David EdwardsThe Week in Sport.
June 23rd 2008 02:30
A whirlwind week of sport and television has just passed us, leaving SportingMind hungrier for more as he sits on a computer lab, procrastinating exam study in favour of structureless "blogging".
Yesterday's Parramatta/Sharks game was a clash of the teams that i despise. However on this occasion i will hasten to abuse certain players that i dislike, and instead say that i enjoyed the game. However it was good to see the Sharks snatch that one, for at least it means that the Parramatta players won't be celebrating a win at Sapphire Lounge. On Saturday night the Raiders managed to (once again) prove Phil Gould wrong, downing the SBW-less Bulldogs comprehensively at ANZ Stadium. The Raiders 58-18 victory was a razzle-dazzle affair, where both teams had no desire to knuckle down and defend their line, with the Bulldogs in particular having a defence more flimsy than Schappelle Corby - and her "baggage handling" claim.
Speaking of Corby; Channel 9 presented a great, insightful piece of television in the form of "Schappelle Corby - The Hidden Truth". The program directly followed "60 Minutes", where we saw Wayne Carey and Kate Neilson interviewed by Ray Martin about their tempestuous relationship with a) each other, and b) cocaine. SportingMind gives Neilson 6 months of blissful domestic happiness before she realises that Carey without coke is like trying to watch M*A*S*H without Alan Alda. Trying to watch M*A*S*H is impossible anyway (with or without Alda), hence the parallel. But Alda's cheeky, smart-alec jibes keep you tuned in for a while - regardless of the pain that you suffer long term. Carey's over-repentant attitude was sensational television, as was his statement that he wants to become a drug counsellor. Maybe he should at least have his day in Court over the Miami incidents before he decides to take his positive step towards curing the citizens of the world.
On the topic of hapless individuals, the Demons went down again, this time to the Swans in what was a Demons home game at Manuka - in Canberra. Akin to a training run, the Swans never really looked in doubt despite a 3rd Quarter resistance by the Demons, showing some spirit after an interesting week, in which Jim Stynes became Chairman, and over a thousand new members signed up, including Irish Rugby Union centre Brian O'Driscoll. The Swans are looking a very good side this year, buoyed by the return of Barry Hall to the forward line, and a very solid backline including Malceski, Barry and Keneally, who are providing good flow up the ground in counter-attack.
In football (soccer), Australia went down 1-0 to China at ANZ Stadium, in possibly the most boring International SportingMind can remember. On the other side of the world there is the Euro 2008, providing some sensational upsets and brilliant play, then we have the game played last night in Sydney, which could have screened at Guantanamo to detainees as a form of torture. Honestly, what is Verbeek doing playing a bunch of young, useless (mostly-Europe based) players who are supposedly the 'new breed'? Look to Europe and we see 20/21 year olds such as Torres, Fabregas, Ronaldo who is 23, etc. To say Australia has a bright future is a massive call, and SportingMind predicts dire straits ahead of us, even if we do qualify for future World Cups. Once the likes of Cahill, Neill, Grella, Schwartzer, Kewell, et al retire, i can sense some lean days ahead, and a possible return to the 90s.
Nevertheless, a great week in sport.
-SportingMind
Yesterday's Parramatta/Sharks game was a clash of the teams that i despise. However on this occasion i will hasten to abuse certain players that i dislike, and instead say that i enjoyed the game. However it was good to see the Sharks snatch that one, for at least it means that the Parramatta players won't be celebrating a win at Sapphire Lounge. On Saturday night the Raiders managed to (once again) prove Phil Gould wrong, downing the SBW-less Bulldogs comprehensively at ANZ Stadium. The Raiders 58-18 victory was a razzle-dazzle affair, where both teams had no desire to knuckle down and defend their line, with the Bulldogs in particular having a defence more flimsy than Schappelle Corby - and her "baggage handling" claim.
Speaking of Corby; Channel 9 presented a great, insightful piece of television in the form of "Schappelle Corby - The Hidden Truth". The program directly followed "60 Minutes", where we saw Wayne Carey and Kate Neilson interviewed by Ray Martin about their tempestuous relationship with a) each other, and b) cocaine. SportingMind gives Neilson 6 months of blissful domestic happiness before she realises that Carey without coke is like trying to watch M*A*S*H without Alan Alda. Trying to watch M*A*S*H is impossible anyway (with or without Alda), hence the parallel. But Alda's cheeky, smart-alec jibes keep you tuned in for a while - regardless of the pain that you suffer long term. Carey's over-repentant attitude was sensational television, as was his statement that he wants to become a drug counsellor. Maybe he should at least have his day in Court over the Miami incidents before he decides to take his positive step towards curing the citizens of the world.
On the topic of hapless individuals, the Demons went down again, this time to the Swans in what was a Demons home game at Manuka - in Canberra. Akin to a training run, the Swans never really looked in doubt despite a 3rd Quarter resistance by the Demons, showing some spirit after an interesting week, in which Jim Stynes became Chairman, and over a thousand new members signed up, including Irish Rugby Union centre Brian O'Driscoll. The Swans are looking a very good side this year, buoyed by the return of Barry Hall to the forward line, and a very solid backline including Malceski, Barry and Keneally, who are providing good flow up the ground in counter-attack.
In football (soccer), Australia went down 1-0 to China at ANZ Stadium, in possibly the most boring International SportingMind can remember. On the other side of the world there is the Euro 2008, providing some sensational upsets and brilliant play, then we have the game played last night in Sydney, which could have screened at Guantanamo to detainees as a form of torture. Honestly, what is Verbeek doing playing a bunch of young, useless (mostly-Europe based) players who are supposedly the 'new breed'? Look to Europe and we see 20/21 year olds such as Torres, Fabregas, Ronaldo who is 23, etc. To say Australia has a bright future is a massive call, and SportingMind predicts dire straits ahead of us, even if we do qualify for future World Cups. Once the likes of Cahill, Neill, Grella, Schwartzer, Kewell, et al retire, i can sense some lean days ahead, and a possible return to the 90s.
Nevertheless, a great week in sport.
-SportingMind
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Comment by Anonymous
That loss to China highlights the massive lack of depth in Australian football. We seriously over-estimate how good we are and if the full complement of our first-string are not available for the next round of qualifiers, we could be brought very quicly down to earth. Being at SA 2010 is no God-given right.