Weekend Wrap

The Wrap is being a bit later than usual but there is a reason.  When one works, writes, draws and has a family sometimes the dedication to watching sport has me crashing early on a Sunday night.  Having stayed up late to watch the Reds (read later for my thoughts) had me struggling by dark on Sunday after sharing a few Bundy's with the Sideline reporter. Well worth it but it did mean I missed the Liverpool v Stoke FA Cup game.

Bulls On Parade

I called it early in the season, in fact back on November 18, and although it came down to the last round the Bulls rightfully earned the home final.  With a final at the Gabba you always now the best team will win, because unless it is rained out the pitch will always be top class, never a highway and always going to last the distance.

There were points where both teams had chance to set up this game for victory but like all good finals, it was always a close, nail biting tussle.  For me there were many stand-outs in this game.  First and foremost was the keeper and Man-of-the-match for Queensland, Chris Hartley.  Hartley is the most underrated keeper in this country and it amazes me that he has never been given a chance, let alone the mention by the media, for a chance to play for Australia.  His century in the first innings will go down as one of the greatest and it was the turning point of the game.  He showed the true grittiness and belief that is born and bred north of the border.  It was fitting that he was in the middle when the hitting runs were struck.

Another highlight that won't get the plaudits it deserves is the bowling of young McDermott on day one. With Tasmania winning the toss and batting it was not looking good for Queensland when the score was moving along nicely at 1/130 odd.  Qld always looked like taking a wicket but it wasn't until McDermott struck that things started to sway their way. McDermott proceeded to tear through the top and middle order and  by the time he took his fourth wicket, Tasmania had lost 6 wickets and only progressed to 6/178, losing 5 wickets for 40 runs. Cleaning up the tail quickly then ensured a deserved 6 wicket haul and left McDermott with figures of 6/54 off 24.5 overs.  Surely this performance will have the selectors having a serious look as it was not a one off performance.  McDermott has been doing this all season and improving more and more.  My call would be to replace Lee in the one-day squad and work on the future.

Hopes also had a near perfect match and with commanding first innings score and a 5 wicket haul in the second innings included the valuable wicket of Ponting (falling cheaply in both innings) he must have been in consideration for best player if he scored more in the second innings.

Yet again Queensland has a champion and it should be the first of many this year for Queensland teams.

Fabrice Muamba

This was by far the bet picture I came across.

When watching this game, I instantly knew things were not good.  When news filtered out that Muamba had suffered a heart attack at the age of 23 and was in a critical condition, it was great to see the whole world come out in support of this young player.  You do not realise how big the game is until things like this happen, and you sometime forget that the people you support and abuse on the pitch are people just like you and me.  If you question how someone so young and fit can suffer a heart attack during a game, although it is not common, it can and does happen.  I am a person that spent my whole life with the risk of this happening.   It only takes a virus or undiagnosed problem with the heart and your life can change very quickly.

All thoughts of the world and especially the football world will be with Muamba and his family at this time.

Roar Bounce Back

The Brisbane Roar still have a chance to clinch top spot in the final round after a 2-1 victory away to Newcastle.  Brisbane had many chances to blow this game away but missed penalties, woodwork and poor finishing ensured it was a close exciting game.  All Brisbane need to do now is win next week and hope the Mariners lose to claim top spot. Brisbane are starting to hit top gear at the right time of the year and just need Broich to start finding rythym and flair to be back strong. Berisha aslo equalled the all-time scoring record for the A-League and must be a certainty to break it next game.

One other incident out of the game needs to be addressed for the Roar though.   Issey Nakajima-Farran.  For some reason I have never really enjoyed watching this player, maybe it is because I think his style of play doesn't suit the Roar.  His ego is bigger than the team and his clash with his own team mate, Berisha, looked like that of a petulant child. I cannot see Issey playing in Orange next year.

Liverpool into FA Cup Semi-Final

Cannot write too much about this game, as I felt sleep was more important.  Not often I say it but there it is in print.  When I awoke though the first thing I did was to find out the result and was relieved to see a 2-1 scoreline with Suarez on the score-sheet.  A bit worried that Stoke were allowed a quick response to even it up though.  Liverpool now have to wait and see who their opponent is after Everton and Sunderland drew.  I am backing Liverpool all the way to the Final and a chance at the 2nd piece of silverware for the season.

Aussie Cricketers Abroad.

Another game I did not watch but it looks like the Australian batters are back to their consistent worst.  Our batters need to learn that with Brett Lee in the side they cannot keep getting low scores.  Lee needs a score of over 300 on the board to allow him to put pressure on the opposition.  Although he was not the only bowler to be expensive, it was no surprise to see his figures.  Although with Australia making hard work of it and making the pitch look like a bowlers paradise, maybe our bowling attack needs looking at too.  But it is only one-day cricket and the true test will come in the longer format of the game.

Super Rugby and the Refs

We seriously let this guy ref?

Super Rugby needs to sort out the officials and sort them out soon.  For me the biggest problem I have when watching rugby is the interpretation is not only differs every game but it also differs with every ref.  You can also say it differs for each team in a game.  When I saw Kaplan was officiating the Reds game I knew they would struggle to get a win.  In the officials own words two different incidents occurred in the first half within a short period and were described as dangerous play, yet only one received a yellow card.  I am not disputing the send-off of Digby Ioane, but I want to know why a player that has committed a dangerous act was not sin binned.  And watching the Rebels lose a game that had many contentious call and non-calls it is time that SANZAR looked at it's officials. And why is it that a game is not officiated by a neutral ref?  I know I bag the officials a lot but they are getting paid good money and are supposed to be the best in their field.  If this is the case, then they are just as accountable as the players an it is overdue for the media to start commentating on the facts.

Melbourne Storm And Blair

Melbourne Storm have suspended Maurice Blair for two games after he was charged by police for assaulting a woman at a night club. How stupid is this guy.  Doesn't he realise he has a brain and can use it if he chooses?  Not sure of what happened but first rule of life for men is "Don't hit woman".  If there was provocation then the bigger person walks away.  On that though, why is it that the general public can heap all the abuse they want at players and then take the higher ground.  Won't be the last time that I ramble on about this sort of incident though.


With all that is happening I am not sure I will get an NRL Issues of Contention article out this week. I will see how things look after tonight's game and go from there.