Some Sporting Observations

8. There have been few more quintessential scenes in professional football. On a snow covered Lambeau Field, the Frozen Tundra as it is affectionately known; Brett Favre had both arms raised in victory as he orchestrated another Green Bay Packer win. The crowd roared with unfettered affection for their hero and their team on a day that, in terms of conditions, reminded many of the infamous Ice Bowl. After falling behind early due to two Ryan Grant fumbles in the first two minutes of the game, the Pack looked unstoppable, rallying to lead at half time and scoring touchdowns on six consecutive drives. Brett Favre was delightful and Ryan Grant brutal as the Packers showed they are more than capable of attaining Super Bowl glory. The Packers are riding a fairytale of emotion right now and it would take a game man to bet against them in the NFC Championship game.

7. The San Diego Chargers were game in glory when defeating the Indianapolis Colts in their AFC Divisional playoff clash but the price of victory may cost them against the New England Patriots this weekend. The Chargers were forced to field a near second string offense when star running back LaDanian Tomlinson and quarterback Phil Rivers both went down with injuries. While Billy Volek and Michael Turner rose to the occasion in getting the Chargers to victory, neither would be capable of being effective against the Patriots. LT and Rivers, both listed as questionable, need to get themselves back to 100% health and even that may not be enough.

6. There is no need to feel sorry for the Waterhouse clan when it comes to losing a wager or two. It has been reported that Tom Waterhouse, grandson of Bill and son of Robbie, lost over $1 million in only ten minutes when running Bill’s stand last Saturday. Waterhouse laid a bet of $750,000 to $250,000 on Sydney get-out winner Viewed before accepting a wager to lose $425,000 on Main View in the last at Brisbane. Both steeds won and Waterhouse left the track somewhat distressed. Big betting, however, runs through the Waterhouse veins and they have come out on top more often than not. Tom will bounce back.

5. Racegoers love a grey and punters love a bold frontrunner so it was to a roaring cheer that the mighty Omnitrader scorched to victory in the Queensland Racing Handicap at Doomben on Saturday. The nine year old gelding prepared by Maryann Thexton, renowned for opening up massive leads that can often leave the field eight and ten lengths back, bolted to a big lead early and was never in danger of being caught. The new cult hero of the Australian turf is an excitement machine and in career best form, is quickly becoming a punters pal. Stick with the big grey next time he hits the track.

4. There have been plenty of grandstand finishes in sports over the years but few compare, in terms of tightness, to the finale of the 2007/08 A-League season. In a finish that could not be scripted, four teams sit equal on 31 points going into the final round with all keen on the prospect of taking the minor premiership and getting a second bite of the cherry in the finals series. In another twist, all four teams will avoid each other, each taking on one of the four non-finalists. Tune in for a classic finale to the A-League.

3. There will inevitably be a move, when the Twenty20 game becomes more entrenched in the cricket schedule, to include specialist short-format players in the national team just as there have been separate Test and ODI teams for many years. Three players that certainly need to be included are exciting Victorian opener Aidan Blizzard, mercurial Victorian all-rounder David Hussey and intelligent WA bat Shaun Marsh. Blizzard murdered the Warriors attack in the domestic Twenty20 final while Shaun Marsh did something similar to the Bushrangers bowling. David Hussey was everywhere, batting with skill, fielding without fault and bowling effectively. David Hussey not only has a future in the Twenty20 game but is most likely next in line for a call-up to the Test and ODI sides if a middle order batsman goes down.

2. Brad Hogg, simply, has to be suspended by match referee Mike Procter on the grounds of uttering an insulting slur to Indian captain Anil Kumble and keeper M.S Dhoni. Hogg, allegedly, referred to both as “bastards”, a term considered highly offensive in India. Hogg does not dispute using the term. Procter convicted Singh on the word of the Australian team only and must afford the Indians the same justice. On face value, that may seem extremely unfair but it is the only decision that would bring justice to this whole sordid affair.

1. Chris Guccione has responded in the best possible way to the criticism leveled at him by John Newcombe by impressively progressing to the final of the Sydney International. Guccione has all the tools to be a top twenty player yet has never really converted potential into results. That was until Sydney, where Guccione progressed to the final, along the way defeating players of the quality of Lleyton Hewitt and Radek Stepanek. 2008 has to be the year Guccione steps up to the mark. If early season form is anything to by, Guccione will make an impact on the court this year.

Upper of the Week: The 100 year anniversary of the formation of Australia’s first rugby league club, Glebe. The Dirty Reds were formed on January 9, 1908 and set in motion a tradition, a game and a way of life that has now survived 100 years in this country. The Glebe Rugby League Club died in 1929 without a premiership but will forever be remembered as the first rugby league team in Australia.

Downer of the Week: The continuing fallout from the Harbhajan Singh-Andrew Symonds affair. Threats by the BCCI to abandon the tour are childish while Australian representatives have done little to quell the storm with their actions and words. Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble need to smoke the peace pipe and soon.