Wrap - What You Talking About Willis?

1. The energy of Ben Hunt was the difference for the Broncos. He has followed the Lockyer style with the rocket pass. It makes a huge difference. The absence of muscle up front hurt the Roosters (Hargreaves!). No brutal front man like Parker or Thaiday. Lots of game wiry blokes, but simply not good or big enough. Too much cross field crabbing from the Roosters. Tupou was terrible.

The Wests Tigers must feel great about the form of Adam Blair. Apparently it brought a smile to the face of Jason Taylor. As I am sure the Knights fans were cheering the transformation of Darius Boyd. The Spa Club and Retreat in the USA seems to have worked wonders. Bennett always seems to get the best out of blokes at the right time. How is Anthony Griffin this week? 

2. Another massive disappointment for Mitchell Pearce in a big game. He has an attitude that is a concern, but nothing will change. The form of young Hastings though is something else. He will be a star but needs more pace. Was it just me or was there a boot on the sideline for that second try? When Tallis, Lockyer and Lewis are on the call, it was ignored! Maybe I need OPSM. Jack Reid is a poor defender out wide. They have some problems when Hodges retires.

 

3. The Cowboys were impressive away from home. Thurston - brilliant as always. He produces in every big game and is so tough. Gracious in defeat and electric in triumph. Coach Green has been superb too. Ditched the silly losing blue checked shirt last year and look what happens! Melbourne, gallant, but poor ultimately. They really need a talented number 6 again. Ben Roberts? Blake Green? When does Widdop's contract end?

4. The Hawks. Too much skill. Can anyone get close? Once they get on the MCG they will run riot v West Coast! West Coast were underwhelming by comparison. If North can hold you goalless in a prelim final, what will the Hawks do to them in a GF? Engrave the medals already for mine. Hodge will be BOG. get on it. The pressure and experience of the Hawks wins big games. Fourth straight GF! Super impressive. First Melbourne team to win an interstate prelim final! One of the best teams ever.

 

Is there any reason why the AFL TV coverage is more lively and spirited than the NRL? More microphones? Commentators? On the ground commentators and interviews? Or is it the team song at the end? The crowds are more animated and alive too.

5. However, the crowd behaviour from many of the Freo fans was disgraceful. Purple ferals. Blokes raising hands to opposition players, to women, leaning over fences and gesticulating...it started with the disgrace against Micky O'Loughlin (the Irish one) in Perth behind the goals way, way back. The AFL have allowed this free rein by the crowd to prosper. The Adam Goodes stupidity was unchecked. The crowd simply feel they can do anything now and get away with it! There will be more in the GF too.

 

Can't wait for the voice to be rolled out at the AFL GF....the gravel sounding CRAIG WILLIS!? We used to have Brenno in Sydney for the NRL GF...nothing like it now.

6. Chelsea. Mourinho is still struggling. Unlike the horse namesake who cleaned up on the weekend after seemingly years of understated and limited promise.

7. The Rugby World Cup. Is the TV coverage and its timing killing the event off? How many really knew it started? Or is the sporting public just sick of World Cups going on and on...Soccer started it...cricket has two: 20/20 and ODI...rugby league...golf...hockey, rugby union? I think darts might have one too!

It will be quite miraculous if we can beat England or Wales really.

8. Here's hoping Hayne can find some space and carve out a new chapter for the SF49ers. To be honest, since the season proper has started he has struggled two games in. He needs to relax a little I suspect. Some more dominant forward play might help him too.

9. It goes without saying that the government's sudden shock safety announcement last night re the Australian cricket team visiting Bangladesh, were "bombshell" revelations.

10. Not sure what to make of the fact that Parramatta have signed more back office staff than your average Kebab store. Serious investment. Shame they chose the former fitness guru for St Kilda and Essendon. They came 14th and 15th out of 18 teams. Maybe someone from the decidedly more successful Hawthorn or the Swans perhaps next time? Memo to all rugby league personnel, Roosters included...don't associate yourself with Essendon. Not good for the CV.

 

 

Wrap - Dud Siblings and Sticking To Your Guns

A1. Japanese Rugby under Eddie Jones. Talk about increasing your price as a coach on the world stage. South Africa have been a little under their best for a while, but not this dreadful. A horrible loss, but good luck to Japan. Plenty of surprising multicultures in the national team too. The minnows strike back.

Pleased to see Georgia get a win against Tonga. The Middle East don't get much of a look in to world sport outside of football, so an interesting development. They really stuck to their guns.

1. Buddy Franklin. A sad end to the Swans 2015 story. How they missed him, Keiran Jack (Brandon Jack is a little like Merv Muggleton, Don Price or even Jamie Mahon...not as good as the sibling...John, Ray or Scott), Parker et al. They lack pace however from the centre and got found out.

By the way, I think everyone knows Buddy could not possibly be having an affair. His partner is elite in character, loyalty, spirit and everything else too.

2. Adam Goodes leaves the game with more headaches than ever. The behaviour of the North Melbourne fans on Saturday night at ANZ was appalling. Compensated by over enthusiastic local cheering by Sydney for a bloke who has been honoured twice as the BEST player in the AFL. Been honoured FOUR TIMES as one of the best in the country. 372 games and the low vermin of Melbourne think this is appropriate. Melbourne should hang its head in shame. North, West and East...maybe saved by the South. It is suddenly revealed as a small town with a disgusting attitude and will never become accepted on a world stage with that appalling rubbish.

Keith and every other apologist should go away and look at whether Melbourne are actually up to it as a sports town. The fans have shown they are worse than the worst the NRL can dish up. They have shown it through their appalling attendance at ODI fixtures and their inability to get over themselves and support the Melbourne Storm outside a cheated Grand Final Day or two.

At least the Canterbury Bulldogs just give the finger and look terrible. The Melbourne fans have proven TO BE terrible. One would have expected much, much better from this self appointed "sports loving" capital of the world. No, a joke of a city who were embarrassed and shameful. They will get smashed in the west nest week. That club has spirit, but they lack class. An absolute embarrassment, despite their crushing and convincing win.

An empty day for AFL. "Absolute Foolish Losers".

3. Cowboys. We would all like to see them knock over Melbourne. Thurston deserves to be on the end of great rewards. His consistency across the season is unbelievable. He should win every single award going. He is by far the best in the game.

4. Cronulla did really well to get this far, but ended in a heap. How can that happen at such a critical time of the club's year? Unbelievable. Gummy sharks...Perhaps over achievement at its best.

5. Roosters. They will do a number on the Broncos for mine. However the Broncos and Cowboys have had the advantage of hot weather prep for an extended time. If either team make the Grand Final, they will shine.

6. Davis Cup Tennis. Tomic did really well. His work under pressure was impressive. A shame that pink headed galoot, Kgyrios, was not up to it. He could have helped us if he had his head removed from other orifices. Hewitt and Groth almost made it too, but Andy Murray, as cranky as he is, was far too good. Another one with a sibling not as good.

7. Jason Day. Possibly world number 1? A great story of consistency and defiance of the odds. What an effort.

8. Jarryd Hayne. He has found a good team and home where he is at present. Some great spirit and a coach who knows how to manage men. Hoping he can deliver some excellence in Pittsburgh. It would be great to see him cut free and razzle dazzle. It looks like the extra muscle has cost him pace. Hopefully not.

9. Ronda Rousey is something else as a UFC fighter. Don't like the sport much, but appreciate the craft and the athletic ability. She is doing an awesome promotional job...and can fight.

10. Back on June 7 2015 I wrote this: I am sensing too that it will all end in tears at the Tigers with Jason Taylor. He is incapable of smiling and I see a bloke whose negativity will bounce heavily on a team of emerging whingers and brats. Get set for the tears. We are getting close to a show down.

Wrap - Jim Who?

1. The arrogance of Australian cricket knows no bounds sometimes. 2-0 up v England in the ODI series and now 2-2. They decide to rest Starc...suddenly he is back and gets a wicket in his first over. Not many teams have ever turned around a 0-2 series situation. Australia may yet go home with nothing. Maxwell is the new freak. Eoin Morgan has been in fine touch. He hits the ball with a pure crispness!

2. It is going to be hard work for the Bulldogs (v Roosters) and Sharks (v Cowboys) next week. A tough match up for the winners of the elimination finals. The top four teams seem to be so far ahead of the rest, but never discount the Bulldogs in a Finals series. They are an unbelievable club with an unbelievable record. Great effort from Melbourne and the Broncos.

I wonder how long it will be before we have another Sydney led conspiracy to oust the Cowboys from the finals?

3. Hawthorn will be back, despite their loss to West Coast. I still fancy them to win the whole show. The Freo win was only just over the wasteful Sydney. How Richmond can lose to North Melbourne is beyond me. They may well toss Sydney to the side too. The story is Adelaide however...what a phenomenal performance to down the gallant Western Bulldogs.

4. Pennetta did well to win the Women's US Open, but Serena Williams must be kicking herself. To lose to Vinci was pretty feeble in the circumstances. She has struggled at times at the US Open including losing that final to Sam Stosur when she fell apart. Will be interesting between Djokovic and Federer. How Federer keeps making finals after all these years is beyond me...a true legend and the best we may ever see.

5. He joins the following athletes of our time that we may never see the equivalent of again...Shane Warne, Kelly Slater, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods...and of course Anthony Mundine who would put himself in that company.

6. Floyd Mayweather can join that list too. A loud mouth goose at times, but can fight and does the business time and time again.

7. Jarryd Hayne. A phenomenal effort to make the top squad. Hopefully he will be used. Jim Tomsula is now better known than most NRL coaches!

8. Chelsea. Awful. They need a re-think before it is all too late.

Wrap - No Real Love (NRL)

1. Parramatta were best summed up today by a comment from my youngest son "Ryan Morgan did well today dad. He didn't stuff it up at the end and lose the game with poor defence in the last five minutes". He actually played alright to be fair, but he has hands like Dolf. Their defence was willing, but their attack is terrible. A bad loss by Manly, but Parra will be doing handstands. No wooden sppon in 2015. They are back (to rank mediocrity, not terrible underperformance).

2. Troubled by the anti-NRL sentiment flowing regarding TV rights. The NRL simply have no presence in two states (SA, WA) and a fledgling at best presence in VIC with zero interest in NT and TAS. They are probably lucky to have received what they have got. Smith has actually done pretty well attracting what he has. As for sponsors worried by the shoulder charge, Smith is too smart by half with all these journos. Law suits for damages will mount up. Are these the same people calling for a shorter season to ease the load on player's health and their welfare. Spare me! The critics have been brought undone with a tighter more professional approach (complete with errors) minus the leaks and mates deals. The NRL has become a financial powerhouse, operating with backward clubs who are mostly if not in, are certainly nearing in, on the shithouse. Does anyone really care these days if there were only 12 teams. There is a lack of care in most people who know that crowds on game day are a thing of the past.

 3. The Australian Cricket Team. Clarke has plummeted with the bat although apart from his feisty leadership, we will miss his fabulous hands in the slips. God help us with our batting order this summer. The Windies might get closer to us than we think - especially if they select Chanderpaul.

Good to see Siddle has put away the maps and the Tom Tom and is playing cricket. He has bowled well. Accurate, but all too late. Warne's criticism of Rod Marsh is absolutely spot on. Rod Marsh has lost the plot. Mark Waugh was in on that too wasn't he? He needs to get his act together too. Faceless.

Interesting to see we have scored more tons (3) than the Poms (1), but have lost. Inconsistency has cruelled us. Nothing like a dead rubber victory. It feels the same as painting the dog house after the dog just got killed by a motorbike. Empty. Noticed Steve Smith has scored 9/10 test tons in the first innings. Handy strike rate. Nathan Lyon has the wood on Cook. Even if it takes him 90 runs to crack.

4. Just when you thought Hawthorn were definites, the West Coast are forming a new threat - especially with a home final. Their work v Western Bulldogs has certainly helped Sydney's top four cause too.

5. Jarryd Hayne. Hopefully he can produce the goods tomorrow v the Dallas Cowboys, but certainly under pressure and the microscope. Something massive.

6. Noticed Ricky Stuart has presided over another end of season free fall. He could yet get another wooden spoon. He must like baking cakes.

7. England beaten by France in a Rugby Test. Maybe Sam Burgess is needed after all.

Wrap - Plane Dumb

1. This Kyrgios fellow fits the bill for a tennis player. Self absorbed, selfish, all about me and spoilt. Reminds me a bit of Olympic swimmers. He will forever be tainted. Not just for the latest stupid comment, but for the feigned injuries, the tantrums, the pathetic effort at Davis Cup for Australia, the ridiculous colours through his hair and the fluro clothes and nasty comments to ball boys/ girls. In short, he is a grub.

However I am also concerned by his form. He is inconsistent and erratic, unpredictable and boringly lacking in self awareness. He seemingly tanks and turns, gives up and gives out. There will be more stories soon...the world's media are out there now after him. His cards are marked and there will be no limits, as he himself has set none.

Then when it all ends, the sychophantic relatives and friends who have feasted on the gravy train vanish.

The unfortunate world of "booing" has just taken another turn.

2. Is it just me or is the turn for home in the NRL a true indicator of the worth of a coach? Which coaches can rally their teams and exert the required pressure in a 'conduicive to success' manner...Bennett...Robinson...Bellamy...Hasler? While others flounder despite their best efforts (and their limited rosters)...Stuart...Taylor...Arthur...McFadden...McGregor...

However Toovey is the one who is most tenacious. Yet sacked. Get him to your club ASAP!

Some players, hurting from injury no doubt, simply refuse to lift when it matters. Some coaches remain incapable of lifting them. Poor players...they play for 80 minutes, less stoppages and breaks, interchanges and substitutions...some play for half an hour a week and make $200K...player welfare...player welfare cheats...

Surely too in the next round of greed, the NRL need to look at centralised salary cap payments to players...pay from the centre and eliminate third party (cap dodge) arrangements. After all, they are providing the money. The clubs will then be clearly tagged as rorting as it is not for them to pay players at all. They sign an NRL contract so they should pay them directly. All TPA's should be published as well.

3. AFL. The whips are cracking now...Hawthorn, Freo and West Coast are most likely...Swans are no chance. West Coast win v Freo was a big statement. They have done well to rebuild post Ben Cousins and are getting better!

4. NFL. Will the plane fly or die? He has immense talent and has probably done better than anyone thought. However, one injury and it is curtains. A bright start on debut v Houston. There are plenty of Australian media banging the drum. It will be some sort of story if he pulls it off.

5. Wallabies. Michael Chieka is losing the plot. Fancy playing Quayde Cooper at Eden Park. He lacks composure under pressure and is not calm or considered in his judgement. Plainly, he is a liability in such games. Giteau, while not spectacular, has been sound or better and the whole balance of the side is suddenly undone. What a shock we lost. Refreshing to have a game of footy start earlier than 8.30pm. Bring back the 7.00pm start at the latest.

6. US PGA. Has John Daley got bigger in the guts? Jordan Speith is something else. Great to see new legends emerging in the game. It has been in the doldrums post Tiger. Jason Day's unbelievable record at majors continues to impress.

7. Dave Warner Australian Vice captain? Hard to believe. I doubt he has the maturity to carry it off. He is probably the only bloke likely to be picked regularly in the team so it was him or Johnson! Him.

8. Australian Netball. A great effort to win the World Cup. A huge event with massive crowds...whn will it get mainstream media support. There is a lively market there!

Wrap - Dark Clarke

1. As soon as Clarke announced a family was on the way, the writing was on the wall. After all he has been doing this for a million years. Forget about the Duke ball, the WAGS and the like, we were outgunned and mentally fragile. The mental hopelessness was the most striking thing about it all. We gave up and did not fight. One can only wonder at the impact of the disaffected Clarke fanclub in Watson, Haddin and Siddle in the background of the team set up and the impact this had on some feeble minds.

Clarke's exclusive with Warnie almost guarantees his inclusion on the commentary team next summer in Australia. He joins the likes of Swann, Prior and Trott who have bailed out mid Ashes tour.

We have learned a few things:

a. Shaun Marsh is terrible and as I have been banging on about, moves habitually laterally - not like a Langer and Hayden who hit in the V down the ground. Phil Hughes (RIP) suffered bit from this too. When was the last straight drive for four runs in this team? Steve Smith maybe. Those who can execute that shot are the batsmen of class and distinction. S. Marsh may have had his papers stamped - "never to be selected again"...despite some good pre Test series batting v counties.

b. Rod Marsh and Mark Waugh as selectors are on the skids. How you drop Mitchell Marsh, diddle yourself a bowler and get no runs...a terrible selection of S. Marsh instead.

c. Boof Lehmann is incredibly unlucky. Bayliss has made him look third rate. Bayliss will get his own back though when England travel abroad.

d. Clarke will be gone. Voges is done. Haddin is done. Siddle is done and Watson is done. The loss of Harris was significant. He would have been handy on this tour.

e. Rogers must play on a little longer. Ed Cowan looks better in jeans and a coat on Fox Sports than in whites.

f. Starc, despite getting two Michelle's, is erratic and cannot build pressure. Having he and Johnson in the same side is not real clever.

g. Hazelwood looks like he does not concentrate and lost form terribly with each test.

h. Johnson rarely gets wickets when he should. He surprises yes, but no wickets of substance in England's first innings? Please.

i. Steve Smith for all his talent is a wasteful millionaire at times...like Warner. God help us when they decide to be wasteful on the same day.

j. Kevin Pietersen is never playing again.

k. As Chappelli says though, what new talent? Have we got any?

2. Wallabies. A bright performance against a wasteful and surprisingly off beat All Blacks. Not often you go home from ANZ with a smile after an All Blacks test. Forwards looked a lot stronger and this selection change regarding blokes abroad is common sense. South Africa losing to the Argentinians was as big a story.

3. Roosters look good things for the NRL GF. Manly are surging and were never getting the spoon. They might surprise further. Both the Cowboys and Bunnies looked weak on the weekend.

4. AFL. Freo and Hawks still loom. The demise of the Swans has been staggering!

5. I noticed the fans at Sandow's new club have been chanting "what a waste of money!"...who would have thought.

Wrap - Peter Siddle Holiday Edition

1. Ashes. The seaming deck is our nemesis. We get negative and then fold. Adam Voges has been an immense disappointment after a stunning Shield year. Clarke has been soft too. Where's the mongrel and fight he was renown for? He has become a passenger. No good telling the press you are either Michael. They know. We know. Maybe instead tell the scoreboard assistant you might trouble him/ her. Not often an Aussie skipper does not fall to pieces in an Ashes series...we have had Kim Hughes, Graham Yallop, Ponting with his run out and now Clarke.

Clarke also needs to back Nevill. Haddin is past it. He is not good at accepting the selectors' decision. His own decision is suddenly a lot closer. Clarke is dividing the camp - not Nevill.

If Shaun Marsh comes into the team, watch the slips catching. He does not use his feet properly. Broad and Anderson will get him in a heart beat. Is Siddle getting paid?

2. Adam Goodes. Way back on 7 June 2015, two month back, I wrote this:

This Adam Goodes thing is dividing the game, not uniting in its indigenous focus. There needs to be some cool heads, but this wholesale booing of Goodes is a terrible look. I note that at the SCG he is applauded more loudly than ever with every touch. The AFL have a significant problem with their fans.
They still do. In a sport where drugs can be consumed without penalty, they need to fix that up too. I notice that Mr K Hunt will be in court this week. maybe the tightening up will be quicker now.

Richmond have turned the corner (and in good time). Their defeat of Hawthorn was sensational.

3. The 'Shoot Me Shield' in NSW Club Rugby has continued to roll on this weekend. Surprised to see Beale playing in the park to get some touch back. Any reason why there was no SA-NZ-Argie games this weekend? I wonder how the Penrith Emus and Parramatta Two Blues clubs feel about rugby union. I would get rid of both and turn it into a four team comp. Are we having another edition of the WA v Canberra Rugby Comp this season? It was such a cracking success, surely we are...

4. SANZAR. Is it possible they are suffering from 'headupone's arseitis'? To appeal Hooper's penalty? Daft. I didn't know Sepp had moved codes.

5. NRL. Like Toovey's style. He is a hard head and should be snapped up by another club...Titans? Knights? He is an out and out winner. I have my doubts about Barrett. Raw and an example of the Peter Principle (promoted to a level of incompetence).

Is a Crusher tackle more dangerous than a shoulder charge? Is a crusher tackle more dangerous than a punch? Surely wrestling moves need to be banned. The NRL will have some serious litigation against it one day.

6. I read that Ryan Morgan is set to be re-signed for two years. Might be the money left over from Sandow's car ashtray. Parramatta are on the up. Great news Foran will skipper the group.

7. Has anyone seen this Ronda Rousey fight? She is awesome. 34 seconds and 12 undefeated titles.

8. Is the Jarryd Hayne NFL saga over yet? Getting close surely.