The Weekly A-Z

Posted on December 11, 2020December 11, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AWKWARD

Melbourne storm part-owner Gerry Ryan caused a stir when he put the future of Cameron Smith on the agenda in an interview this week. Smith hasn’t committed to his intentions for 2021, but there is an expectation he will return to Queensland, most likely the Gold Coast, ending a storied career at the Storm. Ryan said as much when he declared that the veteran had “realised it’s time to hang the boots up”. Not sure what Smith thought of the remarks. It seems his last step will be to inform the rugby league community of his plans to call it quits in the not too distant future.

B – BURNING SENSATION

Joe Burns went into the opening three-day tour game against India desperately needing runs to give everyone in the country, himself included, confidence he could be relied upon to make a score in the first Test against the tourists at Adelaide Oval next week. He finished the match still desperately needing runs after a twin failure. The injury to David Warner and Will Pucovski’s latest bout of concussion are fortuitous for Burns, who has proven himself at the top level, but is bereft of confidence. Under enormous pressure is the Queenslander.

C – CONCUSSION CONCERNS

Nobody disputes that Will Pucovski is an elite talent and capable of playing a lot of Test cricket for his country … if he isn’t cruelled by concussion issues. The 22-year-old suffered his ninth concussion when “badged” by Indian quick Kartik Tyagi in Sydney. He was forced to retire hurt and will miss the second tour match opposed to the tourists, starting today, placing his expected Test debut in jeopardy. It is just rotten timing.

D – DRAFT TAMPERING

Was a hot topic in the lead-up to Wednesday night’s AFL national draft. Victorian teenager Archie Perkins told prospective recruiters that he was loathe to move interstate because he didn’t feel it would benefit his football. Some praised his honesty, others felt it was borderline draft tampering. Perkins did his best to clarify his comments in the wake of being selected by Essendon, but it is something the AFL needs to clamp down on. If players aren’t willing to travel interstate, don’t nominate for the draft. It’s pretty simple.

E – EXCEPTIONAL TALENT

If you have been living under a rock and need to be brought up to speed regarding the skill set of Cameron Green, I can help. He is next level. There you go. Consider yourself informed. Seriously though, the performance of the young West Australian to do what he did in the tour match against India was quite remarkable. He bowled beautifully in both innings and at his only visit to the crease, compiled a high-calibre century. Australia have the long-term all-rounder they have been looking for. The only question is when the selectors will pull the trigger and hand him a Baggy Green.

F – FIVE THOUSAND

Did scratch my head yesterday when the Victorian Government announced the crowd for the Boxing Day Test would be lifted from 25,000 a day to 30,000. While the extra 5000 fans is only a good thing, it seems odd that the crowd attendance has been capped at that figure. There is no community spread of COVID-19 in Victoria, the borders are open and Brisbane and Sydney have seen crowds of more than 50,000 and 30,000 attend rugby league and cricket contests respectively in the past month.

G – GIANT KILLERS

That term sits comfortably with the Washington Football Team after they ended the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 11-game winning streak. The underwhelming franchise, formerly known as the Redskins, have endured a tough time of it for several seasons, but the effort of veteran quarterback Alex Smith to rally his troops and outgun Steelers signal caller Ben Roethlisberger was full of merit.

H – HOT DOG

Who doesn’t like a hot dog? Only thing better than a hot dog on a Thursday night is devouring one whilst watching one, chiefly Tommy Shelby, showcase his indisputable talent. The WA cult hero has left the boxes quicker than he did in the heats of the Hobart Thousand, but he mustered quickly and was powerful to the line, stopping the clock at a ridiculous 25.45sec., just 0.01 outside the track record set by Stanley Gordon. He will take a stack of beating next week.

I – IN THE HOLE

For $134 million. That is what Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expects to lose from last season’s COVID-19 impacted NBA campaign and the upcoming schedule as the pandemic sweeps through the USA. The NBA completed last season in a Florida bubble, leaving owners counting the costs of no fans. The same issue will raise its head again until a vaccine is made available. Cuban, who can be a polarising figure, continues to pay his staff their full salary even though not all are working. I suppose it helps when you are worth an estimated $5.75 billion like Cuban is.

J – JESSE’S JOB

Bryce Cotton seemed the logical successor to Damian Martin as Perth Wildcats captain following the defensive genius’ retirement at the end of last season. But Cotton has expressed his reluctance about taking over the role, opening the door for popular veteran Jesse Wagstaff to be the latest in a long line of Wildcats legends to skipper the team.

K – KEEP THE FAITH

Was the message from co-trainer Michael Hawkes on The Sports Daily this morning about the prospects of his runner Outrageous in tomorrow’s Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. The gelding is unplaced from five starts over the mile, but Hawkes believes that matters little as he looks to break through and earn a ticket into the Doncaster Mile during the autumn. It is the feature on a mammoth 10-race card.

L – LONGEVITY

It was on display and in the headlines last Friday night when Vultan Tin caused the daddy of all upsets in the WA Pacing Cup. The grand old campaigner was making his 168th appearance and had been unplaced at his previous five starts. But he had claimed the scalp of Chicago Bull during winter and was able to replicate that in spectacular fashion, bringing a great deal of joy to hobby trainer Phil Costello.

M – M.I.A

James Harden has done just about everything in basketball. An eight-time All-Star and a league MVP in 2018, he is one of the most prolific scorers in the game. But he is not happy at the direction the Houston Rockets are heading and has requested a trade to a team in the championship window. So much so that he has not rocked up to training with the Rockets, instead attending a party of rapper Lil Baby in Atlanta and clubbing in Las Vegas — minus masks, which is against the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols. Watch this space.

N – NOT SO FAST

Swimmer Shayna Jack rejoiced last month when her four-year ban for providing a urine sample with the banned substance ligandrol was cut in half after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It could be shortlived. Sport Integrity Australia declared this week it would lodge its own appeal against the CAS finding, and were soon joined by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the drugs watchdog which takes a dim view on any positive test by an athlete.

O – ONE FOR THE GOOD GUYS

You will not find one racing person who has a bad word to say about Graham Yuill. That is why everyone had a smile on their face on Wednesday when Fair Justice, the four-year-old mare he trains, gunned down Nuhad to win at Ascot. It was Yuill’s first metropolitan winner in six years, an achievement made even more special by the fact his daughter Kyra strapped her whilst she serves her riding suspension. The joy on the face of both father and daughter was priceless.

P – PECULIAR

The rookie draft that took place yesterday was so 2020. Bryce Gibbs was picked up by Adelaide for administrative duties after he retired this year, Tyson Goldsack was selected by Port Adelaide in a way that allows the Power to use him as a mentor in the SANFL and Jacob Townsend will venture north to Gold Coast, his fourth club. It’s fair to say 2021 cannot come quick enough.

Q – QUARTERS

We have been critical of the AFL for being very benign when it comes to the tardy approach to the release of next year’s fixtures. We now know that the first six rounds will be released prior to Christmas. It is music to the ears of many. As is the decision to revert back to 20-minute quarters and time-on for 2021. The 2020 season had 16-minute terms which left many wanting more. Congratulations to the AFL Commission for signing off on the important issue.

R – RANVEER

Let’s take two. We identified this son of Winning Rupert, a $200,000 yearling purchase from Western Breeders Alliance’s draft this year, heading into the Clockwise Classic at Ballarat last month. Unfortunately trainer Matt Laurie had to scratch him on race morning because of a virus, but now has him back to full health ahead of his anticipated debut at Flemington tomorrow. Laurie rates the WA product as one of the best two-year-olds he has trained.

S – SHA TIN

Will look completely different on Sunday when the international meeting takes place before grandstands bordering on empty. Normally heaving with racing enthusiasts, some of the world’s premier horses will go about their business with a minimum of fuss. Under restrictions in place to guard against COVID-19, the Hong Kong Jockey Club allows only owners with horses running on the day to attend, with one family member as a guest.

T – TRUE THAT

Truly Great rubberstamped himself as an elite performer with his brilliant victory in last Saturday’s $1 million Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot. Not disgraced in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) a fortnight earlier, Truly Great handled the WFA conditions with ease, displaying the trademark turn of foot which has seen him rise through the grades this preparation. Grant and Alana Williams have yet another serious galloper on their hands.

U – UGLY SCENES

Still unfathomable that racism in world football remains as prevalent as it is. This week’s scenes during the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Istanbul Basaksehir was further evidence that more needs to be done. It is staggering to think a fourth referee would refer to Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo as a “negro” as has been alleged. The commotion on the sideline was nasty and not surprisingly, led players from the visiting Turkish side to refuse to finish the match while the officials remained in charge.

V – VIRENDER’S VITRIOL

If you were to say Virender Sehwag is not a fan of Glenn Maxwell, you would be right. The former Indian opener gave the enigmatic Australian an almighty pull through this week over his commitment and contribution to the national side as opposed to his input in the IPL where he earns seven figures for a few months’ work for Kings XI Punjab. “His attitude changes when he plays for Australia … when he comes to the IPL, he is more serious about his golf than cricket,” Sehwag said.

W – WERRIBEE’S FUTURE

Will be on the agenda when a panel featuring some of the sharpest minds in the sport get together to probe the deaths of horses who have contested the Melbourne Cup. The quarantine facility at Werribee is going to attract a lot of attention given the issues many international horses have endured whilst based there. If Racing Victoria does decide to abandon Werribee, where is the next best suitable venue?

X – X MARKS THE SPOT

Chris Parnham made an imprint of the highest order last Saturday with his groundbreaking Group 1 triumph aboard Truly Great. It was only a matter of time before the youngest of the Parnham boys tasted ultimate success. He had gone close the weekend prior aboard Celebrity Queen and produced the ride last weekend befitting a jockey with a commanding lead in the metropolitan jockeys’ premiership. Now for that maiden premiership.

Y – YELLOW CAP

As the leading run scorer in the Big Bash League is back. Tim David, the talented young West Australian, was sporting it last night at Blundstone Arena after top scoring with 58 in the Hobart Hurricanes’ impressive win over the Sydney Sixers. It will do the rounds throughout the season, which will continue tonight when Melbourne Stars clash with Brisbane Heat in Canberra.

Z – ZAC’S BACK

Superstar jockey Zac Purton said on TABradio’s The Sports Daily this week that he was more buoyant about his rides for the International Jockey Challenge at Happy Valley than the previous two years. He was right to feel that way, notching 20 points on Wednesday night to beat fierce rival Joao Moreira by two points and claim the gong on the gala night’s card. It was a timely confidence boost heading into Sunday’s massive meeting at Sha Tin.