VIVA SPAIN!
The World Cup has come and gone for another four years and despite all of the wonderful football that has graced the pitch, many people will remember South Africa 2010 for different reasons.
There is no doubt that the early stages of the tournament were dominated by the controversy surrounding the Vuvuzela. This so-called musical instrument would more aptly be described as a weapon for cruel and unusual punishment as its monotone noise dominated the eardrums beyond all belief.
Personally I question its cultural value even while many said it was a descendant of the “Kudu Horn” which was blown to summon African villagers to meetings.
It makes me think of eighty thousand people showing up to the MCG with a 1.5mtr length of PVC pipe to blow into during a game claiming it to be a descendant of the didgeridoo.
But that’s just me.
The ball chosen by FIFA for the tournament attracted it own fair share of controversy. The Adidas “Jabulani” was claimed by the manufacturer to be the most technologically advanced ball ever designed.
This may be the case but it now seems possible that some things can be too perfect as the most spherical ball ever produced seemed to play havoc with the skills of the world best players.
It hard to think who was most adversely affected by the obscure path taken by the ball after it left the boot. The world’s greatest ball strikers continuously struggled to keep the ball on track from free kicks and keepers were bamboozled by the track of the ball in flight as it regularly seemed to defy the laws of physics.
But despite the wonderful football that was played, the Vuvuzela’s and the ball that was just too round, for me South Africa 2010 will remembered for……
“PAUL THE PYSCHIC OCTOPUS”
If you polled a million people around the world on day one of the world cup and asked the Question: Who will be the most memorable character from the 2010 World Cup? I somehow doubt you would have got one response referring to an eight legged soothsayer.
Paul owned the second week of the tournament as fans forgot about their eardrums and tuned into the media to see the psychic Octopus predict the result of Germany’s contests with startling accuracy.
Game after game Paul correctly identified the result of all of Germany’s games finishing with a perfect 8/8 record.
Many theories now permeate the web with some claiming the octopus prefers the colour yellow always going to the box containing more of that colour, others claim the ‘fix is in’ and Paul’s owners are the true psychics placing Paul’s preferred food in the box of the expected winner.
Regardless of the reasons why, there is nothing people love more than a wacky animal story and I’m sure patronage at the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen has made the marketing ploy a worthwhile exercise.
So the door is closed on South Africa 2010 and for part-time football supporters like myself I can stop pretending I know much about the game for another four years and get back to the sports I do know something about.
So bring on Brazil 2014 and “Harry the Goalkeeping Monkey”
Well! You never know.
Surely it makes as much sense as Paul.
Mondays Expert
Monday, July 12, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Sunday Sermon: It’s Just Not Cricket
What a 24hrs of sport. Seriously, there was enough to keep you going all day and well into the night.
Right in the heart of football season we have AFL and NRL clashes taking a back seat to the biggest sporting show on the planet, ‘The World Cup’. The drama associated with each match in this tournament is unparalleled in world sport as entire nations stand transfixed over each contest.
Last night also signalled the start of another classic world renowned sporting contest, the ‘Tour de France’, with Aussie hopes firmly weighing on the shoulders of our current world road racing champion, Cadel Evans.
Both these events made it difficult for the Aussie sports fanatic to find any time to watch Serena Williams dominate another Grand Slam final and lock away her fourth Wimbledon title.
Then if you can believe it, sandwiched in amongst this buffet of delectable sporting treats was Game 5 of the 2010 Australia v England one day series.
What was that?
You didn’t know it was on?
Sorry, I misheard, you didn’t care it was on!
With all of the yawn, yawn one day and Twenty20 cricket that is played around the globe every year this series was perhaps the biggest YAWN of all.
It’s hard to know where to start about what is wrong with playing these types of ‘empty space’ fixtures, but let me have a try.
Firstly, it cheapens the game. Cricket is a semi-global sport that is loves by more than a billion people worldwide (thanks India), and One Day Cricket was once, arguably, the most popular form of the game.
Aussies loved their One-Dayers, with the Tri-series in Australia each summer drawing huge crowds both at venues and on tv. Fast forward to television coverage of international tours by pay tv and we began to feel that you could have too much of a good thing.
For a while there however, these one day games were packaged with a test tour in a form that maintained the credibility of the sport.
Now-days, the forever-loved summer tri-series is gone, Twenty20 cricket has stolen the one day audience and the new role for one-day cricket appears to be filling an ‘empty space’ in scheduling where there might be a buck to be made.
Next, it cheapens the jersey. Playing for Australia should be the pinnacle of any sports person’s career. Sadly, the shear volume of meaningless cricket played today means many talented second tier players, have international careers by virtue of injury and burnout rather than talent.
Finally, it cheapens the rivalry that is Australia v England. These are the contests that Aussie sports fans love more than any other, and cricket used to be the greatest example of this rivalry. We loved only getting to see Australia tackle the old enemy twice in four years. We loved how it is for the ‘Ashes’ one of the most unique trophies is world sport. We loved waiting to see who the Poms would pick to tackle our Aussie heroes.
Alas, with the Ashes less than 4 months away, this over exposure to ‘empty space’ cricket has already tarnished the contest that is to come.
So the time has come to wake up Cricket Australia and realise Aussie sports fans don’t care for empty space cricket. Be careful you don’t cheapen the game so much; we choose to buy something else instead.
Mondays Expert
Right in the heart of football season we have AFL and NRL clashes taking a back seat to the biggest sporting show on the planet, ‘The World Cup’. The drama associated with each match in this tournament is unparalleled in world sport as entire nations stand transfixed over each contest.
Last night also signalled the start of another classic world renowned sporting contest, the ‘Tour de France’, with Aussie hopes firmly weighing on the shoulders of our current world road racing champion, Cadel Evans.
Both these events made it difficult for the Aussie sports fanatic to find any time to watch Serena Williams dominate another Grand Slam final and lock away her fourth Wimbledon title.
Then if you can believe it, sandwiched in amongst this buffet of delectable sporting treats was Game 5 of the 2010 Australia v England one day series.
What was that?
You didn’t know it was on?
Sorry, I misheard, you didn’t care it was on!
With all of the yawn, yawn one day and Twenty20 cricket that is played around the globe every year this series was perhaps the biggest YAWN of all.
It’s hard to know where to start about what is wrong with playing these types of ‘empty space’ fixtures, but let me have a try.
Firstly, it cheapens the game. Cricket is a semi-global sport that is loves by more than a billion people worldwide (thanks India), and One Day Cricket was once, arguably, the most popular form of the game.
Aussies loved their One-Dayers, with the Tri-series in Australia each summer drawing huge crowds both at venues and on tv. Fast forward to television coverage of international tours by pay tv and we began to feel that you could have too much of a good thing.
For a while there however, these one day games were packaged with a test tour in a form that maintained the credibility of the sport.
Now-days, the forever-loved summer tri-series is gone, Twenty20 cricket has stolen the one day audience and the new role for one-day cricket appears to be filling an ‘empty space’ in scheduling where there might be a buck to be made.
Next, it cheapens the jersey. Playing for Australia should be the pinnacle of any sports person’s career. Sadly, the shear volume of meaningless cricket played today means many talented second tier players, have international careers by virtue of injury and burnout rather than talent.
Finally, it cheapens the rivalry that is Australia v England. These are the contests that Aussie sports fans love more than any other, and cricket used to be the greatest example of this rivalry. We loved only getting to see Australia tackle the old enemy twice in four years. We loved how it is for the ‘Ashes’ one of the most unique trophies is world sport. We loved waiting to see who the Poms would pick to tackle our Aussie heroes.
Alas, with the Ashes less than 4 months away, this over exposure to ‘empty space’ cricket has already tarnished the contest that is to come.
So the time has come to wake up Cricket Australia and realise Aussie sports fans don’t care for empty space cricket. Be careful you don’t cheapen the game so much; we choose to buy something else instead.
Mondays Expert
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The not so perfect 'Mr Perfect'
So Tiger Woods, the near perfect sportsman isn’t so perfect after all. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised though, after all the man is a professional sportsman, not a religious or community leader. He hasn’t deliberately sought out a high profile; it comes with the territory of success in professional sports. As a society we love it when the mighty fall, the tall poppy syndrome is alive and well in the 21st century. Tiger has proved himself to be fallible, a man in the most basic way with faults and failings like the rest of us and no amount of money or sporting success can change that.
Now I’m not defending his actions, in fact I find it very disappointing; however no more disappointing than I would for any other individual. I do though feel for the stress and pain these actions will now bring him and his family. Tiger, via his website, has bemoaned the lack of respect for his privacy as this incident has unfolded. Quite rightly he mentioned that “Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions”. Unfortunatley for Tiger and all other successful professional sportspeople, one of the first human rights to disappear in line with a higher public profile is that of personal privacy.
The force field of invincibility and professionalism that has surrounded Woods during his ascention to the throne of world golf is gone. Even the multimillion dollar Woods PR machine couldn’t put a posititive spin on this incident. As the week continues we will no doubt hear more revelations about the not so personal life of the worlds most famous sportsman. Perhaps Tiger should listen to the advice of one of his fellow professional golfers who himself has had a less than perfect public profile. Asked during a practice round for this weeks Australian Open to comment on the Woods drama, John Daly simply replied that “Tiger should just tell the truth”.
A caller to a talkback radio station this week noted that Gilllette will be be praying Roger Federer doesn’t have any skeletons in his closet. The company that invested millions of dollars in securing perhaps the worlds three most famous sportspeople, Woods, Federer and French soccer star Thierry Henry to represent its brand. Preceding the Woods incident, Henry’s now infamous ‘Hand of Frog’ incident in the world cup qualifier against Ireland has shown that even the best of the best are vunerable.
Perhaps the reason this incident has promoted so much discussion is that Golf is considered a gentlemans sport and Tiger has always presented himself as the ultimate gentleman, professional, available and courteous. Woods will bounce back. It’s likely he will remain the premier golfer on the planet for many years to come, however his image will forever be tarnished by this incident. Regardless of whether or not sportspeople wish to be considered role models for society is irrelevent, THEY ARE. Simply by virtue of the popularity of their field of excellence, successful sportsman will continue to be placed on a pedastal by the masses that worship their sport. Tiger Woods is neither the first nor the last big name to experience the negative side to success in sport.
Monday's Expert
Now I’m not defending his actions, in fact I find it very disappointing; however no more disappointing than I would for any other individual. I do though feel for the stress and pain these actions will now bring him and his family. Tiger, via his website, has bemoaned the lack of respect for his privacy as this incident has unfolded. Quite rightly he mentioned that “Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldn't have to mean public confessions”. Unfortunatley for Tiger and all other successful professional sportspeople, one of the first human rights to disappear in line with a higher public profile is that of personal privacy.
The force field of invincibility and professionalism that has surrounded Woods during his ascention to the throne of world golf is gone. Even the multimillion dollar Woods PR machine couldn’t put a posititive spin on this incident. As the week continues we will no doubt hear more revelations about the not so personal life of the worlds most famous sportsman. Perhaps Tiger should listen to the advice of one of his fellow professional golfers who himself has had a less than perfect public profile. Asked during a practice round for this weeks Australian Open to comment on the Woods drama, John Daly simply replied that “Tiger should just tell the truth”.
A caller to a talkback radio station this week noted that Gilllette will be be praying Roger Federer doesn’t have any skeletons in his closet. The company that invested millions of dollars in securing perhaps the worlds three most famous sportspeople, Woods, Federer and French soccer star Thierry Henry to represent its brand. Preceding the Woods incident, Henry’s now infamous ‘Hand of Frog’ incident in the world cup qualifier against Ireland has shown that even the best of the best are vunerable.
Perhaps the reason this incident has promoted so much discussion is that Golf is considered a gentlemans sport and Tiger has always presented himself as the ultimate gentleman, professional, available and courteous. Woods will bounce back. It’s likely he will remain the premier golfer on the planet for many years to come, however his image will forever be tarnished by this incident. Regardless of whether or not sportspeople wish to be considered role models for society is irrelevent, THEY ARE. Simply by virtue of the popularity of their field of excellence, successful sportsman will continue to be placed on a pedastal by the masses that worship their sport. Tiger Woods is neither the first nor the last big name to experience the negative side to success in sport.
Monday's Expert
Sunday, November 22, 2009
An Eggcelent Sunday Sermon
As the sun rises on a lazy Sunday morning and I rub the sleep from my eyes, my thoughts turn to a Sunday morning indulgence that I sometimes allow myself. A simple plan, eggs, bacon, the Sunday paper and an obligation free morning. As I assemble the troops for my attack on the tastebuds, I notice something odd, not glaringly obvious but definitely a little off. My dozen eggs are not a dozen after all. Without any fanfare, notification or packaging modifications I have unwillingly purchased a carton of TEN eggs. That’s right, TEN eggs. Now I know what you are thinking, who cares? So you’ve missed out on a couple of eggs big deal! But it really got me thinking.
I purchased this product with a dozen eggs in mind, a lifelong, universally accepted volume of an everyday product. It is packed in an identical form to the standard dozen eggs albeit slightly shorter in length. It is positioned on the Supermarket shelves around or directly within the one dozen egg cartons. The only logical conclusion that I can draw from this travesty is that the producers of these eggs didn’t want me to realise that I was buying TEN eggs. Maybe just maybe if it looks the same costs the same and sits in the same spot in the supermarket I won’t notice that I just got conned out of two eggs.
Lets not hang draw and quarter the egg producers of Australia just yet though, they are certainly not alone in these questionable packaging processes. There was a time when I was able to order a stubby or can of beer and know I was drinking 375ml of beer. But no beer producers of the world unite because you too are guilty of participating in this dirty little secret, 330ml, 345ml, 355ml, are all volumes that we now see sold in our liquor outlets as stubbies. I’m still waiting for the 380ml stubby sold at the same price (wishful thinking maybe). Smaller biscuits, less cereal, thinner bread slices, and a seemingly infinite choice of package sizes for consumers to choose from beg the question WHY?
Simple really, to distract us just long enough so that we don’t notice the price. To make it so difficult to work out what we are getting for our money that we don’t bother to question it. So what can we make of this “Camouflage Packaging” technique, when did food packagers decide that the beast way to increase profit margins was to steal from the very consumers that support their existence. Are these companies so devoid of new marketing ideas that the only way they feel they can make ends meet is to fleece there most loyal of customers.
So what does this all mean, what can we take from this Sunday morning sermon? Maybe it’s that loyalty is dead, just because you’ve eaten the same cereal for 35 years, don’t expect to get 15 breakfasts out of you next box just because you always have. Maybe it’s, beware the fancy new package. Whatever it is that old saying we all used to love, “the customer comes first” means little today. The number one person for businesses today is the shareholder, first, second, and last.
Anyway it’s time to get cracking on that breakfast, excuse me while I open my carton of TEN eggs!
Mondays Expert.
I purchased this product with a dozen eggs in mind, a lifelong, universally accepted volume of an everyday product. It is packed in an identical form to the standard dozen eggs albeit slightly shorter in length. It is positioned on the Supermarket shelves around or directly within the one dozen egg cartons. The only logical conclusion that I can draw from this travesty is that the producers of these eggs didn’t want me to realise that I was buying TEN eggs. Maybe just maybe if it looks the same costs the same and sits in the same spot in the supermarket I won’t notice that I just got conned out of two eggs.
Lets not hang draw and quarter the egg producers of Australia just yet though, they are certainly not alone in these questionable packaging processes. There was a time when I was able to order a stubby or can of beer and know I was drinking 375ml of beer. But no beer producers of the world unite because you too are guilty of participating in this dirty little secret, 330ml, 345ml, 355ml, are all volumes that we now see sold in our liquor outlets as stubbies. I’m still waiting for the 380ml stubby sold at the same price (wishful thinking maybe). Smaller biscuits, less cereal, thinner bread slices, and a seemingly infinite choice of package sizes for consumers to choose from beg the question WHY?
Simple really, to distract us just long enough so that we don’t notice the price. To make it so difficult to work out what we are getting for our money that we don’t bother to question it. So what can we make of this “Camouflage Packaging” technique, when did food packagers decide that the beast way to increase profit margins was to steal from the very consumers that support their existence. Are these companies so devoid of new marketing ideas that the only way they feel they can make ends meet is to fleece there most loyal of customers.
So what does this all mean, what can we take from this Sunday morning sermon? Maybe it’s that loyalty is dead, just because you’ve eaten the same cereal for 35 years, don’t expect to get 15 breakfasts out of you next box just because you always have. Maybe it’s, beware the fancy new package. Whatever it is that old saying we all used to love, “the customer comes first” means little today. The number one person for businesses today is the shareholder, first, second, and last.
Anyway it’s time to get cracking on that breakfast, excuse me while I open my carton of TEN eggs!
Mondays Expert.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Farewell Richoman
Friday the 13th, black Friday, many fear it as a day filled with bad luck and bearing bad news. For Richmond supporters Friday the 13th 2009 is such a day. The day when Punt Road’s favourite son calls time on one of the most talked about football careers in the history of Australian Rules football.
Richo the footballer was an enigma, which is probably the only description that would receive uniform agreement from fans and players alike. At times he was the most frustrating of players to watch while at others (most others) he was simply remarkable. Like round 21 1996, when he tore apart the hapless Fitzroy side with 28 possessions, 21 marks, and kicked 7 goals 5 for the afternoon. As coached Robert Walls watched his dominant half forward run riot that day its no that wonder years later as a commentator he remarked that Richo would kick 15 goals in a game one day.
The 15 goals may never have come but tigers fans need not have worried, Richo had so much more to give. Often maligned for his poor disposal, in particular his often less than perfect goal kicking, Richo’s pure ball getting ability is what set him apart from all but a few other key forwards that have graced the AFL fields throughout the country. What was often neglected by his critics was simply the amount of ball he won. Focusing on the shots at goal he missed, he was rarely given credit for the sheer amount of marks (in particular contested marks) he took that led to additional scoring opportunities for himself and his team mates.
Richo wore his heart on his sleave. He was criticised often in his career for his poor body language and berating of team mates when things didn’t go his way. While some of it was justified, it exemplified the passion the man invested in his performance and that of his team. Perhaps if Richmond had more players with his passion over the last 17 years the club would be in a different position.
All tigers fans will have differing favourite memories of Matthew Richardson, however its hard to believe many of them won’t be feeling a sense of loss at this news. Throughout Richo’s 17 years at Punt Road, Richmond has been a poor football club and many fans have continued to show up to the MCG and buy their annual memberships because of Matthew Richardson.
One thing is for sure, watching Richmond from now on will not be the same. No longer will the chant of “RichoRichoman” ring out from the Punt Road end of the “G”, no longer will the faithful scream “yeah” after a classic Richo grab only to mutter “arrrrh” as he misses the shot from point blank range.
Richo leaves the games as humbly as he played it during his glorious career at Punt Road. No fanfare, no final season tour, no farewell game. I’m sure we’ll get the chance to wave goodbye as he does a lap of his favourite ground sometime in 2010 and tiger fans will look forward to that day.
For me, a lifelong Richmond fan, while I knew this day would come, I still feel a sense of loss. My favourite player has gone however his feats will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Richo, I’m sure I’ll forever remember those great calls of “RICHO” as you pulled down yet another screamer.
Mondays Expert
Richo the footballer was an enigma, which is probably the only description that would receive uniform agreement from fans and players alike. At times he was the most frustrating of players to watch while at others (most others) he was simply remarkable. Like round 21 1996, when he tore apart the hapless Fitzroy side with 28 possessions, 21 marks, and kicked 7 goals 5 for the afternoon. As coached Robert Walls watched his dominant half forward run riot that day its no that wonder years later as a commentator he remarked that Richo would kick 15 goals in a game one day.
The 15 goals may never have come but tigers fans need not have worried, Richo had so much more to give. Often maligned for his poor disposal, in particular his often less than perfect goal kicking, Richo’s pure ball getting ability is what set him apart from all but a few other key forwards that have graced the AFL fields throughout the country. What was often neglected by his critics was simply the amount of ball he won. Focusing on the shots at goal he missed, he was rarely given credit for the sheer amount of marks (in particular contested marks) he took that led to additional scoring opportunities for himself and his team mates.
Richo wore his heart on his sleave. He was criticised often in his career for his poor body language and berating of team mates when things didn’t go his way. While some of it was justified, it exemplified the passion the man invested in his performance and that of his team. Perhaps if Richmond had more players with his passion over the last 17 years the club would be in a different position.
All tigers fans will have differing favourite memories of Matthew Richardson, however its hard to believe many of them won’t be feeling a sense of loss at this news. Throughout Richo’s 17 years at Punt Road, Richmond has been a poor football club and many fans have continued to show up to the MCG and buy their annual memberships because of Matthew Richardson.
One thing is for sure, watching Richmond from now on will not be the same. No longer will the chant of “RichoRichoman” ring out from the Punt Road end of the “G”, no longer will the faithful scream “yeah” after a classic Richo grab only to mutter “arrrrh” as he misses the shot from point blank range.
Richo leaves the games as humbly as he played it during his glorious career at Punt Road. No fanfare, no final season tour, no farewell game. I’m sure we’ll get the chance to wave goodbye as he does a lap of his favourite ground sometime in 2010 and tiger fans will look forward to that day.
For me, a lifelong Richmond fan, while I knew this day would come, I still feel a sense of loss. My favourite player has gone however his feats will never be forgotten. Thanks for the memories Richo, I’m sure I’ll forever remember those great calls of “RICHO” as you pulled down yet another screamer.
Mondays Expert
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Cats begin to secure place in History
Its always a risky business comparing successful teams from different eras. Many people are quick to use terms such as 'champion' and 'legend' to describe players and teams without real regard for the meaning of such terms. So, after 3 consecutive grand finals including 2 premierships does this Geelong side fit such lofty standards.
The simple answer is NO, not yet anyway.
This doesn't however mean they won't reach a level that compares them to the great teams of the past. The Brisbane Lions 4 consecutive Grand Final appearances and 3 consecutive premierships stands alone in the last 50 yrs of VFL/AFL football as the most successful era on paper if premierships are the measurements of success.
Step back in time and we see the great Melbourne era of 1954-1960, when the Demons appeared in 7 consecutive grand finals winning 5 premierships. Era's such as these create legitimate "legends of the game" such as Norm Smith and Ron Barassi, rather than just great players.
The Brisbane era too can claim at least one champion of the modern game in Michael Voss. Arguments could be made for the status of others such as Akermanis, Black and Brown among others but the status of the Lions as a champion team is undeniable.
So where does this leave the Cats of 2009, 2 flags, 3 grand finals, 65 wins to 10 losses in 3 years. It leaves them as a great team but certainly not the greatest team. One more premiership should see this club slip past the Lions in the historical pecking order of greatness.
And this club has another premiership in it at least. As the sun sets on season 2009 and the Cats deservedly soak up the adulation that comes with a premiership, I believe we can look forward to another successful season from the boys from Kardinia Park in 2010 and perhaps beyond.
According to the stats, the Cats may not be a legend team yet but that is the beauty of sport, they have time on their side. Minimal retirements beckon, minimal talk of salary cap issues and a list of players that seem to understand the unique opportunity they have within their grasp, suggest the run is far from over.
Who knows when this charmed run will finish for this group of Cats. Nobody knows, but when the dust finally settles and they return to the pack, what will history say about this era for the Geelong football club.
Only time will tell, however this punter at least thinks they may create history for the ages.
Mondays Expert
The simple answer is NO, not yet anyway.
This doesn't however mean they won't reach a level that compares them to the great teams of the past. The Brisbane Lions 4 consecutive Grand Final appearances and 3 consecutive premierships stands alone in the last 50 yrs of VFL/AFL football as the most successful era on paper if premierships are the measurements of success.
Step back in time and we see the great Melbourne era of 1954-1960, when the Demons appeared in 7 consecutive grand finals winning 5 premierships. Era's such as these create legitimate "legends of the game" such as Norm Smith and Ron Barassi, rather than just great players.
The Brisbane era too can claim at least one champion of the modern game in Michael Voss. Arguments could be made for the status of others such as Akermanis, Black and Brown among others but the status of the Lions as a champion team is undeniable.
So where does this leave the Cats of 2009, 2 flags, 3 grand finals, 65 wins to 10 losses in 3 years. It leaves them as a great team but certainly not the greatest team. One more premiership should see this club slip past the Lions in the historical pecking order of greatness.
And this club has another premiership in it at least. As the sun sets on season 2009 and the Cats deservedly soak up the adulation that comes with a premiership, I believe we can look forward to another successful season from the boys from Kardinia Park in 2010 and perhaps beyond.
According to the stats, the Cats may not be a legend team yet but that is the beauty of sport, they have time on their side. Minimal retirements beckon, minimal talk of salary cap issues and a list of players that seem to understand the unique opportunity they have within their grasp, suggest the run is far from over.
Who knows when this charmed run will finish for this group of Cats. Nobody knows, but when the dust finally settles and they return to the pack, what will history say about this era for the Geelong football club.
Only time will tell, however this punter at least thinks they may create history for the ages.
Mondays Expert
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
C'mon NRL get real time for McIntyre to go
For the second season in a row the NRL's final eight system has come into question. With a series of upsets in the 1st week of the finals, the vagaries of the McIntyre system have come clearly into focus. Congratulations must go to Parramatta and Brisbane for their impressive victories over higher ranked opponents in the 1st week of the finals, however the net result of those victory's was that both clubs received the opportunity to play a home final in week two over a significantly higher ranked opponent.
MADNESS I say!!
How can a team that spends 26 weeks battling to win the minor premiership lose one game and be forced to travel interstate to play the team that could only finish 6th in the same home and away season. This was the outcome for minor premiers St George who must be sitting back this weekend wondering how they are watching and not playing in a preliminary final.
The story is no better for the Gold Coast Titans, in an outstanding season for the fledgling club, the Titans managed to secure 3rd spot on the NRL table. Follow this result with a fighting loss to the revitalised Brisbane Broncos and the prize for all their hard work is a trip to Sydney to play the bottom ranked finalist Parramatta.
Again let me say congratulations to both the Eel's and the Bronco's. Both sides came into the finals with great momentum playing their best football at the right end of the season. There is a better than even prospect that these two hot teams will contest the 1st NRL grand final between the 6th and 8th place finishers in history.
But why the dream run? If we are not going to reward the teams with the premier finishing positions at the end of the home and away season why do we measure finishing positions at all.
The McIntyre system was developed by mathematician Ken McIntyre for the AFL in 1994 when the league adopted a final series with eight teams. It followed the leagues successful use of McIntyre's final four, five and six systems in previous seasons. The AFL dropped the system in 1999 after six seasons responding to widespread criticism by clubs. Ironically the NRL adopted the system in the same season and has used it ever since.
Supporters of the system for the NRL argue that the State of Origin Series effects the ability of some clubs to finish high in the final eight and the McIntyre system offer a chance for those teams to compete fairly in the finals.
What a load of CRAP!!
Club football and representative football are two different stages. Are we going to begin rewarding teams that make the finals despite missing players through injury? Perhaps we should let them play an extra player as well. These arguments just don't add up.
Lets face it NRL the McIntyre system is a joke, its time to dump it and adopt the same system as the AFL. A system that rewards those clubs that perform for the majority of the season not just a couple of weeks at the end.
Monday's Expert
MADNESS I say!!
How can a team that spends 26 weeks battling to win the minor premiership lose one game and be forced to travel interstate to play the team that could only finish 6th in the same home and away season. This was the outcome for minor premiers St George who must be sitting back this weekend wondering how they are watching and not playing in a preliminary final.
The story is no better for the Gold Coast Titans, in an outstanding season for the fledgling club, the Titans managed to secure 3rd spot on the NRL table. Follow this result with a fighting loss to the revitalised Brisbane Broncos and the prize for all their hard work is a trip to Sydney to play the bottom ranked finalist Parramatta.
Again let me say congratulations to both the Eel's and the Bronco's. Both sides came into the finals with great momentum playing their best football at the right end of the season. There is a better than even prospect that these two hot teams will contest the 1st NRL grand final between the 6th and 8th place finishers in history.
But why the dream run? If we are not going to reward the teams with the premier finishing positions at the end of the home and away season why do we measure finishing positions at all.
The McIntyre system was developed by mathematician Ken McIntyre for the AFL in 1994 when the league adopted a final series with eight teams. It followed the leagues successful use of McIntyre's final four, five and six systems in previous seasons. The AFL dropped the system in 1999 after six seasons responding to widespread criticism by clubs. Ironically the NRL adopted the system in the same season and has used it ever since.
Supporters of the system for the NRL argue that the State of Origin Series effects the ability of some clubs to finish high in the final eight and the McIntyre system offer a chance for those teams to compete fairly in the finals.
What a load of CRAP!!
Club football and representative football are two different stages. Are we going to begin rewarding teams that make the finals despite missing players through injury? Perhaps we should let them play an extra player as well. These arguments just don't add up.
Lets face it NRL the McIntyre system is a joke, its time to dump it and adopt the same system as the AFL. A system that rewards those clubs that perform for the majority of the season not just a couple of weeks at the end.
Monday's Expert
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