Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – AGENDA

Former Australian all-rounder Dan Christian put casual racism on it this week when asked whether he had encountered discrimination throughout his career. It was enlightening and further proof we still have a way to go. That was reinforced by the racist trolls who felt obliged to comment on Christian’s comments. Talk about slow learners.

B – BREATHING FIRE

Rugby league heavyweight Phil Gould got nice and hot under the collar when it was mentioned in media circles that he had tried to scupper the appointment of Anthony Griffin as the new coach of St George Illawarra. Griffin, who had a falling out with Gould in his previous post at Penrith, will lead the Dragons into 2021 amid a cloud of controversy.

C – CELEBRATION AND A HALF

Matthew Cottrell produced one of those when he channelled his inner Giannis Antetokounmpo following his match-winning mark and goal against Sydney at Metricon Stadium. It was great theatre and caused skipper Patrick Cripps to chuckle that it was better than the goal itself. Terrific stuff.

D – DONE AND DUSTED

The T20 series between Australia and England is over and it’s now time for the ODI series, starting tonight at Old Trafford. The Aussies remained the top-ranked T20 team in the world with their game-three win over the old enemy earlier this week and would love to carry that momentum into the more traditional form of white-ball cricket with an eye to the 2023 World Cup.

E – EXCELLENT EDITION

If tomorrow’s Run To The Rose at Rosehill was the main event, everyone with a thoroughbred bone in their body would be content. Group 1 winners Farnan and Rothfire will cross swords for the first time in their careers in a race dripping with talent. Don’t be shocked if the pair go at it again in a fortnight and then in $15 million The Everest next month.

F – FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Racing purists have been eagerly anticipating the return of boom Danny O’Brien galloper Russian Camelot. The wait is nearly over. The northern hemisphere-bred entire, a stunning winner of the SA Derby earlier this year, has been installed as favourite for the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington tomorrow. Look for him to be doing his best work late.

G – GIANT PROBLEMS

There was nothing big in stature about the performance from Greater Western Sydney against Adelaide. The inability of Leon Cameron to implement a functioning forward structure and his talent-laden midfield to compete for the duration left their finals hopes hanging by a thread. The premiership window of GWS continues to diminish.

H – HEADLINE ACT

Pin-up greyhound Tommy Shelby has enjoyed an excellent career to date. He will be looking to add to it when he steps out in tomorrow night’s Spring Gift final at Cannington. Never before has he won from box five. Over to you Tommy!

I – INJURY CRISIS

As much as the football fan in all of us loves the second coming of the footy frenzy that is taking place, it clearly doesn’t agree with the modern-day player. The number of injuries striking at the pointy end of the season is proving particularly problematic when every supporter of a finals-bound team would love to see their best on the park and in good form. Adam Simpson’s reaction to Jeremy McGovern’s hamstring injury last night illustrated his annoyance.

J – JEZZA’S JOURNEY

Jeremy Cameron’s name continues to be linked with a move away from GWS. One of the highest-paid players in the competition, Cameron’s lack of intent this season has been stark. Using him up on the wing though as a bail-out option coming out of defence is probably not the best way to use him. It will be fascinating to see whether Geelong can prise him out of the Giants’ grasp.

K – KANSAS CAN

The age-old “can the Super Bowl champs defend their title” had been doing the rounds for the past week in the lead-up to today’s season opener between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. The short answer is yes they can. With nine of their 11 offensive starters from last season’s showpiece returning this season, there is no reason why the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs won’t be holding the Lombardi Trophy again.

L – LA CONFIDENTIAL

There is nothing secretive about the prospects of NBA heavyweights, the LA Lakers and LA Clippers, who are inching closer to a clash in the Western Conference finals. The Clippers hold a 3-1 advantage over the Denver Nuggets after yesterday’s win and the Lakers look to have the measure of the undersized Houston Rockets in their semifinal series.

M – MI OH MI

Miami Heat underlined their undeniable credentials again this week when they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in the NBA. The 4-1 demolition of No.1 seeds Miwaukee gave them an 8-1 win-loss record in the post-season and only served to enhance the status of coach Erik Spoelstra and main man Jimmy Butler.

N – NOT COOL

Regardless of which way you look at it, Novak Djokovic did a bone-headed thing this week when he slapped a ball into the throat of a lineswoman at the US Open. It wasn’t intentional, but he put himself in a precarious position from the moment he struck the ball in the vicinity of an official. It was the right call to send him packing.

O – OUT OF THIS WORLD

West Coast started the week as favourites for last night’s game against St Kilda. As the ball was bounced, they were clear outsiders in the face of a crippling injury list. Seemingly in control at three-quarter-time, they withstood a three-goal burst from the Saints and, with Jeremy McGovern (hamstring) watching from the dugout, found a way to will themselves to victory. Their top-four hopes are in considerably better shape than the overall health of their squad.

P – PRELIMINARY FINAL REVENGE

Can Geelong exact some sweet revenge and deal Richmond’s premiership defence a serious jolt tonight? Cats coach Chris Scott will certainly be hoping so after he was left devastated by his side’s inability to deliver the knockout blow to the Tigers in last season’s preliminary final. Adding to the pain was the manner in which Richmond thumped GWS to claim a second flag in three years. Geelong will all but consign the Tigers to a fifth-placed finish with a victory tonight.

Q – QUIET PLEASE

Just park all forms of dialogue from around 4.30pm tomorrow. For only 58 seconds and change, that is. Why you ask? For the very good reason of being able to watch the sparks fly when Condor Heroes and This’ll Testya lock horns at Belmont Park. The explosive sprinters know only one way … flat out. Factor in the presence of the progressive Long Beach and Silkinize and this is a seriously smart 66+ 1000m event.

R – R.I.P

The close-knit racing community shook its head in disbelief this week when it was revealed former star WA jockey Keith Watson drowned in a boating accident in Broome. Though he has gone too early, Watson’s deeds with Heron Bridge in the 1984 Newmarket Handicap will live on forever.

S – SALIVATING

The prospect of Chicago Bull, Shockwave and Galactic Star squaring off in the Group 2 James Brennan Memorial (2536m) at Gloucester Park tonight is juicy. Three proven performers at various stages of their preparations under the Friday night lights. It is a sumptuous entree to the main course that could take place later this year.

T – THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

It is the time of the year when retirements fly thick and fast. As such, it is fitting to send a shout out to former No.1 draft selections Matthew Kreuzer and Bryce Gibbs, who bid farewell yesterday. Their announcements came on top of Irish duo Conor McKenna and Pearce Hanley also deciding to hang up the boots.

U – UP AND AWAY

Fabergino jetted off to Melbourne midweek as she embarks on her maiden Group 1 assignment in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley in a fortnight’s time. The imposing mare handled the journey well, has settled in at Jason Warren’s Mornington stable and will give the Eastern Staters something serious to think about. She is high class and deserves her crack at the elite level. Good luck to all concerned.

V – VOW AND DECLARE

Is going to have to be a very special animal if he is to successfully defend his Melbourne Cup crown. Now a five-year-old, Vow And Declare was allocated 57kg this week when weights were released for the 160th running of the race that stops a nation. It is an increase of 5kg he carried when victorious for Danny O’Brien and Craig Williams last year.

W – WHIPPING UP A FRENZY

What on earth were Racing Victoria officials, in particular Giles Thompson, thinking on Monday when announcing the proposal to abolish the use of whips in races? The timing was peculiar, the decision not to consult with others, namely the Victorian Jockeys’ Association, astonishing.

X – XERRI WORRIES

Teammates of Bronson Xerri aired their concerns this week over his mental health. Provisionally suspended after allegedly testing positive to a cocktail of performance-enhancing drugs, the young Cronulla Sharks star is facing years in the wilderness. It’s heartening to see he hasn’t been kicked to the curb by the Sharks organisation and its players.

Y – YAWN

Simon Goodwin declared on Monday night that the Demons had to become a far more ruthless club in order to climb the ladder and contend for premierships. Given he has been at the helm for nearly four years, it was an interesting statement. Talk is cheap. Some would say even free of charge on this occasion.

Z — ZAK, ZAK, ZAK

What on earth where you thinking, young man? Zak Butters’ decision to bump North Melbourne midfielder Jy Simpkin last Saturday night was a horrible error of judgement. Simpkin was concussed in the incident and Butters now finds himself cooling his jets for Port Adelaide’s last two home-and-away games. He will be recalled after his suspension ends, but the forced stint on the sidelines is not ideal.




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