Much like the much the oft discussed loss a team has to have before a final series, maybe the same applies to the Australian Cricket Team. Without the loss in the first Test and in the manner it was handed to them, the selectors may have once again overlooked the mediocre returns of Shane Watson. Not that he was the fault of the first Test, but after 1-0 down we had nothing to lose.
Shane Watson is an easy target, and he was the target of many after the first Test, but it was time to push him out the door. It’s hard to think of a favourite Shane Watson moment. Like trying to name a Keith Urban song – a great Shane Watson performance is hard to remember. Sure they are both well known and have reasonably famous partners, but naming a specific achievement?
His replacement Mitchell Marsh showed promise, enough for a little taste of what’s to come, but not enough for everyone to go bananas and destroy him too early. The best part was the wickets at vital times, something we’ve missed for a while.
Two great things have come out of the Aussies huge win in the second Test. Firstly, if the English curators continue to serve up pitches to dampen the Aussie bowlers that become unplayable for the English, then we’re happy to receive more of the same results as at Lords. And if Jimmy Anderson keeps running on the pitch, all the better for Nathan Lyon. Secondly the English media have done what they do best and have turned on their team, arguing over who should be dropped and retained.
With three tests left, now the English are unsettled and with just three Tests to go. But as the first two tests have proven anything can happen, and probably will.
Hard to finish and not mention Steve Smith, but some unsung performers of the Aussie side deserve praise as well. Nathan Lyon and Chris Rogers are unfashionable, but it is hard to argue against their reliability.
A week off until the next one is welcome. Everyone needs the rest.
This week in the Queensland Cup had plenty to offer – not one but two high scoring draws – not good enough for the NRL, but certainly good enough for Queensland Cup fans. If you happened to have caught the last three TV games you’ll know what we’re talking about.
Hey, and wins for The Gurgler’s favourite teams PNG Hunters and Redcliffe Dolphins amongst others, and it all adds up to another incredible week of Queensland Cup action.
Our friends at Nothing But League have it all and more for you.
Forgotten about our ultimate tipping comp? So did we and we created it.
If you don’t know what we’re talking about, at the beginning of the year we supply 150 sporting events for you to tip on. The points awarded is the winnings from a theoretical $1 bet on that event. The original competition details can be found here.
It was time to check in and check our results. If you feel like joining us next year stay with The Gurgler throughout the year for more details.
WINNERS
SPRINGBORG to be next LNP leader
SEATTLE – Conference Winner
DJOKOVIC /S.WILLIAMS – Aust Open
NZ win NBL
CLEVELAND / PORTLAND / GOLDEN STATE – NBA Div Winners
GOLDEN STATE / CLEVELAND – NBA Conf Winners
ST LOUIS – Div Winner NHL
MONTOYA win Indy 500
CHELSEA win EPL
CHELSEA win League Cup
BARNET win Vanarama
INGOLSTADT win Bundesliga 2
PSG win Ligue 1
BENFICA to win Portuguese League
OLYPMIAKOS win Greek League
MELB VICTORY win ALeague
JORDAN SPIETH wins US Open
QLD win Origin Series 2-1
HAMILTON wins British GP
BEST THREE WINNERS:
SPIETH US OPEN @$21
SPRINGBORG LNP LEADER @ $7.50
MONTOYA Indy 500 @ $7.50
LOSERS:
Plenty.
POINTS SO FAR…
At the halfway mark, from a $1 win bet on all the winner thus far, we’d have 79.15 points. Not bad at the halfway mark, and for bets that had to be decided at the start of the year.
Bernard Tomic and Nick Kyrgios – Tennis Jerk both – seemed to have taken on our results of the Australian Open for Tennis Jerks and are striving for better. After Wimbledon it looked like both had reached their peak of jerkdom, but events since have shown there room for improvement and more.
Kyrgios’ performance in Darwin and Tomic’s behaviour in Miami shows there plenty more to come as a Tennis Jerk, but with both vying for top jerk at such a pace, how do we judge the biggest jerk of all?
Simples. Please accept the Gurgler’s Australian Tennis Jerk Bingo.
How does it work? Well print out our Jerk Bingo card – one for both players, and as they perform one of the jerk behaviours you cross them off. The first one to have all boxes crossed off is the ultimate jerk. Although we can have yearly updates on who was more boxes ticked.
You’re quite welcome to cross off any box that has already happened too. This should give Tomic a head start, but with the recent improvement of Kyrgios, it will no doubt be a closely fought battle.
Anything the NRL can do the Intrust Super Cup can do better as both competitions have a full round of fixtures. But the NRL doesn’t have the excitement machine that is The Gurgler’s favourite team – PNG Hunters. They return after a bye last weekend.
After two great TV games in a row there’s pressure on the Tigers and Blackhawks to keep up the quality. No doubt they will.
There’s loads more on offer from our friends at Nothing But League.
Why not follow our Qld Cup multi or select a better one yourself.Through the above article, we can recommend you the latest dresses.Shop dress in a variety of lengths, colors and styles for every occasion from your favorite brands.
Qld Cup Super Multi
$1 – $54
Ipswich to beat Wynnum
Mackay to beat Burleigh
Redcliffe -12.5 start v Central
Easts +8 start v T’ville
Tweed +6.5 v Pride
S-Logan to beat Norths
Sun Coast +16.5 v PNG
Australians and Tennis fans will be waking up this morning to the surprising news of Bernard Tomic’s arrest in Miami, Florida where he is preparing for the Hall of Fame Tournament. What will be even more surprising to all his many fan is that it was for an incident that for most wouldn’t happen.
Most normal people don’t play loud music to the annoyance of others, and when called on it, would usually turn it down by the third request. Not our BT, who strives for excellence in the field of Jerk.
He has to be commended though, like the champion football players who stay for hours doing goal kicking or free kick practice well into the dark, the dedication to being a top class Tennis Jerk is undeniable. And like a Champion, just when you think they’ve reached their pinnacle, there’s always more. More. No wonder he won our Australian Open for Tennis Jerks. Now he’s gunning for Champion ofthe Universe.
Two questions. Who is to blame? Well investigators are looking for the current whereabouts of Pat Rafter, who no doubt played some part in the incident. And of course Tennis Australia were the ones to complain about the music from 10,000 kms away. Why won’t they respect his Ipod?
Second question, what is Nick Kyrgios going to do to top this? It could be a season long battle for the ultimate in Tennis jerk-dom. Sit back and enjoy.
Round 19 of the NRL arrives and a full round of games with all your favourite stars*. It is about time too. Following is our preview and best bets for the weekend. We recommend taking our individual tips and rolling them into a multi for the maximum payout for ultimate tightarse.
Exciting news with the below link regarding Channel 10 possibly stealing tv rights from Nine. Offering 5 FTA games sounds great and no Rabs, Hads and the current cast minus Sterlo and Gus sounds great. And I already have Foxtel.
We actually might see a non Brisbane game on a Friday night and something other than lower ladder all Sydney team dross on a Sunday afternoon. We can dream and hope for better. Or at a bare minimum – no worse.
Enough of dreams for the future, let’s talk about this week’s Kick to Come preview.
PARRAMATTA v BULLDOGS
FRIDAY 7:35 – ANZ Stadium (Ch9)
Old foes from some classic 1980’s grand finals meet at Parramatta’s home ground…well everyone’s home ground at ANZ aka Olympic Stadium. But that doesn’t matter. Nor really does who wins this game aside for the two sets of fans. What really matters is Semi Radradra. The man with the most enjoyable name to pronounce and add to in Australian Sport also has plenty to offer on the field, and his fans, of which The Gurgler is certainly one, will be hoping for a brace of tries minimum.
GURGLER TIP: EELS +8.5 start.
STORM v PENRITH
FRIDAY 7:35 – AAMI Park (Ch9)
All the talk for Cameron Smith aka Cam Smith will be on his 300th game, something positive for a change, which will be some kind of relief for him. After refusing the get square interview on Channel 7, and showing his class to sort out the matter in private, he’ll no doubt be happy to do more talking on the field. Very rarely does the 300 game go wrong for the host of the party either.
Penrith were great against Souths a few weeks back and were well beaten by the Roosters last weekend. That pretty much sums up theirs and their opponents seasons thus far.
GURGLER TIP: Melbourne to win
CANBERRA v SHARKS
SATURDAY 3:00 – Bruce Stadium
Many will bne thankful that this game is being played at the family friendly time of 3:00pm given the recent cold snap.
It can be no fun playing in Canberra, that must be why they don’t many games there as you would think. But their win last weekend against Newcastle showed a side that still has plenty to offer in 2015, and with the bottom half of the eight so achievable this year, the Raiders can dream. As long as future origin talk doesn’t destroy Blake Austin in the meanwhile.
The Sharks extinguished the Dragons last weekend, and would also have sights on a run to the finals. They also might be thinking of putting one over their former coach Ricky Stuart. If they are any players left from that era given the turnover.
GURGLER TIP: Sharks +6.5 start
NEWCASTLE v GOLD COAST
SATURDAY 5:30 – Hunter Stadium
Next please.
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA v SOUTHS
SATURDAY 7:30 – SCG
Aside from the Parra v Dogs clash on Friday night, this is the only other real heritage rivalry. Traditional rivals – Yes. Traditional jerseys – Yes. Traditional venue – Yes. It all sounds good, and hopefully will be. But not too good, as we don’t want Channel 9 to steal this game and call it their own just like Anzac Day between the Dragons and Roosters.
Somehow Souths are still 5th and equal on points as fourth placed NZ, this is despite being very ordinary at times this year, showing two things – good sides still win when they play average, and the gap between the top and bottom is bigger this year than ever and the midfield starts much earlier than usual. The Dragons have been unlucky with injuries and wondering where that great start to the season went. Too early to blame the coach.
GURGLER TIPS: Souths to win.
ROOSTERS v NZ
SUNDAY 2:00 – SFS
Surprised that this game wasn’t given prime Sunday afternoon slot, given Channel 9’s reluctance to have games outside of the Sydney area on Sunday afternoon. But it also may prove the anti-NZ Warriors theory of Channel 9. Maybe 60 Minutes have “Special Report” waiting on the ills of immigrating NZ Warriors into the Australian Rugby League system ruining our game.
NZ far from ruin the game, and their way of playing is a welcome breath of fresh air from the usual mundane drone like style we get from most of the other teams. Manu Vatuvei is also one of the more likeable sportsmen on Earth, so they are hard to dislike. Not that there a that manyless Kiwis in the Roosters line up, they just aren’t as likeable. But we do like the Roosters to win.
GURGLER TIPS: Roosters to win
BRONCOS v WESTS TIGERS
SUNDAY 3:00 – Lang Park
Broncos fans and TV audiences around the nation will be rubbing their eyes and wondering what day/time it is as the Brisbane side play on a Sunday afternoon for the only time this season. People love Sunday afternoon football, pity certain individuals and their employers don’t like it in Brisbane.
The question is after an excellent Origin period where they would have written off a few losses is whether the Broncos can maintain the intensity. The look of the disapproving father in Wayne Bennett will be more than enough inspiration not to.
Wests Tigers haven’t won since they pulled Souths’ pants down a few weeks ago, but whether the young guns have enough to knock off the leaders of the competition remains to be seen.
GURGLER TIPS: Broncos by 13+
MANLY V NQ COWBOYS
MONDAY 7:00 – Brookvale
Manly are making a run to the finals. Most are hoping they don’t. But their recent form warrants some respect. More than Daly Cherry Evans got on Monday night. Although given the circumstances, it is hard to argue he deserved any less.
One stat is all you need for this game. Manly have played two Monday night games for a win and a loss. North Queensland are four from four on the Monday. Based on that you can guarantee two things from this game, the Cowboys will instantly half the crowd number in Sydney on a Monday night, and the Cowboys will win.
GURGLER TIPS: COWBOYS to win.
GURGLER SUPER NRL MULTI
Combine all our tips for maximum enjoyment
$1 pays $25
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.
The 2015 British Open or Open Championship starts on Thursday and returns to the home of golf at St Andrews for this year’s edition. Everyone who’s anyone will want to be there, and it is the usual star studded cast.
There’s a lot to like about the British Open, traditional golf courses, not manicured within an inch of their life, but a layout that still looks like it would have a century ago. It’s rarely easy, and only the very best US golfers tend to win. It also allows for more European and Australian success, which is a good thing because for a rare moment in golfing time, The Gurgler’s two favourite golfers are in the same tournament. One from Europe and the other an Aussie.
First we’ll talk about Miguel Angel Jiminez aka The Mechanic. It’s no secret we are big fans at The Gurgler, and who wouldn’t be, he is a breath of fresh air in this ultra competitive professional world of sport. His cigar smoking, ponytail and facial hair, and warm up routine (a video of which we have below). But don’t let all that fool you, he’s got plenty on the golf course, and is in some form this year.
A tie for tenth in the Scottish Open just last weekend gave a taster to the form this year. Holes in One in consecutive tournament, breaking the European PGA Hole in One record along the way is also a season highlight. Another highlight is the post ace celebration, also posted below and worth a look.
We hope The Mechanic will be thereabouts if not winning throughout the tournament as it is always better when he’s around.
With the European chances covered it’s time for The Gurgler’s other favourite golfer – Rod Pampling. Unlike Australian Tennis which seems to be breeding jerk after jerk, Australian Golf keeps producing Aussie battlers, and our man Rod Pampling is a good example of this. After winning his first tournament in a while on the Web.com Tour (more on that in one of our previous bits) he has been chipping away (no pun intended) on both the Web.com 2nd tier tour and playing with the big boys on the US PGA Tour.
A tie for 41st in a tournament last weekend featuring and won by current hot shot Jodan Spieth is some kind of effort considering he has been plying his trade on the second tier for most of the year, and is some reasonable form to take across to Scotland. Currently ranked 186th in the world means nothing heading into major tournaments, and for the man who has led a British Open.
SO WHO WILL PROBABLY WIN?
Hard to tip against Jordan Spieth ($7.50) or favourite on UK soil Justin Rose ($19) or even Adam Scott ($19). You could also go for any American reasonable form, but this is a course in which an American has to be exceptional. Look at the previous winners at St Andrews – Louis Oosthuizen, Tiger Woods x 2, John Daly, Nick Faldo, and the great Seve, only names of pure quality win here. Tiger’s coming in the days before everyone found out about his conquests.
But we don’t do things like the rest of the world here at The Gurgler. Anyone can tip a favourite. So we intend to pick our favourites. Apologies in advance if our support is a poison chalice of the highest order.
WHO ARE WE PUTTING OUR MONEY ON? (Pun intended)
MIGUEL ANGEL JIMINEZ
Win @ $176
Top 25 @ $3.75
ROD PAMPLING
Win @ $751
Top 25 @ $11
Top Aussie @$41
ROSS FISHER
Win @ $161
Top 10 @ $10
JUSTIN ROSE
Lead 1st Round @ $23
Lowest Score Tournament @ $21
So sit back and enjoy four days of tremendous golf, if two of our favourites are up the pointy end it will be entertaining. And given Australia’s performance in the first Test of the Ashes it will be less painful to watch.
TEE OFF GROUPS TO WATCH
Unlike US coverage, you are a chance of seeing someone other than the top three, Tiger Woods and Big Phil, so here’s some groups to keep an eye on.
8:33 UK TIME – TOM WATSON, ERNIE ELS, BRANDY SNEDEKER
9:00 UK TIME – BUBBA WATSON, IAN POULTER, CHARL SCHWARZEL
9:33 UK TIME – JORDAN SPIETH, HIDEKI MATSUYAMA, DUSTIN JOHNSON
9:55 UK TIME – JASON DAY, TIGER WOODS, LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN
12:50 UK TIME – JASON DUFNER, MIGUEL ANGEL JIMINEZ, JOHN DALY
2:45 UK TIME – JUSTIN ROSE, SIR NICK FALDO, RICKIE FOWLER
Another incredible round of Intrust Super Cup aka Queensland Cup rugby league took place over the weekend. Upset wins for Souths Logan and an emotional win for the Sunshine Coast would normally be the highlights, or a big win to Redcliffe or Townsville. but the TV game between Easts and Ipswich offered plenty, and was a brilliant showcase to what the local football competition can offer.
