Welcome to The Gurgler’s Weekly Sporting wrap up and preview. There’s more top sport on offer than you poke a stick at, and kick a football to – Ashes Cricket, AFL, World Football superstars are in town and the NRL are finally back to business with a proper round. There’s also International Rugby Union and you can catch up with our thoughts with our piece on all you need to know about the Rugby Championship.
We have a few thoughts on what has gone on, plus highlights to come, our usual best bets and super multi and Dr Sports answers your questions.
ENGLAND 1 AUSTRALIA 0
It was almost predictable, English bowlers finding their best for the Australians in English conditions. Our batsmen batting without enough respect for the English conditions. Shane Watson being mediocre and contributing not much but wearing all the blame. Mitchell Johnson being ineffective in England. We hope to be proven wrong in the next Test at Lords. Another loss will just about guarantee the Ashes will go back to England. More of our thoughts from the first Test is here.
STATE OF ORIGIN – TAKE THAT 60 MINUTES
Despite Channel 9’s best efforts to unsettle Queensland, or the critics of the aging Maroons side, they put on a show that will likely never be seen again. What else we hope to never see again will be Channel 9 hosting the Origin, or at least after 2016 with the new TV deal. Ray Warren tries to maintain impartiality but fails miserably. He spent his time looking for Queensland mistakes or penalties, and when it was clear that NSW couldn’t win, got into the usual antics of arguing with Gus. It is tiring and hopefully there is just three to go with the current broadcasters.
Also worth noting is despite the biggest win in origin history, and a ninth win in ten series, there was no smugness and arrogance like the Grenade post try celebration from last decade. That moment still lives in the memory and is probably the image that spurred the current crop of Queenslanders on.
TENNIS JERKS
Too much time and space has been given to the new breed of Australian super brats. Their unlikeable behaviour far outranks their achievements on court. One of them will probably be cashing in on a certain shot long after the ranking reaches triple figures. But who is the biggest Tennis Jerk? We have the official results with our Australian Open for Tennis jerks.
For their information, they could take a look to the Adelaide Crows game v West Coast over the weekend. The Adelaide players gave their all in the toughest of circumstances, and although they were beaten they did it in a style that is expected of Australian sportsmen and women. AFL’s most hostile crowd in Perth gave them a standing ovation, and one they deserved. Certainly the Adelaide players were under more pressure and stress than the Tennis Jerks and their first world problems.
THIS WEEKS HIGHLIGHTS
THU to SUN – BRITISH OPEN GOLF (From 6pm on Fox Sports)
THUS to MON (Hopefully) – 2nd ASHES TEST (From 7:30pm on GEM/CH9)
FRI – LIVERPOOL v BRISBANE ROAR (6:30pm on GO)
FRI – BULLDOGS v PARRAMATTA (Featuring Semi Radradra) (7:30pm on CH9)
SAT – REAL MADRID v ROMA (6:30pm on GO)
SAT – SYDNEY SWANS v HAWTHORN (7:30pm on Fox Footy)
SUN – ROOSTERS v NEW ZEALAND (2:00pm on Fox Sports)
MON – LIVERPOOL v ADELAIDE (7pm on GO)
TUE – INTERNATIONAL DOUBLE HEADER (7:30pm on GO)
THE GURGLER’S SUPER MULTI
MANCHESTER CITY to beat Melbourne City
+2.5 GOALS – Liverpool v Brisbane Roar
KOBENHAVN to beat Newtown
WEST HAM to beat Birkirkaka
SYDNEY SWANS to beat Hawthorn
BRISBANE LIONS to beat Melbourne
BRONCOS to beat Wests Tigers by 13+
SOUTHS to beat St George-Illawarra
$1 pays $25
BRITISH OPEN BEST BETS
As per usual we’re only betting on the Mechanic and Rod Pampling. Check out our British Open preview for more.
DR SPORTZ ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS
Q. Dr Sportz, how will Australia go in the Rugby Championships?
Dolees Rox-Rohde, Griffin, QLD
A. I agree with our previous article on the rugby. Here.
