Circling The Drain – Gurgler’s Weekly Sport Roundup

By Max Layne

Yet another big week in sport passes with a full round of AFL games joining the already flying NRL season and the multitude of sport from all over the world.

AFL has also joined the NRL in its unpredictability of the first few rounds, making it the usual tipping nightmare. Few would have thought that Broncos and St Kilda would be near the summit of their respective leagues heading into round 1. The lottery continues this week, with some other sporting friends for company.

There’s plenty of sporting highlights and upcoming treats to discuss, far too many to be able to put on a message flying from the back of a plane around the Old Trafford.

If The Gurgler had to choose a message from the back of a plane it would probably be “Got Any Bread?”. Who doesn’t like ducks.

The STABILO BOSS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK – brought to you by Machtig Mihi Panis.

– Newcastle’s performance for injured Alex McKinnon. The one minute’s applause is certainly more refreshing than the old one minute’s silence which is usually interrupted by some f***wit who can’t help themselves in 60 seconds.

– St Kilda – might have only beaten lesser lights but it’s two more wins than most would have predicted after two rounds, and not many more than expected the whole season. Ditto Broncos in NRL who were only 5 minutes from a perfect start to the season. St George have also been a welcomed surprise.

– Clash between Red Bull drivers in Tasmanian round of the v8’s championship. Not sure what it is with Red Bull teammates but a little internal hate makes a one team domination of a championship all the more watchable. Craig Lowndes actually frowned which highlighted the extent of the unhappiness.

– Will Power – doing what he does best and winning Indycar races. Hopefully this year he can do what he doesn’t do best and win the bloody championship.

– The Brown Snake in the North Qld v Gold Coast which provided more danger in attack than both of the teams playing.

– Holland defeating England in the T20 World Cup. The Ashes last July must seem like a long time ago now. Yes Australia didn’t do any better, but we weren’t beaten by the minnow of the group. Maybe it’s not proper to enjoy someone else’s lack of success, but it is English cricket.

THE “ABOVE THE TOP SHELF” PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

STEVEN BOWDITCH

Yes, professional is hardly the hardest of ways to make a living. Maybe abattoir worker, treatment plant tester or reporter on ACA, but not professional golfer. However battling depression isn’t much fun at all, and the loneliness of 18 holes wouldn’t help much if you aren’t playing well.

So, our tick goes to the man this week gone who won the Texas Open, not only handing himself 7 figures of happiness and a tour exemption which is a licence to print money for yourself, and a ticket to Augusta for the US Masters.

Our slightly mangy dapper is doffed in your general direction.

GRAB THE PLUNGER – brought to you by SEGA Master II with Built in Alex the Kidd in Miracle World.

Australia’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign is a real letdown given our form leading into the tournament and South Africa. Although thinking of England’s defeat by Holland it maybe wasn’t the best form line.

A close second for disappointment is South Sydney. Not that losing or playing bad is anything new after a lifetime supporting the red and green, just hurts when the expectations have been risen and the premiership winning cycle is closing.

INTERMISSION LINK – This Week’s Youtube Clips

Best intra team rivalries.

– More football.
– Bahrain GP – under lights may make it slightly more interesting.
– T20 Semis and Final.
– Grand Final rematch and Q Clash in the AFL.
– v8’s at Winton
– More Champions League Quarter Finals
– PNG Hunters play Ipswich at North Ipswich Reserve – do it.

THE BEST BETS OF THE WEEKEND

Last week was underwhelming if we had to use a word to describe it. It may also be worth keeping in mind for this week’s tips.

Last week – AFL – Multi $40 – 2/5 – 1 wrong by 0.5 point / QRL – Multi $27 – 1.5/4 – 1 draw.

AFL Multi $50
FREMANTLE to beat Hawthorn 1-39
BRISBANE 1-39 to beat Gold Coast
WEST COAST -62.5 start v St Kilda
GEELONG -13.5 start v Collingwood
NORTH MELBOURNE +5.5 start v Port Adelaide

QLD Cup Multi $15
NORTHS to beat Northern Pride
MACKAY to beat Tweed
REDCLIFFE to beat Central
WYNNUM to beat Souths
PNG to beat Ipswich

SRI LANKA to win T20 tournament $3.50

MARK WINTERBOTTOM to win Race 1 at Winton.

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