Some Sporting Observations

8. Manchester United is now in the box seat to win the English Premier League after Arsenal blew another opportunity to secure their position at the top of the table. The Gunners were lucky to escape with a point against mid-table Middlesboro while a Cristiano Ronaldo goal gave United the full compliment against Derby. Both Arsenal and United now sit on sixty-seven points with United having a game in hand. Alex Ferguson has been here before and United are firm favourites to get the job done from here.

7. It is difficult to believe that Tiger Woods is playing better than at anytime throughout his career but he is. He has now won five consecutive tournaments and there appears to be no sign of slowing down in the near future. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational, an event that has not been kind to Woods in recent times, Woods sunk a twenty-foot plus putt on the last hole to defeat Bart Bryant. The focus and application of Woods is so great that he can beat the best on the circuit even when he is playing far from his best. If Woods is to win the Grand Slam, 2008 looks like it will be the year.

6. It turned from a moment of high excitement to severe disappointment in a single afternoon. The Gai Waterhouse prepared Amelia’s Dream absolutely decimated her rivals in the Silver Slipper Stakes, winning by 6 ¼ lengths. It was a stunning win that saw her installed as a clear-cut Golden Slipper favourite. She has since been withdrawn from the race, however, after suffering a career threatening leg injury. Her chances of racing again have been described by Waterhouse as “50-50”. Regardless of who wins the Golden Slipper, some of the starch will be missing as the most impressive two-year old of the season will not be contesting the great race.

5. The leadership of the AFL did nothing short of disgrace the code this week when virtually disregarding allegations made by former Carlton assistant coach Tony Liberatore. Liberatore claims that the Blues tanked matches in order to earn priority picks in the draft. Both the AFL Commission Chairman and the AFL Chief Executive dismissed the claims almost immediately, despite having just ordered an investigation into claims that Swans coach Paul Roos had given instructions to his players to deliberately lose a pre-season match. The stance by the AFL on the Liberatore claims was completely hypocritical and smacks of vindictiveness. The AFL needs to be thorough with all claims of tanking and match-fixing as well as undertaking a comprehensive investigation into the priority pick system.

4. In the world of sport, tragedy and salvation are words that are overused. By participants, the media, administrators. The tendency to exaggerate proportion is inherent in the games we play and follow. It is, however, no exaggeration to label the brain tumour that ended the career of ACT Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley as tragic. And incredibly lucky. Huxley knew nothing of the tumour until he was hit in a sickening clash that left him heavily concussed. Scans later revealed that Huxley had a brain tumour and had been playing with same for four years. Had the tumour not been revealed, Huxley could have died had he continued to play. Life is far more important than sport and all sports fans can only wish Huxley all the best with his operation and his post-rugby life.

3. Todd Carney re-signing with the Canberra Raiders has been the most important news for the Raiders in a decade. Carney is a tremendous talent with a wonderful passing game, an ability to split the defence when he runs and a kicking game that rates as one of the best in the NRL. A local Raiders junior, the message that would have been sent to others would have devastated the Raiders had he chosen to accept one of the big-money offers of Manly or Penrith. As a result of Carney’s re-signing, coach Neil Henry has committed fully to the Raiders, quashing speculation he will go to the Cowboys. The Raiders will now continue to build around Carney and may now attract some bigger stars to the Nation’s capital.

2. The Gold Coast Titans are going to be incredibly difficult to beat at home this season. The Titans were dominant in their opening performance at Skilled Stadium, running rampage over a Cowboys side that contained Johnathan Thurston. The stadium, by all reports, produces an incredible noise that makes it nearly impossible to hear out on the field. Gold Coast players have developed a series of yelps and whistles to overcome the situation. Other teams will not have the lines of communication as well developed. By the end of the season, the Gold Coast may well hold the mantle of hardest team to beat at home.

1. There has been plenty of debate regarding the “shot” put on Craig Wing that resulted in star South Sydney halfback Craig Wing dislocating his shoulder. Wing will miss between three to five months with surgery now required. The injury occurred in the opening minutes of the fierce Rabbitohs-Roosters clash with plenty of talk in the papers pre-game suggesting the Roosters would be giving it to Wing. While the tackle in question, a shoulder-charge by Riley Brown as Wing was held up by two Roosters, was somewhat cheap, it broke no rules and Brown should not be charged. Nor should there be a rule-change to outlaw such a tackle. The only modification to how the tackle is officiated should be for referees to call held earlier when momentum has stopped.

Upper of the Week: Matt and Kelly, married at last. Not really sports related but the marriage of Matt to the delightful Kelly was a wonderful occassion for the entire Punting Ace family.

Downer of the Week: The loss of Benji Marshall to yet another injury. The Wests Tigers playmaker has missed most of the last two seasons with injury and will now miss up to three months in 2008 after doing a knee injury in the opening minutes of the Tigers clash with the Dragons. There are few more gifted ball-players in the competition and nearly none with the excitement and flair of Marshall. Rugby league desperately needs him fit and healthy.

© 2008 Punting Ace.com