Sports

The Weekly A-Z

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

A — AUDITION TIME

AFLW players, the floor is yours. The decision by the AFL to give the grand finalists in the women’s competition clear air next Saturday is the right decision. The league is heavily invested in AFLW and by bedding down midday (WST) in eight days’ time at either the MCG, Gabba or Adelaide Oval, leaves nobody in any doubt about how serious it views the showpiece match. The naysayers will claim the AFLW shouldn’t take precedence over an AFL fixture and no doubt be poised to criticise if the game isn’t up to standard. Just remember, GWS had their clocks cleaned by Richmond in the 2019 grand final.

B — BUSH CHOOK CENTRAL

That it was after Ex Sport Man overcame a slow start to win a thrilling Group 2 Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate (1200m) for trainer Steve Wolfe and experienced jockey Troy Turner, who deputised for the injured Shaun McGruddy. An excellent winner of the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m) down at Pinjarra in February, Ex Sport Man has a mortgage on the tag as champion WA two-year-old of the season. It was the award stablemate Watch Me Dance took out last year. Wolfe has flagged the possibility of the pair campaigning in Queensland during the winter, alongside another of his stable stars Red Can Man. Many will drink to that.

C — CREDIT WHERE CREDIT’S DUE

Just over a decade ago, Jake Friend’s NRL career was at the crossroads. Nobody could dispute he was a talent. Yet he was more interested in drinking and carrying on like a bonehead than applying himself to rugby league. Friend was afforded a second chance by the Sydney Roosters after they ripped up his contract previously and he paid them back big time right up until this week when he had to retire prematurely because of concussions. It is estimated he suffered upwards of 15 concussions throughout his career. A 268-game veteran with the “Chooks”, Friend performed on the big stage time and time again and proved remarkably resilient. Hopefully he is not lost to the game.

D — DON’T BLINK

If you do, you will miss some of Australia’s best sprinters doing their business in the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick tomorrow. Nature Strip, according to his jockey James McDonald, is ready to run the race of his life, his recent conqueror Eduardo will be pouring on the pressure as he loves to do and then there is the enigmatic, yet ridiculously gifted Bivouac. Throw in the likes of last-start Group 1 winners Masked Crusader and Zoutori and it’s easy to see why many are salivating about this race.

E — EASY IN THE MARKET

Black Jack Baby was installed as the short-priced favourite for tonight’s WA Oaks (2536m) after she came up with barrier one. For such a talented filly with explosive gate speed, it seemed everything was on track. That might still be the case, but the tough-as-teak daughter of Follow The Stars has eased in betting as the week has progressed. Just how much pressure Chris Voak has to absorb early on will probably dictate whether the punters have got it right.

F — FANNING THE FLAMES

The recent series between Australia and India contained few flare-ups. Having been at each other’s throats for a few years now, it seemed for the most part that players on both sides got on reasonably well, as did the respective high-ranking officials. I’m not sure the goodwill is going to remain for much longer if former Indian skipper and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly’s comments are an indication. Ganguly this week labelled the Australian players mentally week. “I feel we Indians are a bit more tolerant than overseas cricketers,” he said. “I’ve played with a lot of Englishman, Australians, West Indians … they just give up on mental health. Look at the Australian team, they were supposed to go to South Africa for a Test series after India played there. They refused to go.” Hmm.

G — GREYHOUND GOLD

Tomorrow night’s meeting at Cannington might be missing Tommy Shelby, who will fly the flag for WA in the final of the Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park, but greyhound enthusiasts will still be able to get their fix of high-quality chasing. Seven heats of the Perth Cup and four of The Galaxy form part of a bumper card with the best from the west taking on some vaunted interstate opposition, namely multiple Group 1 winner Shima Shine.

H — HE’S NO MUG

Talk about a unique double. Mugatoo will be out to achieve one in tomorrow’s Group 1 Doncaster Mile at Randwick, a month after he was able to squeeze through a gap for Hugh Bowman and claim the $5 million All-Star Mile. The import rarely runs a bad race and will, in all likelihood, be afforded his preferred soft track, after heavy rain fell in Sydney on Wednesday. Already boasting more than $3 million in prizemoney, Mugatoo can earn his connections a cheque for $1.74 million with another victory tomorrow on a day when four Group 1 features will be held on the first week of The Championships.

I — IN FULL BLOOM

In this era of long hitters (yes, that’s you Bryson DeChambeau) and advancement in equipment, it was refreshing to see precision rather than power come to the fore in the first round of the US Masters. Justin Rose’s opening-round 65 was a victory for precision over power. That’s not to say the Englishman, a former world No.1, can’t air it out. But he methodically navigated his way around the famed layout, which was playing hard and fast, at a standard beyond his rivals.

J — JOBURG JAUNT

Don’t be surprised if the province of Gauteng in South Africa becomes Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman’s favourite place to visit. After his superlative 193 against the Proteas on Sunday at The Wanderers in Johannesburg, he clubbed 101 at Pretoria on Wednesday to lift the visitors to a 2-1 ODI series victory. His innings in Johannesburg, which came off 155 deliveries and nearly lifted the tourists to the unlikeliest of wins, was the highest one-day score from a player batting second.

K — KING-SIZED ISSUE

Should the Sydney Kings qualify for the play-offs, they are almost certainly going to run into the Perth Wildcats. Trouble. Big trouble. The Wildcats chalked up win No.9 in a row last night when they outworked the Kings on their own floor to prevail 73-69. It was Perth’s third victory over the Kings in 12 days, two of those taking place in Sydney. The Wildcats are a tough nut to crack for every team, but Sydney players, coaches and supporters could be excused for having nightmares about tackling Trevor Gleeson’s men.

L — LACKING COMMONSENSE

Racing Australia’s directive that only owners and trainers are now permitted to give riding instructions to jockeys would have been comical had it not been so seriously out of touch with reality. RA said the perception that integrity could be compromised by directions given to hoops by their agents or form analysts were behind the implementation of an alteration to the rules of racing. An analyst, by sheer definition of their job, is someone regarded as an expert in their field. Maybe RA should worry about things they can police, like catching cheats and those who disrespect the industry. Just a thought.

M — MILLION-DOLLAR BABIES

Show me the money!!!! The famous line from the popular sports movie Jerry Maguire may well have been uttered more than once at this week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale at Riverside in Sydney. More than $132 million, at an average of $371,000, was spent on a magnificent book of yearlings over two days, with a grand total of 22 babies attracting bids of at least $1 million. Importantly also, the clearance rate hovered near 90%. A stunning 48 hours for vendors and breeders.

N — NO END IN SIGHT

The Australian women’s cricket side continues to perform at a level that very few international sporting teams can match. The 71-run victory over New Zealand on Wednesday was the Aussies’ 23rd in succession, a streak stretching beyond 1200 days. Australia last lost a series or tournament in 2017, underlining just how dominant they have been. An imposing side with an insatiable appetite for success.

O — ODDS-ON, LOOK ON

Is the sage advice given to many a young punter. We will learn tomorrow whether that important directive is adhered to when Western Empire heads to the barriers for the Schweppes WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot dripping in red figures. The Grant and Alana Williams-trained star has won the traditional Listed lead-ups — the Lex Piper Stakes (1600m), JC Roberts Stakes (1800m) and Melvista Stakes (2200m) — with a sense of arrogance. William Pike will need to negotiate barrier 10, but the prohibitive price appears about right.

P — PHILLIP ADAMS

Unless you are a rusted-on NFL supporter, you have probably not heard of him. Until now. Adams, 32, was found dead this morning by apparent suicide after he shot and killed five others, including a renowned doctor and his wife and their two grandchildren. Adams played for the San Francisco 49ers, New England, Oakland, Seattle, the New York Jets and Atlanta. The whole NFL community, indeed the sporting world, will now wait to see whether Adams’ autopsy reveals any signs of CTE.

Q — QUESTIONS

Perth Glory coach Richard Garcia had numerous in the wake of his side’s 1-0 loss to Sydney FC on Wednesday night. Frustratingly, he was afforded no appropriate answers. In desperate need of a result, Glory were denied a first-half penalty that would have been paid 99 times out of 100. Then, as the match prepared to enter stoppage time, referee Adam Kersey blew his whistle to signal full time after lightning hit near one of the light towers. Player welfare was the reason he ended the contest prematurely … only for several players to remain on the ground to conduct post-game interviews. When you are off, as Perth Glory are, you are right off.

R — R.I.P: Tommy Raudonikis

The loveable rugby league great passed away this week on the Gold Coast after losing his two-year battle with cancer. He was 70. Raudonikis was a star for Western Suburbs and captained both NSW in State of Origin and also the Kangaroos. A ferocious competitor, he was not only a creative half-back, but hard as nails. His impact on the game of rugby league, from playing to coaching to commentating, will never be forgotten.

S — SAINTS OR SINNERS

We are about to find out. St Kilda dug deep to extricate themselves from a sticky position in round one opposed to GWS before stumbling badly against Melbourne and Essendon. They now have to front up to a West Coast outfit that flexed its muscles against fellow premiership contender Port Adelaide. Some of the vision involving senior Saints players last weekend was atrocious. It is inevitable there will be a response against the Eagles. Whether it is sufficient to square their year up at 2-2 is an entirely different matter.

T — THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Arcadia Queen was always going to be destined for greatness after sweeping all before her in her three-year-old season. Her dominant WA Guineas victory was followed by a stunning display in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m). She would go on to claim another two elite-level triumphs during last year’s spring, for a total of three. She will not have the opportunity to notch any more scalps however, after owner Bob Peters announced this week that her latest tendon injury had brought the curtain down on her racing career. A bona fide superstar.

U — UNCONDITIONAL

Expect the attack on the football at Adelaide Oval tonight to be that from the outset. Richmond’s towelling up at the hands of Sydney last Saturday left many in shock. Equally, Port Adelaide’s reluctance to engage in the contest against West Coast later in the day was stark. As fate would have it, they now lock horns in a blockbuster, the first time they have crossed paths since last year’s preliminary final. Strap yourselves in. It will not be a game for the fainthearted.

V — VISIONARY

Or not? Eddie McGuire’s bold blueprint this week to expand the AFL to 20 clubs by 2028 and have teams based in Tasmania and Darwin or North Queensland caused a stir. McGuire isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but his love for Australian Rules should never be questioned. He wants to see the game flourish and while it seems bold for the competition to expand, it has generated plenty of discussion.

W — WITTS END

Is where Gold Coast are at right now. The season-ending ACL injury suffered by experienced ruckman and co-captain Jarrod Witts against Adelaide leaves the Suns short-changed in the big-man department and also certainly experiencing another barren September. Witts’ setback comes on top of Sam Day and Matt Rowell’s serious knee injuries, with fellow ruckman Zac Smith still some weeks away as he recovers from his own knee issue.

X — X-FACTOR

Glamour filly Montefilia is that and more ahead of tomorrow’s Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick. Already a dual Group 1 winner, Payne has well and truly put his big boy pants on by throwing her in against 15 colts and geldings rather than aim up specifically at the Oaks. That’s not to say he won’t consider backing her up next week, but his desire to take on the boys adds enormous intrigue to what is historically the best derby of the Australian three-year-old season.

Y — YOUNGBLOODS

Sydney reinforced their top-eight credentials last night with a stirring win over Essendon at the SCG. Much has been made of the Swans youngsters and deservedly so. They are so very exciting and have regenerated the entire club. A 4-0 start underlines that. We also have to acknowledge the current crop of “Baby Bombers”. Ben Rutten looked in all sorts in his first year at the helm after losses to Hawthorn and Port Adelaide. However, their past two weeks have been excellent and his fresh faces are going to delight the long-suffering Bombers fans for quite some time.

Z — ZAC’S REACTION

Priceless. The sheer jubilation on the face of Zac Bailey last week less than a second after he struck his match-winning, after-the-siren goal against Collingwood will feature on the AFL’s highlights reel all season. Denied an opportunity to be the hero six days earlier because of Robert O’Gorman’s monumental error, Bailey stepped up to the plate and showed nerves of steel. A shout-out also to Daniel Rich for lowering his eyes to find his Brisbane teammate rather than bomb the ball to 25m out as many would have.




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