The Weekly A-Z

Posted on January 28, 2022January 28, 2022 | Posted by Digby Beacham

A – ALL-AUSTRALIAN

For the first time in 42 years, two Australian pairs will feature in the men’s doubles final in the year’s first grand slam. Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, unsurprisingly dubbed the Special Ks, will square off against WA’s Matt Ebden and Max Purcell after taking very different routes to the showpiece. Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have lit up Melbourne Park with their antics and ability to take down quality opponents, while Ebden and Pucell have quietly gone about their business.

B – BLAST OFF

Nobody would begrudge tomorrow’s Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot carrying a bigger purse than $125,000 and being of Group 3 status (at least) instead of Listed level. And not just because Scenic Blast was one of the great sprinters this State produced. This field, headlined by glamour mares Miss Conteki and Clairvoyance, is a high-class race as evidenced by the presence of four horses that ran behind Graceful Girl in the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) late last year. Miss Conteki and Clairvoyance have combined for 20 career starts and won 14 of them and could well fight out the finish.

C – CAUSE FOR CONCERN

West Coast Eagles supporters Australia-wide were shaking their head in disappointment on Australia Day when news filtered through that Luke Shuey had experienced another setback. The dynamic skipper has had a wretched run with soft-tissue injuries in the latter part of his career and in the opening seconds of a match simulation drill at Mineral Resources Park, pulled up short. He walked from the ground soon after and headed for scans. With his injury history, it is the last thing Shuey or the club needed.

D – DUMB AND DUMBER

The Brendan Taylor situation which came to light this week should serve as a cautionary tale to all professional cricketers. While we wish the Zimbabwean all the best as he battles substance abuse and mental health issues, it is hard to fathom why he would not only deal with an Indian businessman, but accept big money to travel abroad to meet him. From that moment his life deteriorated as he became entangled in a web of drugs, threats and spot-fixing. A lengthy ban awaits.

E – END OF AN ERA

It didn’t come as a shock given what he had been saying over the past month, but Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement yesterday brings the curtain down on an outstanding career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A first-round draft choice, Big Ben played all of his 18 seasons with the Steelers and guided them to two Super Bowl victories. His durability and ability to make plays during a storied career is legendary and leaves Mike Tomlin and the organisation on the lookout for a suitable successor. Will the redoubtable Tom Brady follow suit and hang up his cleats?

F – FINAL THOUGHTS

The Sydney Sixers will walk out on to Marvel Stadium tonight with a line-up that is well short of their preferred XI. There is no getting away from that. COVID-19 and injuries, coupled with the bizarre decision from authorities to prohibit Steve Smith from playing, seems unfair. But it has provided the Perth Scorchers with a wonderful opportunity to claim a fourth BBL title. And it shouldn’t be forgotten that Adam Voges, his support staff and players have been on the road for well over a month after playing just one match at home in December.

G – GREEN AROUND THE GILLS

WA Premier Mark McGowan raised eyebrows last week when he outlined the interests of the State’s sporting teams weren’t really front and centre of his thoughts regarding his border backflip. That press conference contained a lot of mistruths and it’s hard to accept that he didn’t know who Cameron Green was this week when it was revealed the West Australian all-rounder had arrived back home prior to February 5. After all, Green is one of the hottest young talents in world cricket and he was at the WACA Ground during spring last year, alongside the Premier, for a media opportunity. It could be argued the Premier has a selective memory.

H – HERE WE GO AGAIN

A new year brings new hope. It is only natural to think that way. Sadly, we hadn’t even reached the end of January before some keyboard warrior thought it would be prudent to smear Josh Addo-Carr’s Instagram account with vile racist abuse. Addo-Carr brought the abuse to the attention of authorities and it is now being investigated by the NSW Police Hate Crimes Unit. Let’s hope the culprit is identified and pays a heavy price for his or her ignorance.

I – INVINCIBILITY

The two-year-old season for thoroughbreds is officially in full swing. We have over the past few weeks seen the Magic Millions 2YO Classic be run and won and the previews of the Blue Diamond for the boys and girls take place. Tomorrow at Rosehill, some very smart juveniles will contest the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes and Group 3 Widden Stakes. And it should come as no surprise that the progeny of boom Yarraman Park stallion I Am Invincible look like having a major role to play. The Great Barrier Reef ($1.4 million) and Zambezi River ($1.15 million) are Vinnie colts going head-to-head in the Canonbury, while Ebhaar, Mumbai Jewel and Queen Of The Ball will fly his flag in the fillies’ feature.

J – JACK AND THE JAB

The deadline for the AFL’s COVID-19 playing and training mandate was reached last week and the news that Jack Darling had failed to have his jab and was therefore banned from being at the club, sent ripples throughout the league. Don’t be misled by his clumsy worded statement that he was battling a “work-related injury” and was on “sick leave”. Darling had ample time to be vaccinated, but elected not to. That is fine. It is his choice. However, it would be better if he owned it rather than talk in riddles.

K – KAREEM IN HIS SIGHTS

LeBron James needs no introduction to anyone with more than a passing interest in sport. Only Michael Jordan is regarded as a greater basketballer than the Ohio native … and some would argue that is unfair to James. Putting that debate to one side, James was this week named an All-Star for an 18th occasion, equalling the late Kobe Bryant for the second-most selections. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) is ahead of James, who has had another outstanding campaign and is likely to go around again next season.

L – LANGER’S LEGACY

Justin Langer is in the fight of his life to remain as coach of the Australian national men’s side. The NSW cricketing mafia are out to get him and may very well succeed in removing him from the post over concerns about his management style. But he has left an indelible mark on the game in this country and was richly deserving of his induction into Australian cricket’s Hall of Fame yesterday. His deeds as a player should be feted, along with his coaching.

M – MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION

Just when will the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale take place? The annual event had been slated to take place in the Swan Valley on February 14-15, but planning was thrown into disarray by Premier Mark McGowan’s backflip over the February 5 border re-opening. In an ideal world, the sale dates won’t change. However, if they do, let’s hope the disruption is minimal.

N – NO THANKS

Haneen Zreika could have kept quiet. Instead she took a courageous stand and informed her GWS AFLW teammates that she would not be playing against the Western Bulldogs today because the club would be wearing its pride jumper. A practising Muslim, Zreika explained that religious beliefs were behind her decision. She is expected to return for the Giants’ February 13 match against Melbourne.

O – ON THE CUSP

It is where Ash Barty finds herself after yet another powerhouse performance on Rod Laver Arena last night. The Queenslander stormed into the women’s singles final with her 6-1 6-3 demolition of American Madison Keys. She will play Danielle Collins tomorrow night in a bid to clinch a third grand slam title and only further reinforce why she is the best female player on the planet.

P – PROPER COLT

If you had forgotten what one looks like, don’t miss tomorrow’s Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at  Rosehill. The James Cummings-prepared Anamoe steps out for the first time this autumn, encountering seven rivals. Given he has bigger fish to fry than tomorrow’s assignment and was last seen over the 2040m of the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, he could be vulnerable. That said, the son of Street Boss oozes class and is the one they all have to beat.

Q – QATAR, HERE WE COME

It is probably a little premature, but the Socceroos inched closer towards sealing automatic qualification for the World Cup with their 4-0 dismissal of Vietnam on Thursday night. Australia need to finish either first or second in their group to earn direct entry. They are currently third in Group B. Games against Oman (away), second-placed Japan (home) and first-placed Saudi Arabia (home) round out their qualifying campaign.

R – REMINDER

There are gentle ones. Like a little nudge that puts something back on your radar. And then there are those about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Bryce Cotton delivered one against Illawarra last night that was felt by all in the basketball fraternity. The diminutive dynamo poured in 28 points to go with six rebounds and two assists. It was a performance of the highest quality, one we have become accustomed to for a long period of time now. When you factor in the influence of Vic Law and the return from injury of Matt Hodgson, Todd Blanchfield and Mitch Norton, it is little wonder the Wildcats feel they possess all the necessary pieces of the puzzle.

S – SENT PACKING

For someone who has been so effective for such a long period of time, there was a surprising lack of empathy for Aaron Rodgers after his Green Bay Packers were eliminated from the NFL play-offs last weekend. Rodgers, who caused a stir during the regular season for misleading the league over his vaccination status, is now facing an uncertain future after his Packers failed to handle the occasion. Most damning was Rodgers’ performance was modest at best in conditions he is very much accustomed to.

T – THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

For the foreseeable future, WA racing is going to look different. Really different. At midnight on Sunday, William Pike will no longer be part of the industry in this State. His reticence to be vaccinated against the coronavirus has left him with no option but to head to NSW to continue his career. He will be missed here, but race meetings will be held in the metro and regional areas and punters will continue to chase a winner, regardless of Pike’s absence. He is about to set foot in the most competitive jurisdiction in the country.

U – UNFAIR

The sooner the NFL overhauls its overtime rules the better. It shouldn’t have got to this stage. The stage where the Buffalo Bills were denied an opportunity to unleash quarterback Josh Allen in extra time because Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs won the coin toss and scored a game-winning touchdown on the opening drive of the overtime period. Fortunately, the NFL has said it will look at the current rule during the off-season and is open to making a tweak.

V – VANISHING

Remember when the A-League was booming and easy to access on television? It wasn’t that long ago. Right now, however the product is on the canvas. Not all of it is the code’s own doing. COVID-19 has had a massive impact. Clearly it is battle weary because of the pandemic. But the stop-start season, robbing fans of being able to get a regular diet of quality football, is a punish. Daniel Sturridge is a case in point. His signing with Perth Glory was quite rightly applauded. It was a potential game-changer. But quarantine, omicron and injuries have conspired to limit his exposure Down Under.

W – WAT DID YOU EXPECT

The initial reaction to Claudio Ranieri’s sacking as Watford manager this week was one of sorrow. The man who orchestrated arguably the greatest sports fairytale in history – Leicester’s English Premier League triumph in 2015 — was given his marching orders after only three-and-a-half months in charge. The loss to Norwich last week was their seventh league defeat in their past eight matches under Ranieri and saw them slide into the relegation zone. With so much at stake for the Premier League clubs and Watford’s lack of patience with underperforming managers, Ranieri’s axing wasn’t a complete surprise.

X – XENIAL

If you are unsure what the word means, it is best used to describe a good relationship between a guest and a host. It’s fair to say tonight’s Australian Open semifinal encounter between Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas won’t contain a great deal of affection. Tension between the pair has been high ever since they met at the Miami Open in 2018 and clashed over the Greek’s mid-match toilet break, which preceded Tsitsipas not offering the obligatory apology after he won a point when the ball clipped the net. It will be testy. It will be enthralling. And it is high stakes. Bring it on.

Y – YES SIR

It didn’t end with the result many punters had envisaged, but last night’s opening race at Pakenham shapes as a two-year-old maiden event that will prove a decent form reference. Sir Bailey, the first foal out of multiple Group 1-winning mare Jameka, ran third, beaten one length, after starting as an odds-on favourite. He was on and off the bridle for jockey Jamie Kah and looked to be doing his best work inside the last 150m. Stick with him.

Z – ZOO

It was a word that was bandied about regularly this week to describe the atmosphere at Melbourne Park during the doubles campaign of Nick Kyrgios or Thanasi Kokkinakis. Whether that is what we want for tennis matches is up for debate, but the engagement between the supporters and the Australian pairing was undeniable. And if the feedback can ignite a flame inside Kyrgios and have him taking an unwavering approach to his singles, even better.