The Wrap - Roodimentals

1. Rugby League World Cup - Kangaroos. There is always something amazing about watching rugby league in England, but the conditions always seem to be wet and slippery. Games in sunshine are rare in those parts. The small in-goal areas are annoying - and how long before we have  injuries from hitting boarding and camera stands and the like?

Munster excels in those slippery Melbourne-type conditions and Harry Grant is such a talent. So quick on his feet. Yet this is the thing with most under performing NRL sides - no pace around the ruck. Korisau has made a career on it. Cook used to have a bit more toe at his best. The Storm did the right thing in opting for Grant over Brandon Smith who is a different style of player.

No surprise to see Victor Radley do well for Great Britain under coach Shaun Wane (Warnie always haunts us with this fellow's name). Samoa were a major disappointment it must be said. Lazy and ineffective, despite the hype. Where was the great Luai? Paulo? A few of those boys will be regretting their decision to avoid playing for Australia already. All of a sudden to have Nanai and Tino playing for Australia suddenly seems odd.

The strangest thing of all is the ridiculous numbering on the jerseys. I hope Michael Hagan can offer more than this in the dressing rooms. Unfortunately Mal has been weak here. He needed to can this nonsense before it began. The organising mob should have ended it as well. Will this will be the next nonsense in the NRL?

These 'world' tournaments always seem like exhibition games in the early stages, before the real stuff kicks in.

2. T20 Cricket World Cup. Underway soon, but having Aaron Finch there as skipper exposes us a little. If he doesn't fire, we are in strife - especially now that Dave Warner has a neck injury. He has good hands in close however. No Cameron Green is unbelievable too. Dopey selectors. It will be interesting to see if Glenn Maxwell can do anything in Australia in T20. He is often a non-event at home.

On Warner, the governance and nonsense around re-instatement as a captain is unbelievable. Fifteen committees and twenty three panels. Please... No wonder we are in strife and the game is on the nose with the public. I wonder how ticket sales tot the T20 World Cup are going. Dreadfully high prices and no soul. This is no longer the 1980s-1990s white ball cricket. They need a serious marketing campaign with the 'C'Mon Aussie C'mon' tune again...

3. Western Sydney Wanderers. A bright early start to their A League campaign after years of misery. After three losing Grand Finals in 2013-2016, they have finished 8th, 9th, 8th, 10th in recent years. Time for a recovery!

4. EPL - Leicester. Still anchored to the foot of the EPL table and in desperate need of points. A terrible decline. I noticed Harry Kane played his 400th game for Tottenham, He is on 192 goals for Tottenham, the highest number of goals by a player for a single EPL club. 

Meanwhile Celtic knocked over 6-1 in an emphatic display against Hibernian, which certainly helps the for and against (35 goals for and 6 goals against now)!

5. The Everest. Giga Kick was sensational there. It has been running brilliantly in Melbourne and actually entered the race with the fastest time. Nice return at $20. Nature Strip was strong early but faded... too strong, too early. A big day and a thing called the Caulfield Cup also was run and won brilliantly by another outsider in Durston. Cox Plate next weekend.

6. Undisputed Lightweight Boxing Champions. Such a tough gig to earn money, but George Kambosos Jr did well - but not well enough against Devin Haney. There is a lot of hype in this show that is for sure. Thankfully belts are not allocated on the weight of ink on one's body. Kambosos would be up there in that world championship. You wonder about boxer health with concussions, but also in making weight limits as well. Kambosos looked like he was desperate for a feed after the weigh-in. 

7. Netball. How can such a popular women's sport be so incompetent in securing appropriate sponsorship to support their game? Defies belief. Too many white Larco tracksuits filled with self importance running the game and no business nous. It is also still one of the only sports on the planet that does not have a senior level female AND male option to play. Where are the men's action groups?

8. MotoGP at Phillip Island. Once upon a time when it all began back in 1989-1990 it was huge for Australians...Wayne Gardner (2 wins), Mick Doohan (3 wins), Casey Stoner (6 straight wins from 2007-2012).. now Jack Miller is the hope of the side. Remy Gardner (son of the great Wayne) is floating around too. Still picturesque and amazing talent on show - Marc Marquez and Jorge Martin. 

9. Des Hasler. The former Penrith great is out the door for Anthony Seibold (yes, really). He lands four games short of Bob Fulton as the greatest serving coach at Manly for all time. Ironic and significant. The decision is rough and clearly the Fulton faction have won and protected their father's memory. Can't for the life of me reason why anyone would be relying on Scott Fulton's or any of his surnamed relations rugby league knowledge. Bob was a legend...some others wish they were.

Manly are a club in for a tough time, no matter how many Trobjovics you may have in the locker room. They have never been a club to lose and leak players, but perhaps things are about to change. Their 'feeder' connection with Blacktown looks shaky too. You have to love private ownership of clubs...it often brings little stability and rash decisions.

10. AFL. Talking of coaching panic stations...what about St Kilda and Brett Ratten? Sacked with a few years to go on his contract. Please spare us with some of the names of coaches to come in...Ross Lyon? Retreads the lot of them. Some fresh faces might help.

11. Australian Cricket Batting. We have very poor batting stocks across the country. Not enough domestic tons either. When Peter Siddle is still getting four wicket hauls we are in trouble. To dominate, you need multiple tons from individuals. Jake Lehmann having a good start to the season.

12. MLB World Series. Coming soon, but League Championships first. The often failed San Deigo Padres (can you believe?) will play the Phillies (National League) and the once cheating Astros will play the winner of the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians (once the Cleveland Indians) in the American League Championship game, with the Guardians up 2-1. These next League Championship games are the best of seven series. 

The Wrap - Sporting Chance

1. NRL Premiers. Winners have parties and losers have meetings. The Panthers do it in their own way, but two premierships back to back is unheard of really in the modern era. The Storm, for all their brilliance, haven't even done it. The Roosters have in 2018, 2019 (as have the 1990s Canberra, Broncos teams). A three peat would mark them down in history of one of the best ever (Parramatta/ Canterbury 1980s, Manly/ St George in the 1970s, Rabbitohs/ St George 1960s, etc).

Not sure Ryan Matterson should be opening his mouth. Takes a three game suspension rather than surrendering $4K? Please.

2. EPL. Every now and then a sensational talent bursts into the limelight. And so it is with Erling Haaland, the Norwegian who plays for Manchester City. As a result of his 20 goals in 12 matches, Man City will no doubt be crowned winners this year. 33 goals for and 9 against. They are scoring so many goals it is ridiculous and unbeatable.

3. Celtic - Ange Postocoglou. Talk about last gasp. St Johnston's nearly take points from them in a 93 minute equaliser...until a 95 minute winner! Celtic are limping a little at present. 29 goals for and 5 against is pretty imposing, but Rangers are only two points behind them. Tight.

4. T20. Australia have done well against the West Indies. Tim David is killing them and suddenly Steve Smith is on the outer. Smith has been holding in there with T20 for far too long. He does not score briskly and needs to face facts. He is one of the best ever in tests - even ODIs, but T20? Almost defies belief that Cameron Green is not in the team. England will be a sterner test later tonight.

4. Bathurst 1000. The chaotic start reminded me of the excitement in the voice of Steve Raymond commentating on the Hardie Ferodo 1000 (asbestos brakes) and the Tooheys 1000 (1988-1995 great look) and the FAI 1000 (pre Mr Adler's prison term) all those years ago! The big names of Garth Tander and the biggest/ longest name of all in Shane van Gisbergen did it again in a Holden for their sign off from the sport (who can believe that?). 

Tander now has five Bathurst 1000 wins in the 161 laps (and 100 podium finishes now!). That is getting up there with the very best of them ever:

5. Mankad. Great to see its official sanctioned return into cricket. Every backyard cricketer can breathe a sigh of relief when their big brother notches up 200 no.

6. Parramatta. A great season for them in the end, but why would you allow Dylan Brown out of your sights. The guy is a 10 season purchase. Lock him in and set your club up forever. Moses...um, hard to replace (esp. goalkicking) and a a little older, but Brown and Penessini are worth investing in for 10 seasons each. Clubs need to get smart and lock away ten season players around whom they can build a club.

More discord and grief for them looms otherwise. A bit like Manly who want to get rid of Hasler. Honestly.

7. Kangaroos. The traditional Kangaroo tour is missed, but now we are apparently numbering players' jersies from 1-24 based on their Australian debuts and then alphabetically? A brainwave of Michael Hagan. Still trying to work out why Michael did not last as an NRL coach.

The Wrap - NRL Grand Final Recap

1. NRL Grand Final. It is almost unbelievable that Penrith won every layer of rugby league in 2022. What an outstanding achievement of high performance. They are applying for a NRLW licence next year too. They are set to extend their dynasty for some years to come yet. 

Four premierships (equal to Parramatta now) and more to come. Arrogance seems to be their only hurdle and we all love to see the tall poppy knocked over...eventually. No tears are ever shed for Melbourne. However winners can be a little loose with comments about the Tigers never winning premiership rings. 

Interesting that there was no HIA issues in the game either. 

The game itself. Hard to nail any really bad Parramatta performers, but some tactical areas were poor:

• Waqar Blake. He is a complete liability at times (29 errors for the season and 50 missed tackles and only 117 tackles made, admittedly playing on the wing). His tackle busts and running metres from his own area have been strong. He averages one error per game, so that was inevitable.
• Weaker players cannot be hidden in Grand Finals. Waqar played in the line and was clearly under instruction not to get in the way of the high ball.
• The absence of a centre with wisdom and pace. Young Penissini was absent early and needs an experienced, talented head next to him. I note they have missed out on some centres more recently (Gagai, Curtis Scott...).
• This cost them in defence at critical times as well.
• Short drop outs - low percentage, impatient tactics of panic.
• Kicking high balls to Brian To'o endlessly. Did they remember he has played State of Origin? Charlie Staines struggles under the high ball and did not get one all night.
• Failure to adapt: kicking hard and low to hit the ground and gaps to turn Dylan Edwards around with a strong chase?
• Not dominating the ruck, fearing another Ashley Clown penalty - and failing to bend back any of the Panthers forwards early in the set. Quick play the balls then result with greater flow.
• Slow Parramatta play the balls.
• Not playing the ball wider and getting the Panthers forwards running more earlier - especially when it was obvious that tactic of beating it up the middle was not working.
• Lack of genuine pace. Dylan Brown looked good when he can play with the ball. Arthur stifles this flair. He is a match winner. The forwards looked tired and spent from a torrid semi final campaign.
• Mitchell Moses. No running game.
• Offloads. There was fear early of errors and no creativity. No surprises allowed Penrith to fix and lock in their defensive patterns.
• Lack of leadership. Look at the Jack Gibson era... Sterling, Price, but Steve Edge and Bob O'Reilly were there...Stumpy Stevens. Even Mick Cronin. Parramatta need voices and wisdom under pressure.
• Absence of Parramatta juniors in the Parramatta system. Year after year there are no players coming through their system. Forging combinations and friendships early make it happen later. Division 1 players fade out and leave at the highest levels - clearly no data tracks this at all however. Why is this occurring? It cannot simply be talent. What pathways programs do they have? The NSW Cup area is a big weakness for the club. Second rate purchases prevail when local product should dominate.

2. Parramatta Under Pressure. Time and time again across the season, Clint Gutherson, for all his talent and perseverance, makes some bad decisions under pressure. The team lacks leadership.

In Grand Finals things go wrong, but the winners iron out the dips and troughs better than the loser. 

There were so many close challenge and other refereeing decisions where the leadership of the Panthers got it right. No emotion, just sensible leadership. 

Many will not have noticed, but at half time, Isaiah Yeo was being interviewed as the team left the field and the whole Panthers team waited for him before entering the sheds. Respectful and united. 

Where has the short drop out come from in the last twelve months across the NRL? Horribly low percentage. It has risen as a tactic for the desperate. The first effort goes out on the full...then Gutherson tries a short grubber drop out and misses out again. Send it deep, suck it up and play field position. Those desperate tactics send an awful message to the team. 

Here's an idea... when will the driving drop kick OR kick off to the sideline along the ground - at high pace - enter the minds of the NRL coach? Clearly you get the ball if it goes out, yet the silly low percentage drop kick is utilised. We used to do this in U/8s!

3. NRL Grand Final Media. It is hard to find any angle not explored in the media in the run up to the Grand Final. There were ex-players interviewed, Wally Wynn has never seen business like it, blue and gold donuts and sausages, wives, girlfriends, hard luck stories, inspiration stories and 'where are they now' stories... brothers, ex-coaches, signings, exits... nothing left in the journalistic draw. When Kevin Kingston was getting a run, it was time for the game to start. 36 years... was it 36? Of course it was.

4. Panthers. Awesome. An incredible first half without an error and with complete dominance. Their forwards - Leota, Fisher-Harris and Liam Martin were outstanding. Aggressive and disciplined. Cleary didn't really have to do much at all in the first half. Dylan Edwards was gifted the ball too often and what do you know he weaved and wound his way through the tiring defence. His tackle on Simmonsen was outstanding. Made better by sliding him over the sideline. Edwards is quicker than you think. A deserved Churchill Medalist.

5. State Cricket. The Marsh/ ING/ Gillette/ McDonalds/ FAI Cup is a sign that footy is over. NSW look to have a long season ahead, being rolled for 76 by WA! They like flat tracks that don't turn.

6. ManU. Any time you lose 6-3 in football, the lazer heads to the coach. A terrible loss as Man City surge back to greater things. Arsenal are proving more durable season.

7. AFL Trade Period. This is a good feature of the AFL, keeping interest in the off season. The losses GWS are set to experience are immense. They are right up there with North Melbourne for the spoon again... especially with Alistair Clarkson under fire. The request of North's young Horne-Francis to move clubs is interesting. Port are moving quickly and look good for 2023.

The Wrap - Final Wash Up

 1. NRL Grand Final - Eels v Panthers. The Eels surprised everyone and themselves in beating the Cowboys while away from home. A top defensive effort and a little help with that first try too. Dylan Brown's defence was superb, but his attack needs work. He steps off his left foot, but has so much more quality. Moses was inconsistent (two kicks out on the full had Jakob Arthur feeling like he should warm up). RCG and Junior Paulo were immense and the contributions by Lane and Matterson are really adding to Parramatta's style. Reed Mahoney is going to be absolutely missed in season 2023. He knocked over another 50 tackles against the Cowboys. Can we have an explanation as to why they missed out on re-signing him?

A big congratulations to Brad Arthur whose loyalty to Waqar Blake is staggering, but the wins have come at the right time. Not everyone makes a Grand Final, despite the media wanting ten teams to make it each year!

In an extraordinary turn of events, the Parramatta NRLW team snuck into the semis on for and against with a 1-4 season record (!!) and have now knocked over the reigning premiers, the Roosters, to make their NRLW Grand Final as well. Their two centres have more pace than the men's centres. Such toughness by so many of the girls. A tremendous standard really, especially when compared to the AFLW.

Reminds me of the other extraordinary Parramatta performance in semi finals when Parramatta men's team of 1975 won three games (two playoffs) in a week to get through the semi finals.

2. NRL. Souths were disappointing after a top start. Losing Alex Johnston and Tom Burgess pre game were big blows, but the ill discipline surfaced again. Three disallowed tries and the To'o try on the stroke of halftime probably demonstrated that their demise was not far away. The Milne send off was a six week reward for his ill discipline. He was sin binned twice v the Roosters a couple of weeks back and needs to tidy up his work. Can't help but think that if Cody Walker could control his anger and resentment on the field, they would win more big games. He is a senior player these days. The Panthers hammered both Latrell Mitchell, who was very quiet and Campbell Graham who has been one of the best for Souths more recently.

Three straight Grand Finals for the Panthers. Ivan Cleary has an exceptional coaching record now at 72.9% win percentage in 54 games as Penrith coach. Bellamy's record is awesome too at 70.1%, but over 349 games! The Panthers are losing a few stars this year, but they are well placed. Who would not want to play there with their talent and success. They will be very hard to beat.

3. AFL Grand Final - Swans v Geelong. The Swans were outgunned and briskly. By quarter time it was season over. At the end, one of their biggest losses on record: 133 v 52. The centre bounce was a feast for Geelong. Poor old Tom Hickey just didn't have it. There was also a reluctance to intervene and make a change by the coach until it was quite late. Buddy Franklin was a non-event and the inexperience of the Swans was evident everywhere.

That said, the Geelong juggernaut picked up momentum in the semi finals and never looked back. Maybe they can challenge again next year, but longer term that club will need to re-invent itself. Dangerfield, Rohan and Cameron get a premiership and are rewarded for taking the big steps required in their contracts.

4. Presidents Cup Golf. Teams golf is in trouble with the PGA-LIV divide. A neat comeback from 2-8 to 7-11 gives the International team some hope. However the divide seems to be affecting people's view of the sport too. Big pay cheques for elite sportsmen are one thing, but political disputes, bad press and cranky administrators annoy people who admire the playing skill. The Internationals have been put under a lot of pressure, but are fighting...

5. ATP 'End of Federer' Laver Cup. Roger has left the building. Plenty of tears, with Rafa joining in too. However, one of the best ever! Some of the tears may have been for the state of tennis when he leaves. 

6. Australia v NZ Football - Qatar World Cup Preparation (Centenary Games). A shocking miss by Marco Tilio (A League standard sadly) just before half time in the 2-0 victory in Auckland today. No goalkeeper in front of the goal and he pushed it away. 

Interesting to see GUUUUUS Hiddink around the national team with Graham Arnold again. It was interesting what he said about "getting the right referee" being more important than most things in your preparation for a World Cup.

7. Wallabies v All Blacks. Another thumping! This 37 year losing streak is one more than the Eels premiership drought! The Wallabies cannot seem to get it right. The selection merry go round is extraordinary. So many team changes and such a large squad... Time to consolidate. Rennie has chopped and changed every game. No team wins consistently with that approach.

8. Full Time. Both football (soccer) and rugby have the most exciting moments when the full time hooter nears and sounds. Playing on after the final siren adds a tantalising number of possibilities. A shame the previous minutes are both dominated by refereeing issues and 

9. NFL. All underway again. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an early jump with two victories. The familiar team names are swirling and it will interesting if the Chiefs, Bills, Dolphins and Giants can aim up in the coming weeks after their bright starts. 

10. T20 Cricket v India. A great innings by Cameron Green in the first game, steering the team to victory. An 8 over game in the next match? Surely a reserve day or half day should be scheduled for all of these games. You don't need that much time to complete a game. Decider later tonight. Can Finch hit it off the square? He hit them well in the second game. Matt Wade is in cracking form. He knows how to get an IPL contract!

11. Bathurst? Sadly, this always signals the start of the miserable post league/ AFL season. Brum brum! The Marsh Cup ODI Series starts a different pace. 

At least the T20 World Cup (16 October - 13 November) and the Rugby League World Cup in England (15 October - 19 November), provide a little extra transitional hope this year!

The Wrap - Preliminary Exhillaration

1. NRL- Eels v Raiders. The Raiders ended a great season recovered, but were hammered really. How good is that fullback, Savage however? A dreadful nutmeg bounce, but that aside, he is a future star. The work of Mitchell Moses was extraordinary after his head knock. His defence and pace was on show - as was his goalkicking excellence. He has improved so much this year, especially in tough moments and games. He may not know how much more growth he has, but the leadership of that group was much better. 

No bombs to Waqar Blake were intriguing tactics. Gutherson stood up. Junior Paulo and RCG are tremendous players. Shaun Lane and Ryan Matterson have become top shelf operators. Tough assignment ahead with the Cowboys at home however. A successful year in the end regardless for Brad Arthur, despite the dramas and released secret reports.

2. NRL - Souths v Cronulla. Cronulla were disappointing and unlucky. That flick pass for a no try was a season highlight! After half time they had chances, but Campbell Graham was superb out wide. His defence is something else there. Without Tom Burgess they were susceptible, but the loss of Talakai out wide by the Sharks hurt them. Their outside backs struggled... but this Ronaldo has incredible pace. What a talent!

Latrell Mitchell is easily the best player in the game now. Everytime he touches the ball something significant happens. His goalkicking (7/7) is so sweet from both sides of the field. Tough and uncompromising, but a winner. The way he runs the ball and his size is hard to counter. Souths will test Penrith and look for revenge from last year's Grand Final. Penrith though will be incredibly hard to toss. 

Hopefully Cody Walker can maintain a smile and not fire up. If he gets the cranks, the team struggles. Alex Johnston would be a huge loss of composure and strength out wide too against those Penrith outside backs.

3. Mario Fenech. A very sad and sorry tale re brain impact for Mario tonight on local TV. A telling tale of why head knocks and concussion need to be managed sensibly and strictly. Sadly there must be so many Marios out there from all levels of the game. 

4. Roger Federer. The GOAT is no longer, retiring at the age of 41. Such grace and humility as a player and someone who set a new standard in world sport for precision and excellence. What a career!

5. US Open Tennis - Carlos Alcarez. Keep that name close. He is the next huge force in world tennis. A slashing US Open final win at a very young age.

6. AFL - Geelong and Sydney to contest the Grand Final. Brisbane were whacked and lacked in every department. Collingwood have shown a remarkable level of intensity this year and really were the most improved. Their drive to possible victory at the end of the play was a telling moment of their character - and for Sydney to work further on. Sydney wilted it must be said and made a number of rushed and pressured errors. They could not find a point for long stretches. Buddy needs to be used more as a decoy, not a 'go to'.

However, Longmire has a top record. He has melded the group together and brought a lot of young players through the system. They will need their running legs at a packed MCG. They have so many promising players. A chance to play against Gary Rohan for many, but Geelong are full of stars - Selwood, Cameron, Hawkins, Dangerfield, Stewart, Guthrie ... on it goes. 

The heart stopper on Saturday night should get them in the right mood for Saturday! Can't wait!

7. 2022 Brownlow Medal. Clayton Oliver and Lachie Neale surely fight it out. Oliver is so consistent but faded a little later in the season. Will be an interesting outcome and a top awards night that is really well planned and structured. The AFL has a lot to teach many other sports.

8. EPL - Leicester. Once again the coach, Brendan Rodgers looms as getting the chop soon. Rodgers cannot have this team anchored to the foot of the table. To be relegated would be dreadful. Starting to sift the wheat from the chaff now... Man City, Liverpool and even ManU are rising fast.

9. Nature Strip. What an amazing horse Just has a turn of foot like no other. A handy weekend for James McDonald with five winners too. That keeps the bank manager happy. The performances of Zougotcha are starting to stack up. Tremendous horse!

The Wrap - Queen's Gambit

1. NRL Crowds. Do league commentators try and make more of rugby semi finals than they really are? "A semi final try"..."A semi final tackle"....Origin yes, but semis? High stakes, but at suburban grounds is sounds a bit odd. Exciting coverage nonetheless.

It really hotted up at Allianz Stadium today with Souths v Roosters. High intensity and in a way better than Origin. Brutal and brainless all in one.

For years though rugby league has struggled to get crowds to their semi final games. Penrith v Parramatta may have played in front of a capacity 25,000, but the Storm v Raiders was dismal - especially when Melbourne are meant to have 40,000 members. "Home finals" are great, but please fill the ground. Cronulla did this well at 12,500 capacity (and then some), even with some rain about. But these are small numbers really. Rugby league is a TV game these days.

The losses at home by Melbourne, the Roosters and the Sharks were as unusual as they were significant. 

Conversely, the AFL can't fit them all in. 62,000 Brisbane v Melbourne on Friday night and 90,000+ for Collingwood v Fremantle on Saturday night. There is no rugby league promotion, no advertising, nothing... The TV stations promote their own shows, but that is it.

2. NRL Semi Finals. Parramatta were dreadful really v Penrith. One half good, one half bad. One win one week...one loss the next. An inconsistent team who cannot concentrate. They actually lack intelligence under pressure on the field. They lack composure and decision-making excellence. They need pre-season work here. 

Gutherson is meant to be the leader and did not produce in a big game. Dylan Brown was barely sighted. They need proper experience and leadership. The performance of Waqar Blake was appalling for a first grader. The truth is meant to be downplayed these days so no one is offended, but the truth was there. Unforced errors in critical field position that led to points. He should have been replaced by Bailey Simonsen. The Panthers still pay some of his wage apparently. England surely beckons. 

Jack Wighton was outstanding and Hudson Young and they will take some beating. Big Pappa is also quite awesome. The Canberra forwards dominated and while they may have gotten a little lucky at the end, the bunker will make sure luck is at a premium.

The ill discipline of the Roosters killed them. JWH and Victor Radley make Matt Lodge look like a saint. They could have won, but again, no leadership and game smarts outside of Tedesco, who was off the ground. Ashley Clown was in his element, setting records and getting the players riled up with no control. Sending everyone to the Principal's office has never worked.

So next week:

• Parramatta v Canberra at Con Bank Stadium. (Canberra 13+, esp. if Moses is unable to play).
• Sharks v Rabbits at Gladys Stadium (Rabbits 1-12 if they can back up)

Then for the Preliminary Finals and a spot in the Grand Final:

• Panthers play the winner of Sharks v Rabbits
• Cowboys play the winner of Parramatta v Canberra

Worth noting that a team finishing third (Cowboys) in the last 20 years has never lost a Grand Final if it makes it that far!

At least in 2021, a top four team (Penrith) lost a Week 1 semi final and won the comp! Not many others spring to mind (Sorry Eels and Sharks fans).

3. AFL Semi Finals. Brisbane showed great toughness to out muscle a disappointing Melbourne, whose dominant start to the season tailed off badly. Melbourne just could not sustain the required pressure and got distracted. Clayton Oliver uncharacteristically went the niggle. Gawn was muffled, Petracca was injured... Zorko dominated the centre, despite the boos.

The Collingwood v Fremantle game. A huge crowd and atmosphere. Such a spectacle and the crowd are so animated! The Ginnivan effect gets the crowd going, but the work of the Daicos', Crisp and the ball movement left Freo behind. The SCG will be different for them as it is smaller and swarming defence will be king there. Hopefully the week off has not dulled the intensity of the Swans.

Next week Preliminary Finals for a place in the Grand Final:

• Sydney v Collingwood (SCG)
• Geelong v Brisbane (MCG)

4. Aaron Finch. Thank goodness his ODI career is over. It was getting embarrassing for him, so good timing. Bowled through the gate is a sure sign for all of us that the eyesight and footwork is fading. The T20 bit is retained for now, but that will change soon. His youthful talent has faded and he needed to sign off. The T20 World Cup win as captain was a great achievement, but his technique has just gone. It was always loose, but it was really an outstanding eye that helped him most. His BBL form has been really bad for a number of seasons now. However, he has scored 17 tons and 30 half centuries in ODIs averaging 39. Not bad, but the clock has beaten him.

Ponting scored 30 ODI tons...Mark Waugh and Dave Warner have 18 tons and Finch has 17 tons! Fourth best ever should not be forgotten.

5. ODI Series v NZ. A winning series result v New Zealand is a strong outcome for Ronnie McDonald and the Australian team. It's hard to believe how Kane Williamson has come back to the pack so quickly. He was a world beater two years ago. We need to keep an eye on the future here as the team is aging. This Tim David is an exciting prospect. Dave Warner as captain? This will be an interesting decision.

6. US Mens Open Tennis - Carlos Alcaraz. Three five setters to make the US Final v World No. 5, Casper Ruud (Norway). Alcaraz is another Spainard destined for the extraordinary. Nadal could just about be finished now. Sadly, the implosion of Nick Kygrios is becoming almost par for the course now. It is unusual that Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are not mentioned here at all at this stage of the tournament. Ruud is a fierce rival however.

7. US Womens Open Tennis - Iga Swiatek. From Poland, Swiatek is quickly becoming unbeatable on the womens' circuit. She has an awesome presence and record in finals. She beat Ons Jabeur (Tunisia) quite easily in the end for the US Open crown to add to her two French Open titles. The new sweep of names in womens' tennis is changing the game yet again. It is evolving and European players are dominating.

Swiatek now has three Grand Slam wins (the same number as a few other names: Davenport, Capriati, Barty, Kerber).

8. English Sport - Cancelled with the Death of the Queen. The Third test v South Africa delayed (3 day Test)...the EPL round cancelled and the BMW PGA Championship (54 holes).

9. England v South Africa Test Cricket. 17 wickets roll over on Day 1 (of 3 days) and the test seems like it will have a result depsite its abbreviated timeframe. No wonder Broad and Anderson have so many wickets. Near unplayable at the Oval on that green top deck. England are lucky they didn't bat first because South Africa would have rolled them for sub 50! 

No Jonny Bairstow to rescue them either...he broke his leg on the way to the first tee playing golf last week. Dangerous sport. 

The Wrap - Off The Ground

1. AFL Finals. Craig McRae, the coach of Collingwood, shared what we have all felt as viewers for years. "When you lose, don't sit on the ground! You look like a loser". Self pity and self centred. His team lost a heartbreaker v Geelong, but he has transformed that club and their campaign is still alive. Gary Rohan rose from the finals graveyard and put a really good performance together.

The Swans were next level in their intensity and now have a lot more speed - Florent, Warner, Hayward... and their defence and pressure was amazing v Melbourne. Richmond gone and Western Bulldogs too. Giving up a 30 point lead is catastrophic really, especially when that has plagued them in recent months. Fredericks was dynamic...such pace. Brayshaw is a gun too. Serong superb. Richmond (7) and Western Bulldogs (8) out.

So it becomes...

• Melbourne (2) v Brisbane (6) (winner to play Geelong (1)) and 
• Collingwood (4) v Fremantle (5) (winner to play Sydney (3) at the SCG in a fortnight).

2. Australian Cricket. When did it become so obvious that the Australian public had turned away from this team? Was it South Africa's sandpaper gate, the removal and mismanagement of Justin Langer's exit, or was it the filthy riches of the IPL and the inferior BBL rosters? Shane Warne's death? 

No one really cares about cheap tournaments in QLD v Zimbabwe in winter/ spring, but are we fair dinkum in losing to them? Typical arrogance and carelessness that really annoys the viewing public. Surely we can do better. The Andrew 'Ronald' McDonald coaching era has been only so so to date...wasteful may be one description. ODI form dreadful. So far in 2022, 10 wins and 8 losses...50% win-loss ratios never win in the end. NZ this week will prove interesting...then India. A string of losses may have the steak knives out.

• 1-0 Test series win v Pakistan.
• 1-2 ODI loss v Pakistan
• 1-0 T20 win v Pakistan
• 2-1 T20 win v Sri Lanka
• 2-3 ODI loss to Sri Lanka
• 1-1 Test series v Sri Lanka
• 2-1 ODI win v Zimbabwe

3. Golf Danger. Another red head, Jonny Bairstow broke his leg playing golf this week. Dangerous sport, be warned.

4. NRL. Apart from the Eels v Storm contest, there was not a lot of sheen to the final round. The less we see of the Titans and Warriors the better. The Tigers the same....and Newcastle. Mad Monday celebrations should be banned for them. A blow up with a player in one of these teams publicly or in the media is paying $1.01.

Cronulla were awesome and look sharp for the finals. The Dragons finish an honourable 10th too!

The absolutely pathetic efforts late in the season by Manly and Brisbane were disastrous. They can get a bit precious NRL players... a contract dispute news story, a club media storm and they implode. Both clubs used to be so strong. Amazing decline.

The draw though advantages some. The movement away from the Panthers is the key.   

• 1 v 4. Panthers v Parramatta (winner to Prelim, loser plays winner of 5 v 8)
• 2 v 3. Sharks v Cowboys (winner to Prelim final, loser plays winner of 6 v 7)
• 5 v 8. Storm v Raiders (loser out)
• 6 v 7. Roosters v Rabbits (loser out).

4. Wallabies. Talk about 50% win-loss teams. Over the last two years: 10 wins. 11 losses. The ultimate in inconsistency. 

5. Daniel Ricciardo. Gone from McLaren. Oscar Piastri is a talent, but the hoopla looks like ending for the shooey himself. Results count more than good looks in the end... but he is a wealthy man regardless and set up for life. He always looks happy regardless of the politics.

6. Celtic v Rangers Derby Day in Glasgow. Ange Postocoglou has once again led Celtic to a 4-0 hammering of their fierce rivals. There is a lot of new found love for Ange! 6 wins and on top of the table once again. An EPL call up will not be far away for him. Harry Kewell on the coaching staff will be learning a bit too.

7. EPL. Arsenal on full points thus far (15 - 5 wins) take on the resurgent ManU team (9 points). There is some difference at the top of the table which is exciting. Brighton are up there early with Man City who are limping, not legging it as usual - and Leicester sit cold stone last on 1 solitary point, with an extra game to play. 

8. MLB. Some familiar success stories this season: the Astros, Dodgers, Yankees...and the Mets are up there too for a change! The Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Oakland A's... all familiar faces at the bottom of the tables again. The newly named 2022 Cleveland Guardians (not the Indians) are doing great business too.

9. US Open Tennis. Nadal marches on. Kgyrios v Medvedev will be interesting. I cannot see Medvedev losing. He is a machine.