The Weekly A-Z

Posted on August 27, 2021August 27, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – APPLE ISLE

The AFL and Tasmania are still at odds over what the situation looks like going forward in regards to a team based in either Hobart or Launceston. But that hasn’t precluded the league from giving our southern neighbours a wonderful opportunity to enjoy high-quality football this weekend. The elimination finals featuring Sydney and GWS and the Western Bulldogs and Essendon are potential crackers and should see UTAS in Launceston packed to the rafters, as we saw when the Bombers and Hawthorn locked horns earlier in the season.

B – BUILD IT AND HE WILL COME

It was the catch cry made famous in the 1989 sports fantasy film Field Of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner. The WA Government’s decision to invest in excess of $1 billion to erect Optus Stadium has already paid dividends with some box-office events and the announcement this week by the AFL that the 2021 grand final will be staged there next month is another feather in the cap of the multi-purpose stadium that sits comfortably among the upper echelon of its kind throughout the world.

C – CALAMITOUS

Talk about a brain fade. Jamie Kah, Ben Melham, Ethan Brown and Celine Gaudray were stood down for 14 days by Racing Victoria last night after illegally gathering at a Mornington house on Wednesday. It was a mind-boggling decision that had the potential to torpedo racing in the State. A stewards’ inquiry into their antics was held this morning and it didn’t take long for the stipes to impose three month suspensions on all four. Given Melham’s rap sheet — he only recently returned from a disqualification for betting offences — he was lucky he wasn’t banned until 2022.

D – DERAILED

Everyone knew the axe was coming. David Teague included. But when the decision by Carlton to sack their  coach dropped yesterday, it still left thousands shaking their head. It was exhibit A on how not to treat one of your employees. The Teague train is no more, his time at the helm ending after two years into a three-season contract. It is unfathomable how Carlton could ask him to conduct exit interviews with players this week knowing full well he wasn’t part of their plans in 2022.

E – END OF THE LINE

Have we got to the stage where we concede Serena Williams isn’t going to able to clinch a 24th grand slam singles title and join Australia’s Margaret Court at the top of the majors leaderboard? If not, the time is fast approaching. Serena yesterday withdrew from the US Open with a hamstring injury, leaving her stalled on 23 victories. She has not been able to win a slam since taking out the 2017 Australian Open. Now 40, Serena is finding it hard to piece together two exceptional weeks in the four majors.

F – FINALS FEVER

Even in the absence of West Coast from this year’s finals series, there is a real buzz about what is in store. Be it Melbourne winning their first minor premiership since 1964 in dramatic circumstances or the fact there will be finals football played here at Optus Stadium extending beyond the grand final, it seems the post-season has a very special feel about it. If the four TABtouch markets are close to being correct — and there’s no reason to suggest otherwise — we could be sitting back on Sunday night with a smile like a split watermelon after witnessing four engrossing games.

G – GOALPOSTS

Didn’t they move quickly for Glen Boss yesterday. The champion hoop had settled into the Howard Springs quarantine facility in Darwin with his wife Sloane ahead of making the trek down to Melbourne where he intended to partner Incentivise in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) next month as he built towards the race that stops a nation in early November. Soon after arriving however, police knocked on his door and said he needed to fly back to his home base in Sydney. Their quarantine application had been cancelled by Northern Territory officials. If there is a silver lining for Boss, the injury to Brenton Avdulla and Tommy Berry’s lengthy suspension means there will be quality rides up for grabs throughout the Sydney spring.

H – HAWK STILL FLYING

Tom Hawkins spoke earlier this week about the disappointment at not having family and friends on hand to witness his 300th AFL appearance. It is entirely understandable, but even though he will lead Geelong out tonight for their qualifying final sans loved ones, it doesn’t diminish what is a magnificent achievement. The dual premiership hero and former best and fairest is a multiple All-Australian who gets better and better as he advances in years. If the Cats are to win their first flag since 2011, Hawkins will have a major role to play.

I – INSPIRATIONAL MEMSIE

The first Group 1 of the season in Melbourne, the Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, is nearly here. And WA racing fans will have more than a passing interest tomorrow with three runners — Behemoth, Red Can Man and Inspirational Girl — owned by WA interests. Inspirational Girl hasn’t been since late last year when she claimed the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot and wound up her campaign with a brave second to Truly Great in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) a fortnight later.

J – JUST ONCE

Wouldn’t it be nice if Ross Lyon actually apologised and admitted he made a mistake. Not the fake sincerity or hollow “I take responsibility” comment he has uttered previously. His campaigning for the Carlton position last week when David Teague was still there was atrocious, as was his explanation this week about his standing in the game and “personal capital” he spoke about. Carlton will almost certainly appoint him and he will be able to whip them into shape, but it doesn’t cover up his personality flaws.

K – KANE AND ABLE

Harry Kane wanted to leave Tottenham and join Manchester City. Of that, there is little doubt. But as negotiations dragged on, it became apparent he would be held to his existing contract by unwavering Spurs chairman Daniel Levy. Kane came off the bench last weekend, his first appearance since rocking up late for pre-season training. Now that he is all in, it will be interesting to see whether Kane can deliver Spurs some silverware before the transfer discussion heats up again.

L – LAST CHANCE SALOON

If Adam Elliott does survive the axe for yet another alcohol-fuelled indiscretion, he best not stuff up again. The Canterbury Bulldogs back-rower was yesterday fined $10,000 by the NRL for bringing the game into disrepute and failing to comply with biosecurity protocols. Elliott, who has a history of boofhead behaviour after drinking sessions, was asked to leave a Gold Coast restaurant after being caught in the men’s toilets with NRLW star Millie Boyle. His career is on the brink. As for you Josh Dugan, well you are too dumb for words.

M – MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Winx is heading home. To where she was raised and grazed … Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley. The glamour mare, who lost her maiden foal, a filly by I Am Invincible, last year, will be covered by Pierro, who stands at the fabled farm. The son of Lonhro and daughters of Street Cry, as Winx is, have proven a lethal cross, highlighted by Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Lyre.

N – NO CONCERN

Trainer Richard Freedman is not a believer in the Golden Slipper curse, describing the hoodoo that is talked about this time of year a case-by-case basis. Such an attitude is understandable considering he, along with brother Michael, will saddle up Stay Inside in tomorrow’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Kembla Grange. Stay Inside capped his juvenile season with an emphatic win in the Golden Slipper in the autumn and will be looking to become the first horse since Tierce in 1991 to return from a triumph in the world’s richest juvenile race and claim the San Domenico. Fifteen of the past 30 Golden Slipper winners have never won another race after their two-year-old season.

O – OLD FIRM

Ange Postecoglou has set tongues wagging in Scotland after a brilliant start to his managerial career at Celtic. And now he is about to be exposed to one of the biggest and fiercest rivalries in club football — an Old Firm showdown between his side and bitter foes Rangers. Football is the world game. When Celtic and Rangers meet though, it is a contest laced with religion, death and violence. The predominantly Catholic supporter base of Celtic opposed to the pro-Protestant fans that have ridden the rollercoaster with Rangers. Expect high emotion and if Postecoglou can head into Rangers territory with his side and emerge victorious, his legend will only grow.

P – PRIME POSITION

Ashleigh Barty is about to hit Flushing Meadows at speed. I mean full tilt. Her dominant display in taking out the Cincinnati Masters last week, her fifth title of the season, was a further illustration of her class when in control of her game. The Queenslander boasts two grand slam singles crowns and is the player they all have to beat. Her task of following in the footsteps of Sam Stosur in 2011 was made easier with Serena Williams’ withdrawal, while we all have to wait and see how Naomi Osaka handles the spotlight in the hustle and bustle of New York.

Q – QUEST TO BE THE BEST

Novak Djokovic is two weeks away from being regarded as the GOAT. The Serbian champion made an inglorious exit at last year’s US Open when he was disqualified for accidentally hitting a female line judge with a ball. Barring another self-inflicted wound, Djokovic will capitalise on the absence of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer and win his 21st grand slam singles title — one more than the Spanish and Swiss greats. He is not the most popular male tennis player we have seen, but he is going to retire as the most successful.

R – RONALDO RETURNS

If you believe the reports, Portugese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is heading back to Manchester. But his home will be Etihad Stadium in the blue jersey of City, not Old Trafford where he starred for the Red Devils earlier in his career. Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 222 appearances for Manchester United before heading for Real Madrid where he helped deliver the club a staggering 15 trophies in a decade-long stint. Now 36, it seems Ronaldo has forced Juventus’ hand and will soon sign with Manchester City.

S – SUNNY SIDE UP

A weight-for-age performer for a weight-for-age assignment. It is the best way to describe the prospects of Too Close The Sun in tomorrow’s Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont Park. The Lindsey Smith-trained galloper might not be a pure WFA performer, but he did finish fourth, beaten just 3.5 lengths, behind Truly Great in last year’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m). He is clearly better suited over further than tomorrow’s race, but does actually drop 3kg on his first-up third in the Ngawyni Stakes behind That’s Funny As and will be a few lengths in front of his main rival, the undeniably talented Samizdat.

T – TOP OF THE POPS

They have had their critics over a long period of time, which is why just about every Australian Rules football fan, aside from Geelong, was thrilled to see Melbourne climb from the canvas last Saturday night and beat the Cats with a Max Gawn goal after the siren. The stirring comeback enabled the Demons to finish on top of the ladder for the first time since 1964 — the last year they won a premiership. It has been a long time between drinks, but all season they have resembled a flag contender. Let’s hope their next September experience at Optus Stadium goes considerably better than their last one back in 2018. It is certainly looking like it will.

U – UP AND ADAM

One of football’s worst kept secrets was revealed this week when gifted young midfielder Adam Cerra informed Fremantle of his desire to be traded back to a Victorian club. Carlton have been linked to Cerra for the second half of the season after he opted against signing a four-year offer, believed to be worth in the vicinity of $3 million, tabled by the Dockers. Fremantle fans are entitled to be disappointed by his decision to go home to be closer to family, but also confident the club will settle on adequate compensation. If the Blues are his club of choice, their first-round selection, likely to be No.8, is a starting point.

V – VIC’S LAW

The Perth Wildcats completed a good week this morning when they announced American Vic Law as their new import. Law spent the bulk of last season with the Brisbane Bullets, averaging nearly 19 points and nine rebounds from 18 appearances. He recently caught the eye with the LA Lakers in the NBA Summer League, averaging 10 points and four rebounds. Efficient at both ends of the floor, he gives Perth a genuine 1-2 punch alongside Bryce Cotton.

W – WHAT ARE THE ODDS

Of the Perth Wildcats landing a coach to succeed Trevor Gleeson by the name of Scott Morrison? Believe it or not, that is exactly what has occurred, with Morrison set to arrive in Perth next month via Canada, not Canberra, the home base of our Prime Minister of the same name. Morrison brings an esteemed basketball CV to WA and will no doubt lean on his four years of experience as an assistant to Brad Stevens at the Boston Celtics.

X – X-FACTOR

Ayrton and Artorius have only had nine starts between them, yet have shown enormous potential. The pair resume tomorrow at Caulfield, Ayrton in a 1400m handicap and Artorius in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m). Both are favourites to make a winning return as they head towards some seriously important races later in the spring.

Y – YOUR JOB

That was the message most in the NFL space were expecting to hear a lot earlier than this week in regards to Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The No.1 draft pick this year, Lawrence was informed by coach Urban Meyer that he would be the Jags’ week-one starter, despite modest performances in his two games under centre in the pre-season. Lawrence showed in college that he was a rare talent. We will learn about his ability to transition into the professional ranks when the Jags host the Houston Texans in week one in early September.

Z – ZERO HOPE

The annual talk surrounding WA players on the east coast being lured home started to gather momentum this week after West Coast and Fremantle failed to make the top eight. Unsurprisingly, Luke Jackson was the talent both the Eagles and Dockers were urged to chase. It’s all well and good to circle his name, but Jackson, who last night was adjudged the league’s rising star, is contracted until the end of 2022 and a key plank in a side that is in the premiership race and looks well placed for years to come. Melbourne is a far more attractive proposition than either of the WA clubs. Any move home from Jackson is not happening next year.