Sport shorts - No. 20

Both the NRL and AFL ladders are tightening up, and the Super Rugby competition is now at the semi final stage. So quite a significant weekend...

AFL

• Well I guess the Suns win over the Swans was the biggest upset for a while. Funnily enough while it had the potential to be an absolute disaster, Geelong and GWS winning meant they finished the weekend in fourth spot. Yes, they still have a tough draw, but I still think they can make it.  They’re helped by the fact most of their games are on the road. Their record at the SCG this year has been ordinary. 
• The Geelong-Melbourne game was the match of the round, with Geelong kicking 8 goals in the final quarter to steal the game. The last goal was kicked after the siren. 
• I feel there are ten teams battling out for positions in the eight. Adelaide and Essendon are hurt by their percentage but still in with a shout. 
• The biggest story for me about AFL this weekend, is the potential for rule changes next year. The one seeming most likely to be tried is a 6-6-6 zone system. I can’t say I’m sold on the end for the reform, and the reform itself. To me at least the game is in really good shape. Yes there has been some ordinary games each weekend, but there have certainly been some crackers over the past few weeks. 
• The other point of note is that while watching the final five minutes of the Geelong-Melbourne game it certainly came to mind how important home ground advantage can be. The game was played in Geelong rather than at the MCG, and while it means a smaller crowd, it also means a clearer home ground advantage. So for me, Geelong should be entitled to play their home finals in Geelong. 

NRL

• A few results kept things interesting, but I think the top eight is settled. Mathematically the Tigers can still make it, but it will take a few results going there way. Canberra sadly are out, their first half against Cronulla cost them.  The Tigers have beaten Melbourne twice, Souths  the Dragons and the Roosters, so if they do sneak into the eight, they could do some damage.
• If any team falls out of the eight it’s most likely to be the Warriors.
• The standout performances from the weekend were Brisbane’s win against Penrith and the Roosters defeat of Manly. Apparently there hasn’t been a premier who has conceded 50 points in the regular season. This could be the year that changes with both Penrith and St George conceding 50 points in regular season games this year. 

Super Rugby

• Congrats to the Waratahs, coming from 6-23 down to win their quarterfinal. The Highlanders illdiscipline cost them as the Waratahs scored three tries while the Highlanders had a player in the bin. 
• In their 40-10 win over the Sharks the Crusaders showed why they are favourites to win the title this year. 
• Next weekend sees the Crusaders play Hurricanes and the Waratahs travel to South Africa to play the Lions. I like getting egg on my face, so I’ll say it’s going to be a Crusaders v Waratahs final.

Sports shorts No 19

What a great weekend of sport with the Wimbledon finals, the World Cup final and the usual footy action. But this weekend I will begin with the tennis and specifically Serena Williams. 

Wimbledon

• The tournament certainly was a reminder about how great Serena Williams is. She won her last Grand Slam title while pregnant and made the Wimbledon Final less than a year after giving birth. 
• Kerber certainly is a deserving champion. 
• After the Isner v Anderson match, I have started to think about changing from the advantage rule to tiebreak in the fifth set. The game isn’t served by a 26-24 fifth set.

NRL

• I do feel the top eight is set but Brisbane are in the most danger of slipping out should Canberra hit a rich vein of form. Mainly because of their differential of - 26.
• The Warriors were kind on my heart, going out to a 26-0 lead before conceding the least try. 
• Looking forward to the Storm-Rabbits game in a few weeks. They seem to be the two form teams of the competition. 

AFL

• Bad week for injuries with some key players including Kennedy, Nic Naitanui, and Patrick Ryder joining the injured list. These injuries may reshape the finals. 
• Couple of big results this weekend reopening the finals race, including Brisbane defeating Hawthorn, GWS beating Richmond, and Adelaide beating Geelong. With Adelaide and Essendon only one game, and Fremantle two games out of the eight. I do feel however the top eight we have now will be the top eight at the end of the season. 
• Great win for Sydney too, it was pretty tough on my heart though. Really enjoyed watching Aliir Aliir play against Majak Daws. 

Super Rugby

•  Final round this weekend and the four semifinals are Hurricanes v Chiefs, Crusaders v Sharks, Waratahs v Highlanders and Lions v Jaguares. I feel the four winners will be Hurricanes, Crusaders, Waratahs and Lions, but we’ll see. 

World Cup

• It’s been a great tournament so far. At the time of writing, before the final, there were an average goal per game, and only one scoreless game. The golden boot was shared by Harry Kane (Eng) and Roman Lukaku (Belgium) with 6 goals each. Belgium were the most attacking team with 16 goals (1 penalty) four more than the next best, England. 
• Amazingly there were over 20 penalties. I’m not sure but expect that could be a record and maybe due to the new Video Review System. 
• Onto the final, while Croatia certainly can win it, I expect France will. I anticipate a tight game and probably 1-0, but we’ll see :)

Sporting Shorts - No 18

Another weekend, another weekend where there isn’t enough sport on. Along with the usual football there’s the World Cup and Wimbledon.

World Cup

• It’s been a really great tournament. With so many surprises. Still hoping for Belgium to win, but really will be happy with any of the remaining teams lifting the trophy. Seems highly likely Kane will win the Golden boot, though he did have a quiet game against Sweden. 
• Amazing that Brazil have been eliminated in the quarter-finals in three of the last four world cups. 

NRL

• Pretty quiet weekend, with only four games. Was sad that the Warriors saved one of their worst games for their TV game. Really great to see the young players for the Panthers play well. In some ways it makes the argument for split rounds with Origin players out, letting the young players get some game time . 
• Hard to hear the Warriors who usually benefit during Origin season complaining about the impact of representative round when they usually benefit during Origin time.
• The game of the round was the eighty point thriller between Melbourne and St George, and Canberra’s escape against the Bulldogs.
• Glad that we’re back to full rounds... 

AFL

• Think that Richmond are firming in odds to back to back. They had another good win, this time against Adelaide. 
• The Swans slip out of the top four, albeit on percentage. On the game against Geelong, certainly was highlighted that we need to be more efficient with our ball use, our 46 inside 50s gave us 13 scoring shots, there 59 gave them 31 scoring shots. Accuracy may have been the only thing we were better on the night. 
• Thanks for the memories Cyril Rioli. An awesome player who will be missed. 
• Feel the top eight is almost set. I’d give North Melbourne and GWS an outside chances to sneak in. 

Super Rugby

• The Waratahs big win (77-25) most likely secures top spot in the Australian Conference. I think the Crusaders are firming in their odds to go back to back. 

Wimbledon

• Really interesting tournament, 9 of the top ten female players are out. Maybe the draw has opened up for Serena Williams.
• Other ordinary tournament for the Aussies with none left after the middle weekend. 
• Read a really interesting article via the ABC saying that the player with the best record at Wimbledon is Martina Navratilova, Federer is closing having won 92 matches to her 114, Federer is the only male in the top five. The other players, Chris Evert, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

Congrats to Laura Geitz who has retired from International Netball, two time world champion and one of the best defenders in the game.

Aside

• Have to mention the English ad about domestic violence which highlights that when the English play Football incidents of domestic violence increase whether the team win or lose. Before we get to critical, research released during the State of Origin series this year highlighted the same trend, and I know the same is true whenever the All Blacks play. 

What I’ve been into - June

Been meaning to write for a while, hard to believe the year is now half gone. We’re over half way through the World Cup.

To be fair most of June is in a sleepy haze due to the World Cup. So I guess that’s where I should start. I’ve really enjoyed watching it. Now we are also most down to the final four, with the final games due to be played tonight. Still hoping for a new winner, of the remaining six teams only France and England have won it before.

More personally, at the end of June, I saw my Doctor, and am now taking a brief break from treatment. The main reasons for this is that I’m currently stable, and it’s good to give my body a break. So I feel good to have the break, but find the relentlessness of treatment and scans hard. I also feel that life is in a holding pattern. My expectation for the future is that while I will have the occasional breaks, I will be having some form of treatment for the foreseeable future.

The highlights from June have been spending time helping out at H’s school with reading groups. I’ve also enjoyed getting to know some of the kids and their parents through both the reading group and a social event.

I’ve been enjoying spending some time working in the church office, it’s really helpful for me to spend some time doing something productive, especially in a work place where I can see people.

On to what I’ve been watching, reading and listening to.

Reading
Again, to be honest I haven’t read that much this month. I do have a few books on my reading list. I’m still keen to finish Clementine Ford’s Fight Like a Girl. The other book on my to reading list is Rachel Held Evans book on the bible.

Listening
Onto music, I’ve been spending the month listening to a bit of the U2 tour. It’s been great to hear the new songs, and a few older favourites. So thankful that some people are streaming the shows for people to listen too.

The other albums on heavy rotation are Songs of Experience by U2, a live album featuring songs from Bon Jovi’s This House is Not For Sale, and Snow Patrol’s Wildness. I totally recommend each of those.

Television
Aside from the World Cup, the shows I’ve been watching are, Shark Tank, Back in time for Dinner, Masterchef and the beginning of the month saw the tale end of The Voice. Staring with The Voice. There really wasn’t a standout contestant. I was sad that Sam won, while he’s certainly talented, I feel the controversy surrounding him worked in his favour.  Masterchef is always great, and I love how supportive the contestants are of each other.

Back Home in time for Dinner has been a great look at the trends of the last 50 years.

Shark Tank has been fun too. I’ve certainly liked the banter between the Sharks this season. Often amazed at some of the valuations the contestants come in with.

Again I haven’t watched many movies so there’s nothing to say here. On the cards for July and the school holidays is a trip to the Powerhouse Museum and a weekend away.

Planning to try and write more blogposts over the next little while, but we’ll see how I go. On Wednesday I will be seeing my oncologist, which will hopefully give more shape to the rest of the year.

Sporting shorts - No. 17

So one of those weekend where across the codes all the teams I follow lost. At least there will be another game next weekend. On to the on field action. Starting with the World Cup.

World Cup

• The second round has begun wth France and Uruguay knocking out Messi’s Argentina and Ronaldo’s Portugal and will meet in the first Quarter Final. I’m predicting Spain, Croatia, Mexico, Belgium, Switzerland and Colombia to win their respective round of 16 clashes. 
• I read that during this tournament something like 20plus goals have come after the 80th minute.

AFL 

• Another fascinating round of matches, with a couple surprise results. Didn’t expect the Bulldogs, Saints and Lions to beat there respective opponents. 
• Looks like the Giants are making a charge with a good win against Hawthorn. They are back in the eight for the first time since Round 7. 
• With the weekend’s results the order changed. Collingwood on the back of 6 consecutive wins now sit in th top four. 
• Melbourne and Geelong are the big losers from on the weekend, with th both now unlikely to finish in the top four. 
• Sydney’s life doesn’t get easier with a home game against Geelong on Thursday. 
• The moment of the weekend for me was when the whole Richmond team went and stood around their injured player who was playing their 100th game. 

NRL

• Feel the top eight is now sorted. The order may change, but not much else. It looks likely that the top four will be Dragona, Rabbits, Storm and Roosters. Would also expect the premiers to come from that group.
• Warriors may have had a costly home loss against the Sharks. We just weren’t good enough. 

Super Rugby

• It looks like the Waratahs have sealed the Australian conference with a win against the Rebels.With the Brumbies win against the Hurricanes,  I would say the Crusaders will win the NZ conference, and I also have to see they are my pick for the winner.