The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. College football hosted one of its greatest ever upsets on the weekend when the number five ranked Michigan lost to Division 1-AA school Appalachian State. Michigan, the school with the most college football wins in the history of NCAA competition, went down 34-32 in thrilling fashion to a school that is not even eligible to play in a bowl game. 109,000 rabid Wolverine fans showed up in the Big House to watch BCS contender Michigan hammer their cream puff opponent. Instead they got a David against Goliath memory that will last a lifetime.

7. Phil Mickelson proved he has overcome some of his demons in finishing tournaments when holding strong in the final round of the Deutsche Bank Open in Boston. Mickelson shot a 66 and held off a late challenge by Tiger Woods to take the Fedex playoff event. He showed composure when he was offline, playing a tremendous shot from the sand up the stretch and then dropping one next to the pin from a nasty piece of rough on the last. Mickelson is a renowned choker but he may be taking steps to shed that tag.

6. The two exceptional runs from the Caulfield card on Saturday were Ice Chariot and Miss Finland. Ice Chariot came from last in an exceptional victory that shows he is right on target for a Cups campaign. And Miss Finland showed what a classy girl she is by beating a strong Memsie field in a canter. She was on target for plenty of spring riches and is probably set for more now Sydney horses look increasingly unlikely to attend. Expect these two to star this spring.

5. The international career of Shane Watson must now be bought under question with the all-rounder set to miss the 20/20 World Cup due to yet another injury. Watson has been constantly injured over the last few seasons and his durability or lack of it will surely count against him. Selectors have been very patient with Watson but that would be wearing very thin. It may be time to move on.

4. There is no doubt that Channel Seven acted without ethics or morality in purchasing stolen patient records that documented drug use at a certain AFL club. Players and clubs have reacted with venom by boycotting Seven and threatening to avoid the Brownlow Medal ceremony en masse. Whilst these actions are entirely fair, they have clouded the real issue at hand and that is the potential drug use at an AFL club. This issue should not be swept aside. Hopefully it has not been by the powers-that-be at the AFL.

3. A rugby league warhorse is retiring when the Bunnies season ends and he deserves much more credit than he has ever been given. Paul Mellor came onto the scene in 1991 as a talented young winger for Souths and has been playing at the top level since. Mellor has been through a number of clubs but has returned home for his final first grade stint and he has not disappointed, maintaining his first grade position even after the influx of new talent purchased. Mellor will be sorely missed when his hour finally arrives.

2. Canterbury will have taken plenty out of their late comeback against the North Queensland Cowboys last Friday evening. The Bulldogs were getting an old fashion touch-up when star Cowboy half Johnathan Thurston was taken from the field. From that point on the Dogs put on a miraculous comeback to come within a converted try of the home side. With the Dogs heading back up to Townsville this week both sides will be mindful of the capitulation. Expect a much stronger showing from the Bulldogs this week.

1. Referee Ben Cummins lost all control of the South Sydney-Sydney Roosters clash and shows he obviously needs a few more seasons in first grade before he is elevated to the level of finals official. Cummins has great potential as a whistleblower but needs to adjust his manner with players as well as his ability to control a fiery game. His decision to penalise Braith Anasta after he got punched in the chops by David Fa’alogo was clearly wrong. He has a future but it won’t be in the 2007 finals series.

Upper of the Week: The resumption of racing. While racing in New South Wales and Queensland received further setbacks last week, it resumed everywhere else. Racing is such a huge industry in Australia and for all the stakeholders; this was the first step to recovery.

Downer of the Week: The whole Andrew Johns incident. It is entirely sad to see a champion in such a state. It is also most disappointing to read and hear the constant flow of ignorance emanating from the media in regards the issue.