The Weekly A-Z

Posted on June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL ENGLAND CLUB EXCURSION

Having been forced to tread water for 12 months, the gates of Wimbledon are again open for business. The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world was the only grand slam that fell by the wayside last year because of COVID-19, heightening the excitement levels for this year’s event, which gets underway in West London on Monday. As she did in Paris at Roland Garros, Ash Barty will again carry the hopes of Australia as the No.1 seed in the women’s draw.

B – BUCKING THE ODDS

The Milwaukee Bucks looked destined to have the rest of the summer off. Trailing the Brooklyn Nets 2-0 in their best-of-seven semi-final series in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks found themselves trailing by three points with less than 90 seconds remaining in game three. They extricated themselves from that predicament and then cashed in on the Nets’ injury concerns to force the match-up into a deciding game seven on the Nets home court, which they won in overtime in the most dramatic of fashion. In doing so, they became just the 32nd NBA team to win a game seven away from home in 141 attempts.

C – COVID CHAOS

We have heard from AFL officials for an eternity now about the need to be flexible to combat the coronavirus. Indeed, it was the case again this week when the two Sydney clubs, the Swans and the Giants, packed their suitcases and quickly jetted south to avoid being caught up in the cluster that is spreading rapidly. Who would have thought one month ago that Victoria would have been a COVID-19 sanctuary? The rugby league State-of-Origin clash between NSW and Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night sees the NRL have a bye this weekend, but what their round 16 fixture looks like next weekend is anybody’s guess.

D – DOGHOUSE

It is where three Canterbury Bulldogs players, including the experienced Dylan Napa who should know better given his track record, find themselves in. The trio defied an NRL directive not to attend restaurants and bars last weekend, visiting the Royal Hotel in Bondi, where a patron tested positive to COVID-19. They now need to self-isolate and undergo COVID-19 testing. Regardless of the outcome, a clip from league headquarters is surely heading their way.

E – EAGLE EYE

The final Group 1 race of the season, the Tatts Tiara for the fillies and mares, will effectively round out what has been a wonderful Queensland winter carnival. Yes, there is still the Sunshine Coast meeting next weekend, but the action at Eagle Farm tomorrow is Brisbane’s last major metropolitan meeting of the carnival, which started on May 1 with the Victory Stakes and Queensland Guineas. High-class Melbourne mare Tofane, to be ridden by Craig Williams, heads up the TABtouch market at $5 following her Stradbroke Handicap success a fortnight ago, just ahead of Written Tycoon filly Odeum, who has the services of James McDonald.

F – FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Congratulations to Queensland selectors for rolling the dice with teenage sensation Reece Walsh for game two of the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night. The 18-year-old boasts only a handful of first-grade appearances with the New Zealand Warriors and could well be exposed, at the same time as he is targeted by the Blues. But Walsh has X-factor in spades and looks destined to play a heap of representative football for the Maroons. Good on them for having the stones to throw him in the deep end.

G – GRAY MATTER

Four. That is the number of defeats Port Adelaide have suffered at the hands of top-eight rivals this season. From five outings. The only win was a narrow one against Richmond, who haven’t really been at the level (YET) that we have become accustomed to over the past couple of seasons. It is why the football world will be watching tomorrow’s home game against Sydney, who are currently inside the top eight, so intently. The Power face up to the Swans minus Robbie Gray, arguably the greatest player in their AFL existence, because of a knee injury. Gray is closer to the end of his career than the start, but his magic and ability to impact the scoreboard at crucial stages will be missed.

H – HUNI HEARTBREAK

It was only last week that Australian sporting lovers were licking their lips at the prospect of young gun Justis Huni chasing a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games. But that dream is now over after it was revealed Huni would not be contesting the heavyweight division next month in order to protect his knuckles that were injured during sparring in the lead-up to his bout with Christian Tsoye, which preceded the fight with Paul Gallen last week.

I – INSTANT KARMA

“I’m a big believer in karma and after what happened a couple of weeks ago, I stayed real positive knowing big things were coming.” Those were the words of Jon Rahm shortly after he became the first Spanish golfer to win the US Open. Rahm was leading this month’s Memorial Tournament by six shots after 54 holes when he was told he needed to withdraw from the event after testing positive to COVID-19. The karma bus didn’t roll over the 26-year-old. Instead it stopped, opened its doors and helped transport him to a maiden major triumph at Torrey Pines. A great result.

J – JUVENILE BEHAVIOUR

The State’s premier two-year-old pacers will have their moment in the bright lights of Gloucester Park tonight when they chase Group 1 glory. The colts and geldings edition of the Westbred Classic, sponsored by Allwood Stud Farm, features the Aiden De Campo trio Floewriter, The Miki Taker and Rock On Top, along with the fresh horse on the scene in Tricky Miki, while the fillies’ race looks to be at the mercy of the Shane Young-prepared Wonderful To Fly.

K – KNOCKOUT

The interest levels in any major soccer tournament, chiefly the World Cup or Euros, which are currently ongoing on the other side of the world, grow exponentially when we get to the knockout stage. And that is where we are right now after the round robin schedule concluded in dramatic fashion yesterday morning. Germany narrowly avoided finishing last in their group and as a result of their 2-2 draw with Hungary, now meet arch rivals England in Wembley for the right to advance to the quarter-final stage. It’s get really tasty from here on in.

L – LOSE-LOSE

Ben Simmons cannot win, regardless of what path he takes following his nightmare performance in the Philadelphia 76ers’ exit to the Atlanta Hawks in game seven of their Eastern Conference series. Simmons is considering pulling out of Australia’s Olympic Games campaign, much to the dismay of so many in this country, to concentrate on solidifying his NBA career. He desperately needs to develop a jump shot and that is not going to happen on the international stage, rather a gymnasium surrounded by NBA coaches.

M – MOMENTOUS

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Carl Nassib’s Instagram video this week will go down in history. It was seismic with a capital S. Nassib announced to the world that he was gay, in doing so becoming the first active NFL player to come out. Nassib admitted he had wrestled with the decision to go public, but was hopeful his stance would be one that wasn’t so newsworthy in the future. There were the predictable morons criticising him on social media, but overall he has been applauded for his bravery and remains very much an intrinsic part of the NFL community.

N – NO RESPITE

To race on Good Friday or not. That is the discussion that is taking place in Victoria, sparking debate for the pros and cons from racing participants. The proposal, yet to be debated in parliament, would see Victorian racing follow the lead of WA and Tasmania. If it is introduced in 2022, it would mean there will be 16 racing-free days on the Victorian calendar. While that seems a congested schedule, it is worth remembering that in 2017 the only two days without racing were Good Friday and Christmas Day.

O – OUT OF BOUNDS

Joe Daniher’s desire to add plenty of mayonnaise to a nudge in the back last night from opponent Lachie Henderson raised the ire of many. There was contact, but Daniher did accentuate it and though he was awarded a free kick, he could yet face a financial sanction for an act the AFL is looking to remove from the game. On a positive note, the former Essendon spearhead had a night out and kicked at goal with confidence and competence.

P – PRECIPICE

That is where the Perth Wildcats find themselves entering tonight’s game three in the NBL grand final series against Melbourne United. Injuries have hit Trevor Gleeson’s side at the wrong part of the season, leaving them on the brink of being swept 3-0 by United, who return to their home court after banking back-to-back victories at RAC Arena. The task confronting Perth is steep, but they have no absolutely no quit in them.

Q – QUEASY

David Teague won’t be carrying a sick bag to his post-match press conference should Carlton lose at home on Sunday to Adelaide. But you couldn’t blame him if he did. Teague will be sick in the guts if the Blues fail to respond to another week of intense scrutiny following a shoddy display in losing to GWS. The former North Melbourne and Carlton defender is contracted until the end of 2022, but is no guarantee to see next season. Teague can keep the wolves from the door by engineering a response against the Crows.

R – REVENGE

Is a dish best served cold they say. The Brisbane Lions endeavoured to exact some for their preliminary final loss to Geelong when they ventured down the highway to GMHBA Stadium earlier this year, only to be denied by a howler from field umpire Robert O’Gorman. Last night at the Gabba, they got what they wanted … the scalp of the Cats in a match of significance thanks to a quality, four-quarter performance. The Lions are going to have a part to play at the pointy end of the season.

S – SHUE ON THE OTHER FOOT

For the first half of this year, Adam Simpson and his assistant coaches were plugging holes. The number of key personnel on the club’s injury list was never ending. That is no longer the case. So much so that the match committee at the Eagles last night recalled skipper Luke Shuey, Tim Kelly, Jeremy McGovern and Brad Sheppard from injury, seriously boosting their chances of taking down the Western Bulldogs on Sunday and continuing their push for a top-four spot.

T – TESTING THE PATIENCE

The ICC World Test Championship between New Zealand and India at Southampton asked much of cricket lovers. Plagued by wet weather, the game pushed into the reserve day, therefore making it somewhat of a throwback to six-day Tests, to get a result. But what a result it was. The Kiwis did a wonderful job to dismiss India for 170 in their second innings and then chased down the required 139 to win from 53 overs for the loss of just two wickets. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were there at the end to ensure New Zealand got their hands on the ICC Test Championship mace and a cool $2.1 million for their efforts.

U – UP FOR SELECTION

Nat Fyfe’s availability for tomorrow’s clash with Collingwood was left to him. Coach Justin Longmuir said if the dual Brownlow medallist put his hand up, he would be included. That’s exactly what occurred. How swiftly Fyfe put his hand up given his dicky right shoulder, will only be known inside the four walls of the club. If Fyfe is listed on the team sheet tomorrow morning, Fremantle are capable of upsetting the Magpies.

V – VELVET SLEDGEHAMMER

The Velvet King will be chasing redemption of sorts when he lines up in tomorrow’s Group 3 Breast Cancer Research Centre of WA Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont. A slashing winner of the Belmont Sprint (1400m), he fluffed his lines at the start of the Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and then didn’t get a lot of room in the concluding 200m after making up good ground. With a clean getaway tomorrow, there will be many punters hoping The Velvet King obliterates his opposition in the weight-for-age feature.

W – WALLABIES WORRIES

You have to feel a little for Rugby Australia. Believed to have $10 million worth of debt, the game’s governing body in this country was banking on the Test match against France set down for the SCG on July 7 being a sellout to help balance the books. Early ticket sales had been encouraging. Now the COVID-19 situation has escalated at an alarming rate, raising the prospect of a contest before no fans.

X – X-FACTOR

If Stout Monelli doesn’t classify for this title, I’m not sure which greyhound does. The David Hobby chaser was the quickest qualifier for the Group 3 Paradise Street Trophy at his first attempt over 600m and will jump from box eight, as he did seven days earlier, tomorrow night at Cannington. Hobby is adamant Stout Monelli has the capability to break the 600m track record, currently held by former kennel mate Flake Monelli.

Y – YOUNG AND FREE

Doesn’t Trae Young like the big stage? The star Atlanta Hawks guard continued his outstanding post-season yesterday morning when he lit up the Milwaukee Bucks in the opening match of their Eastern Conference finals campaign. Young poured in 48 points on 17 of 34 shooting from the field, while also contributing 11 assists and seven rebounds to help the underdog Hawks prevail 116-113.

Z – ZAC’S WHACK

If you accept big money over multiple years, you are fair game. That is why Jonathan Brown’s savaging of Carlton recruit Zac Williams was met with raised eyebrows and nods of approval. Brown labelled Williams, who committed to the Blues on a six-year, $5 million contract at the end of last year, “one of the laziest footballers going around”. Very few could argue and coach David Teague even conceded that Williams needed to get fitter if he was to lock down a midfield role.