The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. The Western Force had no choice but to terminate the contract of halfback Matt Henjak. Henjak, who has a string of prior offences, broke the jaw of teammate Haig Sare whilst drinking heavily, punching him in the face whilst Sare was seated. The act was disgraceful and is one that can tear a team apart if left to simmer. Henjak has been offered to NRL teams but is not wanted. He has been offered a spot at Saracens but may not be granted a visa due to a prior criminal charge. The severity of his actions may now hit home.

7. The AFL is in for a rude shock if they decide to place a second AFL side in Sydney. The result would be a reduction in the support for the Sydney Swans and the failure of the new franchise. Western Sydney is rugby league heartland and the AFL is a little naïve to think that they could win over their hearts and minds from a central life force. Even the support of the Sydney Swans is somewhat temperamental, based on on-field performances. The AFL should look to the Gold Coast and perhaps even Hobart.

6. The Newcastle Jets are the new A-League champions. In a game that was high on controversy, a Mark Bridge strike in the 64th minute proved to be the decider. The Jets were, without doubt, superior to the Central Coast Mariners but were lucky to get away with victory when referee Mark Shield rejected a call for a handball inside the box in the dying stages. The ensuing fracas resulted in Mariners keeper Danny Vukovic getting red carded for dissent. The city of Newcastle has really taken to the Jets and this win is good for the city and good for the league.

5. Bulldogs Chief Executive Malcolm Noad has today resigned from his position. He deemed his situation untenable after a rebel ticket was swept to power at the board elections last week. Malcolm Noad was not wanted by the new board members and was expected to be fired in the foreseeable future. The Bulldogs have started rebuilding and will most likely look at a new coach next.

4. The New Zealand Warriors have been the first team to suffer a major setback this season with the loss of star fullback Wade McKinnon. McKinnon had a career season last year, scoring nine tries and averaging a touch under 150 metres a game. He was set to carry on that form for the Warriors in 2008 but sustained ACL damage in a trial game against Newcastle. The Warriors were genuine contenders with McKinnon at the back but without him, may struggle to match it with the best teams. Young Aidan Kirk will most likely take over the role of custodian now.

3. The BCCI have been politically astute in not requesting an annual window to stage the Indian Premier League until after the player auction. Had they have requested amendments to the Future Tours Program, many ICC member nations would not have released their players for the tournament. The BCCI now have official clearance and have the member nations of the ICC exactly where they want them. Countries essentially cannot oppose the window as such a stance would lead to a great deal of conflict with contracted players. The power of Indian cricket continues to rise at a rapid rate.

2. Fine Pakistani batsman Mohammad Yousuf has cost himself a great deal financially by getting mixed up in a legal wrangle between the Indian Premier League and the Indian Cricket League. Yousuf originally signed with the clearly-inferior and unsanctioned Indian Cricket League as a reaction to missing out on selection for the Pakistan Twenty20 World Cup team. Yousuf then reneged on his ICL contract, handed back all monies and signed with the IPL. The ICL undertook legal proceedings preventing Yousuf from participating in the IPL draft. As one of the best batsman in the world, Yousuf has likely cost himself a handy sum with his indecision.

1. It is not surprising that Andrew Symonds was the Australian player that received the highest bid in the Indian Premier League. Symonds, along with Brett Lee, are the two most marketable and entertaining members in the Australian team and will be big hits with the Indian public. It must also be noted that Symonds price was bumped up by his statements noting he would not tour Pakistan. Symonds is headed for a collision with Cricket Australia if the decision is made that the tour will go ahead. Symonds will be of the belief that he will be right to play in the IPL while Cricket Australia will insist that if Symonds does not tour Pakistan that he will not be allowed to play in the IPL. There is a storm brewing.

Upper of the Week: The successful return of boom horse Weekend Hussler. The Ross McDonald prepared three-year-old was electric in winning the Oakleigh Plate first-up. The Hussler has a big future and may well be the next legend of the Australian turf.

Downer of the Week: The naming of rugby league’s one hundred greatest players. With voting shrouded in secrecy, a number of omissions left fans and followers shocked. Ricky Stuart, Gorden Tallis, Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies all missed out. Quite unbelievable. It is a shame that such an important list wasn’t better considered.