The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. The Phoenix Suns acquisition of Shaquille O’Neal is the biggest NBA trade of recent times and may be the change that pushes the Suns to their first NBA Championship. Initial thoughts were that Shaq would not be a good fit for the high tempo Suns but deeper analysis suggests it is the perfect acquisition for Phoenix. Shaq will make Phoenix more effective on the boards and he is one of the best inside players in the history of the NBA. If Shaq is fit, the Suns are now the team to beat in the NBA.

7. Manchester United has made their run for the English Premier League crown all the more difficult with a stunning 2-1 loss to City in the Manchester derby. On the fiftieth anniversary of the Munich air disaster that saw eight United players die, Man U could not contain their emotions as City shot from the box and could not be run down. United now sit two points off Arsenal, who have a game in hand, with only twelve games of the season remaining. Arsenal is in the box seat and the title is theirs to lose.

6. The Central Coast Mariners pulled off the greatest victory in their history in defeating the Newcastle Jets 3-0 to book a spot in the A-League Grand Final. The Jets appeared to have won their way to the final with a 2-0 home victory but the Mariners responded with gusto, scoring two goals in regulation time before striking the winner early in overtime. The Mariners have now locked in a spot in the finale while the Newcastle Jets will have to shed the shock of such a heavy loss if they are to overcome Queensland this weekend. Even if Newcastle can do that, the mental scars may be too much come Grand Final day.

5. The Wests Tigers have landed one of the best signings of the last decade in picking up Leeds and Great Britain backrower Gareth Ellis. Ellis is one of the finest players in Britain, one of only two Brits to make the World XIII from last season. In an age where the Super League has more financial drawing power than the NRL, the Tigers have done a tremendous job to lure the top class Ellis. He will toughen the Tigers pack up and will become a cult hero in a manner similar to Adrian Morley. The Tigers may struggle this season but 2009, they will be on the up.

4. Hot English Super League favourites St. Helens suffered a shock loss to the Hull Kingston Rovers in the opening weekend of fixtures. The Saints, dominant last season until losing the Grand Final to Leeds, were down 22-6 after only 43 minutes. A spirited comeback, however, fell just short of success with Hull KR taking the points with a 24-22 win. Wakefield Trinity also pulled off another major upset when downing Bradford in a close affair. The Wildcats won 26-24, setting up what could be a tremendously even Super League season.

3. The Sydney press, namely those who work for News Limited, should be ashamed of the commentary they have put forward in regards Wayne Bennett and his legacy. Bennett has always been attacked by the Sydney media, usually without base or reason. The attacks post-decision have been the vindictive scribblings of fools. In the News Limited publications, “commentators” like Rebecca Wilson have tried to paint Bennett as some form of vile, paranoid pragmatist. Bennett has done a marvelous job with the Brisbane Broncos and he does not deserve some of the personal attacks heaped on him.

2. Young Indian paceman Ishant Sharma is on the path to superstardom. Sharma has been amazing this summer with his finest performance coming last Sunday, taking 4-38 and again dismissing Ricky Ponting. Former Australian Test fast bowler Damien Fleming has made the claim that Sharma will be the best fast bowler in the world and it is tough to argue with him after Sharma’s performances this summer. He is fast, accurate and can move the ball and combined with his height and a sound action, he has all the tools an international quick requires. And at only 19, Sharma is sure to improve. The future is bright for Ishant Sharma.

1. Cricket Australia is out of line in attempting to scuttle Australian players from participating in the Indian Premier League. From day one Cricket Australia has been concerned about the Twenty20 tournament and that has been even more evident recently. Cricket Australia has made outlandish requests of the BCCI in demanding sponsorship protection despite the fact Australian players partake in domestic competitions around the world without same. Cricket Australia is playing a very dangerous game of brinksmanship and they will lose if they don’t back down. The cost could be as high as the loss of many current Australian stars.

Upper of the Week: Australia’s dominant World Cup Qualifying win over Qatar. In Australia’s first game under new mentor Pim Verbeek, the Socceroos were far too good for Qatar, winning 3-0 with three wonderful first half goals. Australia, in spite of jet lag and a lack of preparation together, were clinical. Australian soccer may have turned the corner under Verbeek.

Downer of the Week: Kevin Rudd and his razor gang cutting the Howard-pledged $40 million promised to rugby, rugby league and racing. Plans for a rugby centre of excellence and a rugby league hall of fame are now out-the-window after Rudd cut the funding. The ARU had already spent $500,000 in preparation for the centre of excellence. The Rudd Government has shown how little sport ranks in their priorities.