A big weekend of Footy Finals and, well, Footy Finals has been completed, and what better time to reintroduce our Wash Up of the Sporting Weekend.
Like most things we do here at The Gurgler, a weekly sporting round-up seemed like a good idea back a few years ago, but we ran out of interest as the points of interest dried up.
Not that we will run out of interest with what was on offer this weekend. Plenty to like and plenty to talk about.
Happily for everyone involved we will limit it to five of the best.
RABBITOHS FOR THE FLAG
Despite losing by one point to Melbourne Storm on Friday night and heading into knockout against the Dragons/Broncos (depending on the NRL) we are still 100% behind the Rabbitohs for 2018 Premiers.
They didn’t play overly well really, and still got close, which was encouraging despite the loss.
Sam Burgess dropped the ball at crucial times, there was a Burgess sin binning and they were slightly less effective than usual, they had to deal with the usual wrestling rubbish from the Storm including getting Inglis early, the Reynolds predictable bomb on the last seemed to be the only fifth tackle option for most of the game, they never win in Melbourne, but still they got within one point. And could have won.
Souths were untouchable for small bursts during the regular season, and we didn’t really see one of those on Friday night, but we will. And when/if they do they will blow teams away.
And if they win their knockout games and make the Grand Final against potentially the Melbourne Storm, it will not be in Melbourne but ANZ Stadium. A ground where the Storm lost their only game.
DEES FOR THE FLAG
The last two years have seen drought breaking, feel good stories for the AFL Premiership flag.
So based on that, and a dangerously low amount of AFL knowledge from the season, we said the Melbourne Demons would win the flag this season.
After their good win against Geelong on Friday night our thoughts remains unchanged.
Sure Hawthorn will prove a tougher test, but so will the Demons as they charge to the big Grand Final day.
Yes it seems unlikely that anyone will beat Richmond, but we still say Dees.
It has nothing to do with the 50-1 Souths-Melbourne multi we placed before the finals series started.
GREAT GRUMPY MANAGERS/HEAD COACHES ARE GREAT UNTIL THEY LOSE
Few can deny that Wayne Bennett is one rugby league’s best coaches, and the same amount can also confirm that he comes across as quite grumpy.
We’re aware that if you know him he’s probably great, like the day we chatted about Willie Minoga at Davies Park, but the way he has come across in the last six months has been hard to watch, and probably harder for the club and journalists. But it does create news, so the latter are happy.
Much like with Jose Mourinho.
These winning managers are good whilst the wins continues, but once the winning stops, the scrutiny increases. As does the grumpiness.
Wayne Bennett seems to have beefs with lots of people and a lot things right now. Media, CEO’s, Board, Use of Social Media.
Much like Mourinho.
Unlike Jose though, Wayne Bennett treats his players a lot better, and seems to fall out very rarely with players, unlike the media and potential successors. And it seems to be the players are key to saving his job now.
As it stands it looks like he may well get the boot before his contract ends in 2019.
But as ever the cheaper option is get rid of the coach when on the end of disappointing losses. And you could see the Broncos board spicing up the off-season by moving Wayne Bennett on before they kick off in 2019.
Whether they’ll win without him remains to be seen. But it may be a slightly happier place for some.
NRLW IS A GOOD WATCH
We tuned into both of the NRLW games over the weekend, and enjoyed them quite a bit.
As per usual the NRL are following the AFL on another initiative, but after watching the games we would argue that the NRLW is a better view than the AFLW. So perhaps worth the wait.
Some of the hits made you wince at home for the players involved, and the level of skill on display was great.
A good start that it is run through the finals series with 4 teams, and hopefully expanded next year to start during Origin period where the competition could use a little boost of NRLW and a Pacific Nations Round Robin.
We’ll be tuning in again this weekend. Not just because it is a trendy thing to do, or feel you have to, just because it’s more rugby league and fun to watch. Just a pity there was no Rabbitohs side to support. Maybe next year.
NATIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL MAKES THE INTERNATIONAL BREAK ALMOST BEARABLE
International breaks in Football are usually a pain in the arse. Stopping our favourite competitions for two weeks to plays either meaningless friendlies or lop sided qualifying games of a drawn out qualifying process.
The Nations League is a more organised set of glorified friendlies, but they actually contribute towards the next Euro tournament.
More importantly, it has the UEFA nations grouped in a Pool of three according to their strength. Pool A being the best, down to the Gibraltars in Pool D. What that means is more evenly friendlies between big teams, and allowing the minnows to play teams that won’t put double figures goals on them.
So for all of the France v Germany and England v Spain games, there are Andorra v Kazakhstan and San Marino v Luxembourg.
Even though we’d love the International break to bugger off, it’s here to stay, so at least it’s been made interesting.
FINALLY…..
Be warned about following our NRL Tips, a solid 3/4 in the AFL was not matched in the NRL with a dreadful 0/4.
BEST OF THE WEEK
Either Richmond or the Dragons super wins, book-ending the first weekend of finals.
WORST OF THE WEEK
Broncos. If you can get up for a final at home, in front of 47,000, in a last home game for a great servant, against a side struggling, then there’s something wrong.
JERK OF THE WEEKEND
Romano Fenati – the Moto 2 rider who grabbed his opponent’s brakes 200+ kph mid tussle. He’s been banned for 2 races and sacked by his team, so others agree.
