The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. Expect further mediocrity from the Oakland Raiders next season. After what seemed like a turnaround season for the Raiders who, despite their 4-12 record, improved markedly under first year coach Lane Kiffin, owner Al Davis is attempting to remove Kiffin from the Raiders organisation. Davis gambled when he named Kiffin as the youngest ever NFL coach, signing him to a four-year deal, but has soured on his decision significantly, perceiving Kiffin as disloyal and an underachiever. If Kiffin was to go, the Raiders would have to sign their fifth head coach since Jon Gruden left for Tampa Bay in 2002. If Kiffin stays, the internal division caused by this attempted power play by Davis will cripple Oakland.

7. Reigning NBL premiers the Brisbane Bullets have had their hopes of back-to-back premierships cruelled with the loss of 2006-07 MVP Sam MacKinnon for the season. Regarded as one of Australia’s greatest ever hoops stars, MacKinnon was the key component of Brisbane’s successful run. The Bullets have been performing below the levels of Melbourne and Sydney and will struggle to overcome them both without MacKinnon.

6. Timana Tahu, by all reports, was sensational in his rugby debut for the New South Wales Waratahs last weekend. Tahu scored a try with his second touch and caused a number of rugby insiders to suggest that he may the most talented rugby league convert yet. With soft hands, sound speed, dazzling footwork and intelligent football instincts, Tahu is set to have a significant impact on the Waratahs fortunes this season and may find himself in the all gold of the Wallabies come season’s end. Expect big things from Timana Tahu this season.

5. South Sydney may suffer a short term financial loss from their missionary trip to Jacksonville but team owner Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court should be applauded in their efforts in trying to expand rugby league into new markets. Souths were sensational in promoting their exhibition match and the sport in general and their work to have every South Sydney game broadcast in the United States should not be underestimated. Not only will South Sydney benefit through increased international support and new practices learned from the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars but the game of rugby league will receive a significant boost through increased exposure in one of the world’s most lucrative markets. The NRL needs to build on the work of Crowe, Holmes a Court and the entire Rabbitohs organisation and attempt to establish rugby league as a niche sport in the United States.

4. The first weekend of the A-League finals series saw the Newcastle Jets plant one foot in the Grand Final while Sydney FC blew a major opportunity. The Jets dominated Minor Premiers Central Coast in a 2-0 home victory while Sydney were held to a 0-0 draw by the Queensland Roar, meaning they will have to win in Brisbane to keep their title hopes alive. Sydney became a rejuvenated force when John Kosmina took over coaching duties but may have peaked too early with their performance against a clearly outclassed Queensland outfit in a somewhat flat performance.

3. The gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down in the world of men’s tennis and the upcoming year will be a watershed year for incumbent king Roger Federer. The incomparable Federer, deservedly rated as one of the finest players in the long and grand history of tennis, was totally decimated by young Serb Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, who went on to win the Australian Open. It ended Federer’s run of eleven consecutive Grand Slam finals and propelled Djokovic to the role of number one challenger, surpassing Rafael Nadal. 2008 will be a defining year for Federer. He will either repel the challenge of Djokovic and reaffirm his greatness or he will have his mantle as the best in the game taken from him. Will 2008 be the last stand of a champion or yet another display of greatness from a champion? Only time will tell.

2. With Adam Gilchrist announcing his retirement from international cricket, Australia has lost one of its all time greats. Over the last fifty years, only Shane Warne stands with him in terms of pioneering cricket. Gilchrist, through his irrepressible aggression with the willow and his ability to turn a game on the swing of a bat, revolutionised the role of the wicket keeper. Through both fear and admiration, every country around the world has attempted to find a keeper in the mould of Gilchrist, rendering dead the talented keeper not adept with the bat. Few players have changed the nature of the sport as much as Gilchrist. His commitment to sportsmanship and loyalty also need to be remembered with Gilchrist regarded as one of the fairest players to pull on a Baggy Green. His graceful departure will also ensure his legacy remains untarnished. Adam Gilchrist-powerful, noble, entertaining- will go down as one of the all time greats.

1. The future is certainly now for the Australian cricket team. After nearly a decade-and-a-half of world dominance, chinks are beginning to appear in the armour. While the Australian Test team remain the best in the world, the retirement of legends Warne, McGrath, Langer and Martyn in the last two seasons has made the Australian team beatable. The loss of Adam Gilchrist and the aura and experience he bought to the Australian team will only increase Australia’s vulnerability. Whilst there is no doubt that Australia remained the most feared side in world cricket, India proved this summer Australia could be challenged. Other countries will take great heart from that and it will be up to the likes of Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Mitchell Johnson to stave off the threat.

Upper of the Week: The dominance of Tiger Woods’s return to the PGA Tour. Making his 2008 debut, Tiger Woods took the Buick Invitational by an astonishing eight shots, showing no signs of rust from his time off. Woods has broken most records that count but 2008 looks like it could be his most productive year yet.

Downer of the Week: The unexpected move of Shaun Tait to quit cricket for an indefinite period of time. Tait cited emotional and physical exhaustion. Though Tait had a poor Perth Test, it is tremendously sad to see such a promising and exciting young bowler burn out at such a young age. It would be in Australian cricket’s interest to nurture Tait back to health.