The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

	Downloads Bookmark this site Set as homepage Andrew W Scott

Some Sporting Observations

8. There is no greater rivalry in American sports than the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry so it was to great joy and great dismay that the Yankees won with a last inning homer at Fenway Park to wrap up an intense three game series. With the ties scored at five apiece, maligned Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez hit a long ball over the center field fence in an amazing clutch performance from a man often criticised for failing when it counts. The Yankees have been falling behind the Red Sox in the standings for the American League East and this was a big psychological victory for them. If the Yankees do catch the Sox, they will look back to this series and this game and this homer.

7. LeBron James is no doubt the next superstar of the NBA, projected to have the playing ability of Magic Johnson and the public appeal of Michael Jordan. And after witnessing his destruction of the Detroit Pistons in the final two games of the series for the Cavs, one finds it tough to disagree. James was ethereal in game five, scoring with ease in the final quarter and overtime, making some astonishing moves to give the Cavs the edge. Then he closed it out in game six with a selfless display. James is the future of the NBA and after taking it to the next level this season, the Cavs have a big future too.

6. Socceroo debutant goalkeeper Brad Jones had a night to forget Saturday with a costly fumble that won’t soon be forgotten. With the scores locked at one apiece, Jones let a standard cross slip through his hands, allowing Uruguay to put away the winner and secure the friendly. Jones will live to fight another day but it was a shocker that will be replayed for many years. Hopefully a similar blunder is not made throughout the Asian championship.

5. Unburdened by captaincy, George Gregan was back in form on Saturday evening when coming on as a substitute for the injured Matt Giteau against Wales. Gregan added a dimension of stability to the Wallaby backline that has looked a little hodge-podge in recent times. Gregan provided direction and it showed with the Wallabies finally putting some points on the board. With Gregan’s form comes a glimmer of hope for the Wallabies and their World Cup aspirations.

4. St. Kilda are in a heap of trouble and the primary reason has been the influence of new mentor Ross Lyon. Lyon inherited a high scoring, free flowing football team from Grant Thomas and has subsequently turned them into a lifeless and disjointed football side who struggle to score points. The Saints are one of the lowest scoring teams in the AFL and it is a result of Lyon implementing the Sydney style of play he learnt under Paul Roos and it simply just is not working. The fit is not right. If the Saints are to salvage 2007, they need to start utilizing their hard working ball winners and big targets like Riewoldt and Gehrig. If not, 2007 will soon be over for St.Kilda.

3. There has been a great deal of comment about mid-season player movement in recent days with most crying for the death of loyalty and decreeing mid-season player movement wrong. All of this without any sound argument against the practice. In contradiction to popular belief, the increase in mid-season player transfers is not a result of the removal of the June 30 anti-tampering deadline but rather a general acceptance by clubs that moves are generally beneficial to all parties. The player is usually happy because he gets more top grade football, the first club is generally happy because they have one less player on the books and the second club is happy because they have a requirement filled. Nearly every sport around the world provides for mid-season transfers and rugby league should be no different.

2. After the precedent set with the Sonny Bill Williams send off in round one this season, Michael Crockett had to go for his high shot on Bulldogs winger Cameron Phelps. The shot was high and the arm was swinging and Sean Hampstead made the right decision. Michael Crockett will certainly not escape suspension. The Warriors were tough for the remaining seventy-five minutes but ran out of puff in the end. With so much protection of player’s heads in the modern game, swinging arms need to be punished heavily.

1. Greg Bird was again brilliant on the weekend, scoring two tries and playing sensationally in a losing Cronulla side. He was skilful and tough and a genuine threat for eighty minutes. He has been playing superbly all year and if Cronulla are to make any impact in 2007, it will be on the back of Greg Bird. He must be selected for New South Wales tomorrow and would be a perfect replacement for the injured Kurt Gildey. Teammate Paul Gallen should also gain a bench spot at the expense of the overrated Anthony Tupou. Gallen is explosive and can go all day and will compliment the Blues side well.

Upper of the Week: The return to form of Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt has hit form at Roland Garros and may be on track for another major crack at Wimbledon. It is a surprise considering the troubles Hewitt was having off the court earlier in the year when many pontificated his career may be over. He has found form and Hewitt at his best can compete with anyone.

Downer of the Week: The treatment of former Origin centre Josh Hannay by the Cronulla Sharks. For some reason, Hannay has been told by Sharks officials that he is not in their plans and has been dumped to park football in a move that does nothing but embarrass the unfortunate centre. Hannay stepped up and played the game while the Sharks were made to look heartless, stupid and foolish. To drop him from Premier League is just ridiculous.