A new year, yet more of the same as we launch the January 2019 Jerk of the Month nominations.
Being January, it is Australian Open time, and therefore few young gents who regularly appear in these monthly polls returns.
The shutdown in the US has flushed out a couple of new Jerk of the Month nominations, and a regular too.
Sport and politics in Australia dominate the rest of the nominations for January 2019 Jerk of the Month.
Note that due to the 2018 Jerk of the Year voting period, that this can include December 2018’s biggest jerks.
FORM GUIDE – January 2019 Jerk of the Month
DONALD TRUMP
Why nominated for the Jerk?
The 2018 Joint Winner of the Jerk of the Year returns to the monthly nominations, leading the way with his shutdown of the US over the Border Wall.
Whether he is completely at fault for all the politicking of the shutdown, but his behaviour around, and general tweeting keeps him in the running for the first Jerk of the Month award for 2019.
So too does the underlying theme of a child with toys being thrown out of the pram.
His big fat lie when saying he could related to the 100,000’s of workers without pay, tipped him over the edge of Jerk.
Jerk Rating: 10/10
WILBUR ROSS
Why nominated for the Jerk?
The Commerce Secretary in the US who couldn’t understand why struggling workers didn’t take a bank loan instead of going to food banks. And for not showing up to their government job, to go to a second job that pays them.
Further digging in this article shows this month wasn’t a one-off either.
Some of his previous Jerk work is:
Showing up to events sporting $500 velvet smoking shoes;
Described the bombing of Syria as “after-dinner entertainment” for the Mar-a-Lago crowd (where he’s naturally a member);
been accused of stealing from his former colleagues
Jerk Rating: 8/10
AUSTRALIAN CRICKET TEAM
Why nominated for the Jerk?
For their general lack of fight and performance for most of the summer.
Of course they recently pantsed Sri Lanka at the Gabba, but most of the dross before then deserves a Jerk of the Month collective nomination. Except for one gent who has made our January 2019 Hero of the Month nominations.
Jerk Rating: 3/10
AUSTRALIAN CRICKET SELECTORS
Why nominated for the Jerk?
For causing a lot of the trouble for the above nomination, with mixed messages for players, contradictions, and seemingly strange selections.
They occasionally get it right. But are an easy scapegoat if the don’t.
Jerk Rating: 5/10
BERNARD TOMIC
Why nominated for the Jerk?
For more of his usual antics at the Australian Open.
One of his highlights was a dummy spit over balls and Nick Kyrgios.
Then there was the rants at Davis Cup boss Lleyton Hewitt. Some of that got quite nasty. If only he realised most of Australian don’t want him to represent us either.
It’s past the time when we hope for a turnaround in professionalism and potential being reached. All we care about now is the requisite amount of Jerk to be nominated each month.
Jerk Rating: 10/10
NICK KYRGIOS
Why nominated for the Jerk?
One good jerk always deserves another, as the second half of the comedy duo Tennis Jerks Inc. made sure he wouldn’t be without a January 2019 Jerk of the Month nomination, with an Australian Open that failed on court, but delighted us off it.
HE started off the month remarking he couldn’t care less about Tennis, which is always good leading into a major.
Then he joined in the Lleyton Hewitt Davis Cup smack down.
No wonder both he and Bernie won’t get to play Davis Cup next match. Or probably ever again.
Jerk Rating: 10/10
PABLO CARRENO BUSTA
Why nominated for the Jerk?
He may have apologised for it afterwards, but there is nothing more jerk worthy than a tennis meltdown.
The Spaniard may not have won his important clash, but he did win tantrum of the tournament. A feat in itself at an Australian Open with local favourites always contending.
Jerk Rating: 10/10
CHANNEL 7 / FOX CRICKET
Why nominated for the Jerk?
For Fox Cricket’s simulcast of the Chanel Seven Big Bash coverage, which featured Michael Slater.
That wasn’t part of the deal Fox Cricket. And no Slater was the sole reason we gave the best cricket commentary team to you.
No Slater is good Slater. Don’t do it next season.
Jerk Rating: 7/10
CHANNEL NEIN
Why nominated for the Jerk?
Proving they are just as bad at broadcasting the Tennis as they were with the cricket or are with the NRL.
#NoToNein
Jerk Rating: 9/10
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Why nominated for the Jerk?
For having some kind of broadcasting deal that sees Australia go without the third and fourth round of the FA Cup. Two of the best weekends of football of the season.
No wonder the FA Cup is slowly dying.
Jerk Rating: 9/10
QLD GOVERNMENT (For Gabba Name Change)
Why nominated for the Jerk?
If it isn’t bad enough we have to see Kate Jones at the unveiling of anything in Queensland, the decision to sell naming rights of the Gabba stinks.
They say the money will be used to fix up the Gabba, and lord knows it needs it.
But to change the name will be the final nail in the coffin of an already soulless venue. It is already bad enough without changing the name. It’s name and names for both ends of the ground ae close to it’s only redeeming feature these days. That and the pool.
Jerk Rating: 7/10
FRASER ANNING
Why nominated for the Jerk?
The least elected Australian Politician in history for making tax payers pay for his trip to Melbourne for the far-right rally that led to the Nazi salute making a brief comeback.
Perhaps he should have invoiced the 19 people who voted for him in the Senate election
Jerk Rating: 9/10
VOTE NOW – January 2019 Jerk of the Month
Vote for as many of the this month’s Jerk nominations as you like. They’ve asked for it.
