Some Sporting Observations

8. Tiger Woods is, with little doubt, the greatest clutch athlete of our time. His ability to handle pressure was once again put on exhibition for all to see when on the seventy-second hole of the U.S Open, Woods sunk a ten-foot birdie putt to force a playoff with clubhouse leader Rocco Mediate. Woods, battling a knee injury that is clearly hurting him, overcame a blown lead and a tee-shot into the sand on the last to sink the monster putt that would have forced most men to crumble. No athlete thrives on pressure like Woods. It would take a gargantuan effort from Mediate to tumble Woods in the eighteen-hole playoff.

7. The Los Angeles Lakers may have taken game five of the NBA finals series and forced a game six in Boston but the victory was far from impressive and it is difficult to envisage the Lakers getting a win in Boston. Kobe was again dominant in the first quarter but went missing for the rest of the game while Lamar Odom is still finding himself in constant foul trouble. The Celtics were again tough in overcoming a big deficit and back on home court, should create too much defensive pressure for the Lakers. Expect the Celtics to win and win well in game six.

6. The NBL needs to work fast to reestablish the Sydney Kings franchise or face nearly certain death. The Sydney Kings last week had their license terminated by the NBL, bringing to an end the disastrous reign of Firepower supreme Tim Johnston that left players unpaid and accumulated huge amounts of debt. There had been interest in taking over the Kings licence from a number of sources but the NBL refused to allow a transfer after possible investors could not meet the league’s requirements by the assigned deadline. While the NBL was right in doing this, they must be flexible in allowing a new consortium to resurrect the team as the league cannot survive without its marquee franchise. Fox Sports would have little interest in covering the sport, the league’s biggest market would be lost and the credibility of the NBL would be severely damaged. Everything must be done to ensure the Sydney Kings once again compete in the NBL.

5. Beau Casson has made his Test debut but the New South Wales spinner may be one of a handful used by the Australian team over the next few years after he failed to sizzle. In the first innings of the Third Test against the West Indies, Casson was given only seven overs by captain Ricky Ponting, returning figures of 0-43. In the second innings, he has figures of 1-58 from seventeen overs at the conclusion of day four. Come next summer, Casson will be battling it out with Bryce McGain, Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey for the spin position. 

4. ARU boss John O’Neill’s comments that rugby league and rugby union should join forces in the fight against AFL and soccer shows how far rugby has slipped in relevance in this country. O’Neill believes that the ARU and the NRL should combine forces to fend off the threat of AFL and soccer establishing themselves in New South Wales and Queensland. NRL boss David Gallop quickly rejected O’Neill’s calls. Rugby had a brief stint in the spotlight at the turn of the century but has never been as entrenched in the hearts and minds of Australians as AFL and rugby league. Rugby is in trouble and O’Neill knows it.

3. The Canberra Raiders have unearthed a potential superstar in boom young outside back Justin Carney. No relation to halfback Todd, Justin Carney was selected to make his debut on the wing for the Canberra Raiders against the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday afternoon. He set tongues wagging immediately with a sensational two-try performance that provided plenty of hope for supporters of the Green Machine. Carney has been a sensation on the Toyota Cup this season and he bought that form to the top grade. Despite playing out of position, he was simply outstanding, showing strength with the ball and great awareness. He has a bright future in rugby league.

2. Parramatta are the hot team in the NRL right now and will give the title a shake in September if they maintain their current form. The Eels were never troubled by a Wests Tigers team that is playing well, winning 44-6 in a canter. Up front, Nathan Cayless, Fuifui Moimoi and Nathan Hindmarsh are laying a  wonderful platform with Feleti Mateo and Brett Finch slicing through defences with ease. Out wide, the likes of Inu, Burt, Hayne, Ready, Tautai and Williams are converting it all into points. The Eels are a very real threat now they have found their feet.

1. The performance of referee Tony Archer in Origin II was quite astonishing, as were the directives he was given by referees boss Robert Finch. After complaints from Queensland that Archer had given too much leeway around the ruck in game one, Finch essentially ordered Archer to be tougher, in the process changing the interpretation of the law by insisting that momentum should be rewarded. Archer did as told, blowing numerous penalties against the Blues for infringements that in game one would have been deemed legal. The difference in ruck interpretation between the two games was startling. 

Upper of the Week: The efforts of big men Brendon Fevola and Matthew Richardson in getting their respective teams a much-needed win in what were two season-defining crunch games. Fevola was at his dominating best for Carlton in their blockbuster clash with loathed arch-rivals Collingwood, kicking eight goals, including two highlight-for-the-ages majors, in what was the difference for Carlton. After a positive start to the season, the Blues had lost momentum. Yesterday’s win was huge and takes Carlton into the top eight. Matthew Richardson was just as brilliant for the Tigers. Richo kicked five goals and was again everywhere, running from the backline to the forward line with the enthusiasm of a rookie. He was the difference between the Tigers and the Demons and gives life to Richmond’s finals hopes.

Downer of the Week: The appalling performance from the New South Wales in game two of the State of Origin series. The Blues execution was appalling, their discipline was shameful and in the end, their effort had to be severely questioned. The Blues are no hope in game three if they turn up with the same attitude.