By Max Lane.
Welcome to what we hope will be our weekly sports debrief and view into the future. Highlighting the best and worst of what we’ve seen and read and the things with traction that have our appetites truly whetted. As ever we’ll try and highlight some of the lesser known heroes when we can but still balance that by caning anyone who deserves.
The STABILO BOSS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – brought to you by CHEP
– Brad Hogg spinning the Perth Scorchers to the BBL title. Another whole hearted performance from Hogg shows why the Perth crowd chant his name and love him with every justification. Insert your bottle of wine reference if you like, but Hogg is as good as ever. Hogg.
– Not one for Arsenal fans – but the first half from Liverpool was worth watching last Saturday night – it was enjoyable on radio and a replay later. It also makes the EPL title race all the more interesting. Add the midweek results into the mix and Liverpool are only 4 points behind the leaders now, with games at home to the other top three teams after Arsenal, could we see a genuine four horse race to the title.
– Rugby League is back, yes only trial games, but still League is back. To celebrate over 11,000 fans converged on Dolphin Oval to see the “local derby” between Broncos and Cowboys. The scoreline was almost as shocking as wondering how Dolphin Oval fit in that many people. Some NRL teams may struggle to beat that this year. What price a Redcliffe tilt at the NRL instead of the Brisbane Bombers. p.s. Brisbane Bombers won’t work.
THE “ABOVE THE TOP SHELF” PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
Australian T20 selectors forgoing the usual building for the future for our T20 World Cup and picking on form – case in point – Brads Hogg and Hodge.
GRAB THE PLUNGER – THE LOWLIGHTS
– UK Wild Weather – cancel my Football will you?
– Winter Olympics – it’s just not that interesting. Although having to jump over the babushka doll is a good start.
– Not many sporting lowlights this week – so the overhyped, sensationalist reporting and coverage of the Schapelle Corby release can have a pay this week. After her $2 Million interview or whatever, hopefully she will go down the same path of anonymity as forgotten contestants from The Block, Mark “Jacko” Jackson and Hotdogs.
THE COME-UPPANCE OF THE WEEK
Dale Begg-Smith.
The occasional Australian athlete’s attitude of snootiness is OK for the very best of sportsman, whose achievements overcome some personality traits. But DBS acts like the internet millionaire living somewhere in the Caribbean he is, thinking that the results will save him. When they don’t, you’re just a douche. Maybe someone should tell the former Canadian that appearing to give stuff to media and the Australian public won’t kill him – we only care once every 4 years. It is Winter Olympics and no one will give a flying f*** about you for the other 1400 or so days between tournaments. Even then we really only care when you’re winning. So for the man who pouted his way through silver 4 years ago, enjoy the peaceful serenity of wherever you go back to. No doubt it won’t be Australia, and we won’t care.
UPCOMING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS – presented by Womack Industries Inc. (Formerly Womack & Womack)
– Hopefully plenty more Australian runs and South African wickets. A good day one will hopefully be followed by excellent Days Two to Five. The first session is almost prime time viewing and great viewing for the cricketing purist, occasionally interest sports fan and insomniacs and new parents. Also interesting will be which Mitchell Johnson turns up this series. The one that played against England please.
– FA CUP Round 5 – with the top 4 playing each other in two quality games, it opens up the rest of the competitions to teams who usually don’t care, don’t win and the loveable minnows. Theydon Bois will tip his specials tomorrow, he tipped Southampton to win the cup as per of Tipstramdamus. So it is opening up for them.
– NRL 9’s – it may be a bastardised truncated version of league, but it’s still league and most welcome. A royal sampler package to see your team for the first time and for the eager bargain hunters of Supercoach and affiliates to get their first form guide.
THE MARK GREATBATCH ALMOST FORGOT EVENTS
– More Winter Olympics
– AFL Pre Season Tournwa
– Bound to be some Golf somewhere
– A League
THE BEST BETS OF THE WEEKEND
NRL 9’s Winner – New Zealand – $4.25
NRL 9’s Top Try Scorer – Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast) – $15.00
NEWCASTLE JETS to beat BRISBANE ROAR – $7.50