The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. Defending Premier League champions Manchester United have got off to their worst start since the 1992 season and are under the pump early on. After two uninspiring draws to open up the new season, Sir Alex Ferguson would have been bitterly disappointed at the lack of execution in the local derby with Manchester City that saw United go down. City took a one goal lead in the 31st minute and held firm for the remainder. United certainly have the talent to come back but will be playing a dangerous game if they spot Chelsea or Arsenal too much start.

7. The New York Yankees have finally started firing over the last month and have reduced a Boston 12 ½ game lead in the American League East to merely 4. The Yankees are coming strong and are defying mid-season predictions of failure by notching up win after win. There is no doubt that much of their success has been based on some tremendous offensive output by the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and Melky Cabrera. It is, however, the healthy and fit Yankee pitching rotation that is to be credited for the sharp form turn. Clemens, Pettite, Wang, Mussina and young arm Phil Hughes have been throwing magnificently and keeping the Yanks in games. If the Yankees are to win the East, it is these five who must step up.

6. Apache Cat showed he was the real deal on the weekend with an impressively tough victory in the Liston Stakes on the weekend. The big baldy faced gelding from the Greg Eurell stable has always shown plenty of ability and plenty of determination but he went to the next level on the weekend with the early spring feature win. He already has a group one to his name and looks sure to add to that tally this spring. Up to a mile he is the one to beat at this stage and his will makes him a fine betting proposition.

5. The Atlanta Falcons are no hope of having Michael Vick available for this season and the fabled Falcons number seven may never again play in the NFL. Michael Vick is currently accused of operating a dog fighting ring that violently executed losing dogs and had heavy wagering involved. Vick denies the allegations and said as much to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell but the word is that after all his co-accused have accepted plea bargains, Vick is considering the same fate. This would almost surely end the NFL career of one of the most exciting and potential-filled superstars the game has ever seen.

4. Trouble just continues to follow Lote Tuqiri and again he is attempting to shift the blame onto others rather than take responsibility for his own actions. This time around Tuqiri, along with New South Wales teammate Matt Dunning, has been linked to the assault of a Queensland cabbie. Both have been disciplined by the ARU with a midnight curfew during the World Cup. It has since been rumoured that Tuqiri is attempting to get out of his five year rugby contract, hoping to either play rugby overseas or return to the NRL. For once Tuqiri should take some responsibility and accept his punishment with grace instead of petulance. He will no doubt continue to butt heads with the ARU as long as he maintains his current behaviour.

3. Revelations by Campbell Brown last week that he lied to the AFL tribunal earlier in the season in order to get Chris Judd off an eye gouging charge should have met with much harsher repercussions from the AFL than were forthcoming. Brown admitted he was less than honest at the Judd tribunal hearing, upholding the unspoken player’s code of “what happens on the field stays on the field”. Brown was merely fined by the AFL. Rather, the Hawthorn star should have been suspended for the remainder of the season as a stern warning to all others considering bringing the game into such disrepute. The AFL needs to show some leadership for once and protect the integrity of the game.

2. The treatment of Newcastle forward Kirk Reynoldson by coach Brian Smith and Knights management is beyond disgraceful and the club should be held accountable. Reynoldson has not been considered in recent times because if Reynoldson plays fifteen games this season, he activates a clause in his contract that will see him earn $200,000 with the Knights in 2008. This is a continuation of the brutal disemboweling of the club that Brian Smith has instituted in his time there, all at the behest of management. The Knights will be terrible for years to come with this approach. Also of concern is the lack of interest shown by the NRL Players Association. This is a clear case of club bullying and the so-called union is doing nothing to protect one of its own. Reynoldson should be considered for selection this week and the NRLPA needs to do their job.

1. The Bulldogs toughed out one of their most impressive victories of the season on Friday evening, getting home late against a gutsy Brisbane Broncos. The Bulldogs overcame a rough recent record against the Broncos and some very harsh refereeing to score a tremendous one point win. The Bulldogs took not only the two points from the clash but proved they can win big games without all their stars. They are looking like the Bulldogs team that normally shows up in September and can now be considered genuine title contenders.

Upper of the Week: The possibility of Reggie Miller coming out of retirement and signing with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics, one of the most fabled franchises in the history of professional sports, have done everything this off-season to make a run at their 17th championship. They have signed superstar Kevin Garnett as well as Ray Allen and champion three point shooter Reggie Miller would be a massive addition. The Celtics are back.

Downer of the Week: The death of Yankees legend Phil Rizzuto. “Scooter” was a great winner in a great Yankee era, winning six World Series in thirteen seasons. A Hall of Fame player, Rizzuto stayed in touch with many more generations of fans by calling the Yankees for over forty seasons. Rizzuto was a baseball legend and a true inspiration.