see him rip into Ramnaesh Sarwan over a T20 spat in the West Indies. "Sarwan, you’re evil, you’re wicked, you’re poison....worse than coronavirus". Glenn McGrath would agree.

6. AFL. Not enough desperation for cash in this game, too well run, so as a result, more player unrest and demand. Nothing like a flush person telling the world how bad they have it at present. God help us if the virus returns. There will be a few embarrassed keen beans... Peter V'landys will either be a hero or zero.

7. No Hurry. The cash rich sports like the EPL, NBA, MLB, ATP/ WTA, PGA are the same. The last sports in the world that are rushing back, based on their financial position,

Can anyone explain how Tennis is unsafe in COVID-19? You are 25 metres away at all times! Golf? Do they need the crowds? TV kills it in both sports.

Wrap - Cry Me A River

1. NRL. Relaunching in 31 days, desperate for cash and broadcasters losing cash hand over fist. The only sport channel doing well is the Saturday SKY1 horse racing! The NRL will go bust if they mess this up. A cold and wet week ahead will be of interest re the coronavirus.

Interesting how the media clamour to support the decision to re-launch so their jobs are kept safe in TV and the media. There are only so many re-runs of the 1989 Grand Final you can watch.

2. Peter V'landys has shone in terms of being tough. A dreamer one week - a genius the next. Getting rid of Todd Greenberg seems crucial. Todd needed to double down and work differently with his new boss, but he seemed incapable of doing this. Interesting and in no place to argue with the wasted cash he presided over. V'landys knows that without it, rugby league contracts and will need so much more surgery long term.

The new COVID-19 NRL rules for players are almost impossible to follow for these guys. Off field discipline works for most, but there will be the inevitable exceptions. No public interaction or personal training. No Ubers or taxis, self isolation, cleaning regimes, strict penalties and losing competition points. Washing footballs in eskies...please.

Finally deducting competition points will occur for perpetrators. You talk competition points in a reduced length of a season (esp. if you have no points so far) and the behaviour will tighten up. If you are the person to create the problem, you will never ever play NRL again. Unforgiveable.

One slip up and the comp finishes. Or do you just sack those clubs and surge on?

3. The Warriors staying at Lennox Head...surely when people can't attend a funeral, this can't progress. The lack of consistency is a huge risk. Society will simply rise up and do their own thing at their own beach...hang on...they've done that.

4. NFL. Tom Brady's move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is an exciting development, but getting the great Rob Gronkowski ('The Gronk') as well looks really exciting for the Bucs. The Patriots will be totally revamped and will need a lot of work to recreate anything in the next season or two. This will test Bellichik's coaching ability.

5. Rugby. Raelene Castle is gone, but sadly, Rugby is still a basket case. She will go down in history as a trail blazer before her time, with the former Wallaby captains signing sheets of paper reinforces the problems the game faces. Living in the past....still. Phil Kearns should be immediately ruled out. John Eales is the man.

6. Cricket. Like the NRL, what a fiasco. They are forever crying poor and no one has an ounce of sympathy for these cash wasters. The 'poor me' brigade is not relevant in these times. take the hit and wake up. He is citing projected share losses. Don't sell them...they will recover in time. Their greed lingers on. Can we have another World Series break away comp? That was a whole heap of fun.

Wrap - NRL Fantasy Island

1. COVID-19 Sport Return. The race is on to be the barricade buster! NRL is something special. Broke and desperate, they are now more important that the health of others in society. Arguing now over who keeps points and who doesn't. Conferences...no conferences. The draw...origin...Their stupidity knows no bounds.

V'landys should be knocking a few heads together and waiting for professional expert advice, not some letter not endorsed by health professionals. At least the QLD Premier - Annastacia Palaszczuk - has some commonsense there.

The NRL, without even being aware, are fuelling a sense in society that it will be all over soon. Forget the medical officers and the expert professors of pandemics...their team, under Wayne Pearce will have it all back and running next week. No problems. All cured.

The optimism is fantastic. The reality a fantasy. Anything for money. A higher price for a scarcer commodity? Nothing lost whatsoever.

Ask the Canterbury Cup players who get nothing now that their comp is shut down.

Not hearing a lot this week about their Fantasy Island concept of last week, although it was great to see a couple of the NRL hierarchy earlier in the week:

2. UFC. However one mob  buying an island, training the fighters there and televising it to the world while every other sport cannot, is enterprising. Much smaller scale, but clever business...even if it too is socially irresponsible. The associated workforce are most at risk.

3. Retirements, Sackings and Contracts. Very soon sporting organisations are going to need to land an edict that says that 2020 contracts will need to be honoured in sports - where there is no play - into 2021. Mark my words...it may well be the next issue of unfair dismissal with reasons like being 'fitter than ever' with a break set to dominate. The lawyers will be licking their chops here.

4. Teams of Decades, Best Ofs, The Greatest Ever..... these could wear thin soon. It feels like the New Year hiatus. Amazing to see how small the players of the 1980s really were physically by comparison.

Geoff Toovey has announced a ridiculous best ever Manly team putting Stuart Davis (the two iron with ears) in it over Tom Trobjevic and others! There is only one clip to watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSA_oQ2PSSE

5. NRL Integrity Commission. I hope this lot are practising social distancing because before too long they will be busy. It appears Tim Lafai from Saints may have been the first one to lose his balance at home under the pressure of doing not much more than weights and no league. How many more will follow? At least public displays of aggression or alcohol fuelled violence may be contained. I wonder whether social distancing for all players in the off season might be a new NRL/ AFL strategy of the future?

6. Horse racing. No horses diagnosed with COVID-19 just yet. Enjoying the Autumn Championships at present. Great wins by Colette and Through The Cracks, Indy Car, Away Game and Splintex. Addeybb (Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Etah James (Sydney Cup) were superb! Liked Leale, Inverloch and Super Titus as well.

7. Might and Power has carked it. Totally memorable for big wins at a distance...Melbourne Cups, Caulfield Cups, Cox Plate - the lot!