The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. The New York Giants completed one of the most amazing playoff runs in history with the lifting of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. After claiming a wildcard berth, mainly thanks to a string of road victories, the Giants did the seemingly impossible, beating the Bucs, Cowboys, Packers and Pats on the road in five weeks. On the back of a stout and aggressive defense, the Giants rode a wave of momentum all the way to glory. Eli Manning was magnificent, showing all the poise of his brother and proving once and for all that he belongs in the NFL.

7. The New England Patriots let history and the occasion get to them and in the end the cost was immortality. After winning all sixteen regular season games and then two playoff affairs, the Pats fell at the final hurdle when playing well below standard in an enthralling Super Bowl. Tom Brady was not his accurate self, Lawrence Maroney was largely ineffective on the ground and the Pats defense could not make the plays necessary to win a football game. The mental scars from this loss with last for many years.

6. The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the coup of the season when landing Spanish seven-footer Pau Gasol in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. Gasol, a tremendous post-up threat with soft hands and a good passing ability, was acquired for the much-maligned Kwame Brown, Jason Crittenton and two first-round picks. The addition of Gasol puts the Lakers right in contention for the NBA Championship, putting them at the level of Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix. Expect a big run from Kobe and his boys and don’t be surprised to see them go deep in the playoffs.

5. Sydney FC have been the franchise team of the A-League but the one thing they have missed is stability in the coaching role. They now have that with top quality coach John Kosmina. Kosmina, one of the brightest and most succesful coaches in Australian football, has signed on for an additional two seasons. Prior to Kosmina’s arrival, FC had three head coaches in less than three seasons. Sydney FC must now take advantage of their situation and build on the culture of success Kosmina has seemingly already installed.

4. Rugby league is again faced with a wave of bad press with three alcohol-related incidents putting the spotlight once again on poor off-field behaviour. In the space of a week, South Sydney were forced to send home senior player David Fa’aloga for an incident at a cab rank in Jacksonville, North Queensland captain Jonathan Thurston was thrown in the drunk tank and Canterbury’s Ben Roberts was involved in an incident before assaulting police officers. The message just does not seem to get through to some. Clubs need to get tough on their players who engage in such anti-social behaviour.

3. Penrith mentor Matthew Elliott made the right decision in appointing Petero Civoniceva as skipper of the Panthers. This may be Civoniceva’s first season at Penrith but no player in the organisation commands more respect. Petero had a stellar career at the Brisbane Broncos and was a fine leader at club and representative level and will thrive as the Panthers official captain. Penrith, who have been ill-disciplined and without structure for a number of seasons, will be far better off with Civoniceva leading the march. He accepts nothing but the best.

2. The loss of the Australian F1 Grand Prix would be a tragedy for Australian motorsport. The crows are definitely circling with F1 bosses looking to abandon Melbourne after 2010. Melbourne organisers believe the cost is too expensive and team owners are looking towards a more lucrative overseas option. The Formula One Grand Prix is a staple event of the national sporting calendar. It would be a tragedy to lose it.

1. Cricket has lost another of its true gentlemen. South African legend Shaun Pollock, arguably the greatest South African cricketer of the post-Apartheid era, played his last international game, playing superbly in his final one-day international. A fantastic bowler, an effective batsman and a cricketing intellectual from cricketing royalty, Pollock was a delight to watch. South African cricket will certainly miss his contribution.

Upper of the Week: The NRL should be applauded for its Centenary of Rugby League fan day. It was a true celebration of the sport and a wonderful opportunity for players to interact with rugby league’s best. The photograph of the twenty-five man squads from all sixteen teams will also prove one of the enduring rugby league images in the coming years.

Downer of the Week: The retirement of mighty mare Gold Edition. An iron horse, Gold Edition pulled up lame after her unplaced effort in the group one Lightning Stakes and was immediately retired by connections. Gold Edition won sixteen races from thirty-seven starts, racing in the best of company. She will be remembered as one of Australia’s finest ever sprinters.