Some Sporting Observations

8. All four number one seeds are through to the NCAA Tournament semi-finals. For the first time in the storied history of the tournament, the four regional top-seeds all made it through to the semi-finals. North Carolina, UCLA, Memphis and Kansas have defied history but confirmed the tournament committee’s judgment by winning through to the final four. The Tar Heels, Bruins and Tigers all had easy elite eight wins while the Jayhawks survived a close-call against the fairytale team, Davidson. North Carolina is the favourites to take the national title though Memphis were the most impressive team last weekend. A Tigers championship would not surprise and they appear the value at $4.

7. The NBA lost one of its most enigmatic players last week when Chris Webber announced his retirement due to ongoing problems with his knee. Webber, who shot to fame at Michigan as a skilled power forward also shot to infamy in the same period when he inadvertently called a timeout when his team was down by two with eleven seconds remaining and the Wolverines having no timeouts left in the National Championship game. The resulting technical foul essentially clinched the title for North Carolina. Webber’s NBA career followed a similar pattern of undeniable talent and grace and the belief that he never fulfilled his potential. Whilst he averaged 20.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, his constant time on the sideline and his failure to win a championship ring have left a question mark hanging over his legacy. Nevertheless, Webber was a delightful player to watch and with his numbers, he will enter the Hall of Fame.

6. Weekend Hussler is a winner, pure and simple. It may not always be pretty and it may not always be comfortable but you can always be assured that Weekend Hussler will be giving it his all right up to the post. Like Octagonal and Kingston Town, he has a will to win. Last Saturday, he claimed the Randwick Guineas by the barest of margins with the judge requiring a number of prints to determine the victor. Those who took the shorts would have been relieved but the good judges know just how impressive the win was. Weekend Hussler is a superstar and has the world at his feet.

5. The Melbourne Demons may be the worst side the AFL has seen in many years after two inept performances has sent them to the bottom of the ladder. New coach Dean Bailey, who has only had two games in charge, must surely be under pressure after annihilations at the hands of Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs. If Melbourne does not start to play competitive football, the season could be gone by the middle of April. The Demons are going to struggle this season and it is not beyond reason to suggest they will not win a game all year.

4. Harry Kewell playing in the A-League would be a huge boost for soccer in Australia and may give the sport the lift it requires. After interest in soccer peaked when the Socceroos made their amazing World Cup run, support for the game has dropped off in recent times with some poor international performances and a plateau in the enthusiasm for the A-League. Kewell, a true football star, would be a fine promotion for the A-League, giving the domestic competition a yet unknown standing in the eyes of fans. 

3. Graham Murray’s position as North Queensland Cowboys coach is untenable and he should resign or be replaced immediately. The Cowboys have been abhorrent in three games and are clearly not playing with drive or sense. The organisation, of course, has nobody to blame but themselves for capitulating to player unrest and firing Murray, the club’s most successful ever coach. Despite the constant denials, there is a clear case of player unrest and the Cowboys are not responding to the current coach. Murray should go and take his talents where they are wanted.

2. It would be a tremendous shame for the Canberra Raiders and rugby league in the ACT if coach Neil Henry were to ask for a release in order to coach the North Queensland Cowboys. Such a decision would tear the Raiders apart with many feeling betrayed by Henry. Todd Carney, in particular, would have every reason to be aggrieved as part of his decision to stay a Raider was an assurance by Neil Henry that he would remain coach of Canberra until at the least the end of the 2009 season. The Raiders gave Henry his break and he owes it to them to see out his contract.

1. Melbourne Storm officials must privately fear the worst after it was announced that star young centre Israel Folau was joining the Brisbane Broncos for four seasons. Folau went with the bigger offer and a return to his family over staying in Melbourne, which is reportedly where he wanted to stay. The Storm had spent many years nurturing Folau, seeing him become an international in his debut season. The Storm will be devastated at the loss of such a star. Further, the concerns over losing Bellamy, Inglis and Cameron Smith must surely have increased. It is known how close Folau is to Bellamy and his decision to leave may be a sign of things to come for the Storm.

Upper of the Week: The courageous performance of Nathan Hindmarsh to lead Parramatta to victory over Newcastle only two days after the death of his father. Hindmarsh miraculously played and compiled thirty-five tackles in a true Nathan Hindmarsh performance. Courage like that can never be undervalued.

Downer of the Week: The disgraceful actions of both Paul Gallen and Jarrod Saffy in weekend NRL matches. Gallen intentionally raked the face of Anthony Laffranchi, who had already recently returned to the field after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye and down his nose. Laffranchi had to leave the field immediately as a number of stitches had been ripped off and the wound reopened. Jarrod Saffy’s actions were just as shameful, allegedly biting Canberra half Todd Carney. Both men should be suspended for significant weeks.