Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ASH’S ASSAULT

Ashleigh Barty’s Olympic Games campaign didn’t go as well as she hoped and many anticipated. But it seems she is well and truly reinvigorated ahead of this month’s US Open in New York. The Queenslander, already a dual grand slam champion, obliterated Victoria Azarenka overnight, winning 6-0 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters. With question marks surrounding proven hard-courter and reigning US Open champion Naomi Osaka, Barty looms as a massive chance at Flushing Meadows.

B – BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

The silence from Cricket Australia over Justin Langer’s future had been deafening. Which is why it was nice to hear national white-ball skipper Aaron Finch and CA chief executive Nick Hockley come out earlier this week, and Tim Paine this morning, in support of the Australian coach. Was it unconditional backing? You can be the judge of that, but at least we now know that Langer, who is in the crosshairs of critics, NSW powerbrokers and whingeing players, remains very much in control of his own destiny until his contract expires next year. Beyond that, it is unclear.  

C – CULTURE CLUB

It was absolutely fantastic this week to gain an insight into the lauded Boomers culture, via none other than coach Brian Goorjian. Speaking on TABradio, Goorjian detailed the influence of veterans Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, from the moment they had a camp in Irvine, California, before heading to Las Vegas for a lead-up tournament featuring Argentina, the USA and Nigeria and then in Tokyo where, for the first time in history, the men’s national basketball side won an Olympics medal. Bring on Paris in 2024.

D – DAT’S HOW YOU DO IT

It was only mid-August, but last weekend’s Listed Belmont Newmarket featured some genuine WA horseflesh. Samizdat, Tellem We’re Comin and Indian Pacific ran 1-2-3 in the feature in an indication they have prepped up beautifully for the spring. We shouldn’t be surprised. All three boast Group 1 experience and could well be contesting the elite level once again later this year. As for Samizdat, he unleashed the booming finish we know he possesses, helping him chalk up win No.7 from only 19 career starts. At his best, he is a weapon.

E – EDDIE’S JOURNEY

The delight that Carlton veteran Eddie Betts has provided on-field will end this weekend when he retires after game 350. But the journey of the immensely popular Indigenous figure has only just begun. Betts has become increasingly aware of his influence in the game and will make it his life’s work to ensure the next wave of Indigenous players coming into the AFL environment aren’t subjected to the torrent of racism that he has called out and been subjected to. He has so much to offer and the sooner he can get to work, the better everyone will be. 

F – FALSE START

The wait continues. For Willie Rioli to pull on a West Coast Eagles jumper on game day, that is. The mercurial goalsneak was set to make his much-anticipated return tomorrow against Brisbane at the Gabba after serving his drug ban. But hamstring tightness saw the Eagles’ match committee err on the side of caution, electing to leave him in Perth rather than fly him to Queensland. Unless we witness a massive form reversal and a minor miracle in the form of other results, the footballing public won’t see Rioli in action until 2022.

G – GRAND DESIGNS

WA Premier Mark McGowan’s hardline stance towards COVID-19 has won him many fans here in WA. Indeed, it helped significantly with his re-election. Good on him. But he would endear himself to thousands of other Sandgropers, or at worst get critics to button their lips, if he was more effusive about the prospects of WA hosting this year’s AFL grand final. McGowan’s comments earlier this week were unnecessarily combative. Let’s hope the State Government is working feverishly behind the scenes to make history, even if they don’t want to admit publicly. 

H – HOULI DOOLEY

Class with a capital C. Bachar Houli represents all that is good about humanity. It is why his retirement yesterday, effective immediately, made so many with a love for Australian Rules pause and think about his contribution to the game and society. A triple premiership hero at Richmond, it’s easy to forget that the rebounding defender was runner-up to Dustin Martin in the 2017 and 2019 Norm Smith Medal count. When you consider Martin is arguably the greatest finals performer in the game’s history, that is something to be celebrated. Houli also bravely soldiered on in last year’s decider despite injuring a calf early in the match. His work with Muslim youth too is of enormous importance. Houli’s name will continue to resonate throughout the AFL … and so it should.

I – IN THE BIN

The prospect of the Wallabies and All Blacks locking horns next Saturday at Optus Stadium remained up in the air earlier this morning after the Kiwis went into lockdown following a COVID-19 outbreak. Rugby Australia was hopeful the match would proceed as planned, but the strict quarantine restrictions imposed by WA Premier Mark McGowan forced NZ Rugby to decide against sending their players across the ditch. It was also part of the Rugby Championship that was set to be staged in Perth, but is now likely to take place in the UK. A massive blow for the code here in WA.

J – JOSTLING

In a remarkable finish to a remarkable COVID-19 impacted home-and-away season, we are none the wiser about who is going to claim the minor premiership. Melbourne and Geelong square off at GMHBA Stadium tomorrow night, with the Demons guaranteed to secure top spot for the first time since 1964 (the last year they won a flag) with a victory. The Cats are half a game behind the Demons and will know what they need to do to finish perched above all others if the Western Bulldogs end Port Adelaide’s minor premiership aspirations in their own blockbuster tonight. A cracking conclusion ahead of what promises to be an enthralling finals campaign. 

K – KING-SIZED GRIPE

It seems LeBron James is upset. To you and I, being overlooked as a premier NBA player, is not that big a deal. It is to LeBron. A survey of 10 NBA scouts and executives did not anoint one of the greatest basketballers to have pulled on a singlet as the No.1 player in the league right now. He took to Twitter and sarcastically posted “THANK YOU! As if I didn’t need more to fuel me”, using an emoji of a petrol bowser to reinforce his feelings. The King might just explode out of the blocks when the 2021-2022 season starts in two months.

L – LYON IN WAIT

So much for not aiming to injure David Teague. Ross Lyon’s words, not mine. Moments after feigning care for the embattled Carlton coach on Wednesday night, Lyon declared his interest in leading the Blues. Shock. Horror. Lyon has had designs on the position for the bulk of 2021, despite him insisting that wasn’t the case. Carlton haven’t exactly wrapped their arms around Teague, who is nearing completion of only his second full season at the helm, and it seems only a matter of time before they show him the door, paving the way for Lyon to walk on in.

M – MINJEE’S MISSION

Minjee Lee’s bid to win back-to-back majors got off to a smooth start yesterday in the opening round of the Women’s British Open at Carnoustie. Lee, who broke through at the Evian Championship ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, carded a one-under par 71 to sit four shots off the pace. The West Australian starts her second round tonight just after 7pm. Fellow Sandgroper Hannah Green shot a 73 and tees off in the group before Lee.

 

N – NASHING HIS TEETH

Now is not the time of the year to sustain a serious injury if you are a leading jockey. Nash Rawiller doesn’t need to be told that after he damaged his right foot before the opening race at Hawkesbury yesterday. The 46-year-old was taken to hospital to have a laceration and fracture attended to, casting doubt on his availability for the early stages of the Sydney carnival. 

O – OVER THE TOP

Post-match interviews are meant to be all about the coach, athlete or team. Not the reporter or interviewer. Unfortunately, an American sports columnist went looking for an unnecessary reaction this week when Naomi Osaka fronted up to a media conference. Osaka’s frailties were clear for all to see, the Japanese star excusing herself from the room in tears before returning to complete her commitments, albeit in an abbreviated format. Winning any tennis tournament, let alone a grand slam, is hard work. It remains to be seen whether Osaka is going to be in the right space, mentally and physically, to take care of business in New York later this month.

P – PURPLE PAIN

Fremantle inflicted plenty of it on the boys up the road, West Coast, last Sunday, with arguably one of the better wins in the club’s history. Missing a swag of first-choice players, including dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe and young gun Andy Brayshaw, the Dockers ended an 11-game losing streak to the Eagles courtesy of a blistering opening term that enabled them to lead at every change and chalk up win No.10 for the year. West Coast might have something to say about it in 2022, but the result gave the impression the baton had been handed over and Fremantle can now lay claim to the mantle as the best in the west.

Q – QUEASY

It is just one of many words used to describe the feelings of thousands around the country reading and listening about the violent home invasion and attack on former Wallabies great Toutai Kefu this week. Kefu was left fighting for his life after being stabbed in the stomach by four teenagers in his Brisbane house in the early hours of Monday morning. Kefu’s wife Rachel and their two children were also injured in the incident. All four offenders, ranging from 13 to 15 years of age, have been charged with attempted murder among a number of other offences.

R – REMINDER NOTICE

If you needed any reminding about how uncompromising the NRL is, please refer to Andrew Fifita’s plight. The Cronulla Sharks veteran suffered a knock to his throat during last Sunday’s loss to Newcastle. He was taken from the ground and soon after loaded into an ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital. We then learnt that he was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent surgery to correct damage to his larynx. In brighter news, the Sharks have since released a statement saying Fifita is expected to make a full recovery.

S – STORM WARNING

Melbourne Storm entered last night’s clash with the Gold Coast Titans chasing a 19th successive victory, an historic feat last achieved by the Sydney Roosters 46 years ago. Trailing 10-0 in the early stages, it appeared the Storm were being weighed down by the burden of history. Then, in a matter of moments, the Storm machine clicked into gear before moving into overdrive, surging to a 34-20 victory that bore all the hallmarks of strong defence and electric ball movement. Craig Bellamy’s men were missing some high-calibre personnel, but you wouldn’t have known it. They are an absolute pleasure to watch each and every week.

T – THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

I’ll reserve this space for Shaun Burgoyne ahead of Alastair Clarkson. Yes, the pair will walk from the MCG tomorrow, most likely on the shoulders of Hawthorn players, after Hall of Fame careers. The expectation is four-time premiership coach Clarkson will be back at the helm of another club very soon. As for Burgoyne, the match-up with Richmond marks the end of a distinguished 407-game career with the Hawks and Port Adelaide. Just the fifth player in VFL-AFL history to achieve the 400-game milestone, Burgoyne exits with universal respect, four flags and the best nickname in football — Silk.

U – UNITED WE STAND

I am positive I was not alone in sitting back last Saturday night with a smile on my face. And it wasn’t just because Manchester United were hosting Leeds United in week one of the new English Premier League season. And it wasn’t because the Red Devils saluted 5-1 in an emphatic performance. Rather because Old Trafford was bursting at the seams with more than 72,000 fans in attendance. Yes, more than 72,000 fans. It was somewhat of a throwback to pre-COVID days and boy it felt good.

V – VERRY EXCITING

The first Group 1 race of the new season is nearly upon us. And surprise, surprise Chris Waller has a major part to play. The premier NSW horseman will launch a five-pronged assault on the Winx Stakes, named in honour of his champion mare. Kolding, Imaging, Star Of The Seas and Hungry Heart go up against celebrated stablemate Verry Elleegant, who we last saw going head-to-head with Northern Hemisphere superstar Addeybb in the rich Queen Elizabeth Stakes in April.

W – WORLD ORDER

It hasn’t taken long for George Bailey to make a splash. Elevated to the position of selection chairman only recently, Bailey and coach Justin Langer settled on WA product Josh Inglis ahead of Alex Carey and Josh Philippe in the 15-man squad for the World T20 in the United Arab Emirates later in the year. Inglis has enjoyed an outstanding English summer, but his inclusion ahead of Carey, who had been touted as a future Australian skipper, certainly caused a stir. Inglis and Matthew Wade will now battle it out for the wicketkeeping-batsman position in the tournament.

X – XTRAVAGANT

The Eastern States-based stallion, a dual Group 1 winner in New Zealand at three, hasn’t had a profound impact yet at stud and while He’s Xceptional is not a household name yet, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he runs well in a good race this spring. The three-year-old gelding resumes in tomorrow’s Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley after a nice jump-out for co-trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. A win would shock. A flashing light run wouldn’t.

Y – YOUNG GUN

Fremantle’s Adam Cerra fits comfortably into that category and sadly, it seems he is set to shoot off back to Melbourne. Cerra, taken with pick No.5 in the 2017 national draft, has been linked to Carlton for several months and if the speculation is correct, he will inform the Dockers of his desire to be traded to the Blues once their 2021 commitments are finished. Fremantle tabled a four-year deal believed to be worth in the region of $3 million for Cerra earlier this year, yet it has laid dormant. Should the Dockers facilitate Cerra’s trade request, it will be fascinating to see what comes their way as compensation.

Z – ZOOM ZOOM

Steve Withers and everyone with more than a passing interest in Tommy Shelby will be hoping the people’s dog makes a successful return to Cannington tomorrow night. Tommy has been off the scene since early May when injured running second behind Sunset Spitfire in a free-for-all. Withers is confident that Tommy, having recovered from the setback and with pups on the ground, still has the desire to compete and provided he stays injury-free, there are many good races left in the three-year-old.




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