Welcome to the week that was, is, and will be. Our favourite bits, less favourite bits, and some general rubbish to fill the space. Plus our usual super multi which hasn’t yet won, but don’t miss out when it does.
MK DONS 4 MAN UTD 0
Rarely has a second round League Cup result attracted so much attention. Such is the decline of the multi English and European champions since the departure of Sir Alex, that a League Cup game makes Australian commercial news.
Yes, EPL teams get beaten by lower division teams, you only need to look at other results this morning (West Ham beaten by Third Div Sheffield Utd and EPL new boys beaten at home by fourth tier Shrewsbury Town). However, such was the fuss of David Moyes’ reign last year and the heralded arrival of former Dutch manager Van Gaal, that a defeat to a deserving MK Dons is being debated whether it’s a mere blip, time for patience or another step towards real decline.
Either way the game is Milton Keynes’ arrival as the town’s second best sporting team behind Red Bull Racing, and a whining point for spoiled Man Utd fans. As a lower division fan used to much mediocrity, there’s a small (large) amount of shadenfreunde.
It’s OK though, they’ll probably hit the 200 million pound mark this transfer window before it closes.
ASADA SAGA SORT OF OVER
With the banning of the Sharks players affected by the supplement drive, the NRL half of the saga is over. We hope. ASADA has proven itself one of the most useless public service organisations in Australia, leaving media hog and former ASADA chief Richard Ings to do all of the explaining.
AUSTRALIA v ZIMBABWE
Yes, Zimbabwe still play cricket, fancy that. Nothing better to warm up for a summer of cricket which will hopefully end in World Cup glory on home soil, than bullying a much weaker opposition. A total of 350 justified whatever excuse given to Phil Hughes not to include him. Mitchell Johnson provided the TV News highlight by smashing a six into the commentary box.
BELGIAN GP
So many highlights. First up is the victory to Dan Ricciardo who is fast proving his speed, racecraft, and complete difference in the luck stakes to Webber. Another win after a Mercedes issue leaves him within sniffing distance of a very unlikely championship bid.
Normally a season with a car that is much faster than everyone else is reasonably boring, with a German thrashing their team mate. Not this year. Hamilton and Rosberg continue the needle between them making the title run a very spicy meatball. If the claim from Hamilton is true that Rosberg admitted running into him on purpose it will be interesting to see the payback. If it isn’t, it will be just as interesting to see the reaction from The Ham.
NEW ZEALAND SMASH AUSTRALIA IN GAME THAT WON’T BE MENTIONED
Another year down, another step backwards for *****.
MARIO BALOTELLI SIGNS FOR LIVERPOOL
The man famed more for his off field shenanigans than his on field skills which are great is back in the EPL. Entertainment is expected on both.
LOWLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
NORWICH BEATING IPSWICH – it’s been three years since Norwich decided to achieve and spend some time in the EPL. Back where they belong, and playing who they should, they picked up from last time around when they beat Ipswich twice in a season by completing the half of the job on Saturday.
CANBERRA v SHARKS – Nothing like a clash between second last and last so late in the season. Canberra won handing the Sharks one award that ASADA can’t take away.
Seeing the V8’s run around in the suburbs of Sydney on the weekend on a proper old track led The Gurgler down a path of reminiscing.
So our sporting wish for the week is for the return of Lakeside Raceway in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. Its lap of around 38 seconds should provide the huge 29 car field very little room and a lot of entertainment for the fans.
Replacing Ipswich and their 45 minute round trip through Bumf*** Idaho just to get on the highway to get home would be welcomed.
Each week we’ll provide a sportsman who we believe would make the switch to another sport well or poorly but entertainingly.
This week we like to see a Gurgler favourite Warwick Capper playing ODI cricket.
Imagine the delight of Bay 13 and other plastic seated fun zones around Australia mimicking the warm up routine of Warwick or the spectacular outfield catches the Capper could manage.
And surely he could bring back the time honoured 80’s look of a batsman wearing shorts with pads.
THE GURGLER SUPER MULTI
NRL – CANBERRA to beat West Tigers by 19+
HAWTHORN to beat Collingwood by 60 points or more
SIMON WHITLOCK to win Sydney Darts tournament
DRAW – REAL SOCIEDAD v REAL MADRID
ROMA to beat Fiorentina
$1 Multi pays $831
