A bumper week of sport over the past, and we’ve hand picked our favourite bits and pieces.
DAY / NIGHT TEST
A welcome addition to the Summer for many reasons – and we hope it is not only here to stay but replicated in Brisbane next summer to give bore-ldron some much needed atmosphere. It may even tempt The Gurgler to go along. Another great part was the night session for the bowlers. Whilst we don’t want to see sides bowled out for 60 in under a session, it was great to see the ball moving around and causing the batsmen trouble for a change. The downside was the injuries for the Australian bowlers leaving us well short after Mitchell Johnson’s retirement. Shaun Marsh’s second innings 49 will also guarantee he gets another half extended run in the test side. One can only hope that other batsmen get the same kind of loyalty for underachievement.
F1 SEASON IS FINALLY OVER
In one of the dullest seasons in recent time, the end has finally been reached and thank the lord. The late season revival of Rosberg makes one even more annoyed at the season and the German Mercedes driver for taking so long, and waiting until it no longer matters to show up for the season. Until the crown was won Rosberg had to rely on a very bad day for Lewis Hamilton or a ridiculous pit call at Monaco to get a win. We can only hope that Ferrari build an even better car, Red Bull’s rebadged Renault engine is much better than the proper one, or someone gives Max Verstappen a top drive somehow next year. Despite the late season surge can we really trust Nico to take it to Hamilton when it matters.
NRL DRAW
The NRL Draw finally released their draw, well after the AFL unsurprisingly, but even after the second tier Intrust Super Cup. Cue the chorus of every team in the NRL whining about their draw, and player welfare. A great read is here from The Roar which sums it all up nicely. The 5 day turnaround is tough for NRL players, but anyone of them should get a real job for pittance before whinging too much about the toughness of it all. We floated an idea of an 18 team comp that plays each other once a year plus a bonus 18th round as a UK Super League style Magic Weekend. It would means less games overall, but the extra teams are great for TV, and the fewer games means less strain on the players, which means the argument for player drain is softened. Add to that a full weekend off for each State of Origin game and you’ve got a decent set up. Less is more sometimes.
THE UNOFFICIAL ROD PAMPLING UPDATE
The Gurgler’s favourite Australian golfer turned it on in the final round of last weekend’s Australian Open golf tournament. Starting the day almost a stroke per hol behind the leader, the unsung Australian and Queensland hero carded a magnificent 10 under par, and even hit the lead at one stage when eventual winner Matt Jones found the next fairway and then water. Whilst Rod Pampling didn’t hold on for the win, The Gurgler loves to see our man challenging for the win. Bring on that US PGA Tour next year as well as another start at the British Open.
BOXING IS BACK
The Wash Up of the Fury v Klitschko is that there’s at least something interestin in Boxing again, although we hope he picks a better tune to serenade with next time.
HERO OF THE WEEK
Jamie Vardy for his 11th straight goal for Leicester in the EPL breaking an EPL record (the oft-forgotten pre EPL days still holds the proper record). Or Rod Pampling for his final day charge.
TIPSTRADAMUS 2000
If you think you know sport and boats, why not have a go at our long range tipping comp for 2017. 200 events – all need to be chosen before 2017 starts. Read about it all here.
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