Haven't posted here in aaaaaaaaaages. Not that anyone would have noticed. I last wrote about the beginning of the NRL season and now we find ourselves 1 week out from the finals.
The Wayne Bennett coached Dragons have been the most consistent side all year but now find themselves on the end of 3 losses. Bennett will want to sort out their attitude quickly or they'll soon suffer the fate of other Dragons sides who have choked in the finals.
The form teams at this stage of the season would definately be the Eels, Broncos and Titans. The first two teams are currently on lengthy winning streaks not long after having their title chances questioned as they sat outside the top 8.
Jarrad Hayne has almost single-handedly turned around the team's fortunes with his sparkling form while the return of the Broncos' origin stars from injury and a more consistent playing roster has seen confidence return in the ranks. Their defence has tightened up and are now pushing as real contenders for the title. Who can argue with that when you have players like Lockyer, Hodges and Folau in your team?
The Titans are continuing on their winning ways as well and will be assured of a top 3 finish which will be their best result since entering the competition a couple of years ago.
Meanwhile, the Dogs have almost certainly lost Brett Kimmorley for the season with a fractured cheekbone. While they beat the Warriors comfortably without him, they aren't exactly high quality opposition. Their title chances will seriously come under question without their main playmaker steering the ship.
So, what looked like a two-horse race has now changed into a battle royale.
My tip for the premiership is the Broncos...biased opinion aside.
Stay tuned.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
NRL Season Kick-Off
Well the NRL season gets underway tomorrow night with the dragons taking on the storm and the broncs playing the cowboys. The season launch has been marred by Brett Stuart and his foolish actions but let's not focus on that.
This year sees the introduction of two referees which will hopefully speed up the game. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow night's games are controlled. I'm just glad footy is back on again.
This year sees the introduction of two referees which will hopefully speed up the game. It will be interesting to see how tomorrow night's games are controlled. I'm just glad footy is back on again.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Aussie Open Wrap-up
Federer v Nadal. One of the greatest sporting rivalries in not only tennis history but sporting history in general. The Australian Open finally got to witness these two players face-off in the final.
Federer was the favourite almost entirely because of the fact that Nadal had been involved in the longest match in Australian Open history in defeating Fernando Verdasco. It would take a mighty effort from Nadal to recover 2 days later and defeat Federer but he managed to do it. He didn't do it easy either.
It went over 5 sets and the pure athleticism and endurance of Nadal was a sight to see. It now seems that Nadal has got Federer's measure. Perhaps we may be seeing a new era in which Nadal begins to take over from Federer as the greatest to play the game. He has a long way to go yet but it certainly seems as though he has Federer all worked out. It will be interesting to see how many other slams Federer can win this year given that he is one away from equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14.
The reaction of Federer was quite amazing as he broke down in tears in making his runner-up speech. Uncoincidently Rod Laver was on stage both times he has done this at the Australian Open but the agony of coming so close to equalling a marvelous record would have played the larger part. I'm sure he'll comfortably beat Sampras' record but he will have to get past Nadal if he wants to take the record and re-establish his no.1 position in the sport.
Meanwhile i can't wait for the footy season to start. The cowboys and bulldogs have recruited well in the off-season so they will be teams to watch. The biggest question is how the Storm bounce back after losing their 2nd grand final in 3 years. They have been on top for so long so when will they come crashing down? Time will tell if its this year or not.
Federer was the favourite almost entirely because of the fact that Nadal had been involved in the longest match in Australian Open history in defeating Fernando Verdasco. It would take a mighty effort from Nadal to recover 2 days later and defeat Federer but he managed to do it. He didn't do it easy either.
It went over 5 sets and the pure athleticism and endurance of Nadal was a sight to see. It now seems that Nadal has got Federer's measure. Perhaps we may be seeing a new era in which Nadal begins to take over from Federer as the greatest to play the game. He has a long way to go yet but it certainly seems as though he has Federer all worked out. It will be interesting to see how many other slams Federer can win this year given that he is one away from equalling Pete Sampras' record of 14.
The reaction of Federer was quite amazing as he broke down in tears in making his runner-up speech. Uncoincidently Rod Laver was on stage both times he has done this at the Australian Open but the agony of coming so close to equalling a marvelous record would have played the larger part. I'm sure he'll comfortably beat Sampras' record but he will have to get past Nadal if he wants to take the record and re-establish his no.1 position in the sport.
Meanwhile i can't wait for the footy season to start. The cowboys and bulldogs have recruited well in the off-season so they will be teams to watch. The biggest question is how the Storm bounce back after losing their 2nd grand final in 3 years. They have been on top for so long so when will they come crashing down? Time will tell if its this year or not.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dokic's fairytale run ends
Jelena Dokic’s fairytale run at the Australian Open has finally come to an end tonight, the Australian succumbing to world no. 3 Dinara Safina 6-4 4-6 6-4 at Rod Laver Arena.
Having reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam ranked 187 in the world, there was little more the Australian crowd could ask of Dokic as she faced off against a player favoured to take out the title and become the new no.1 player in women’s tennis.
Seemingly feeling no ill effects from the ankle injury she suffered in her previous round win over the no. 29 seed Alisa Kleybanova, Dokic started nervously with Safina breaking her serve in the opening game to lead 1-0.
With the crowd behind her, Dokic regained her composure a few games later to level at 3-3 but eventually the 25 year old was brought undone by unforced errors, the Russian breaking again at 4-4 and then serving it out to take the first set 6-4.
Weaknesses began to appear in the game of Safina as her serve began to falter, double-faulting twice in one game to go a break down to Dokic who consolidated with a service hold to lead 3-0 in the second set. After several breaks were exchanged throughout the set, once again the Russian no. 3 seed double-faulted twice at 5-4 to hand the set to Dokic.
The former world no. 4 showed great fight in the final set to stick with Safina but in the end the 22 year old proved too powerful for the Aussie comeback queen, winning the final set 6-4 to set up a date in the semi-finals with current world no. 4 and compatriot Elena Dementieva.
Jelena Dokic exits the tournament guaranteed a ranking inside the top 100 and has regained the respect and loyalty of the Australian public after showing amazing grit, courage and determination in reaching the quarter finals.
The crowd’s love affair with Dokic was not lost on Safina, who was apologetic when interviewed after the match.
“Sorry that I had to defeat today your Australian. I hope you will be behind me next time. I’m sorry,” she said.
Having reached the quarter-finals of a grand slam ranked 187 in the world, there was little more the Australian crowd could ask of Dokic as she faced off against a player favoured to take out the title and become the new no.1 player in women’s tennis.
Seemingly feeling no ill effects from the ankle injury she suffered in her previous round win over the no. 29 seed Alisa Kleybanova, Dokic started nervously with Safina breaking her serve in the opening game to lead 1-0.
With the crowd behind her, Dokic regained her composure a few games later to level at 3-3 but eventually the 25 year old was brought undone by unforced errors, the Russian breaking again at 4-4 and then serving it out to take the first set 6-4.
Weaknesses began to appear in the game of Safina as her serve began to falter, double-faulting twice in one game to go a break down to Dokic who consolidated with a service hold to lead 3-0 in the second set. After several breaks were exchanged throughout the set, once again the Russian no. 3 seed double-faulted twice at 5-4 to hand the set to Dokic.
The former world no. 4 showed great fight in the final set to stick with Safina but in the end the 22 year old proved too powerful for the Aussie comeback queen, winning the final set 6-4 to set up a date in the semi-finals with current world no. 4 and compatriot Elena Dementieva.
Jelena Dokic exits the tournament guaranteed a ranking inside the top 100 and has regained the respect and loyalty of the Australian public after showing amazing grit, courage and determination in reaching the quarter finals.
The crowd’s love affair with Dokic was not lost on Safina, who was apologetic when interviewed after the match.
“Sorry that I had to defeat today your Australian. I hope you will be behind me next time. I’m sorry,” she said.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The halfway point
We've almost reached the halfway point of the Aussie Open and it seems as though the girls are flying the flag for Australia at the open.
Sam Stosur is playing tonight in an attempt to reach the final 16 while Jelena Dokic has already booked a spot there, providing the fairytale story this year by winning her first 3 matches. Considering her history it really is remarkable she has produced such tennis with minimal match play over the past few years. Hopefully she can continue her form and get back into the top 20.
Meanwhile the men have disappointed once again although Bernard Tomic has given men's tennis in Australia a ray of hope with his promising display of talent shown until he was outclassed in round 2.
So far Federer, Nadal, Tsonga, Monfils and Murray are showing great form in getting through their matches in the run to the final but as the cliche goes...you can't win it in the first week of tournament. We may yet see another unexpected surge from a player out of the limelight.
Sam Stosur is playing tonight in an attempt to reach the final 16 while Jelena Dokic has already booked a spot there, providing the fairytale story this year by winning her first 3 matches. Considering her history it really is remarkable she has produced such tennis with minimal match play over the past few years. Hopefully she can continue her form and get back into the top 20.
Meanwhile the men have disappointed once again although Bernard Tomic has given men's tennis in Australia a ray of hope with his promising display of talent shown until he was outclassed in round 2.
So far Federer, Nadal, Tsonga, Monfils and Murray are showing great form in getting through their matches in the run to the final but as the cliche goes...you can't win it in the first week of tournament. We may yet see another unexpected surge from a player out of the limelight.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Summer of Sport
Personally i always struggle with the gaping sporting hole that is the Australian summer.
Sure, the cricket and soccer (football) lovers have their needs satisfied but what about the rest of us? Luckily the tennis has arrived just in time to tide us over till the footy season starts.
The Aussie Open usually grabs the nation's attention despite our nation's players (Hewitt) inability to make an impact on the world stage. Most people will be naming the usual suspects like Federer and Nadal as likely winners but i'll be keeping my eyes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marat Safin as potential dark horses. Tsonga almost went all the way last year and is better for the experience while Safin is retiting at the end of the year so he'll be fired up for this one (expecially after getting into a fight in Moscow).
One thing's certain...i can't wait for the footy (not AFL) to begin.
Sure, the cricket and soccer (football) lovers have their needs satisfied but what about the rest of us? Luckily the tennis has arrived just in time to tide us over till the footy season starts.
The Aussie Open usually grabs the nation's attention despite our nation's players (Hewitt) inability to make an impact on the world stage. Most people will be naming the usual suspects like Federer and Nadal as likely winners but i'll be keeping my eyes on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marat Safin as potential dark horses. Tsonga almost went all the way last year and is better for the experience while Safin is retiting at the end of the year so he'll be fired up for this one (expecially after getting into a fight in Moscow).
One thing's certain...i can't wait for the footy (not AFL) to begin.
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