The Wrap - Leaving The Haas

1. Payne Haas. He has had a gutful of getting paid a miserly $750K per year and has created a pain in the haas for Kevin Walters whose team continues to excel. A massive turn around at the Broncos and a surprise, but again a greedy manager is never far away. Heading to the Wests Tigers suddenly may not appeal so much. 

Everyone deserves a million, but there is a salary cap. Haas has been poorly advised in the past, but asking for a release is not good for team harmony. Reputational damage is hard for a young player to understand. He is clearly the best prop in the game, but no one likes seeing this. Origin looms as an interesting time with Haas now looking like an imposter in the eyes of those in Brisbane. He needs to go, but where?

2. NRL. The Panthers are still easily the most dominant team. A crushing win at home yet again as coach Cleary continues to build the best record in the game as a coach. Their pipeline of players is incredible. The Warriors are a misery and the Tigers, well they are a shambles. Coach Maguire may not see out the week ahead. Souths struggle, but have good spirit.

The Sharks have hit the wall a little. The Roosters killed them with tremendous defence, despite a mild comeback. More offloads and a shifted mindset is required. More football, less structure. The Titans? Fold them up and move them to Perth. Hopeless.

Parramatta make it five wins of six points or less this year. This can define a season, but their leaking of points is troubling. More troubling is the poor form of Clint Gutherson under the high or rolling ball. Two critical tries given up in two weeks... especially for a player who publicly sprays other team mates for errors. Time for some humble pie Mr Gutherson and no, you can't have seconds.

Alex Johnston's three tries and his all time Souths try scoring record is pretty impressive (even though Merret has more tries including his Cronulla days). It will be hard to beat at Souths...ever. He is now sitting equal 16th and could get to 10th this year with a normal injury free season.

3. State of Origin 2022. Missing Latrell and Turbo Tom are two big NSW losses. The State of Origin team looks strong enough, but I am not seeing enough creativity in attack from those forwards outside of Yeo. No Fox. No Jake Trbojevic. Thank goodness for Penrith - Cleary, Yeo, Crichton, Martin, To'o, Luai, Koroisau. Suaali has been gifted a wonderful opportunity. Coach Fittler may just be in his last year before taking up the coaching position of the hapless Bulldogs. Almost choked on the cornflakes hearing Shane Flanagan was touting himself as their next coach. Not with his son there. Great to see crowds back at Belmore... didn't see the trains and the goalposts looked different to the Ted Glossop era.

State of Origin has been tight for the past twenty two years. Only two 3-0 series results. 13-8 lead to QLD (one draw).

4. AFL. Fremantle dismantled Melbourne in a shock result. Melbourne have lost a few of their personnel at present, but a loss never hurts in the season ahead of finals. Freo are really looking good. The Swans bounced back v Richmond, but they are playing like a club destined to be kicked out in the first week of the finals... if they get there! Geelong, St Kilda and Carlton are swelling the crowds this year. Plenty of pro-Victorian sentiment here. Tasmania as the 19th team seems a way off yet.

Chad Warner may have learned a rule or two this weekend. He almost loss the unloseable with his celebratory kick in to the stands. The Western Bulldogs sneak back into the eight and the West Coast continue to have one of the worst % records since 1900?

5. IPL. The final is now between Rajasthan Royals v the Gujarat Titans (Matthew Wade) overnight. Jos Buttler is absolutely on fire for the Royals (who are not missing Steve Smith). He has hit four tons and 824 runs at 58.86. Incredible on the Indian pitches. He can write his own cheque next time at the auction. Well earned.

6. NBA. The Celtics are now locked at 3-3 in their best of seven series v Miami Heat. In addition, Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 4-1. Tight times for the Boston Celtics fans as a NBA championship beckons, but Golden State have an awesome record in recent years.

7. A-League. Apparently they had a Grand Final this weekend. Amazing that the promotion is so poor, but more amazing that spectators turn up in Melbourne. Melbourne City v Western United. That comp is in trouble. I am not sure that people know how to find Channel 10 anymore either, but hopefully it can grow and flourish. 2-0 to Western United was a shock result.

8. UEFA Champions League - Liverpool v Real Madrid. Meanwhile the biggest world champions have been crowned. Liverpool missed out on the EPL championship last weekend to Manchester City, and have felt pain again v  Real Madrid (is there an 'unreal' Madrid as well?). A 0-1 loss hurts!

Check the amazing Manchester City EPL record over the past 11 seasons: 6 title wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds. Only one year where they did not reach the final three. (2015-16). Incredible dominance really...and a huge cheque book.

9. French Open Tennis. Nadal and Djokovic into the fourth round... amazing players, despite the political flavour of Novax in recent years. Alcaraz still alive too. He is the best of the young pups... including Zverev. Medvedev will be hard to toss this year.

10. Team of the Month? Western Bulldogs? Broncos? Or the Waratahs who almost knocked over the Auckland Blues. Impressive turn around from the debacle of last year.

11. DR Jolly. How good is this bloke as a horse trainer in Morphetville/ Murray Bridge/ Oakbank in South Australia? Get on his horses and profit. Calypso Reign had another stunning win on the weekend. Silver on Red unlucky.

The Wrap - Liberal Labours of Sport

1. NRL. Parramatta were very lucky v Manly. The work of Simonsen is not good enough in defence in first grade at present. Rushing up like Eric Grothe Junior or Blake Ferguson is too easy to break through. Both teams were as bad as each other in defence really. Tommy T's season ending injury is bad, bad news for Manly. 

The Panthers surge on...and the Roosters suddenly look ordinary in attack. They need more creativity and lack a little speed out wide. The Panthers will need the four point break at the top of the table as they head into Origin (possibly losing To'o, Korisau, Cleary, Yeo, Luau, Crichton, Martin, Leniu for NSW). 

The form of the Broncos and Cowboys is a bad omen for NSW origin as injuries plague NSW (Turbo, Latrell, et al). They will need to be on their game. Chadd Townsend's manager is also looking like a genius. He is in top form when there were many doubters (!). Well done to Todd Payton who has really nailed it this year so far. His young forwards are outstanding and their patterns across the park are extremely strong. Forwards with explosive speed over ten metres are so valuable in today's game...in defence and attack. They have thumped the Storm and Eels.

The Storm meanwhile have fallen in a hole. They look pedestrian without Hughes and Papenhuyzen. Losing so many players in 2023 may present Bellamy with his biggest challenge yet.

The Sharks are definitely not looking as sharp as they were earlier in the year, but still pushing through. Winning form is good form.

2. AFL. St Kilda, Geelong, Carlton, Fremantle and Melbourne are starting to put a gap on the rest quality wise.  Brisbane a shock loss to Hawthorn. The Swans were miserable again really. Carlton though were excellent v the Swans and Richmond with Dustin Martin are looking so much better. When is Dusty arriving in Sydney? Tom Lynch can sure miss the easy goal sometimes. Essendon are great to watch, but they are weak in key positions.

3. IPL. Semi finals start this week. The top four in order of finishing? Gujarat Titans (Wade), Rajasthan Royals (Coulter-Nile), Lucknow Super Giants (Stoinis, Tye) and The Royal Challengers Bangalore (Maxwell, Hazelwood, Behrendorff). 

The Delhi Capitals (Mitch Marsh and Dave Warner) missed out after a last game capitulation v the Mumbai Indians (David, Sams). This Tim David has been amazing. The best strike rate in the whole competition with his late innings cameos. He has hit 186 runs at 216! He must come into the Australian T20 team. All will finish soon and normal international cricket transmission will resume. 

4. Aaron Finch. He is surely finished as Australia's T20 Captain. His stance and technique has really deteriorated. A sad shift. It was loose, but it is now diabolical. Maybe he should sound out the coach he refused to listen to - Justin Langer - and get some tips.

5. A League Football. Has anyone seriously watched a game in 2022? That league has almost been relegated to park level now. It is hard to believe it has fallen so far from what was a bright start. All the while a zillion kids across the state pay top level money to join "academies" which don't really have much to show for themselves. 

6. NBA - Celtics. A slip today v the Miami Heat. 2-1 series to Miami in the best of five. An exciting end of season period, but the Celtics need to lift.

7. Everton. A win midweek over 3-2 v Crystal Palace saw the Toffees overrun with delighted fans at Goodison Park. They just escape relegation under Frank Lampard's coaching and maintain their 68 year reign in the top flight. A near miss and will need to recruit well in 2023. Relegated will be Burnley or Leeds (most likely), Norwich and Watford.

How good is the final week? All games start at the same time and great tension over the final finish. Man City need a win v Aston Villa (or draw if Liverpool draw) to be crowned champions. Liverpool need a win v Wolves - and a Man City stumble - to snatch it! Man City have the goal differential in their favour. Tension.

8. French Open - WTA-ATP. Amazing how the ATP/ WTA want to take on the establishment tournaments like Wimbledon. The greed of players is something else. The worst side of tennis, with no regard for what is right...just the cash thank you very much.

The French Open starts tonight and young Carlos Alcaraz looms as another gun of the future. Can he win?

9. USA PGA. Southern Hills, Oklahoma. Amazing quality as always, with a Chilean leading the way - Mito Pereira - but Cameron Smith (+1) always seems likely to produce regardless of the circumstances on these big stages. Lucas Herbert (-1) has been solid too.

Greg Norman's discredited Saudi tour is surely not likely to be supported through the turnstiles by the US public. His distaste for the PGA has been a lifetime mission. The Shark has lost the plot and is discredited himself. Wayne Grady didn't miss him. 

10. Waratahs. A cracking win v the Highlanders. Their dreadful form looks to be turning.

11. Political T-Shirts. It must be said... fascinated why some people get so keen about politics and don a coloured t-shirt supporting their local MP ? It is a staggering thing, but good on them. Maybe they wonder why people like sport?

The Wrap - RIP Roy

1. Andrew Symonds. RIP. A large character and knock about fellow. Always pushed the boundaries, had a great sense of humour, yet never seemed like an entirely popular team mate with all. Only last week he spoke of the Michael Clarke division. However his talent was unbelievable - with bat and ball. His fielding changed the game - like Jonty Rhodes and Ricky Ponting. A sad time for his family and friends and yet another major loss to descend upon cricket and its commentary teams. His hatred of streakers and interruptions was something else. Sad times.

2. Brendon McCullum as England's new Test cricket coach. A curious decision that will not breathe fear into many. A devastating striker of the ball in short forms (ODI avge: 30.41; T20: 35.66 and First Class: 37.13). His 101 Test cricket record (avg 38.64, 12 tons and a top score of 302), sparkled at times, but was generally modest. 

However he has played for 17 - yes 17 - different franchises in world cricket, so a stint in England won't worry him. The good news will be that he cannot take them any lower. 

His winning percentage as NZ Test captain is stunning however - 61.86%. 62 tests as skipper and 36 wins.

The Australian captain winning percentages are interesting: Ponting (62% is very similar from 77 tests as skipper); Clarke 51% (from 47); Border 34% (from 93); Taylor 52% (from 50); Ian Chappell 50% (from 30) and Greg Chappell 43% (from 48).

He seems a delightful chap and full of smiles, but can he contain his new skipper Ben Stokes who will be brutal and amazing one minute and cantankerous and ill disciplined the next? Interesting choice, but time will tell if it is a winning choice.

3. IPL. I noticed Hazelwood was smashed for a season worst 4-0-0-64 in the IPL. Terrible outcome, but that T20 pressure cooker game can be like that... he is too good not to bounce back soon and has actually had a really good season. Warner continues to accumulate the runs and is now the third highest run scorer in 2022. He is also the fourth highest IPL run scorer of all time (behind Kohli-Dharwan-Rohit Sharma in that order).

4. NRL. The Broncos are back. Kevin Walters has done a top job in pretty quick time. Adam Reynolds is a hit, but we all understand Souths' predicament. Half the reason there was no Sterlo replacement for Parramatta (outside of Stu Galbraith) was they hung onto him for too long. Souths had to make a call, but good luck to the Broncos. They have shed a number of loose cannons (Lodge, Milford, Isaako, Pangai Jnr - how is Pangai Senior by the way?) and built well. Ben Ikin is showing his stamp. Not really missed from TV however.

The Panthers demolished the Storm which is rare to say - ever. The Panthers' defence is exceptional and of course they will never be able to retain all of their playing talent, but premiership favouritism is certainly fair.

In keeping with Brad Arthur's 50% win ratio as a coach, Parramatta win one, lose one... same old, same old. Roosters too strong. 

5. AFL. Western Bulldogs were back to their best on Friday night too. Bailey Smith is in scintillating form, the Bont was back and Caleb Daniel was so safe. He is a critical man in their wining fabric. Not so sure about the Swans. A commanding victory, but more that Essendon were so poor really and allowed them to move the ball around the park at will.

Really enjoying the St Kilda resurgence as Geelong fade away at the wrong time in tight games - yet again. Still trying to assess the Brisbane 2022 AFL team, but they are winning and winning well still. They have a pleasing tenacity in their play which is getting stronger. They'll need it v Melbourne!

6. FA Cup Final. Liverpool triumph yet again in a big game. Superb tension in a 6-5 penalty shootout. win. Amazing scenes, but Manchester City still lead the premiership by three points.

7. EPL Relegation. Who is coming up as Norwich City and Watford descend? Leeds, Burnley and Everton are fighting out the imminent relegation of one further team. However, there are always replacements. Fulham, Bournemouth and either Huddersfield or Nottingham Forrest. A few blasts from the past there! 

8. Scottish Premier League. Ange Postocoglou triumphed as expected with Celtic. A great achievement.

9. Sydney Kings. Winners again in an extraordinary season where they were absolutely languishing early on. It has taken many years (17), but they are back. Big crowds there in Australian basketball who are really doing it in style.

10. A-League Football. Is this the world's longest running competition and one of the least popular? They need some star power urgently.

The Wrap - Mountain Due

1. NRL - Parramatta. Well, well, well... amazing what the licence to play football does to a team. Offloads in the modern game kill defences which are so patterned and routined. The Penrith defence is next level. Full marks to Brad Arthur with the selection of Dylan Brown at five eight. He is a sensational talent and must be prioritised close to the ball. Maybe one day he becomes the team's half back. Junior Paulo is also an amazing footballer...such skill. His name has now apparently changed from Junior Poor-lo to Junior Parr-lo as well. No impact on form. (Kikau was exceptional for the Panthers too).

Mitchell Moses is an intriguing study in big games. His composure goes south at key times and the arms often start waving in the exasperated fashion that would give away a 50m penalty in AFL every time. The wider the arms, the more the worry. His high kicks don't trouble a player like Dylan Edwards, but he must run the ball occasionally. Not a run in the game v Panthers when the element of surprise makes a difference. Goal line defence is not a specialty.

The skinny wingers for Parramatta stayed lower this week and avoided the sidelines, but Bailey Simonsen rushing up in defence will have taken the eye of all NRL coaches. He is a risk. Think Eric Grothe Junior.

A step forward for this team, conquering a mountain at the foot of the mountains.

The Bulldogs fell in a heap again and the Gold Coast look like a team in need of a new broom. The Broncos however, seem to be hitting their straps. You have to give it to Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin. This new 2022 version started poorly, but to beat the Sharks and Rabbits in successive weeks is a great achievement. The Warriors promise a lot, but deliver nothing and regularly.

The Storm - an incredible club and culture.

2. AFL. The composure of the Western Bulldogs is starting to become a worry. They are languishing, despite their talent. The role of Caleb Daniel has changed and this has unsettled them. They are in trouble with Alex Keath on the sidelines and their defence was awful. Without Bontempelli as well made them look second rate in the back half of the game.

Hawthorn again seem to be on fire and flagged late to allow Essendon the victory. Essendon could be something quite special. Really troubling with the Swans however. A little like the Western Bulldogs, they lacked energy at key moments - especially early. Tired legs or inexperience? They could be in some strife if their loss to the Gold Coast is their standard. Horse Longmire was unimpressed. Always hard to reconcile how a week of "work" results in this outcome.

Brisbane looking the goods in 2022 - and Geelong always look good at this time of the season, before fading under pressure. No one is as good as Melbourne however. Brilliant and look good to go back to back.

3. Ange Postocoglou. Celtic have their Scottish league championship in the bag with a strong win over Hearts 4-1. Nine or six points ahead and a +21 goal differential. His coaching record is outstanding. What an achievement really after the team was a rabble last season. A hard fan base to please, but silverware keeps the critics quiet. With Russian teams sidelined, Champions League representation awaits. A lucrative reward for a sensible investment.

4. Jose Mourinho. His Roma team have been striding out too, making the Europa Conference League. His record as a coach is outstanding really, despite his quirky manner and interesting press conferences - and facial expressions.

5. EPL. Liverpool have stumbled with a draw to Tottenham 1-1...opening the door for Manchester City to take the title at this late stage. Their Champions League capitulation to Real Madrid (when Liverpool wait in the final) could be sweet revenge now. Watford and Norwich City are now officially relegated. One more team to go... Everton (32 points/ 33 played), Leeds (34 points/ 34 played) or Burnley (34 points/ 35 played).

Manchester United losing 4-0 to Brighton could just about be their worst loss of their existence. What a pathetic effort from so many overpaid players. They are coming sixth and have more hoopla than most, with little to show for it.

6. IPL - Dave Warner. How talented is he as a cricketer? Once again he is in the IPL runs, now the fourth highest run scorer (356) in the whole competition after being discarded last year. Such tenacity and spirit and the Dehli Capitals are the 2022 beneficiaries. A few rough edges, but he has proven time and time again he is one of the best ever. No one is near Jos Butler from the Rajasthan Royals in 2022 however. He has the orange cap in his safe keeping as he has over 600 runs and counting.

7. Kentucky Derby. The annual race at Churchill Downs, Louisville, on dirt - the 148th version. Dirt is apparently the quickest surface for a race horse, but its tradition is like the Masters. Amazing how their ESPN coverage takes in the journey of the whole day...taking viewers into the jockey's room, parade areas, explaining key parts, critical roles of staff, behind the scene moments and allowing US sports fans to really understand the day. The Melbourne Cup coverage has a lot to learn. It could be so much better.

An 80-1 pop wins - Rich Strike. Aptly named and a winner at the largest odds in its history. The crowds and atmosphere, especially with the grandstands on the inside of the track are something else. Flemington needs to step up.

8. Wells Fargo Championship. Nice to see Jason Day back doing a little better at the best named tournament on the circuit. Made the cut but an awful third round outcome sadly. Really bad...

9. Sydney Kings NBL Championship. NBL Championship winners in 2003, 2004 and 2005... but losers ever since (2006, 2008, 2020). They need to beat the new franchise, the Tasmanian Jackjumpers, or forever be reminded of this in life. 2-0 up now.

There are some great non-existent teams in this league now - think Canberra Cannons, Nunawading Spectres, Townsville Crocodiles and the West Sydney Razorbacks. The Cairns Taipans have a great name, but can you name a taipan variety in Australia?

10. Greyhounds. Amazing that a greyhound race - The Million Dollar Chase - can attract a purse of a million dollars, but She's a Pearl (paying skinny) won it on Saturday night at Wentworth Park from the blue box. The former Premier, Mike Baird, would have been enjoying that one from his loungreroom.

11. Waratahs. Another win...and in New Zealand. It is not April 1.

The Wrap - Boom!

1. Boris 'Boom Boom' Becker. He won Wimbledon when we were all at high school (most of us!) and when Boris was a name only heard in a spy movie or James Bond. A restaurant cupboard or two... three or four scandals later... imprisoned for bankruptcy and associated crimes. Hard to believe you can waste that much cash. Sad, but true. Into the colonel for a two year soujourn. He may need a bullet proof vest as well based on his outstanding dues. A sad demise.

2. NRL. Manly love a whinge, but the send off of Lawton on Friday night was unfortunate - and dangerous. As soon as a team loses a man, they lose the game these days. Interesting to see the Broncos climb off the canvas to beat the Sharks. A bad loss for the Sharks really and there is talk of Moylan heading to the Broncos... or Munster...or someone else....

2A. When will an NRL Draft come in (to hell with the Dennis Tutty and Terry Hill precedents)? You register to play with the NRL, you have a draft! Otherwise play somewhere else. They seem to be ignoring the emotion and journey of the footballer and the mileage that TV ratings and broadcast deals could bring. This is what builds club culture and dreams of players. Instead in the NRL, mums and dads wait around dusty grounds for a bloke in a jacket with a clipboard and say a few rosaries looking for an opportunity for their child.

3. Clearly Cleary. Cleary is easily the best player in the NRL. Amazing and has really worked on his strength too. He deserves his $1.2M per year because he wins games regularly. The Panthers' record over the past few years has been incredible. They simply don't lose at home either. Take note Brad Arthur.

Ivan Cleary is also leaping up the best winning percentage record of any NRL coach who has coached over 300 games now, despite his shocking start at the Warriors and Tigers. Into the top 10 best ever now. Adam O'Brien at Newcastle could be the first for the chopping block. Two 50 point losses in successive weeks. Terrible.

3. NRL - Parramatta. They are truly the great pretenders. They have some massive issues after being pounded by the Cowboys by 30 points. No top flight premiership contender loses by so many. When did the Storm last put in an effort like this? 

The coach is coming under pressure with his 51% success rate. One week good/ one week bad is the history and is reflected in 2022. This is in addition to losing narrow games under pressure (Cronulla and Tigers in 2022 so far). The biggest current problems are:

• Lack of size or height in their wingers. Little small skinny blokes don't cut it anymore and are often bundled into touch effortlessly. Simonsen seems to have problems with his hands too. Sivo is missed here and a few injuries exist, but Sivo is basically big but too slow and will move on to rugby.
• Jacob Arthur needs to go back to NSW Cup, get faster and take the line on aggressively as a key playmaker (his defence has improved, but his kicking game has gone backwards) and the club must prioritise the buying of a useful fast centre. Penisini is outstanding. Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses were forging a great combination in the halves and now Brown is in the centres in the face of injuries? This may be enough to see Brown leave the club and play at say Melbourne Storm who look like losing Munster. There was a weekend newspaper report that Jake has apparently already been offered to the Melbourne Storm (?). 
• How Mahoney was ever lost to the club is unbelievable. He holds the joint together and they will suffer big time in season 2023. Sadly, Canberra's Josh Hodgson is a walking injury time bomb.
• Moses' leadership of the team around the ruck and play under pressure. Everything seems great when piling on the points against lesser teams. Moses is apparently on close to $1 million per year. A tough, but future focused call looms.
• Sign Will Penisini and Dylan Brown to long term deals urgently. Class acts both and tough.
• Ridiculous sets of multiple one off drives, a sweeping backline move left and then right across five tackles and then a towering bomb to end it. This is boring and predictable. Play a team that catches and you are done. 
• Brad Arthur lacks imagination to encourage off loads and play more adhoc football. One off passing to Shaun Lane (who last passed the ball in 1990) does not cut it against the modern defensive patterns. Junior Paulo is a ball playing weapon but is currently stifled.
• Hard to believe the team arrived in Darwin on Wednesday and struggled under the heat so much, leaking points. However it was great to see Brad Arthur there with twenty five bottles of water in front of him.
• They have the Panthers (away) and the Sea Eagles and Roosters who are both smarting from recent losses, in coming weeks and may be in a lot of trouble. Their season could be about to slide massively.

Bravo however to Todd Payton. He has a strong team there and their defence has become massive. Dean Young in the coaches box is adding steel. 

One coach that is nearing the end is Ricky Stuart. Knowing when to walk away is one of the amazing traits of excellent leaders.

4. AFL. West Coast are diabolical. Their effort on Friday night v Richmond was a disgrace, losing by over 100 points. A few injuries of course, but limp and terrible in front of their home crowd.

The form of Carlton is very promising after so many years of misery and the resurgence of Port in recent weeks is striking. St Kilda lost a bad narrow one there. Fremantle look strong in 2022 and even the GWS team suddenly looked like they could play. Impressed with Hawthorn this year. They have a little something extra in their tank after narrow losses to Sydney and Melbourne in recent weeks.

Swans v Brisbane was a cracker, but the Swans were exposed. Lots of inexperience under pressure and rushed decisions. Not enough pace either - still. Chad Warner and no one else pretty much.  Buddy Franklin was sparkling! 

A little unlucky too with some stupid video ref decisions.Honestly, the video ref is killing sport.

5. EPL. Man City keep doing the business to keep their one point advantage over Liverpool at the top of the table. Incredible tension at this time of the year with the drop zone too. Norwich City have been up and down into the EPL for many years, finally were relegated this weekend, stranded on 21 points (max. possible - 12 points) with 38 games played in the season. Norwich City are now the first team in the EPL to have been relegated SIX times.

Everton fans won't be too thrilled as they play Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Brentford yet. They look doomed. Burnley have fought and struggled and are on an amazing recovery mission at present. 

The impact of relegation runs into hundreds of millions of pounds potentially as sponsors fade away, TV revenues slide, match day impacts, attendance issues and fans get edgy with memberships. Players also don't have a wage reduction so they either leave to play top flight football or become a financial millstone in the struggle to return to the top of the league. Enthralling stuff. 

6. Best Footballer In The World? Aussie Sam Kerr is it and has won the English sportswriters award for her 18 goals for Chelsea. Stunning and brilliant for Australia too whenever she has represented. Liverpool's Mohamed Saleh was the male footballer of the year. A dominant goal scoring whiz!

7. Waratahs. After plenty of questions, they delivered on Saturday night v a NZ team (when all other Australian teams lost to NZ teams). Playing at Leichhardt Oval they beat the all conquering Crusaders 24-21. Tight, but a win. The only thing more incredible was that there were over 10,000 fans there on the night!

8. Sydney Kings. One hell of a comeback sequence of winning results. League MVP Jaylen Adams has killed them since arriving. Another title does not seem far away.

The Wrap - Cranky Coaching Clap

1. Penrith Panthers. Since Ivan Cleary joined the Panthers he has a remarkable 75% coaching win success rate (21 home wins in a row). Conversely, Michael Maguire hit 37% coaching win success rate over the weekend after their second one point win. The Panthers' defence was awesome against the Raiders who simply don't have the speed in their three quarters. They barely played a full set in the Panthers' half in the second half of the game. Incredible defence.

The viking clap could be the best clap any team get at a game. It clearly upsets the Raiders.

The speed of a team's centres is such a huge factor now. The sacking of Opacic was no surprise. Crichton scores three tries and steals Jack Wighton's Origin jersey. Without speed you will struggle. It is becoming the key position in rugby league. Herbie Farnworth's value has sky rocketed as a free agent. Dane Gagai was a great signing by Newcastle, but he is struggling. 

2. Talakai. Speaking of which...Awesome on Friday night and State of Origin versatility (back rower, centre) makes him popular, but hardly ready. Morgan Harper is not an Origin opponent. Full stop. 

3. Wigers. Jackson Hastings is a great short term option and has enough steel and game smarts to get the team home under pressure. His voice and energy make a huge difference. Like the Eels, they still lack pace in the centres, but their back row of Twal and Leilua are special talents. Picking up Papal'ii won't worry them either. Their hooker, Jake Simpkin is doing a top job (Liddle too). Simpkin may be an option for Parramatta who may go to dust without Reed Mahoney. He works so hard in defence. Poor old Josh Hodgson is on fading legs, but they said the same thing about Steve Edge back in the 1980s!

4. NRL Coaches. Amazing how our cranky coaches are faring... Barrett simply is being found out around his poor pre-season preparation. The collapse of the Bulldogs was diabolical v Broncos. Kevin Walters is marginally better, but he hardly looks like fun to be around. Adam O'Brien at Newcastle also has major problems. Cranky coaches make for cranky players too. 

Cameron Ciraldo, the Panthers coach must surely be firming as the obvious replacement for all of these at some point. 

Maguire was spotted smiling late on Saturday night. It could be a rumour. Ray Price is in town at present. He will iron that out.

Brad Arthur looked like he couldn't resist playing his special player on the weekend. The Eels win by 30+ for the second time this year, having lost by 2 (Sharks) and by 1 (Tigers) and won by 4 (Titans) and won by 6 (Titans) and won by 4 (Storm). Brad is also one who needs to smile a bit more. He may not have a lot to smile about as they face Cowboys (on 8 points) and then Panthers-Roosters-Sea Eagles in the next three weeks following.

5. Crowds. The rugby league and AFL crowds have come back in force. Amazing numbers on the ANZAC weekend. It really provides a top atmosphere for viewers at the ground and at home too.

6. AFL. The Western Bulldogs are starting to get some bad habits and should not be losing the games they have. Conversely, Brisbane, St Kilda and Melbourne all look sharp. The Swans are solid, but still lack speed for mine. Blistering speed. Johanasen from the Bulldogs may well be available soon. 

The Melbourne v Richmond ANZAC Day eve is an amazing event. Would have been even better with Dustin Martin on deck. A huge crowd.

North Melbourne, West Coast and GWS are woeful in 2022. Lots of excuses, but serious soul searching needs to occur. Port Adelaide are only marginally better. 

7. Rugby. Apparently that comp is still going. Talk about diminishing your exposure by agreeing to the TV/ streaming deal they secured. The Tahs are mid table, but once they head to NZ or play against NZ teams, we get pumped. Simple. The Chiefs did a number on them. We have not improved in five-ten years.

8. Greg Norman. We all loved the legend, but poor old Greg has lost perspective. The latest? Thinking he can make a comeback into the British Open at the age of 67. Surely, like his latest streaming piece, yet another carefully orchestrated piece to cast his image, repair it or to sell something out there. Between the nude photos, the showboating blue pants shot when walking the dog on the beach, the failed Saudi golf venture, talk of returning to Australia, COVID media from his hospital bed, he seems to be suffering from Relevance Deprivation Syndrome. A shame.

9. IPL. Virat Kohli has returned to the humble ranks of normality. Hard to be so dominant for so long. His form has simply slid more and more and his relinquishing of different national team captaincies tells us other priorities in his life are becoming more important. Fair enough too.

10. Brett Kenny. Poor old Brett. Such a talent, but he has endured a cancer fight and then some domestic violence matters have soured our memories of him a touch. Headbutting blokes never ends well. Ian Chappell once famously said to Ian Botham about fighting publicly. "It takes you to two places - hospital or jail. I don't fancy either". Wise words.

The Wrap - Zombie Mystery Ball

1. Scottie Scheffler. A clear world number one now after a very handy 2022 Masters victory worth $2.7 million, complete with a shocking final hole that no one cares to remember. Could be in for an extended run at the top on that form. Brave from Cameron Smith at T3 ($870K). Only $40K for Adam Scott at T48. Not a bad weekend's work regardless.

2. Anthony Milford. He beats the legal system challenge, but not the NRL Integrity Commission system. A wild night on the town indeed. Can't quite remember the last time The Wrap was out on a night with people breaking car windows and assaulting people. Then Haas and this Broncos team mate, Albert Kelly... the drink has claimed a lot of careers. Albert left the NRL some time back and has a new chance, but seems to have thrown it away now. 

Brisbane looked strong on Friday night, before their characteristic capitulation. Lock Penrith in for the title (a double with Melbourne in the AFL is still paying $10). Liam Martin is a pure Origin player. Scores a lot of tries too.

Noticing slight improvements in Kyle Flanagan's game, but attitude seems to be an enduring challenge. He is working to the line more, but Matt Burton is handcuffed playing in that team. Even the great Fox looks ordinary, only scoring his first try this weekend. Bad career move, despite the cash.

3. State of Origin. Origin 2022 looms as an intriguing battle. Tom Trobjevic has to play injury free hopefully. No Latrell? Katoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton look ready made replacements. Especially if Tommy T and Brian To'o can't play. Not sure Jack Wighton should be there. Ricky is fraying badly at present...Laurie Daley is the man to replace him as Canberra's season washes away.

Interested in the former Parramatta junior, Josh Curran (yes another one playing elsewhere) at the Warriors. Looks tough and talented on his feet and another Origin backrow option. Jake Trobjevic can't play forever.

4. Fireburn. Blistering pace in the Golden Slipper and Group 1 races since. First since Winx to almost win three Group 1 races in an Autumn season! The longer length on a heavy deck did not allow for his customary pace in the last 200m. Great win by a tough She's Extreme who just won.

5. New Australian Cricket Coach. In no real surprise, Andrew 'Ronnie' McDonald was announced as the new Australian cricket coach. Hopefully this goes better than his SCG Test debut with the helmet in 2009 against Morne Morkel. See: https://cricketcrowd.com/displayvideo.html?ccvideo=1600&ccdesc=Hit%2Bon%2Bhead%3A%2BNasty%2Bdebut%2Bfor%2BMcDonald%2B(SCG) 

Nonetheless, he was delighted with the news when The Wrap caught up with him earlier this week:

6. IPL. One of McDonald's key early issues is that of Aaron Finch. He has now changed his stance in a pretty extreme fashion in the IPL T20 cricket for the Kolkota Knight Riders. His technique is even more loose. He is in trouble. Maxwell and Warner continue to dominate. Cummins always seems to go for quite a few runs and his elite price tag would be worrying the bank managers.

Keep an eye on young Dewald Brevis from South Africa (Mumbai Indians). A sensational international bat at all of 18 years of age. A name of the future, but hopefully in all forms of the game.

7. Joe Root. Tosses it in as English captain yet looks to continue the trend that you hang around and play in the team - something Australian cricket has never tolerated. Think Gatting, Stewart, Hussain, Pietersen, Strauss, et al. Steve Smith is the only one I can recall in the Australian Test arena. He has however amassed the most English test victories as captain - ever - with 27 wins, but not a win in a series for a long time.

Australian Test cricket captain wins? Ricky Ponting (48 wins ), Steve Waugh (41), Allan Border (32) and Mark Taylor (26). Then you get to Steve Smith (19), Ian Chappell/ Don Bradman (15) Lindsay Hassett/ Bill Woodfull (14) and Richie Benaud/ Bob Simpson (12) with Tim Paine (11).

8. Liverpool (73 points) - ManU (74 points). Neck and neck for the title after a 2-2 draw last week. (A ripping 3-2 win in the FA Cup by Liverpool on the weekend as well, to make the final).  Awesome tension and drama in an EPL competition that is a showpiece in world football, regardless what many think. It is tough, talented and crowds are always full and spirited. The drop zone is getting interesting too. Leeds (33 points), Everton (28), Burnley (25), Watford (22), Norwich (21)...and not much in it. Unheard of that Everton could be in such trouble. Have not been relegated in 68 years! 

So much money at stake and the future of these bottom three clubs ride on this. With three points for a win, it can shift quickly. Only four or so weeks of the competition remain after this weekend.

9. AFL. Good Friday blitzes by both the Western Bulldogs and Swans. Bailey Smith hit 47 disposals which is phenomenal v North Melbourne. The work of Mills, Parker and Gulden has been impressive. Josh Kennedy has almost joined the coaching staff these days. 56-0 just before half time really showed how dominant the Swans were. Incredible scoreline. Carlton and St Kilda are showing more this year which is a little surprising and Adelaide are also looking more like a footy team. Young Josh Rachelle is doing some great things for them. Essendon, GWS and West Coast all look terrible early. Port were better v Carlton, but they have been the biggest early disappointment.

10. UFC. What about Volkanovski beating the Korean Zombie? Great names, but still a grim sport.

11. Stuart MacGill. 200 test wickets but no greater mystery ball than how you get kidnapped and released... Strange days indeed, most peculiar mamma. Something big is not making sense here.

12. French Open Tennis. Staring at the May 22 start date will widen Nadal's eyes as he seeks his fourteenth French Open crown. Extraordinary to even say it. 13 wins - is it the most Grand Slam victories at a single venue ever, in any top flight sport?