Wrap - The Best of Times

1. NRL. Great to see players socialising post game..praying, back slapping...Maybe it is a COVID-19 thing, but the affection has never been stronger amongst players. All a bit public, but it presents a very good image of the game. Not very many hard body contact sports do that.

Very impressed seeing Blake Ferguson holding up a teammate (Ryan Matterson) last week after that concussion hit against the Tigers last week. Players waving to medical staff to support injured players is becoming very, very commonplace. Have we ever seen a year like it for injuries? There seems more care in the game..balancing out the goose element perhaps...

2. Indigenous Round. Aboriginal players have a huge representation in the code. It is an amazing strike rate of success and try scoring. Tough and athletic. A lot of clubs have seen great Aboriginal players excel through their doors...Beetson, Renouf, McGrady, Lyons, Blacklock, Mundine, Ferguson, Nagas, Meninga, Daley... on it goes.

The Panthers were pretty special on Saturday night. Travelling largely injury free and have got a great mix of youth and experience. Cleary is played well, but he needs to run to the line. This distinguishes the great half backs from the rest. Compare him to, of all players, Keiran Foran (he of the salary reduction and the small sympathy), who takes the line on all the time. A lot of hits are taken, but it gets the defence back pedaling and really guessing. Kikau is awesome.

3. Parramatta. All those fans looking to get tickets for the Grand Final need to think again. The forwards are tough enough and spirited (Campbell-Gillard, Paulo, Brown, Nicuoro, Evans, Matterson), but they have attacking problems, despite the wallpapering of some of this. They lack a centre who is truly damaging...Bradman best style. Jennings and Blake are fair, but the defense of Blake is woeful sometimes. Their wingers are solid, but Ferguson can't buy a try. Dylan Brown needs more space and looms as the ace in the pack if he gets it right. Not sure if he is big enough yet. Still time, but centre strike power is hard to find.

4. Origin. Having said that, Campbell-Gillard will be there on current form, Reed Mahoney too. I think NSW will pick Junior Paulo in their Origin team as well. His footwork and hands for a big guy are amazing. He actually plays first receiver sometimes he is that good. He is tough and mobile and defensively strong too. His offloads are golden and what's more, he is finally fit.

5. Cricket. How can they be so incompetent? Fancy thinking of cancelling the Shield. It is not about crowds. Cricket Australia killed crowds long ago at the Shield as they got greedy with their scheduling. The golden goose may be cooked. This is not helping the game's image post 'sandpaper gate' when everyone thought the big headed arrogance was eliminated. The administration is proving quite lost.

6. SBW. We will love having SBW back in the comp. He is a media superstar, but says very little. It will bring lots more stories in the paper and lots of wins for the Roosters. The Bulldogs think they are getting him...please.

7. Swans. Crushed. Re-building, but is "re-building" an excuse for poor planning and poor recruitment? St Kilda are returning to some happier times. Zak Jones will be glad he put the transfer papers in! Really liking Port Adelaide and Brisbane. Geelong had a terrible loss to West Coast. What is wrong with that team? They seem to lack purpose and resolve every year when the whips are cracking. They need more leadership on the field. Recruiters forget to recruit leaders. How many codes do you see it in? Then the talent doesn't shine.

8. Rugby. Super Star Rugby (Super 10, Super 12, Super 4?). Some tight results for the purists this weekend, but the crowds and viewing audience must be very limited these days. Do we have brave enough administrators to make changes locally to our product? Or will it just perish and be shown on Channel 2 only once a week?

9. FA Cup. Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1. A great win, but Arsenal have a good record in cups and comps that never seem to count that much. The Premier League and Champions Leagues are a struggle of late. 2003-4 was the last Premier League victory. In FA Cup finals, they have the most appearances (21) and have also won the most at 14!

10. A League. Hard to see the end...when are the semis? The season needs to be streamlined.

11. Nick Kyrgios writing letters to other players and announcing how selfish others are in COVID-19? He may have a point, but didn't Nick himself act selfishly so many times too in his tantrums and behaviours? He seems to be taking the high, hilltop moral high ground here now and well done to him, but it wears a bit thin. These players (Djokovic, Zverev, et al) are not blameless, but they will all make mistakes...like Nick.

12. Hugh Bowman. He knew he was gone and did not even book any rides for this weekend just gone. He has apologised, but still remains extremely lucky with just six weeks punishment! The owners meanwhile have no horse. The jockey has incredible scars and serious injuries.

Wrap - Towelflicks and Other Nonsense

1. Gold Coast Titans. Offloading the salary cap heavy sponges (Boyd, Cartwright, Peats, etc...) makes sense, especially if David Fifita is now taking up half of the salary cap! Issac Yeo is a valuable player for the Panthers. He and Crighton have lifted their standards and they are starting to look much stronger. Looks like a strong spirit and connection between players. Cleary needs to take the line on more frequently however if they are to win the comp.

Interesting to see the dud buy of the year, Curtis Scott, being shopped around already by Canberra. I don't know how good he actually was with so many gun players around him at the Storm, but it is an unhappy time for him at Canberra thus far.

2. NRL Split. The top four teams are stepping up - Panthers, Eels, Roosters and Storm (maybe Canberra...maybe Manly) but you get the feeling that the Roosters (especially with SBW) will win again to make it a threepeat. Injuries are the key thing. The Knights are having no luck. The Andrew McCulloch hamstring injury was really bad. The Raiders and Knights are copping injuries big time. The lack of a 'second grade'/ 'Reserve Grade' may be a factor.

3. Bulldogs. Interesting that the Bulldogs can lift when their coach has vanished. They have had the chat re contracts moving ahead. Trent Barrett looks as though he has sent the players an email too. Interesting how that can impact!

4. Bunker. Can we end it now? Not sure what the difference between a video ref and a bunker is..maybe a few large TVs and a microphone perhaps. The errors are inexcusable. The Dragsters could have won late, but it never looks good. When is another coach going to ask for an investigation into this? Geoff Toovey cannot be the only one surely.

5. Rugby. They have truly lost the plot in trying to spend 3 million on a Kings student in Year 10. Remember Barney Haslett, signed by Parramatta at 14 years of age? Let the kid grow up and spend the money on something sensible for the greater good of the game. Honestly. How daft.

6. AFL. Tom Papley staying at the Swans was important. Without him they would have two fewer wins and no way for Alistair Clarkson to get upset with the Club! Clarkson seems to be getting quite cranky lately. This is a sure sign the knives are out for him. Port, Brisbane and St Kilda looking strongest. Not enjoying the footy as much this year thus far. The quarters are too short and not as free wheeling for the running games needed for maximum entertainment.

7. Test Cricket. England v Windies. As mentioned, the Windies cannot string together enough quality sessions to win Tests regularly. They look doomed again. 1-1 with this Test to play. Looking like a 2-1 test series victory to England. James Anderson is nearing in on 600 test wickets too. Broad closing in on 500. When they retire things could be different for England. Legends are irreplaceable.

8. A-League Champions. Sydney FC win the Premier's Plate, but no one really cares sadly. The game has hit the wall.

9. Hugh Bowman. Sadly for Hugh, who rode three winners on the day, his effort in race 1 on Smart Image looked like an impatient older jockey who was showing up a younger rider in Andrew Adkins. Ribs, legs all broken and a stunning horse of huge potential (Hot n' Hazy) dead. Hugh has a fair bit to answer for here and should receive a lengthy suspension. The connections of the horse will be looking for him too.

10. Towelflicks. Good to see the towelflick championships through Sportsbet still alive as a sport in COVID-19 times. What's next...nipple cripples, sack whacks, bum flicks...?

11. EPL. The top four is yet to be decided (outside of Liverpool and Man City). Chelsea, Manchester United and Leicester compete for Champions League places this weekend. All must win, but Leicester host ManU. Jamie Vardy looks like remaining the highest goal scorer this season at 23. Norwich are gone, but a couple of others will need to join them...Bournemouth? Watford? Aston Villa? A great competition where everything matters right down to the end.

If ManU win, a third place end point would be an exemplary season after the start they had.

12. A-B...C? I have been assured that Bronson Xerri's B Sample is on its way.

Wrap - Hands Like a Digital Watch

1. Swans and GWS. Just when they should be dominating with home games, they are folding up under pressure. With no pace, there is a sameness about both of their under performing teams. There will be no cleaning the trophy cupboards there this year. Keep the lock on it. Swans may need to house the spoon. Gold Coast carving it up! Brisbane looking sharp.

2. Bulldogs. Nothing like a player dropping a straightforward ball and giving up a try. Montoya and a few others. Basic errors. Nice to see Foran being offered what he is worth now. Talk about a player getting overs, but his body looks beat now. Steve Georgalis knows his footy, but you get the sense that coaching gig is a poison chalice. Trent Barrett as coach? As talented as he may be, not sure that is what they need right now.

3. Warriors. Another mortifying loss. They have no pride in their jersey at present. They are doing more that just doing every one a favour they are involved in the disrupted 2020 season. They need to work on what they believe as a football team and manage themselves carefully. Their brand could take irreparable damage here. Todd Payton is up against it.

4. Broncos. Isaako also had the dropsies on Friday night to gift a try for Benji. Hands like canoe paddles. Apart from Seibold, there are a few players that need the chop - Croft, Millford, Boyd... all badly out of form and on notice. Lots of injuries, but honestly...48-0 v the Wigers. Pleeease. However, it is worth remembering that it is more important that everyone has fun and tries their best. Even if that means getting rid of the traditional Broncos BBQ! Five wins to keep your job...excuse me?

5. Eels Arrogance? A few wins and you think you are better than you are. Matterson and Ferguson resting or injured? Matterson makes a huge difference to the team. The greats of the game seem to string games together...ask Cameron Smith what he thinks. How Brad Arthur thinks eliminating offloads is a good tactic is beyond me on a slow field. They lacked spark and focus. The tactics were poor on that ground.

6. Michael Jennings seems to have more speed this year and is surging up the all time NRL try scoring list into the top 10 ever, equaling Nathan Merritt with his double! Six more to beat Matt Sing and Hazem El Masri (11 behind ET). How good was Billy Slater?:

7. Paul McGregor. Funny to hear Paul McGregor thanking the Board for their "full support" recently!

8. Ben Stokes. How good is this bloke? Admittedly it was against the Windies, but he gets wickets, big runs and takes amazing catches. Interesting how the Poms produce Botham, Flintoff and Stokes and we produce Trevor Laughlin, Simon O'Donnell, Shane Watson and Hilton Cartwright? We did have Gilchrist however! Windies up 1-0, but you get the feeling that it is not for long. Once Jofra Archer gets back on a seaming deck...curtains.

9. Black Lives Matter (BLM) in South African Cricket/ Rugby. A super hot historical and current issue. Lungi Ngidi their current crack fast bowler is taking them on and shaking up a few of the past players (Symcox, of course) in his BLM stance. Disturbing reports from some former greats of South African cricket - Makhaya Ntini (390 Test wickets) - about how lonely the team bus and team hotel was for him...latent racism and troubling stuff. A huge divide looms here. One to watch.

10. Adelaide AFL Club. When will they stop whinging about a pre-season disaster a few years ago? Surely their poor form and roster is not linked to that. Talk about not owning your own performances.

Tom Papley leading the most goals for the season? Surely that is a sad indictment on the game at present. Plugger used to kick that many in an afternoon.

11. Rugby. Catering for the limited audience involvement and trudging around in a reasonable show of skills. Brumbies too good for Tahs at the last moment, but a few bright lights in the younger brigade on show.

12. A League. Central Coast Mariners. Is it time to shut the joint down? They have really struggled to win anything. They seem incapable of turning any game their way. Professional football requires more than this. They need some significant international investors to buy in and restore the club to a powerhouse.

13. Golf. Is the great game of golf under threat with the antics of a growing number of current players? There have always been a few hot heads (Big Phil Mickelson, Long John Daly, VJ, et al), but the presence of Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed and Bryson De Chambeau seem to be taking the sport into the drink a bit more regularly...

Wrap - Buddy Hard To Watch

1. Warm Up Injuries. Interesting to see more and more NRL players getting injured in their warm ups - Morris (Roosters), Liam Knight (Rabbits), Tom Eisenhuth (Storm)? This is ridiculous. They crap around for too long with silly run throughs. In the old days, Reserve Grade used to play and you would never get on the field to muck around. There is too much silly shoulder rubbing and internal run throughs. Honestly, what happened to the footy being passed round the circle, muck around kicks for goal, drop kicks off the tryline to try and thread the posts...field goals...

2. NRL Haircuts. Why do so many players look like they have their hair cut by the council at the moment?

3. Melbourne. First they completely stuff up COVID-19, then we change the world for them. They get special treatment everywhere they look. The refereeing to allow them extra time at goaline drop outs and extras here and there is masterful, but the web is tightening around them. The wrestle that has plagued the game has been removed, but not completely...the slow play the balls have been eliminated. Through all this, injuries and new signings, Melbourne Storm keep surging ahead. Would it be wise for the Bulldogs or Warriors to sign Cameron Smith up as their long term coach?

4. Broncos. You can stop crying now. They beat the Bulldogs. Dean Pay is shot and has been telling people for some time. I think the exit of Foran, Hopoate and a few others will help ...more pace out wide and some leadership in the backs will do the trick. Their forwards have slow feet (Tolman, Jackson)...it is a brutal game. The new Englishman forward, Luke Thompson, looks like a young James Graham. Not very creative, but tough. The life of an NRL forward is very limited. Leg speed matters.

Manly were absolutely pole axed by St George. Their best win in a long time. They have some talent in their side...Sims makes a big difference. Young Lomax is really stepping up.

Loving some of the big hits on the attacking players in these wrap/ decoy plays.

5. Ill Discipline. Joey Leulia and Hudson Young..maybe Josh Maguire...are these the most ill disciplined players in the NRL? Nathan Brown (Parramatta) is up there.

6. Bunker. Sick to death of bunker decisions which over assess the play. Can we get rid of it? The single referee has barely raised an eyebrow of difference, outside of some dodgy touch judge forward pass calls. Back to the original model? Or in goal touch judges perhaps? Live decisions are always best.

7. West Indies. It is a shame they are not as terrifying as they once were. The fear of batsmen in the 1980s was something else. They can play one or maybe two good test innings... but never four innings. England at home under sunny skies will punish you. A tricky chase of 200 or so will be interesting when James Anderson is playing. Hard to believe you drop Stuart Broad. He has almost taken 500 test wickers and is one of the game's most elite players ever. He specialises in winning games in England in the fourth innings.

8. EPL Relegation. Norwich are gone. Bournemouth and Aston Villa look like joining them. Liverpool are within an ace of 100 point season... a remarkable sign of domination, despite picking up a draw with Burnley at Anfield overnight. Leicester and ManU have a chance to leapfrog Chelsea into the top four as well.

9. AFL. Hard to knock Port Adelaide's domination. Lots of ups and downs for GWS continue and the Swans are cooked. Their poor recruitment of lots of midfielders and very few blokes with speed is hurting them now. They got focused on a certain style of player - Heeney, Mills... What an atrocious style of play they are bringing to the game each week. How long away is Buddy Franklin. There is no doubting he will be fresh when he arrives back. He's been injured for over a year!

10. Super Rugby. No one is quite clear what is going on with this sport, but the Waratahs had a win (just) over the Force who would be happy COVID-19 arrived. A lifeline.

Wrap - Something In The Water

1. COVID-19 Crazies. Put down Joey Leilua as the goose of the week. He loses it too regularly, but has a lot of ability. He needs to show more guidance for the younger players like Tommy Talau and play without chronic errors. Ricky Stuart got some good work out of him (until the GF) last year but the Tigers have not got the discipline or talent. They lack halves speed. Simple. However good Josh Reynolds has been, he is dogged and tough, but too slow. Same with Benji. The quicker teams run rings around you. Look at the Roosters. Blistering. Even Michael Jennings is showing the same turn of foot that he showed running from the coppers at PJ Gallaghers in Parramatta all those years ago.

2. COVID-19 Crazies. The Fonua-Blake bust up late for Manly v Newcastle was not good, but I suspect Jake Trobjevic giving it to the touch judge was no better. Their discipline was out and Des Hasler needs to eliminate this outdated  'whinging Manly' culture if they are to make finals and excel.

Surprised to see the red headed Canberra dude - Corey Horsburgh - admit to acts of madness himself in the past and as late as last week. Target drawn and being coloured in right now, ready for his return to the field.

3. Sivo, Sivo, Sivo. He did an absolute number on Kyle Feldt (who still has the best kick off in the NRL it must be said). Makai Sivo has done wonderfully well since coming from Penrith. Brad Arthur has a set of forwards who are pretty dominant and physical now...Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown,  Oregon Kafusi...fast feet. The footwork, step and offloads of Junior Paulo is exceptional. He is a super talented player - up there with David Solomona in his hey day.

4.  EPL. Wolves and Sheffield United are making ground on the big name clubs in the EPL. ManU are rebounding and the drop zone relegation battle is outstanding. Norwich are gone, but West Ham are holding strong and so are Brighton. Watford, Aston Villa and Bournemouth are nearby... all the while, Leeds are ready to spring back into the top flight football from the Championship. It has been a long time coming!

5. AFL Bubble. Victoria has absolutely dropped the ball with coronavirus and as a result the AFL is in turmoil. They have not really done COVID-19 really well at all down there. Players travelling, not travelling... some think they are in Africa. What do cricketers do all year long?

6. AFL. GWS are making a resurgence after a slow post COVID-19 start. Brisbane are flying under the radar too. What has happened to the once proud Melbourne AFL club? They continue to disappoint badly!

7. Eric The Injured. Not since the twilight of Eric Grothe Senior's career have we seen such injuries...Buddy Franklin or Matt 'Hamstrings' Moylan for the most injured modern footballer?

8. Broncos Demise. I think we are all supposed to be in tears about the Broncos situation. Does anyone care and what makes them so special? Maybe only that they have all the talent in Brisbane and Queensland at their disposal. Can't wait for State of Origin again.

9. Bronson Xerri. That B Sample should be arriving any day now...

Wrap - My Word Is Stronger Than Oak

1. Crazy Horse Stuff. Fancy having the All Blacks play the Kangaroos in a hybrid game. It sounds like a promoter with a desire for cash because there is no sense to that sort of game. A newspaper column filler. A time waster that will risk injury. Unless a desperate for cash NRL get behind it, it will fail. Coaches will run a mile.

2. The Warriors. Honestly, they are a basket case. Sure, they are away from home for a time, but the way they go on, it seems like they are in the USA or Africa. They are safe, they are professionals and they need to get on with it - not make excuses for really poor play. Some of their team are receiving big dollars and are simply not delivering.

3. Liverpool FC. Finally a premiership a mile out from the end of the season. Great news for the long suffering. It is a slashing team with a coach who looks like the professor in Money Heist. Could be as successful.

4. Rugby. Great to see the USA with a senior comp on their hands and lots of Aussies heading there for the cash. Could be a gold mine really - and a less intense standard. The USA would be a niche market if it ever got serious. They would love the heavy contact.

5. Bankwest Stadium. Hard to see the surface to blame for Radley and Verrells' injuries. Unlucky, but slippery in Winter. Amazing we don't build stadiums that have heating beneath the grass like in the EPL to keep the surface steady and firm and the grass cover immaculate.

6. Player Agents. Is anyone upset for deregistered player agents? Surely Jerry Maguire ended any sympathy in this area. Tim Mannah has not been cast well through this, but that is how it rolls. Does a player need an agent? Or a trusted friend...a bit sad really.

7. Peter Vlandys. His aim to speed up play has softened off a bit as some of the worst NRL referees - led by Ashley Clown - get in the way. Unfit and self centred, they need to keep the speed up or retire.

8. AFL. Carlton are sneaking through and Eddie Betts is delivering. The Crows are done and the Giants had a good win after some shockers. Swans still lack pace - especially in the moist/ wet conditions.

9. Cricket. The new sporting basket case in Australia. Greed and mismanagement. Bring on World Series Cricket again!

10. Curtis Scott (Raiders). Dud buy of the year. No risk.

Wrap - Coach Has Lost The Carpark

1. NRL. The death of Steve Kearney's contract spells bad things for other coaches in the NRL. It is not inconceivable that Paul Green, Dean Pay, Paul McGregor and John Morris could all join him. On top of that Bennet is out and Seibold could be soon too. Maguire at the Tigers is no lock either. A merry go round! Once gone, there is no NRL future for you as the Head Coach. You are becoming an assistant coach at best... or you are in England.

2. Home Grounds. It will be good for teams to get back to their own home grounds. Playing at distant grounds in quick succession is not real smart. Some of the grounds are limited in their versatility and surfaces. Not sure what qualifies you for a certain ground to be used in COVID-19 times and what does not.

3. Roosters. Their ability to defend their goal line has been a strong trait for many years now. They did it again to Parramatta on Saturday night. Fierce and premiership winning. Some of Parramatta's players (Mahoney and Blake in particular) need to learn more about defensive reads and Blake Ferguson has poor hands under pressure. Sivo has amazing strengthy. His contact with Tedesco would be the photo of the decade. Awesome power. Tricolours for the trifecta I think. Then mass retirements beckon... Hardgreaves, Morris brothers, Cordner, Friend...

4. AFL. Swans a great win, but Eddie Betts at Carlton has ignited them to an upset. GWS have hit the floor hard, all with a zillion first draft picks. You get the feeling there is a perfect exit clause back to Victoria or South Australia for any whinger that wants it. Nice to see the Gold Coast not consider their first win for a while as a fluke!

5. EPL. Liverpool get their chance to make their fans believe once more... surely it is a non-event, but good they can come back to claim the title.

6. Bulldogs. Are they the powerhouse they once were? Will they be forced to merge? Their recruitment needs to straighten up real quickly. No love lost in the halves there.

7. Raiders. They could be suffering from too much Ricky. It looks like they are following the way of many other clubs who tired of the message...Brian Smith style.

8. Messy at Cricket Australia. Never take a smaller paycut than everyone else... it looks bad. Kevin Roberts was unfortunately a short lived presence. The poor financial management of the game is staggering really in light of what they have had. Unfortunately they needed a victim and nailed him. It appears they have lost their way around strategy.

9. Mike Tyson. A bit quiet on the comeback stories of late, but ready to rumble by the look of him.

10. Spanish Dream. Great to see Tony Macrae's horse get a stunning third place at Randwick on Saturday in Race 6 - the 1200 benchmark 78 run behind Stella Sea Sun. Bravo!