Once again there’s a massive sporting event coming up, and as is tradition at the Gurgler we introduce a way to enhance or improve your sporting experience.
Please accept our Ashes Cricket Non Drinking Game.
Those with a keen eye will notice it looks very similar to our non drinking games, and you’d be right. But where you’re onto a good thing why change.
To make sure your ashes night is complete, you’ll require a few things. Lounge or Beanbag, Andy Capp backwards facing naps, a very minimal and swiftly forgotten interest into the English county cricket system and most importantly of all – Test Cricket.
Well in the tradition of our previous success with the AFL/NRL Grand Final non drinking games and the ever popular Spumante Racing non drinking game, we’ll combine all your needs and more into one unbelievably fun night on the couch.
So, please accept our Ashes Cricket Challenge, brought to you by Stone’s Green Ginger Wine, Cleanskin Gold cartons, Gladstone Small, Philip de Freitas and Peter Taylor.
Given the problems associated with alcohol in the news these days, the days of the drinking game being a suitable pastime are long gone, and we certainly don’t like to recommend anything that will end is tsk-tsking on any morning news soap opera. We care about your well being and the problem of alcohol abuse in general. Drinking games are for a distant time of mid 20’s, and era of news with less social commentary and anything “going viral” and four or five governments ago when no one cared what people did.
Step 1 – Decide a punishment penalty – be it a 20 cent fine to a combined pool for all players and the person with the fewest penalties at the end scoops the pool, a 10 cent donation to your favourite charity, a giant horsebite slap on the leg with every penalty or how about having a bite of the world’s hottest corn chip with extra Frank’s Hot Sauce. Use your imagination.
If you decide to drink against our better wishes then a very cheap, generic beer. The Gurgler recommends MF Lager, or even better – Cleanskins. Why not add a little mystery to the shindig. The worse the beer, the bigger the punishment, and it’s all about punishing. You are mostly going to need at least half a carton per man. Mostly.
Step 2 – Find the following –
1 x Lounge Seat/Beanbag/Stool/Floor/Slothress A Slothress is a mattress pulled of a bed and put in an L-Shape against a wall and used as alternative seating. – 1 x TV Gurgler recommends with volume down and ABC up if time delay allows.
HOW TO PLAY
1 – Put all the fielders names in a Hat. 2 – Draw out One name 3 – If your person fields the ball – penalty 4 – If a Four is scored – penalty 5 – If a Six is scored – penalty 6 – If a Wicket is taken – penalty
All punishments must be paid before next ball, otherwise punishment must be doubled.
You’ll need to redraw the names every five overs to ensure punishment is shared evenly.
Lunch and Tea breaks are mandatory Andy Capp backwards facing nap breaks. Only quickly arranged backyard cricket games are permitted instead.
Once you’ve enjoyed that, why not try one of our other fantastic games. Check out our Fun and Games page for other sporting themed drinking games.
Everything is better back in the day. Those childhood memories of TV Shows, Family life and products always seems better. What is certainly better back in the day was the standard of facial hair in rugby league.
No charity derived temporary moustaches, designer stubble or wank O’clock shadow. Pure mos and beard that were yet to be ruined by hipsters drinking their kale shakes and appearing on various Ladbrokes ads. Facial hair you could set your clock to.
Here’s our list of the best of the best facial hair from rugby league’s days of yore. A shame just a few have stayed true and retained the fuzz. We tried to stay true to just the mo, but sometimes there’s a beard too good to leave out.
FULLBACK – Gary Belcher
Simply put, it was a classic, typically 80’s moustache, immaculately groomed. Ready for a game of league and soiree in equal measure.
WINGERS – John Ribot and Eric Grothe
Full and bushy, John Ribot’s mo was an example to all, and a shame the architect of Super League didn’t keep that one. Eric Grothe channels Mick Fleetwood with his legendary beard and mullet combo.
CENTRES – Brett Kenny and Warren Boland
Nothing screams 80’s rugby league gold like Brett Kenny and his mo, extra points for retaining it post game. Warren Boland looks a little Ian Chappell, and held onto that for most of his post league media career.
HALVES – Wally Lewis & Ewen McGrady
One is probably the most known and revered facial hair in rugby league. The other one of the most obscure successful footballers of all time. Wally’s might be more important, but it isn’t better. The fact Wally still has his shows his dedication to the art.
BACK ROW – Kirk Reynoldson, Rod Henniker, Kevin Hardwick
Three great pieces of facial hair work. Kirk does his best impression of the drummer for Creedence Clearwater Revival, whilst Rod Henniker does his best Weird Al. Kevin Hardwick has plenty to offer the facial hair fan, and also the Deadwood/Wild West fan with his Wild Bill Hickok.
FRONT ROW – Martin Bella, Cliff Lyons, Kerry Helmsley
Martin Bella gets as angry on the field as his moustache does with his Basil Fawlty impression. Cliff Lyons channels Lionel Ritchie with a real classic. Kerry Helmsley has so much to offer. No one has sported facial hair quite like him. We went with the Bee Gees disco look here, but there’s an impressive back catalogue of hair and fuzz available.
BENCH – Bryan Niebling, Greg Dowling, Rod Reddy, Sam Backo
A ferocious bench with facial hair to match. All four have mos and beard you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley. Usually the darkness is caused by their gargantuan facial hair. 18th man – Noel Cleal.
PNG HUNT FOR TEN STRAIGHT WINS AS SUNSHINE COST FALCONS RETURN TO THE FIELD
The Intrust Super Cup reaches Round 17 which sees the Sunshine Coast Falcons return to the field for the first time since the death of James Ackerman, who was farewelled during the week on the same ground. More on the farewell can be found on the QRL website http://www.qrl.com.au/news/2015/07/01/james_ackerman_farew.html
Elsewhere, Round 17 sees three games in which teams will be looking for revenge after large losses first time around in the 2015 season. A replay of last year’s Grand Final is also on offer in Cairns, and finally the PNG Hunters and the Channel 9 cameras arrive at Dolphin Oval to see if the run of the PNG side can be extended to 10 games.
Here is how the teams stand after last weekend.
P
W
D
L
B
F
A
+/-
Pts
Townsville Blackhawks
16
13
0
2
1
554
202
352
28
PNG Hunters
16
12
0
3
1
474
312
162
26
Ipswich Jets
16
11
0
4
1
470
320
150
24
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
16
11
0
4
1
413
272
141
24
Easts Tigers
16
9
1
5
1
422
245
177
21
Mackay Cutters
16
8
0
7
1
335
289
46
18
Northern Pride
16
8
0
7
1
327
318
9
18
Burleigh Bears
16
8
0
7
1
291
382
-91
18
Redcliffe Dolphins
16
5
0
9
2
365
378
-13
14
Tweed Heads Seagulls
16
5
1
9
1
350
352
-2
13
Souths Logan Magpies
16
4
0
10
2
317
436
-119
12
Sunshine Coast Falcons
16
4
1
10
1
226
408
-182
11
Norths Devils
16
3
1
11
1
202
454
-252
9
CQ Capras
16
1
0
14
1
222
600
-378
4
Burleigh Bears v Townsville Blackhawks at Pizzey Park on Saturday, July 4 – 3pm
Burleigh will be smarting from their 72 point loss earlier in the season and will be very keen to turn that result around this weekend. They will need to score more than the solitary penalty they scored against Easts last week against a side who averages almost 40 points a game.
That side Townsville have won three straight since their long unbeaten run came to an end against the Hunters who are on a sizable run of their own. The Blackhawks remain on top of the ladder with a two point gap and daylight in points difference. They also remain relatively intact despite the NRL short round minus Origin stars.
It would be easy to pick Townsville to win, so we did.
Prediction: Townsville by 20
This Year: Townsville 78 Burleigh 6
Last Year: N/A
Odds: Burleigh $5.25 Townsville $1.16
Townsville Blackhawks: 1. Jahrome Hughes 2. Zac Santo 3. Kyle Feldt 4. Moses Pangai 5. Jonathan Reuben 6. Tom Humble 7. Michael Parker-Walshe 8. Lorenzo Ma’afu 9. Anthony Mitchell 10. Daniel Beasley (c) 19. Kelepi Tanginoa 12. Rhyse Martin 13. Neville Costigan 14. Samsen O’Neill 15. Noel Underwood 16. Ricky Thorby 17. Corey Jensen 18. Lenny Magey
Coach: Kristian Woolf
Northern Pride v Easts Tigers at Barlow Park on Saturday, July 4 – 5.30pm
A replay of last year’s Grand Final, and a hard fought, high quality game awaits in Cairns this weekend.
Easts took some revenge on last year’s grand final loss to the Pride, but a double over their foe will go some way to paying back the disappointment. The Tigers are also on a good run of form, having not lost since Round 10, and their solid fifth placing has them primed for a tilt of finals football.
The Pride are also building nicely at the right time of the year after an long winless start, and will be very keen to stay in touch with those above them. A loss this Saturday will see them fall 5 points behind the Tigers in fifth.
The Pride have toughed out some good wins against quality opposition lately, and will no doubt need to tough it out again this weekend against Easts. It is a game that will be close and hard to choose between the two sides.
Prediction: Pride by 2
This Year: Easts 20 Pride 12
Last Year: Pride 4 Easts 16
Odds: Pride $2.35 Easts $1.60
Teams
Northern Pride: 1. Hezron Murgha 2. Linc Port 3. Brett Anderson (c) 4. Justin Castellaro 5. Luke George 6. Ryan Ghietti 14. Sam Obst 20. Jack Svendsen 9. Jason Roos (c) 10. Sheldon Powe Hobbs 11. David Murphy 12. Graham Clark 13. Tom Hancock 15. PJ Webb 16. Nathan Wales 17. Alex Starmer 19. Keelan White
Coach: Joe O’Callaghan
Easts Tigers: 1. Donald Malone 2. Maeli Seve 3. Whetu Austin 4. Michael Kai 5. Brandon Downey 6. Shaun Nona 19. Brentt Warr 8. Foisa Peni 9. Tommy Butterfield 10. Liam McDonald 11. Dane Hogan (c) 12. Jake Foster 13. Troy Giess 14. Mathew Pitman 15. Matthew Zgrajewski 16. Brenton Horwood 17. Billy Walters
Coach: Craig Ingebrigtsen
Sunshine Coast Falcons v Mackay Cutters at Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday, July 4 – 6pm
The Falcons have retired the number 8 jersey in honour of their fallen prop forward James Ackerman, and there will no doubt be plenty of emotion as the Falcons return to the playing field this weekend. If the response by the Tigers after their tragedy is any sign, the Falcons will turn the sadness into great performances and maybe a winning run to a surprise finals campaign.
There will hopefully be a big crowd to lend their support to a sporting team still hurting.
On the flipside, you also have to feel for Mackay Cutters, as they were the side that played against Easts in their first home game after the passing of Grant Giess, and find themselves at the centre of an emotional return again this weekend. Whilst they’ll be playing to break a two game losing streak, it will be hard to play in these circumstances.
We think emotion will get the Falcons home.
Prediction: Sunshine Coast by 6
Last Year: Sunshine Coast 20 Mackay 28
Odds: Sunshine Coast $4.50 Burleigh $1.20
Teams:
Sunshine Coast Falcons: 1. Sam Wright 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Young Tonumaipea 4. Paul Ivan 5. Rowan Klein 6. Travis Robinson 7. David Oakes 19. Jon Platt 9. Billy Brittain 10. Ryan Hansen 11. Rueben Baillie 12. Jacob Samoa 13. Tom Murphy (c) 14. Jay Lobwein 15. Johnny Vuetibau 16. Mboya Adams 17. Jye Ballinger
Coach: Glen Dreger
Mackay Cutters: 1. Sam Clune 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Ben Jones 4. Justin Tavae 5. Buchanan Rawhiti 6. Cameron Cullen 7. Liam Taylor 8. Brad Lupi 9. Josh Chudleigh 18. Pulou Vaituutuu 11. Brenden Treston 12. Tyson Martin 13. Chris Gesch (c) 14. Zack Walker 10. Ryan Kinlyside 15. Joss Boyton 16. Gavin Bennion 17. Mitch Day
Coach: Kim Williams
Redcliffe Dolphins v PNG Hunters at Dolphin Oval on Sunday, July 5 – 1.40pm*
The TV game on Sunday should get a quality game, and I will certainly be hoping so as I get to go along to watch the fun. Even as a lifelong Redcliffe fan, you can’t help but admire the way PNG play their football, and experience of watching this fixture last year, the crowd enjoyed watching both sides.
This was the ground where the Hunters made their Intrust Super Cup debut last year, and Redcliffe have yet to beat the PNG in any of the three meetings so far.
Whilst Redcliffe have now won two games at home in three after a year long drought, the arrival of a side in second place and on a run of nine straight games will test them to the maximum, and their form against the top sides has been not so good in 2015.
It all points to a PNG 10th straight win.
Prediction: PNG by 26
This Year: PNG 30 Redcliffe 26
Last Year: Redcliffe 18 PNG 24
Odds: Redcliffe $2.90 PNG $1.40
Teams:
Redcliffe Dolphins: 1. Josh Beehag 2. Oliver Regan 3. Tom Opacic 4. Aaron Whitchurch 5. Curtis Johnston 21. Trent Richardson 7. Luke Capewell (c) 8. Charlie Faingaa 9. Darcy Etrich 10. Jon Green 11. Nick Ritter 12. Anthony Cherrington 13. Tyson Cleal 14. Logan Harris 15. Tom Geraghty 16. Harley Aiono 17. Taylor Brown
Coach: Troy Lindsay
PNG Hunters: 1. Stargroth Amean 2. David Lapua 3. Noel Zeming 4. Thompson Teteh 5. Adex Wera 6. Israel Eliab (c) 7. Ase Boas 8. Henry Noki 9. Wartovo Puara 10. Esau Siune 11. Brandy Peter 12. Timothy Lomai 13. Lawrence Tu’u 14. Nickson Borana 15. Atte Bina 16. Willie Minoga 17. Enock Maki 18. Oti Bland Tony 19. Roger Laka
Coach: Michael Marum
Ipswich Jets v Souths Logan Magpies at North Ipswich Reserve on Sunday, July 5 – 2pm
Ipswich return home after a rare loss in Cairns last weekend, and they are a side that don’t often lose two in a row.
On paper the Jets should take care of the Magpies easily, given their 50-20 win earlier in the year, but the Magpies have been better in the last two months than their position on the ladder and some results show. They won last weekend against Tweed without Ashley Taylor to prove they can, and are some outside chance of doing the same this weekend. Look to year’s pointfest that fell in favour of Souths Logan.
Whilst Ipswich are no certainties to win, what will be certain is plenty of points – 152 in the last two meetings alone.
Prediction: Ipswich by 8
This Year: Souths Logan 20 Ipswich 50
Last Year: Ipswich 40 Souths Logan 42
Odds: Ipswich $1.22 Souths Logan $4.25
Teams
Ipswich Jets: 1. Carlin Anderson 2. Richard Pandia 3. Chris Walker 4. Nemani Valekapa 5. Brandon McGrady 6. Josh Cleeland 7. Dane Phillips 15. Kurtis Lingwoodock 9. Landon Hayes 10. Rod Griffin 11. Sam Martin 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Keiron Lander (c) 14. Fakahoko Teutau 16. Billy McConnachie 17. Liam Capewell 19. Haydan Lipp
Coach: Ben Walker and Shane Walker
Souths Logan Magpies: 1. Brandon Khuu 2. Josh Damen 3. Dallas Anderson 4. Scott Doyle 5. Tim Brooks 6. Jack Joass 7. Rhys Jacks 8. Tikiko Noke 9. Travis Waddell 10. Andrew Edwards 11. Joe Boyce 12. Dan Tamou 13. Phil Dennis (c) 14. Jack Anderson 15. Ben Thorburn 16. Sam Gardel 17. Leon Panapa 18. Ken Levu
Coach: Josh Hannay
Norths Devils v Wynnum Manly Seagulls at Bishop Park on Sunday, July 5 – 2.30pm
Like a few teams this weekend, Norths get the chance to get revenge on a side that gave them a hiding on the away trip earlier in the year.
The difference is for the Devils, that things haven’t really turned around for them since that loss, they haven’t won since Round 9, and they were also on the receiving end of a large loss at home against top end team Easts Tigers recently.
Wynnum Manly got back on track against Mackay last weekend, and will find this game easier this weekend.
Prediction: Wynnum by 34
This Year: Wynnum 66 Norths 4
Last Year: Norths 12 Wynnum 52
Odds: Norths $4.50 Wynnum $1.20
Teams:
Norths Devils: 1. Dylan Galloway 2. Michael Lucas 3. Joel Baily 4. Ryan Millard 5. Rogan Dean 6. Dan Murphy 7. Liam Tyson 8. Matt Mizzi 9. Will McNee 10. Billy Solah 11. Rhett Webster 12. Michael Molo 13. Krys Freeman (c) 15. Haile Rycroft 16. Kristian Wanka 20. Dylan Smith 17. Richard Tuala
Coach: Mark Gliddon
Wynnum Manly Seagulls: 1. Daniel Ogden 2. Peter Gubb 3. Matthew Grieve 4. Mitchell Buckett 5. Greg Eden 6. Patrick Templeman 7. Matthew Seamark 8. Ben Shea 9. Alehana Mara 10. Tim Natusch (c) 11. David Stagg 12. Jon Grieve 13. Mitchell Frei 14. John Te Reo 15. Brendon Gibb 16. Aaron Rockley 17. Tanu Wulf
The sporting weekly returns to a reasonably low key week. The British GP stands out as the upcoming highlight of the week ahead, and we’ll sift through the highlights of the week that passed.
PNG HUNTERS
Our favourite team have stormed into outright second with their 9th straight win, and a biggun’ at that. The 68-4 win over the Capras showcased the attack that’s always on offer with the Hunters, but equally impressive was the mere 4 points conceded.
Central only turned up with 15 players due to Visa issues, so two locals got to be a Capra for a day, ironically the only try that PNG let in was to one of their own, giving PNG 14 tries in total for the day – 13 to the Hunters.
They sit just two points behind the Townsville Blckhawks, and are one of just two teams who they have been beaten by. Finals football looking likely now, and a hope that they can go not only all the way to the Queensland Grand Final, but to Sydney on the NRL’s big day.
WOMENS WORLD CUP
Like most who will admit it or not, The Gurgler joined the bandwagon just in time for watching the Matildas bow out in the quarter finals against Japan.
In the European Football hibernation period, the Women’s World Cup has been a welcome sporting addition, the timeslot perfect for early morning weekend sport. The quality has been good too, not that any amount of World Cup victories will change their broadcasting interest. Except on maybe Fox Sports or the ABC. And if it became popular, then maybe Channel 9 could ruin it too.
With just England, Japan, Germany and the USA left, we are cheering for England or Germany, but the USA will win it.
FORMULA E
The electric powered semi-F1 cars had their grand finale in London on the weekend. After it’s conclusion there were calls that it is here to stay and it could overtake F1.
Now whilst it is entertaining, and a good alternative to a non-F1 weekend, and it usually has a quality field of forgotten ex F1 drivers and other motorsports has beens, al I can say is pfffft.
I can remember A1GP, which was an excellent summer alternative, but that came and went too quickly. Same with GP Masters. And the breakaway F1 series. And without the Indy 500 so would have the IRL.
In saying that, if F1’s arrogance, snobbery, lacklustre racing, and constant rule changes which make no difference continues, maybe they will be right.
One thing in Formula E’s favour is the races are in he heart of cities, and whilst very temporary, there’s more on view than a Tilke built track in a desert somewhere of 500 km from the nearest major city like Korea or a bastardisation of once great track.
THE GURGLER – YOUR HOME OF THE ROD PAMPLING UPDATE
Gurgler favourite Rod Pampling had a productive week on the second tier Web.com Tour in the US. Here’s our round up that we supply with each sporting review.
LAST TOURNAMENT: Tie 6th – WEB.COM TOUR, Kansas
WORLD RANKING: 183rd (up 6 from last week – up from 252 end of 2014)
VIDEOS
It’s a pretty slow sporting week if you don’t like Tennis and shortened almost pointless NRL rounds. So why not have the next best thing to sport. Take a trip down memory lane….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79vcg6BIvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6SkoNY3Fl8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwF3Bo5GK_0
BEST BETS
Here’s our Super Multi for your consideration and avoidance.
SYDNEY SWANS to beat Port
HAWTHORN to beat Collingwood
GC SUNS +23.5 start v North Melb
FREO -56.5 start v Brisbane
PENRITH with +12.5 Handicap v South Sydney
NORTH QLD +6.5 start v Dragons
MANLY to win by 13+ v Sharks
WESTS TIGERS to beat Parra
$1 pays $124
HIGHLIGHTS
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
BRITISH GRAND PRIX
Friday
COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN
Saturday
MELBOURNE v WEST COAST in Darwin
Sunday
REDCLIFFE DOLPHINS v PNG HUNTERS
Live on Channel 9 – 1:40pm
Next Wednesday
STATE OF ORIGIN III
ASHES FIRST TEST
Another round of the Intrust Super Cup aka the Queensland Cup played over the weekend just a week after the death of James Ackerman of the Sunshine Coast.
Tributes were on display all around the games this weekend in a real show of community from the Queensland game.
Amongst the sadness and tributes there were 6 games to be played. The Gurgler’s favourite team PNG Hunters won their ninth straight game, sit in outright second, and favourite PNG player Big Willie Minoga scored a try in a 68-4 win against Central. Sounds like the perfect game for us.
We’ll be heading to Redcliffe for a taste of PNG Hunters this weekend, and with only two more games left in Brisbane, suggest you get along if you can.
It’s time to admit you have a problem. You are a Sports Nerd.
Whilst others are cheering for Manchester United and Liverpool, you’re listening to updates from the Vanarama Conference. Whilst many are huddled around the TV for a summer of Cricket, you’ve grabbed the radio and found an excuse to listen to ABC Grandstand. You know what the blue line means in the NHL, as well as what compound of tyre relates to what colour in Formula One.
It’s OK, you’re in good company here. But it is time to measure just how bad your condition is. Please accept our Sports Nerd Test.
We know you’ll answer them without checking, because you are a sports nerd, and you’ll demand honesty from yourself.
1 – CRICKET
You prefer ABC Grandstand radio cricket coverage due to the dulcet tones of Jim Maxwell and the fact they have an international commentator, and that none of the commentators have the names Shane, Brett or Slater. 4 points
You have found a way of timing the digital radio online with the Channel 9 TV vision. 4 points
You really dislike Michael Slater’s and Channel 9’s overall commentary and have ranted for more than a minute on at least two or more ocassions during the summer. 2 points
2 – FORMULA 1
You prefer to watch Live Timing of Qualifying sessions rather the TV Footage, because you prefer to be able to see all the sector times for all the drivers at the same time. 3 points
You have watched Live Timing for any other session or have the live timing on a device at the same time as watching any session. 1 point per session. (P1, P2, P3)
You have paid for the overpriced Official F1 App so you can keep an eye on where all the cars are on track during a race. 1 point
You can name every World Champion since 1950. 1 point
You paid for an Autosport.com subscription. 1 point
You watch any Grand Prix in full more than twice. 1 point
3 – WATCHING TV SPORT
You have paid for a NHL/MLB/NFL Gamecenter subscription 1 point per sport
You have watched the same regular season game twice, in its entirety, and your team lost. 1 point
You have tried for an hour to watch a live stream of a sport, and finally get one and the quality is barely better than a 2004 Nokia flip phone. 2 points
You watch the Saturday afternoon replay of the A League on SBS 1 point
You watched any Super 12 Rugby game. 1 point If you attempt to correct us by saying it’s now Super Rugby or Super 15 Rugby… Instant Disqualification.
You can sit through an entire NASCAR Race or 0-0 draw. Without alcohol. 1 point
You have either recorded or downloaded a game/race and have avoided the result for over a week in a bid to watch it without knowing the result. 1 point
4 – WATCHING FOOTBALL/SOCCER
You insist that it is not called Soccer but Football. 1 point
You think Soccer Saturday is the greatest TV program of all time 1 point
If you can’t get a live stream of Soccer Saturday you find the poor man’s (which is actually very good) version on LBC Radio from London. 1 point
You download Match of the Day 1 and 2, the Football League Show, and Soccer AM every week. Whether you get around to watching them or not. 1 point
You watch the 3pm UK Time kick off on Foxtel in split screen so you can keep an eye on four games at once, ensuring you flick between the most exciting passages. 4 points.
You also add the IPad and Mobile Foxtel Go for additional games not on split screens to ensure nothing is missed. 1 point.
You went to a game of top level Australian domestic football before the A League started. 1 point.
5 – SUPPORTING SPORT
You have attended a Sheffield Shield game last season. 3 points
You have attended a Domestic One Day game. 1 point
You insist that your only game of cricket you go to in a summer is at Alan Border Field (or southern equivalent grassy hill playing field) because you want to sit on a grassy hill. 1 point
You have attended a lower division game of your choice – Qld Cup, NSW Cup, VFL, SANFL, TFL, WAFL, A League. 1 point
You have attended two or more. 3 points
You are one of the mad people or want to be one of the people who run out to celebrate with the winner of the Stawell Gift after significant investment. 1 point
6 – YOU CAN NAME THE FOLLOWING TEAMS
***** DOLPHINS (Aust Baseball)
CANBERRA ****** (Aust Cricket)
SOUTH EAST ********* ***** (NBL)
NORTH QLD **** (A League)
GOLD COAST ****** (NRL)
BUNDABERG ********* (Qld Rugby League)
SUPER ***** (F1)
********* SMASH REPAIRS CAR (V8’s)
******* RED LEGS (SAFL)
******** AND REDBRIDGE (Football)
1 point each
7 – NAME THE FOLLOWING SPORTING STARS
ROB ******* (Lawn Bowls)
JOYCE ****** (Softball)
NOEL ****** (Horse Racing)
THIERRY ******* (F1)
MARK ***** (V8s)
PHIL *** ******* SMYTH (NBL)
**** HARDIE (AFL)
FRANCIS ********* (NSL Soccer)
ZALI ******** (Winter Olympics)
****** (Powerboats)
1 point each
8 – WHERE IN THE WORLD & WHICH DIVISION?
Which Division/Conference?
YEOVIL TOWN ______
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER _____
GUINGAMP _____
ELCHE _____
GRASSHOPPERS _____
WORKINGTON TOWN _____
ST LOUIS CARDINALS ______
BALTIMORE RAVENS _____
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS ______
VANCOUVER CANUCKS ______
1 point each
9 – COMMENTATORS
Which sport are the following associated with?
DAVID CROFT _____
TONY GREEN _____
PHIL LIGGETT _____
ANNE SARGENT _____
DARREN MCCAULEY _____
ROB MUNDLE _____
MIKE STEPHENSON _____
STEVE CARFINO _____
RICHARD SVENSON _____
MICHAEL BUFFER ______
1 point each
10 – YOU
You have joined a sports forum and posted at least one opinion. 2 points
You are currently part of a Supercoach competition. 1 point
You are part of a Supercoach/Fantasy League of more than one sport. 1 point
You have started a sports website and / or Blog. 1 point
You buy end of season reviews of sporting just to have the collection. 1 point
You buy any obscure sporting shirt that you find in an Op Shop just so you can own an obscure sporting team jersey. Like the Wrexham shirt I picked up or $3. 1 point
You have gone to a sporting event on Valentine’s Day, when you’ve had a girlfriend, and you didn’t take them. 1 point
You have moved family/friends functions or refused to go as it didn’t suit the sport you intended to watch. 1 point
You have 10 or more Sporting books or biographies. 1 point
HOW DID YOU SCORE?
0 – 5 Get out! You are no Family Assorted biscuit or a sports fan/nerd.
You are the Richard Wilkins of sports fans.
6 – 20 Showing some early signs of Sports Nerd behaviour. You’re clearly keen on sport, you just need a little extra help and training.
You are the Max Verstappen of sports fans.
21-60
Starting to really feel the symptoms now. Your weekends are full, and you love it. You just need a little more hard work to get that gold.
You are the Martin Vinnicombe..Mmmmmmedal winner of sports fans.
61-80 Some of your best work, you move your personal life to suit your sport. You dedicate your time to learning how to pronounce the Spanish La Liga teams correctly, and correct announcers who don’t. Even just to yourself.
You are the Miguel Angel Jiminez of sports fans.
81-100 People could argue you have no life, and you could argue you have just the best life.
You are the ultimate Sports Nerd. TELL US YOUR SCORE BELOW…
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Unfortunately the Queensland Cup got more exposure than it would usually get as the tragic death of Sunshine Coast players James Ackerman shocked the rugby league community in Queensland and around the world.
Just two weeks after the passing of Easts Tigers player Grant Giess, the QRL and it’s fans and family are dealing with another terrible loss.
The Gurgler sends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of James Ackerman.
Hopes are high for tonight’s Austrian Grand Prix with the welcome sight of not only a wet track for qualifying but some high profile mistakes from both of the dominant Mercedes pair. This gives hope of a Grand Prix with a little more excitement than a lot of the races thus far.
Talk after the Canadian GP was about the state of F1, but the disappointment was due to the New Year’s eve type expectations due to a back catalogue of action. Like New Year’s eve it disappointed completely due to raised expectations.
So onto the oversized go kart track that is the Red Bull Ring, it looks Mercedes heaven, and a quick glance at the grid confirms that with only Vettel, Verstappen and Nasr not being powered by a Merc in the Top 10. But with the mistakes in Q3 from both of the silver clad drivers, and the ominous form of Sebastian Vettel, the Williams’, and Le Mans winner Nico Hulkenburg for once there appears to be a chink in the armour and hopes for the casual viewer.
The casual viewer will need binoculars if looking for any of McLarens and Daniel Ricciardo, whose reward for driving some of the poorer cars in the field is to be relegated to the back of the grid due to their underperforming engines requiring changes. Not content with sending these slow cars to the back, all three get a small sachet of additional salt to carry with them with additional drive throughs and stop-go penatlies to be served. The only benefactor appears to be Manor, who may stay in front of some of the closest rivals longer than usual. Another may be the fans waiting for another Alonso outburst to match the one from Canada.
Someone else whose radio might be entertaining is Kimi Raikkonen who was less than impressed after he was less than impressive in qualifying as he was bundled out in Q3, the team not helping him much though.
There appears to be a better than usual chance of rain, so it is with the weather gods that we place our faith in for a chance at a possible new winner for 2015.
THE GURGLER BETS
There’s simply no point or value in betting on Mercedes, Vettel is reasonable value if the race runs to its 2015 schedule at $6.50, but we can go longer odds.
So here’s our roughies for you to avoid or throw a little street money at.
For those in South East Queensland looking for something to do there plenty of games offer including a cracker a Tapout Energy Stadium between Easts and Mackay.
For those looking for something less strenuous the Tweed v Png Hunters game is available for live streaming via QRL website. Get a taste for the excitement machine that is the PNG side.
And why not think of an investment too. Here’s our QCup multi paying $21.
There’s been plenty o talk about how tough this course is, and no doubt it is, as it looks as close to a US version of mousetrap as golf can get. You know hours of setup for a few short minutes of gold.
This means the open is just that and open to anyone to win.
Sure we could give you a whole lot of favourites but anyone can do that including nick faldo, ian woosnam and Jeff but not Peter Senior. We aren’t Jeff Senior. Nor are we Peter. But we’d like to be either or Rod Pampling.
So we reach our usual conclusion no matter skill level, recent form or tee off time.
Simply put if a Golf Major comes around there’s only one man to follow. On man for all seasons. One man for every season.
Let’s talk about three holes in one this year and the euro pga record of overall. Let us talk about his irons being like darts as he advised. Let’s talk about celebratory cigars.
Either way we love Miguel angel jiminez and he can be our choice.
