The Sporting Day: Some Sporting Observations

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Some Sporting Observations

8. Harry Redknapp is most likely Portsmouth’s favourite son after steering Pompey to their first FA Cup win since 1939 and their first major honour since winning the premiership in 1950. A lone Kanu goal, scored from Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman’s fumble, proved the difference in the final as a stoic if dour Portsmouth held firm. Despite having 51% of possession, Cardiff could not breakdown the highly credentialed Portsmouth defence. Harry Redknapp, who rescued Portsmouth from relegation only two seasons back in his much lauded return to the club, is now a revered figure who will be given plenty of time to build on his success.

7. The Los Angles Lakers were never going to lose to the Utah Jazz. Not with Kobe Bryant in the aggressive and focused frame of mind he was in from game one. And be it the New Orleans Hornets or the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, the Lakers are going to be virtually impossible to beat if Bryant maintains his aggression and keeps getting to the lane. The Lakers defeated the Jazz purely on Bryant’s ability to drive inside. He took an amazing 96 trips to the charity stripe in the Jazz series, sinking 80. The equation for the Spurs or the Hornets is simple: keep Bryant to jump shots. If they don’t, the Lakers will be on their way to the NBA finals series.

6. Big Brown is absolutely the real deal and may well be the best horse in the world. The undefeated Kentucky Derby winner, who won the run for the roses with sheer contempt, won the Preakness in similar fashion. In front of a packed Pimlico crowd, Big Brown overcame a poor start and a handy field with sheer power. Let go for no more than a furlong, Big Brown won the second leg of the Triple Crown by 5 ¼ lengths. He will now start incredibly short in the Belmont Stakes as he chases Triple Crown glory. No horse has won the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Only the great uncertainty of racing will beat him. No horse contesting has anywhere near his class.

5. SANZAR rarely gets it right. Having rejected calls for an expansion of the Super 12 and subsequently the Super 14 top four finals series for many seasons, SANZAR have been embarrassed this season with by the exclusion of the Stormers and the Blues. Such embarrassment has been the catalyst for change with SANZAR set to expand the finals series to a top six in 2009. The problem is, there is no suitable top-six format. SANZAR should smarten up and institute the time honoured top five system that has worked well across the world for many years.

4. Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson showed why he is one of the most highly regarded coaches in the AFL when he opened his post-match press conference with an apology to the Port Adelaide side for the behaviour of Hawks forward Mark Williams. As Williams struck the sealing goal for Hawthorn, he wrapped his hand around his throat in a mocking choke sign directed at the Port team who had blown a 38 point lead. It was Williams' only goal for the day in what was another quiet performance from the Hawks forward. Buddy Franklin and Jarryd Roughead again outshone him. Clarkson was classy in his apology and showed his displeasure by suggesting further similar behaviour could result in Williams’s dismissal from the Hawks.

3. There is something contrived about Paul Gallen’s attempts to instill passion into the New South Wales jumper. Gallen is doing his best to sell the series through constant media attention focused on his “hate” for Queensland. It is this kind of false bravado that has gotten New South Wales into trouble in the past. The Blues, no doubt, have as much pride in their jersey as the Queenslanders but the simple reality of the situation is that New South Wales have failed whenever trying to replicate Queensland. Gallen has fallen into the same trap. Coach Craig Bellamy should tell Gallen to pull his head in and be more constructive in his public commentary. All he is doing at the moment is firing up the Queenslanders.

2. The Bulldogs made a winning move in signing Cronulla halfback Brett Kimmorley. His signature is a boon for a team who has struggled to attract marquee signings despite having plenty to spend. Kimmorley’s signature is also a plus for incoming coach Kevin Moore, whose appointment has been criticised in some quarters for his perceived lack of drawing power. The Bulldogs have been in desperate need of a quality halfback for a number of years. Kimmorley is just that.

1. Mark Gasnier and Sonny Bill Williams both profess their virtue of loyalty yet both have had treason on the mind. It has been reported throughout the week that both Gasnier and Williams are considering a switch to European rugby despite both being contracted to their current clubs for a significant period of time. Gasnier is exercising a clause in his contract after a number of third-party deals fell through whilst Williams is seemingly considering just walking out. Both are doing significant damage to the clubs they profess to be loyal to with fans becoming restless and recruitment made more difficult. The Dragons and the Bulldogs should haul both in and remind them of their obligations and how well they are being compensated for fulfilling same.

Upper of the Week: Cleveland Indians second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera completing only the fourteenth unassisted triple play in the history of Major League Baseball. The unassisted triple play is one of the rarest feats in baseball and was achieved by the exciting Indians second bagman. To put it in perspective, there have been 255 no-hitters thrown in the big leagues. Regardless of what Cabrera achieves in baseball, he will live on forever with his unassisted triple play.

Downer of the Week: The indication that NFL owners would opt out of the current labor deal with players. It has been widely reported that NFL owners are unhappy with the current deal, agreed on in 2006, and would reopen negotiations as soon as possible. The ramifications of doing so are immense with the possibility of a lockout increased many-fold. Players Association boss Gene Upshaw has also indicated that players will not agree to maintain the salary cap in any form if there was to be a new labor deal negotiated. For a league that prides itself on parity, this development could be lethal.