The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. Tiger Woods is beatable. The dream of the grand slam is gone for another year after the most dominant golfer on the planet finished a distant second to South Africa’s Trevor Immelman. Woods was never in the hunt, always a good distance behind the leader, who became the first wire-to-wire winner since 1980. It was only Immelman’s second tour title. His ball striking and cool nerve suggest that there will be more to come.

7. It can take but a week for it all to unravel. One need only ask Arsene Wegner or anyone associated with Arsenal, who saw both their Champions League and Premiership runs end cruelly in the space of days. After having their European dreams shattered by a flowing Liverpool, Arsenal were forced to suffer another fatal beating over the weekend, this time losing to Manchester United. United look all but certain to claim the Premiership now. What looked so promising for Arsenal turned into disappointment over the course of just a single week.

6. Glenn Boss has the luck of a leprechaun. Currently riding in Hong Kong, Boss has been given the ride on Golden Slipper co-favourite Sebring. The boom Gai Waterhouse steed is going to be difficult to beat in the Slipper with the fortune of Boss the misfortune of Blake Shinn. Blake Shinn had his appeal against a suspension handed down for interference dismissed. This ensured Shinn would not get the sensational ride in the Australia’s most prestigious juvenile race. Boss is one lucky rider so don’t be surprised to see Sebring right in the finish.

5. Barry Hall returned to his thuggish ways of old on Saturday night and should be handed a long suspension by the AFL. In a highly disproportionate response to something West Coast Eagle Brett Staker seemingly said or did, Hall put a left hook squarely on the jaw of the Eagles player. Hall has since apologized for his disgraceful actions but that should not prevent the AFL from sitting Hall out for at least eight weeks. This kind of violence is not acceptable in society and should not be tolerated on the football field.

4. After fourteen games and nearly ten months, the Carlton Football Club has won a game of premiership football. The Blues played inspired football to down loathed arch-rivals Collingwood in one of the season’s biggest upsets. Led by big forward Brendan Fevola and a stout backline that refused to be penetrated, Carlton won 111-88 and were never headed after establishing a twenty point halftime lead. That win preceded the upset of the season when the lowly rated Richmond gave Fremantle a lesson in commitment and skill and were ambushed. That is the wonderful thing about football. Any team on their day can win.

3. It was reported last week that former Queensland prop Danny Nutley would seek a release from the Roosters. Nutley, still a quality bookend at the age of thirty-four, has been mired in the New South Wales Cup behind a platoon of excellent props that includes Mark O’Meley, Willie Mason, Lopeni Paea and David Shillington. The Roosters should adhere to such a request to ensure Nutley can go out on his terms. A fine career has ensured he has earned that right.

2. Todd Carney, Kurt Gidley and Mitchell Pearce all improved their chances of playing in the Blue number seven jersey with super performances over the weekend while Matt Orford played himself out of contention. Todd Carney was the halfback of the weekend, scoring a sensational solo try and setting up four others while Mitchell Pearce played his best football in guiding the Roosters to victory over Penrith. After the injury to Knights half Scott Dureau, Kurt Gidley was moved into the halfback role and was impressive. Matt Orford, however, showed little against the Storm and with age and history against him, he is unlikely to be picked.

1. Kevin Moore will this week be confirmed as the next Bulldogs coach, replacing the departing Steve Folkes in 2009. Moore is highly regarded by those inside the club including the playing group. Whilst Moore will provide a fresh start for a club in desperate need of one, there remain significant questions on the impact his low-profile will have on recruitment and retention. The Bulldogs have already missed out on a number of big name signings and desperately need to attract some quality playing talent. If Canterbury doesn’t make a signing, Moore will be doomed from the start. Kevin Moore’s coaching career will be built in the next few months, when the available big names make their decisions for 2009.

Upper of the Week: The public reunion of Bill Buckner and Red Sox Nation on Opening Day at Fenway Park. Buckner, infamous for his role as the goat in the 1986 World Series that continued the Red Sox misery, has been blamed and mocked for over two decades by Bostonians. Buckner’s family has been abused and the man has been shunned as the legend grew increasingly disproportionate to the actual magnitude of the mistake. The bridge was mended, however, when Buckner threw the opening pitch to rapturous applause from Red Sox Nation. It was a wonderful scene.

Downer of the Week: Tim Smith and his revelation that he will leave rugby league indefinitely due to his battle with bipolar disorder. Smith has struggled both on and off the field over the last two seasons and will now seek to deal with his illness away from the public eye. It is sad to see such a young talent forced to give away the game he loves. Hopefully he will return and make it back to his best.