Some Sporting Observations

8. The Phoenix Suns had their season ended by the San Antonio Spurs in game six of their classic Western Conference Semi Finals but their defeat was as much a result of NBA Commissioner David Stern’s actions as it was poor play by the Suns. The Suns were without their two big scoring options after Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw were both suspended for a game for leaving the bench after teammate Steve Nash was hard-fouled at the tail of game four. This essentially handed the Spurs game five who then went on to wrap it up in San Antonio. No doubt Phoenix made mistakes such as playing their stars too long in game five and not marking being mis-matched defensively on Tim Duncan in game one but it was still the suspensions that were the turning point of the series.

7. Australia seems to be in the dawn of a new golden age of motor cycle dominance with another Aussie taking another MotoGP. Stepping out of the shadow of fellow Australian Casey Stoner, who finished third, wet track specialist Chris Vermeulen for Suzuki took the French GP in grinding style. It was Vermeulen’s first MotoGP victory and the fourth for Australia in five races. With Stoner and Vermeulen looking like they will be at the top of the standings for years to come, it appears as if we have entered a phase similar to the Gardner-Doohan-Beattie phase of the early nineties.

6. The much anticipated match race between Desert War and Reigning To Win in the group one Doomben Cup failed to eventuate with Desert War beaten on the turn and Reigning To Win failing to come on. The race turned out to be a real disappointment for favourite backers with both never looking likely. Both appear to have had enough and will most likely be turned out. Champion filly Gold Edition didn’t let supporters down however, bolting in without danger. She has plenty of big race wins in her yet.

5. Australian rugby selectors have stripped incumbent captain George Gregan of his duties, installing Stirling Mortlock and Phil Waugh as co-captains. Gregan had captained Australia since 2001, taking over from John Eales. Gregan has stated that he wanted to lead the Wallabies on their 2007 World Cup campaign but it appears as if that dream is over. He has kept the position through periods of poor form in the past but coach John Connolly obviously wants a fresh approach and decided to bring down a close on the Gregan era. The decision smacks of a last ditch effort to invigorate the Cup campaign and is unlikely to create the much needed goodwill Australian rugby is currently lacking.

4. West Coast Eagle Daniel Kerr will again be ruled out of Brownlow Medal contention this season after being reported for charging. Kerr absolutely cleaned-up Demons star Cameron Bruce with a hit that was certainly high and it is most unlikely that Kerr will escape penalty. This is the second successive season Kerr has caused his own ineligibility from football’s highest individual honour. Daniel Kerr has been in the headlines a lot this season and expect him to be so for the next few days.

3. For all the fluffy words that come out of Cronulla, there is no doubt that below the surface simmers the tension between new coach Ricky Stuart and star halfback Brett Kimmorley. Stuart marked Kimmorley “never to play Origin” when he coached the Blues after Kimmorley threw an unfortunate intercept that cost the Blues the game. Stuart solely blamed this rather than accept some coaching blunders also contributed. Both made no bones about their contempt for each other but have been thrown together after the Roosters fired Stuart and the Sharks sought a big name coach to attract sponsors. The Sharks have now passed up on signing Brett Kimmorley, who is sure to leave at the end of the season. Expect some trouble at Cronulla again this season.

2. After watching Ryan Hoffman turn in another brilliant display for the Melbourne Storm on the weekend, it is hard to believe he was not chosen by New South Wales selectors to represent the Blues. He was fantastic against the Roosters, as he has been all season, and his wide running, hard hitting game would add another dimension to the Blues attack. He surely would have been a better choice than Anthony Tupou, who seems to have been given a charmed run due to his relationship with Australian coach Ricky Stuart. Tupou will have to be at his best on Wednesday evening with not only Hoffman but Cronulla pair Paul Gallen and Greg Bird breathing down his neck.

1. Young Canberra Raider Todd Carney may have thrown away a most promising career with yet another off-field drama involving police and driving. After having his licence disqualified in February for speeding through the streets of Goulburn and being warned by the magistrate that he was very close to being imprisoned, Carney was caught driving the streets of Canberra and then led police on a high speed chase before fleeing on foot. This is a serious off-field incident which may see Carney go to prison and the Raiders and the NRL are expected to look very dimly upon the incident considering his record. Todd Carney may be a young talent wasted.

Upper of the Week: The return of the F.A Cup to its spiritual home, Wembley. For the first time in over half a decade, the most important game in English football returned to where it should be. Chelsea ended up taking the game in extra time though the game was not without its controversy.

Downer of the Week: Matt Bowen choosing to toe the loose ball sideways in his own in-goal rather than commit his body and dive on the ball. Parramatta rolled a little grubber kick into the Cowboys endzone and rather than dive on the ball, Bowen hung out a leg, kicked the ball sideways and Parramatta centre Ben Smith scored. It was a weak effort from the man expected to lift the Cowboys during Origin time. He will never play Origin if he refuses to put his body on the line.