There was way too much sport over the past weekend, one could barely keep up with it all, but regardless, here’s 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, and this week will feature chat on the NRL Finals, AFL Crowds, Sebastian Vettel is choking again, and the Wallabies suck.
Onwards then our talking points of the weekend. Sure it’s Tuesday night by the time we get around to it, but it’s all good.
THREE TIMES LUCKY FOR SOUTHS
Once again Souths did not play that well in the NRL Finals Series, but thankfully they prevailed in the knockout game against the Dragons.
The victory was hard on the Dragons, who played well enough to win, and have surprised all after going into the finals as the most busted arse finals team in recent seasons.
Dragons were hard done by with the Cameron McInness dummy half penalty, but in the end there was one point of difference.
Halfbacks. One point at a time.
Under pressure Adam Reynolds nailed three field goals as cool as one can do, whereas Ben Hunt failed to land the killer blow. We’re not going to jump on the hate Ben Hunt bandwagon and burn a jersey or two, he is a very good NRL player, but as shown at Origin level, and in patches in key games, he is just not the top shelf halfback to get you home in big games.
The Rabbitohs are yet to play well at all, big man Sam Burgess has not been at his best either for obvious reasons, so Souths fans are hoping they are saving themselves for the Grand Final win over the Storm.
PANTHERS COACH SHOULD TELL TEAM THEY ARE DOWN 18-0 BEFORE GAME STARTS
Penrith are an enigma this season, the comeback kings. And they nearly did it again on Friday night against the Sharks.
If it were any side other than Penrith you would have given up as former player Luke Lewis strolled over just before half time.
The Panthers are entertaining to say the least, on and off field, and have had made a habit of winning these games where they looked down and out. They probably should have won this one too with all the second half momentum, but the Sharks are a side who know how to win in tight games.
That makes them fun to watch, and after over achieving a little this year, and hopefully settle on an assistant head coach to share duties with Gus Gould, they’re be at the sharp end next season. All the coach would then have to do is tell the team they are 18-0 before the game kicks off and go from there.
At the very least, Sportsbet and other wagering companies must really hate Penrith, hurting their money back specials.
AFL CROWD BOOMING – NRL SUCKS
Unbelievable that the AFL had almost the same amount people at their games in two matches this weekend than the NRL had in total during the Finals Series. Broncos happily boosting that figure.
But it is appalling, and we have already decided whose fault it is. Sydney itself. Read on more with our previous moan.
HAMILTON > VETTEL
Sebastian Vettel was meant to dominate the Singapore GP, reducing the championship deficit to Lewis Hamilton, and getting eady for a late season title charge.
Instead he finished behind Lewis and a Red Bull, and is further away than ever.
Once again the German is throwing away the Championship with mistakes, the kind you just don’t Lewis Hamilton making.
The Ferrari does look a Championship winner, but like last year although not quite as bad, little by little the errors are costing Vettel and it looks like Hamilton’s title for the taking. Only a massive run of errors will stop the Ham now, ones he rarely makes.
Questions about the all time greatness of Vettel will remain until he clinches a Ferrari title.
I GUESS WE CAN’T COMPLAIN ABOUT MEDIOCRITY
We have complained about our favourite English Football League team Ipswich Town being the most mediocre sporting team in the world. We now wish we were complaining about that.
Last weekend they were beaten by Hull, and unfortunately Reading also won. This leaves the tractor Boys dead last. Sadly with a new manager and a history of giving them time, things don’t look good. Luckily the new manager has stocked up on League One and Two players. We may need them.
There’s a long way to go, so all is not lost yet.
BEST OF THE WEEK
Melbourne Demons and Adam Reynolds’ thee field goals. Ronaldo finally scored for Juventus.
WORST OF THE WEEK
Ipswich Town being last.
JERK OF THE WEEKEND
Juventus player Douglas Costa spitting into an opponents mouth. Lovely.
