The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

	Downloads Bookmark this site Set as homepage Andrew W Scott

Some Sporting Observations

8. The long and storied career of NBA coach Pat Riley has seemingly come to an end when he announced that he was stepping down as Miami Heat head coach. The Heat went 15-67 this season and have been in the process of rebuilding since trading Shaquille O’Neal in February. Riley will now take on the role of Team President at the Heat. Riley has been one of the most successful coaches in NBA history, winning 1,210 games, which places him third on the all-time list of games won. He won four championships with the fabled Lakers of the eighties as well as one with the Heat in 2005-06. He also took the New York Knicks to the finals on multiple occasions. Riley has one of the great basketball minds and his presence on the sideline will be sorely missed around the league.

7. Coach Mike D’Antoni may be shown the door by the Phoenix Suns front office if the Phoenix Suns don’t become the first team in NBA history to recover from a 3-0 playoff series deficit. The Suns lost the first three games of their series with arch rivals San Antonio before winning game four. After trading for Shaq mid-season, the Suns thought they had acquired the piece of the puzzle that would allow them to finally down the Spurs. This has not eventuated and once more Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli have torn the Suns to shreds. The Suns may look for a change of direction if the Spurs aren’t finally eradicated.

6. The Kansas City Chiefs made the score of the first round in the NFL draft by landing brilliant defensive end Glenn Dorsey. Glenn Dorsey was touted by many as the best player in the draft yet remarkably fell to number five after Miami went with offensive lineman Jake Long, the Rams went with defensive end Chris Long and the Falcons and Raiders going with big offensive names Matt Ryan and Darren McFadden. Dorsey has a tremendous motor and was an integral member of the 2007 National Championship winning LSU team. The Chiefs won the draft big time and can look forward to a bright future over the next few seasons.

5. Sebring is the real deal and will not only win the Champagne Stakes this Saturday but will go on to make a very handy older horse. Sebring was nothing but class when winning the Sires Produce on Saturday. That win followed an exceptional Golden Slipper victory where he overcame a bad start in racing to victory. He is undefeated and is in the astute hands of Gai Waterhouse, who has been one of the few trainers to get something out of Slipper winners when they get to their three year old season. Expect Sebring to be a star of the Australian turf.

4. The AFL would be foolish to not at least consider the introduction of extra-time and a video referee as both ideas have a significant degree of merit. For the second time this season, the AFL suffered a draw. Nobody goes home happy. While draws are few and far between in the AFL due to the high scoring nature of the game, they do leave a sour taste in the mouths of fans, players and coaches. The game would certainly not be harmed by the addition of five extra minutes in order to achieve a definitive result. A video referee would also be of use as it would ensure controversies like the Brett Kirk no-goal decision will, for the most part, be eradicated. However, the AFL should introduce it only for deciding on issues revolving around the goal-line and posts. The AFL would be well advised not to go down the all-encompassing path the NRL has decided to tread.

3. City and Country Origin selectors have done the right thing in naming the strongest possible sides for the annual clash this Friday night. Selectors were informed that all players not selected in the Test team were available for the City-Country clash. Despite calls from club coaches to rest aging stars like Danny Buderus and Nathan Hindmarsh, all were selected. This is representative football and the game should be honoured by having the best available players playing.

2. The probable return of Trent Barrett to Australia has sparked a frenzy of activity among clubs keen to contract his services. The demand, however, seems totally unwarranted, particularly considering the price Barrett is requesting. Barrett has not played NRL football in two seasons and was clearly below his best when he opted to leave. Wayne Bennett has already told the Dragons he is not interested in signing Barrett and would prefer the Sharks Brett Kimmorley, who has been linked with the club. While Barrett still has something to offer, he is a player that does not slide easily into a team (he requires the team to play a style that suits his unique game) and he is charging too great a price.

1. The situation at South Sydney just goes from bad to worse and one can’t help but feel the more things change at Redfern, the more they stay the same. After recording their seventh consecutive loss of the season against the Broncos in Brisbane, five Rabbitohs were punished for breaking the teams zero tolerance alcohol rule at their post-match recovery session. David Kidwell was stripped of his captaincy while Eddie Paea, Fetuli Talanoa, Ben Rogers and Jaiman Lowe were all dropped from the first grade squad. Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court promised a new era at Souths but what we have is more of the same mediocrity. There are plenty of players and a head coach who may be enjoying their last season of first grade if things don’t turn around quickly.

Upper of the Week: Adam Scott’s playoff win at the Byron Nelson Championship. Scott sank a nine footer on the last hole to force a playoff before holing a mammoth forty eight foot putt to win on the third playoff hole. Scott is an exceptional talent and it was wonderful to see him record another Tour victory. Scott must now step up and perform in the majors. He is certainly the best current Australian golfer not to have a major.

Downer of the Week: The non-selection of Nathan Hindmarsh in the Centenary Test team. Nathan Hindmarsh has been outstanding this season and though he is playing for a struggling team, Hindmarsh’s form has been nothing short of exceptional. Selectors should have seen past the troubles at Parramatta and went with a player who has the runs and the form on the board.