The Weekly A-Z

Posted on September 4, 2020 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ANGRY PILLS

Clearly NRL supremo Peter V’landys wasn’t all that impressed by the AFL’s decision to plonk the grand final in Queensland. V’landys’ comments in the wake of Wednesday’s announcement was something we would normally associate from a rugby league firebrand like Phil Gould, not a man entrusted with the responsibility of leading the code with composure.

B – BABY STEPS

Surprise Baby has not been seen since in public since his terrific run against the pattern in last year’s Melbourne Cup. His build-up on the road to redemption begins tomorrow in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) with new jockey Craig Williams aboard. The tight confines of the inner city track might not suit him perfectly, but Williams’ claim that he is forward enough to run a big race is extremely heartening.

C – CITY OF CHURCHES

West Coast have some fond memories of Adelaide Oval. They could well possess another one by the time the current AFL season comes to a close. The Eagles are considering taking a final to the picturesque ground during the post-season should the opportunity arise for them to “host” a rival because of the quarantine requirements in place in WA. Talk about strange times indeed.

D – DISREGARD AT YOUR PERIL

If a body of work is required to silence the critics, then surely Penrith have done enough in their pursuit of another NRL premiership. The Panthers’ win over Brisbane last night was their 12th in a row. They might not be held in the same regard as Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters, but Ivan Cleary can be very proud of what his men have achieved.

E – EERILY SIMILAR

It is not a stretch to say that the environment in the AFL at present resembles what the NFL went through a few years ago regarding CTE. The revelation this week that the late Danny Frawley was found to have the concussion-linked brain condition sent a shudder through the league. The NFL has already forked out more than $750 million to former players with concussion issues.

F – FRAYING AT THE SEAMS

The fallout from Hawthorn’s wretched season will be dramatic. Alastair Clarkson is not keen to bottom out, instead continue exploring trade and free agency options ahead of the draft. But others at the club, including high-profile president Jeff Kennett, are of the belief the Hawks need to stock up on youth and build from the bottom up. It is going to be intriguing to see how it all plays out.

G – GOAL REVIEW SYSTEM

Believe me when I tell you the AFL is a multi-billion-dollar business. It is a colossus, even taking into account the financial haircut forced upon it by COVID-19. However, you wouldn’t know it looking at the goal review system. It is an absolute farce. Case in point the Christian Petracca goal against St Kilda last Saturday night. Amateur hour at its finest.

H – HEATING UP

Things are warming up — and we’re not talking about the weather. The Kalgoorlie round is fast approaching, with the running of the traditional Coolgardie Cup (1760m) an indicator we are not far away from the Hannan’s Handicap and Kalgoorlie Cup.

I – INACCURACY

If bad kicking is bad football, GWS were really bad for three quarters opposed to Carlton last night. The Blues were hardly dead-eye dicks themselves though. A dreadful contest came alive in the final term when the Giants actually discovered their compass. The result? A GWS victory. Knock me down with a feather.

J – JIMMY BUCKETS

Jimmy Butler continues to twist the knife into the Philadelphia 76ers hierarchy. Allowed to walk away at the end of last season because of his abrasive nature, Butler found his way to Eastern Conference rivals Miami and continues to lead the Heat with aplomb. He is averaging 22 points per game in the six post-season games thus far and was clutch in game two of the semi-final series against Milwaukee yesterday morning.

K – KYRGIOS-FREE ZONE

The US Open got underway this week and it has gone off without any major hiccups or headline-grabbing antics from the likes of Nick Kyrgios, who decided against flying into the US because of COVID-19 fears. He seems to have overcome his relevance deprivation condition for the time being. It’s been refreshing.

L – LOCKED AND LOADED

A lack of foresight by Harness Racing Victoria last week denied pacing enthusiasts a showdown between Lochinvar Art and Ride High. On a positive note however, Lochinvar Art is almost certain to be in WA later this year to contest the Fremantle Pacing Cup and WA Pacing Cup, adding serious star power to two iconic races.

M – MOMENT OF TRUTH

Willie Rioli and Bronson Xerri should know their fate soon if the jungle drums are making the right sound. The pair are facing four-year bans from the AFL and NRL respectively following alleged drug breaches. Rioli has been off the scene since September 2019, while Xerri’s B sample to a cocktail of performance-enhancing drugs came back positive earlier this week.

N – NICKS OF TIME

Sometimes a football club needs a lick of the ice cream. It doesn’t have to be a sit-down meal, just a taste. Enter the Adelaide Crows. Winless leading into Tuesday night’s “away” match against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval, the Crows were engaged from the outset and richly deserved their victory. It was Matthew Nicks’ first at the helm in what has been a brutal initiation to the senior coaching ranks.

O – OH SO MELBOURNE

How else do you describe last night’s display against Sydney? Seemingly on track for a finals berth, the Demons coughed up a game they simply had to win. Did someone mention one step forward and two steps back?

P – PLANS CHANGE

All the time. It may well be the case regarding Secret Plan after his brilliant debut win at Belmont Park on Wednesday afternoon. The three-year-old son of I Am Invincible descended on his rivals in the straight to serve notice that he was well above average. Cannot wait to see him again.

Q – QUEENSLANDER

Billy Moore roared “Queenslander” as he walked down the tunnel in readiness for the second half of the Maroons’ State of Origin clash with NSW in 1995. It is an iconic moment in Australian sport. Now, 25 years on, it is time for Queensland to be unashamedly Queenslanders. They have the AFL grand final. They may never get one again. Be proud, loud and do it your way.

R – RADAR REQUIRED

Many things are required for a footballer to become a great key forward. Size, athleticism, courage, good hands, smarts and accuracy. Joe Daniher has all of the traits, save for the last one, and it’s hurting his value and Essendon’s fortunes. Just like a golfer needs to be able to putt rather than bomb the ball down the fairway, spearheads need to finish the good work from further afield. Daniher needs to address his shortcomings.

S – SMALL BALL SURVIVES

Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni’s commitment to “small ball” would have been roundly criticised had his side lost game seven of its first-round Western Conference series to Oklahoma City yesterday. Thanks to a defensive stop from James Harden in the dying seconds though, the Rockets progressed to the semi-finals. We now wait and see how D’Antoni’s vision plays out against the LA Lakers.

T – TAKE OFF

The Group 2 Concorde Stakes (1000m) tomorrow will help shape The Everest build-up. The expectation that a slick Randwick track will lead to a seriously quick time being put up only adds to the interest. Nature Strip is airborne if his two trials are any guide, while the likes of Gytrash and Ball Of Muscle know how to rock along also.

U – UNPLUGGED

The power went out in Bendigo this week … Regal Power, that is. Plain in his opening two runs in a campaign that was meant to culminate in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) next month, the Grant and Alana Williams-trained star was an acceptor in the Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley. But he was scratched yesterday after it was found he was battling a lung infection. He will be treated on the east coast and then return home.

V – VITALITY

Seven years of age is by no means old in terms of a racehorse. And when you have had only 19 starts as Vital Silver has, it gives hope to longevity. The gifted grey gelding returns to the track tomorrow in the Jolly Beggar Stakes over 1000m, his first appearance since finishing unplaced at Moonee Valley in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m). It is a key step towards his primary goal this preparation — the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

W – WOWEE

It seems every football fan was scratching their head when Luke Shuey returned to the field in the final quarter of the game against Essendon. Having tested a tight hamstring during the three-quarter-time break, it seemed his night was over. It was not and as a result, he strained his other hamstring and will now miss the rest of the home-and-away campaign. To West Coast’s credit, they have put their hand up and admitted they erred. A refreshing response from a football club.

X – XANTHI FC, HERE I COME

Tony Popovic flew out of Perth this week to take up his new job as head coach of the Greek side. Popovic had a profound influence on Perth Glory in two years and will view the fresh challenge as a wonderful opportunity to press his claims for a big European job.

Y – YES YES YES

Last year’s Everest winner launched his new career this week as the breeding season got underway. The son of Rubick is one of many headline acts at Coolmore, standing for a fee of $38,500. Good luck to all breeders over the next few months.

Z – ZZZZs

It’s best you grab some NFL fans over the next week because the new season is nearly upon us. And you know what that means? Plenty of late nights and very early mornings to stay in touch with the code that dominates the American sporting space. This time next week the reigning Super Bowl champs Kansas City and Houston Texans will be getting down and dirty. Outstanding!