and then there were four - Prelim Final time.

So, we are now at Preliminary Final time for both the AFL and League.  It seems in both codes we have ended up with the four most consistent teams in the finals. I can honestly see any one of the teams winning the flag.

In the AFL, Greater Western Sydney are slight favourites from Geelong, Sydney then the Bulldogs. I don't really mind who wins the game between GWS and the Bulldogs, just as long as the Swans beat Geelong.  :)

In the League, I think Melbourne are favourites from North Queensland, Canberra then Cronulla. In the League, I don't really mind who wins. I'd love to see North Queensland play Melbourne in the Final, but fear the Semi will have taken everything out of the Cowboys.

What I’m into June-August 2016

I've been meaning to write this for a while, so it has turned into what I've been into for the past few months.

What I'm reading

Assimilate Or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary - D.L. Mayfield

Finished: 
How to Survive a Shipwreck - Jonathan Martin
The Reality Slap - Russ Harris
Jesus Feminist - Sarah Bessey
When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
The Light of the World - Elizabeth Alexander
Broken Open - Elizabeth Lesser
Never Broken - Jewel
America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America - Jim Wallis
Being Mortal - Atul Gawande

Hardly surprising what I've been reading really, with a few books on how we deal with the stormy seasons in our life.  The highlight was definitely 'When Breath Becomes Air', a brilliant reflection on death and dying.  I can not recommend it highly enough.

The other highlight was American's Orginal Sin, which so, easily can be translated to the Australian experience. The chapter of White privilege was a challenging reminder.

I've always loved Jewel's music, so her book, part memior and part 'self-help' was a really great read, and certainly gave me a lot to think about.

What I've been listening too 
It's  been a great yeat for music. Here's a collection of the music I've been listening too:

• Starboard home - Written and performed by some of Ireland’s leading songwriters, Starboard Home has been commissioned by the Dublin Port as part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. 12 new songs about stories of the river and port portraying Dublin’s resonant past as well as its dynamic present. Bought it mostly because Gemma Hayes and Colm Mac Con Iomaire were two of the artists on it.
• Radiohead - A Moon Shaped Pool 
• December - I Will Let You Have Your Say
• Switchfoot - Where the light shines through.  
• All Sons and Daughters - Poets and Saints
• Audrey Assad - Inheritance - a collection of old hymns (Holy Holy Holy, Be thou my Vision) along with some original songs.  Well worth listening to. 
• The Gloaming - self titled - the second album from another great Irish band. 
• Daivd Bowie - Blackstar
• Lisa Hannigan - A Swim  she just has a magical voice.
• Ingrid Michaelson - It Doesn't Have to Make Sense
• Wilco - Shmilco
• Sandra McCracken - God's Highway

Other music that I've been listening to this year:

• Hamilton - late to get onto this, but really enjoyed listening to the musical and can't wait for it to get to Australia. 
• Live recordings from the current tours of Bruce Springsteen and Pearl Jam

Over half-way through 2016, and the standout albums for the year are Radiohead's 'A moon shaped pool', Audrey Assad's Inheritance and All Sons and Daughters. I'm looking forward to listening to the albums released this year by Paul Simon, Daniel Lanois and Dave Dobbyn.

Rumour has it that a new U2 album could drop, but I'll believe that when it magically appears in my i-tunes account.

What I'm Watching
I just started Stranger Things. I've just watched the first epsiode, so will reseerve judgement for now.

Otherwise, most of what I watch on TV is live sport.

Update

I've been meaning to write this update for a while now.

It has been an interesting year. In April, I had a cancerous tumor removed from my bowel. They were able to remove all of the tumour (which had not spread to other organs).

I started Chemo in June as part of my treatment. I'm now over halfway through. I have completed seven of the twelve (fortnightly) sessions.

I'm certainly more tired than usual. Cold gives me 'pins and needles' in my fingers (or my throat if I have a cold drink). But at this stage these are manageable.

I'm working a nine-ish day fortnight, taking the treatment day off. Work have been very supportive which is a blessing.

The two points I really wanted to share are how thankful I am for the support of my friends, family, my church and my work colleagues. Secondly, I want to give thanks that my prognosis is good.

If you are the praying type; please pray that I continue to respond well to treatment, and the the side-effects don't have too much of an impact on me. It's a tough season we are going through, but its just a season and it too shall pass.

Finals time...

We're almost at September which means we've hit Football finals time.

AFL
Given the eight teams have been locked in since round six, this week was all about the order they would finish in.  The final eight for 2016 are Sydney, Geelong, Hawthorn, Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide, West Coast, Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.  Meaning the match-ups for Week 1 are:

Thursday September 8, 6.10pm at Domain Stadium
Second elimination final - West Coast v Western Bulldogs

Friday September 9, 7.50pm at the MCG
Second qualifying final - Geelong v Hawthorn

Saturday September 10, 3.20pm at ANZ Stadium
First qualifying final - Sydney Swans v Greater Western Sydney

Saturday September 10, 7.10pm at Adelaide Oval
First elimination final - Adelaide v North Melbourne

There are some great match-ups here, the first all Sydney final, Geelong renew their rivalry with Hawthorn.  Adelaide, despite their loss this weekend are a smokey for the title. West Coast have won their last five and will fancy them to beat the Bulldogs (who have been ravaged by injury).

Not a fan of next weekends bye. I feel its a real momentum killer, but the other side of the argument is that clubs will rest key players if their spot is assured. Will be interesting to see what happens next year.

Week one winners: I'm tipping Sydney, Geelong, Adelaide, West Coast.

NRL

• With their loss to the Tigers, the Warriors season is over. Perhaps it can be summarised as slow start, glimpses of promises before falling to earth and crashing in a heap. 
• The Melbourne-Cronulla game will decide the Minor Premiership. The other games to watch are the Titans v North Queensland, and the Tigers v Canberra.  If the Titans win the eight is sealed, a loss opens the door for the Tigers.
• I am leaning to Canberra as the team to beat at the moment.  Brisbane, are my dark horse for the title. The Sharks and Storm are the other main contenders. 
• Likely Finals match ups - Storm v Cowboys; Sharks v Raiders; Broncos v Titans and Bulldogs v Panthers.

Rugby Championship.

• Not much to say here.  Very impressive performances from the All Blacks to retain the Cup for the fourteenth straight season.  Barrett and Cane have been the standouts players for me. I do have to say Owen Franks is a bit lucky.  The footage did look incriminating. 
• After pushing South Africa last week, Argentina won this morning and will be interesting to see how they go in their remaining games.
• Side bar: I read with interest that South Africa and Australia may lose a team each for the 2018 Season. I hope this means they can find a way to introduce a team based in the Pacific islands. 

Olympics recap

I enjoyed the Olympics a little more than I anticipated. Here's my highlights:

1. Seeing countries win their first Gold Medal. Ten countries in all won their first medal. Also Iran had their first female Gold medalist.

2. The sportsmanship shown by Nikki Hamblin (NZ) and Abbey D'Agostino (USA) during the 5000m. Nikki was also awarded the fair play medal. 

3. Michael Phelps (5), Katie Ledecky (4) and Simone Biles (4), who won the most Gold medals of any athlete at these games . 

4. Kyle Chalmers winning the 100 freestyle. He swam a PB each time he jumped into the pool. Perhaps a sign that Australian swimmers may be more successful if less pressure / expectation was put on them. 

5. Simone Manuel and Penny Oleksiak's tie for Gold in the 100 Freestyle. Simone is the first African American to win a swimming Gold,  I don't think you can understate the impact of her winning that race. Penny Oleksiak won four medals, the most by any Canadian swimmer, and was also Canada's first swimmer to win a Gold medal since 1992 (in Barcelona)

6. Usain Bolt, not just for his results, but equally his manner of his performances.

7. Mo Farah going back-to-back in the 5,000 and 10,000. Especially seeing he won the 10,000 after having a fall during the race. 

8. Both the Australian and Fijian Seven's teams winning the tournaments. Australia were raging favourites going into the tournament and didn't disappoint, but the Fijian's win in the final and the images after the whistle will live long in the memory.  

9. The Refugee team marching in the Opening Ceremony. The team won one gold and one bronze medal. Another magical moments was the Syrian swimmer who won her 100 freestyle heat.  

10. I love surprise medalists, and Eliza McCartney winning the Bronze Medal in the Pole Vault and Chloe Esposito winning the Modern Pentathlon certainly count there. 

Bonus: Japan's wrestler, Kaori Icho, who is the first female athlete to win Gold Medals at four consecutive Olympic games.

Aside one: NZ won their 100th Gold Medal and the US their 1,000th Gold Medals during these games. 

It is also New Zealand's most successful games in history. Another highlight was Zane Robertson breaking a 39 year old New Zealand national record for the 5,000m by eight seconds.

Aside two: I feel incredibly privileged to have witness both Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. Their performances have been out of this word, and I doubt I'll see their likes again. 

Aside three: It's certainly been interesting looking/reading the recriminations about the Australian's performance.

Can totally say now, that I'm looking forward to the Tokyo games in another four years, and wondering who will fill the void left by those two great athletes.  

Sporting shorts..

Olympic Games 
I haven't been this unexcited by an Olympic games for a long time. Almost two weeks out and all the news is again the lack of preperations, and drugs. Maybe it will change when it starts but somehow I doubt it.

AFL 
With about five roiunds left, the top eight looks settled. I really can't see North Melbourne being replaced by St. Kilda. The real interest is in the finishing order of the teams. Will be intriguing if Sydney and GWS play each other. Hard to pick a favourite, though Hawthorn are looking good to win again. If Sydney don't win, I'll be cheering for Adelaide. Here's an interesting article simulating the ladder at the end of the season and possible Grand finaliists.

NRL 
Certainly Cronulla and Melbourne are the standout teams this year. Their game in the final round shaping as the decider for the Minor Premiership. I suspect one of them will win the competition, though Brisbane and North Queensland may have something to say about that. After the Golden point loss to the Raiders, I think the Raiders are not really out of the running for the finals.

On the League finals, it is a shame the Sharks are forced to play their finals at Allianz Stadium. For me, the supporters deserve to be able to see them play in Cronulla.

Super Rugby
Semi-finalists have been decided with the Hurricanes hosting the Chiefs and the Highlanders travelling to Johansberg. Hoping for a repeat of last yeatr's final, albeit with a different result.

But I got worried reading an article proclaiming the Hurricanes as favourites.  The duel between Cruden and Barrett will be great to watch, and will possibly determine who starts for the All Blacks in August's test. Great news that Hansen has re-signed to coach the All Blacks to the 2019 World Cup.

Cricket
Our Cricket season starts with New Zealand playing Zimbabwe and Australia in Sri Lanka. +

Coaching
On Coaches and coaching, Offsiders had a really fascinating program on Sunday with Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika. Watch it here.

2015 in review - Music

This post has been a long time coming.  I made a start on it a while ago, but never got around to posting it.

I listened to a lot of EPs during the year. The ones that really have stood out are:

• Christa Wells Covers project - probably the most played album / EP through 2015. Great covers of some of my favourite 80s/90s tunes.
• Andrew Osenga's Heart, Flesh, Soul and Bone project (covering four genres Singer/Songwriter, Blues/Soul, Rock and Instrumental).
• Sleeping At Last's 'Atlas' project (this year focused on Life and our Sense)
• Jon Foreman's The Wonderlands project (built around themes of Sunlight, Shadows, Darkness and Dawn)
• Matthew Perryman Jones - Cold Answer
• Nichole Nordeman - The Unmaking (Nichole's first release of new music since 2005).

I spent a lot of 2015 listening to recordings from U2's Innocence and Experience concerts, I loved Songs of Innocence, and how the old songs were reinterperated in light of contemporary situations. The sequence of songs from Every Breaking Wave to With or Without You is almost perfect. Just watch the Paris DVD and you'll get what I mean. I will write a review of the DVD soon.

The albums I can remember buying during 2015 were:

• Caitlyn Canty - Reckless Skyline
• Glen Hansard - Didn't He Ramble
• Amanda Opelt - Seven Songs
• Colm Mac Con Iomaire - Agus Anois An Aimsir
• Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams
• Jenny & Tyler - Of this I'm Sure
• Jewel - Picking up the Pieces
• Katrina Stone - Never Wanna Grow Up
• The Paper Kites - Twelvefour
• Sandra McCracken - Psalms
• Sara Groves - Floodplain
• Sarah Blasko -  Eternal Return
• Wilco - Star Wars

The Frames also released Longitude during the year. Longitude celebrated their 25th Anniversary and was a collection of songs they liked, with one new song 'None But I', a few different songs were re-recorded.

From that list, the ones that have lasted through the year are:

• Sandra McCracken - Psalms
• Glen Hansard - Didn't He Ramble
• Jenny & Tyler - Of this I'm Sure
• Colm Mac Con Iomaire - Agus Anois An Aimsir 
• Amanda Opelt - Seven Songs 

Footy update

So, will lead off with the Rugby.  For about 60 mins it looked like Wales were in with a great shot to beat the All Blacks, but in the last 20 they stepped up a gear. The first test of the season always concerns me so was great to get through with the win.

Back in Australia, have to admit, I didn't understand the Wallabies decision to take a penalty rather than the go for a try with two mins to go. The English were okay, but just felt the Wallabies went to sleep.

On to the AFL, the Swans just were not in the game today.  They are still running second, but will need to lift a bit.  Dangerfield and Geelng were super impressive.

Pretty impressive last half from the Panthers today, to run over the top of Manly.  Tomorrow's game between Cronulla and Nth Queensland should be a cracker...

Also will be fun watching the Euro championships too. Hoping for a surprise winner...

What I've been in up - May 2016

I've seen a few of these post around the place at the end of each month. So thought that I'd take the time to write on myself.

What I've been watching:
I know I'm late to the party on this one, but I just finished working my way through Friday Night Lights. Just the first season mind you. I haven't quite got the courage for Season two.  I liked the completeness of the story and where things were left.

I've been trying out Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, and have found that to be compelling TV and it stays true to the franchise, but adds the cross-cultural dimension into it.

With catch-up tv I've been watching The Voice. I quite enjoy the blind auditions and the Battle Rounds often throw-up some great performances, but after that it reverts to a typical music show.  Jessie J comes across as a great coach. Will be intrigued to see who wins this year, haven't really heard anyone really stand out yet.

What I've been listening to:
The last month has seen new Swtichfoot tracks, and Radiohead's new album on heavy rotation. Radiohead's new album seems to combine the best bits of In Rainbows with Kid A and creates a brilliant soundscape.  Jon Foreman's songwriting is as brilliant as ever, and I can't wait for the full album to be released next month.

I'm also looking forward to the official release of U2's Paris show from late last year.  In my opinion its the best the band has sounded for sometime.  Still hopeful that Songs of Experience will be released this year...

What I've been reading:
I've been slowly working my way through Madeline Gleeson's book about Australia's Offshore processing of refugees. In all seriousness, the book is a must read for every Australian. It is incredibly difficult to understand what is being done to these people in our names.

Prior to that, I read Stan Grant's 'Talking to my country' - which is another must read for every Australian on the topic of Aboriginal relations.

Sport...

Taking some stock of where we're at in the 2016 Football Season.

AFL:

• Think that there's now 10 teams that can make the eight. I'm willing to draw a line through everyone from the Gold Coast down.  
• Happy with how the Swans have been going. Playing a bogey team this weekend (Richmond), but the team is going along nicely. Heeney and Lapley have been impressive, and its good to see Franklin back out there 
• Great to see how well Melbourne has been going this year.
• Ditto with GWS - a couple of big wins has everyone excited, while I suspect they will play finals, I'm not yet convinced.

Rugby League:

• Top four looks fairly settled, and to be honest I don't think any one else has the consistency to win the Premiership.  I'd be putting Brisbane as slight favourites over the Cowboys, with the Sharks as the dark-horse.  The Sharks wins against Brisbane and Penrith were impressive. 
• Disappointed in the result of the test, but not the Kiwi's performance. 
• The Kiwi-Ferns had an impressive win against the Jillaroos. It was a good game to watch. 

Super Rugby:

• The NZ teams have been doing well, I'm interested to see the All Blacks team to play Wales given the retirements after last year's World Cup.  
• The Hurricanes have gone back to their old inconsistent ways this year.  Though they might just sneak into the finals, but not sure they deserve too. 

2015 - Favourite NZ Sporting moment

I may have posted this in one of my sports posts, but the Halberg Awards are coming up, and there is a viewers choice for the sporting moments of the year. View the full list here. Here's my standouts. 

(1)    The Football Ferns win against Brazil.

(2)    Grant Elliot’s innings against South Africa, and his sportsmanship after it, in the World Cup Semi Final     

(3)    The Kiwi’s winning the ANZAC Test against Australia in Rugby League – the first time in 17 years.

2015 Cricinfo Awards

One of the highlights each year is reading the nominations for the best individual performances in the different formats of Cricket for the previous year. I've picked my favourite from each category. Read the full list of nominees here:

Test Cricket:

Test Batting performance of the year

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) 206

Easy to pick Ross Taylor for his 290 against Australia in Perth. Ross Taylor broke one of Cricket's oldest records (The highest score by any visiting batsman in Australia, Tip Fosters made 287 in 1903/1904), and given his form going in to the Perth test it took everyone by surprise. But I'll pick Iqbal's 206 - the highest score for Bangladesh. He shared in a 312 run stand for the first wicket in Bangladesh's second innings (the highest opening stand in the third or fourth innings in test history), saving the test match.

Test Bowling performance of the Year

Stuart Broad (England) 8/15

One of the more perfect bowling performances I can remember. Australia's full innings lasted 114 balls. I still scarcely believe this scorecard, given it was on the opening morning of the fourth Ashes test with so much at stake.

One Day Internationals:

ODI Batting

Mahmudullah (Bangladesh), 128* 

One of two centuries Mahmudullah made during the World Cup and this innings drove Bangladesh to a competitive total, which NZ after a few anxious moments chased down.

Hon Mention Elliot's 84* in the World Cup semi final, not only for the innings, but for one of the moments of the World Cup - the photo of Elliot reaching out to Dale Steyn will live long in the memory. 

ODI Bowling

Mitchell Starc (Aus) 6/28

Starc's spell almost won the game for Australia, after a Trent Boult led New Zealand had bowled Australia out for 151.

Hon mention: Tim Southee (NZ), 7/33 

Best bowling figures for a NZ in ODI cricket, and the best bowling figures at the 2015 World Cup.

T20 Internationals

T20 Batting

JP Duminy 68* (South Africa) 

Others have made higher scores, but he guided South Africa who at one stage needed 107 off 61 balls.

Hon mention: Gayle's 90 which kickstarted the West Indies successful chase of 231 (the highest score made batting second in any T20).

T20 Bowling

Harder to judge what makes a good performance in T20, dot balls are as important as wickets. Interesting looking at the best bowling figures for 2015, all but four are all from players in Associate teams.

I'll make it easy and pick Wiesse's 5/23.

Captain of the year:

Mashrafe Mortaza (Bangladesh) who inspired the Bangladeshi team to one of their best years in international Cricket.

Hon Mention, Brendan McCullum, for both the style of cricket he's inspired NZ to play, and the results through the year. (Tests 4-3, 1 draw, ODI 18-5, 1 no result)

Disappointing that there's no Female cricket of the year on CricInfo, but there will be next year :)  I would give it to either Elysse Perry or Meg Lanning, probably the two most consistent women cricketers across all formats last year. Though Jess Johanson's performance in the Ashes would put her up there too.

2015 In review - books

I haven't read as many books this year as I was intending too, but thought I would write about the books I did manage to read through during 2015.

Searching for Sunday - Rachel Held Evans
Rachel’s journey with the church – even in Australia context I find it easy to relate to the stories she tells. Love the authenticity and honesty she writes with. Definitely pick up the album by Amanda Opelt (Seven Songs), it’s a perfect accompaniment.

Out of Sorts - Sarah Bessey
Probably my favourite book for 2015. I can totally relate to the journey Sarah has been on. The chapters on the practice of lament, and Christian community are the best thing about the book. Sarah’s writing style is so conversational as well making the book easily accessible.

As an aside the song best capturing a message I took from Bessey and Held Evans books is Jars of Clay’s Shelter, from the album of the same name.

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In the shelter) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (You will never walk alone) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In Your arms are all around us) 

In the shelter of each other, we will live, we will live (In Your arms are all around us)

If there is any peace, if there is any hope 

We must all believe, our lives are not our own 

We all belong God has given us each other 

And we will never walk alone

Class act - Maxine McKew

McKew looks at the education system, and what some schools are doing right.

This Changes Everything - Naomi Klein
On the changes our world needs to make to adjust to the changes in our environment. A confronting read, and I find it hard to argue with its key message. Our world is changing, our environment is changing, and we need to adjust to these changes.

Keating - Kerry O'Brien
The book is a transcript of Kerry O’Brien’s interview with former Prime Minister Paul Keating. I was a fan of Keating in the 90s, and vividly remember the night he was voted out. Keating is one of a few politicians with a vision of what Australia could become. It was intriguing reading his reflections, both on his time in politics and the current state of Australian politics. Sadly, we don’t have any leaders like him in our current Parliament, who are more interested in shaping opinion than following opinion polls.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North - Richard Flanagan
The only novel on the list, I quite liked Flanagan’s writing style and the story he was telling.

A Thousand Wells - Jena-Lee Nardella
Tells the story of how the charity Blood Water was formed, as well as an autobiography of one of its founders Jena Lee.

In progress

• A Path Appears – Nick Kristof and Cheryl Wu Dunn, so far, the book is a powerful reminder that however dark this world seems to be, there are people working to make a difference, and people who have inspired others to seek to bring change to the world. The world changes one person at a time, and we don’t know how powerfully we can shape the lives of those around us.  
• Chasing Shadows - Tim Lane. Peter Roebuck is one for my favourite Cricket writers. Roebuck had a sense of the game, understood its spirit, its characters, and had a vision for its future. I loved listening to him on ABC Radio. Along with Benuad he was one of the voices of summer. So I’m interested in reading the book to find out more about him and his life.

2015 in review .. Sport.

So, it has been a busy year in sport. For me the highlight of the year would be the All Blacks becoming the first team to win two consecutive Rugby World Cups.  Other contenders:

• NZ performance at the Cricket World Cup. (no they didn't win, but how the game is played matters more than results to me). 
• The start of the Women's Big Bash League
• The Matlida's performance at the World Cup in Canada. Australia's first Quarter-Finalist at the Football World Cup. The US performance against Japan in the Final, was virtually flawless
• Yep, I wanted the Silverferns to win, but the Diamond's achievement in winning the Netball World Cup. (The last game of the Constellation Cup was also super impressive, were NZ beat the Diamonds by 12 goals, falling just short of the 14 they needed to win the cup.
• Michelle Payne - not really a fan of Horse-racing, but her achievement to get the ride, and win the cup, in a male dominated industry was very impressive
• The Socceroos winning the Asian Cup. 
• The Highlanders winning the SuperXV tournament. Yes, I do support the Hurricanes, but I've always had a soft spot for the Highlanders.
• Thurston's field goal to win the NRL Grand-Final
• Djokovic and Serena Williams were possible the sports-stars of the year. Both won three out of the four majors. 

The less said about the AFL season the better - it was really soured by treatment of Adam Goodes, and another lack-lustre Grand Final. 

Test Cricket team of the year:
Now I'll turn my attention to my test team of the year. Yep, there's still two tests to go (Australia v West Indies & South Africa v England), but don't think that any performance would change my team.

1. Daivd Warner (Australia)
2. Alistair Cook (England)
3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand), capt.
4. Steven Smith (Australia)
5. Younis Khan (Pakistan)
6. Virat Kohli (India)
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), (Pakistan)
8. Stuart Broad (England)
9. R. Ashwin (India)
10. Joshua Hazlewood (Australia)
11. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
12. Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

Captain, hard choice - have to admit, not impressed with any current/former captains, Steven Smith is too conservative for me, so maybe I'd give it to Kane Williamson. Conversely found it hard to pick the middle-order (5-6) and wicketkeeper.

The easiest picks: Williamson (the rankings don't lie, the best batsman in the World this year, 1172 runs at 90.15), Ashwin (best performing bowler this year, 62 wickets at 17.2), Warner and Hazlewood. Taylor's 290 against Australia in Perth, and Stuart Broad, whose 8/15 v Australia was the bowling performance of the year.

In ODI Cricket, hard to go past AB de Villiers 44-ball 149 as the ODI innings of the year, and Mitchell Starc's 6/28 (against NZ) as the bowling performance of the year.

Football finals.

Now that September's here, its time for the Football finals. In our Rugby League we've got

• Roosters v Storm
• Brisbane v North Queensland
• Bulldogs v St George
• Cronulla v South Sydney

To be honest, one of the Roosters, Brisbane and North Queensland will be Premier's this year. Hoping for the Cowboys, but we'll see. All three are way above the pack in terms of the numbers (hard to see a dark horse).

The AFL..

Looking at the fixtures below - its got the makings of one of the all-time great Final-Series.

• West Coast v Hawthorn
• Fremantle v Sydney
• North Melbourne v Richmond
• Western Bulldogs v Adelaide. 

This year has the making of a time from outside the top four winning with Richmond Adelaide and North Melbourne all having beaten the teams in the top four. But we'll see if the finals experience counts for something. If Sydney don't win, I'll be cheering for Fremantle or Adelaide. 

++

As an aside, was disappointed with Steve Smith in the last One Day international for not recalling Stokes. It wasn't a good look for the game (or Smith). Read more here.

U2 - Ten Songs

Building from my post about REM and Jars of Clay. I thought it only natural to post my 10 songs from U2. A little caveat, I'm not saying these are the best U2 songs, simply my favourites, at the moment. I've kind of cheated, including a track which combines Bad and Where the Streets Have No Name

1. A Day without me [Boy]

Young, earnest, going to take on the world.  That's how the early U2 sounds, and this track is a classic example. 

2. Drowning man [War]

Intensely personal song, addressed to Adam when he was going through a tough time, and has beautiful images of friendship, ending with quotes from Isaiah 40:31. 

3. The Ground Beneath Her Feet [All That You Can't Leave Behind]

One of the more romantic songs Bono has written. The song was co-written with Salman Rushdie. Salman Rushdie wrote a book with the same name worth checking out. 

4. Stay (Faraway, So Close!) [Zooropa]

Just love the video clip for this one, and not to mention the powerful lyric 

'And if you look, you look through me And when you talk, you talk at me And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing'

5. Staring at the Sun [Pop], [this version, Popheart]

Pop is one of my favourite U2 songs, and I really love how they reinvented the song as an acoustic number during their PopMart tour.Highlights the beautiful harmonies between the voices of Bono and The Edge. 

6. Please [Pop], [this version popheart]

I loved the album version of the song, but it gained a life of its own when played on stage, first on the PopMart tour, then when Bono and the Edge played it acoustically on the third leg of the Elevation tour.  

7. Love is Blindness [Achtung Baby] 
Quite possibly my favourite U2 song, and at the moment, the version from London in 1992 (May31). Love how Bono adds two of Yeats poems to the end of the song (September 1913; and Aedh Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven). 

8. One [Achtung Baby], [this version, Miss Sarajevo, single] 

Easily my favourite version of this song. I love the depth the orchestra adds to the song. Along with the harmonies of Bono and The Edge.

9. Bad/Where the Streets have no name [The Unforgettable Fire, The Joshua Tree], [this version, Electrical Storm single]

Almost perfection. Two beaut songs melded into one, with a snippet of 40 the connection. Love how Bono quotes Psalm 116 over the introduction of Where the Streets Have No Name. Both songs are really powerful on their own - I get chills when ever I hear the introduction to 'Bad, but the two songs together is magical.  

10. Kite [All that You Can't Leave Behind], [this version, Window in the Skies single]

Picked this, because it was one of the highlights of the Vertigo tour, This version was recorded on my birthday, at the concert I went to in Sydney. 

Just love these lyrics...

'Who's to say where the wind will take youWho's to know what it is will break youI don't know which way the wind will blowWho's to know if the time has come aroundI don't wanna see you cryI know this is not goodbye'

U2 - Innocence & Experience 2015

In case you missed it, U2 are about half-way through the first leg of their Innocence and Experience tour. One of the striking things is how much technology has changed. Fans (and the Band), are streaming every concert via periscope or meerkat. Now you are able to experience the show from your computer on the other side of the world. It's a long way for waiting for an email with the setlist like during the PopMart tour.

So far, the band is in brilliant form, not only have the songs translated beautifully to the stage, the first act, is beautifully constructed play about innocence broken, from the sounds that inspired the band, to their friends, family, and country.

The most powerful segment of the show is the transition from Sunday Bloody Sunday-Raised by Wolves-Until the End of the World. Where you feel you living through the bombing in Dublin. I can only imagine would it would sound like at the arena.  

I can't complain about the set-lists. There is certainly enough variety to make you come back each night, and a few surprises. Ordinary Love and Lucifer's Hands were the most surprising.

I feel that there will be a few more surprises in their eight night stint in New York.  (A 'reversed' show like Osaka in 1989 would be awesome!)

The downside is, I have a suspicion that this tour will be like the Elevation tour and not come down-under.  I truly hope I'm wrong, because if it sounds and looks this good watching online...

Les Miserables - Sydney

It's no secret that Les Miserables is one of my favourite musicals. It beautifully tells a powerful story about us all, or capacities, and our capacity for love and mercy. I've lost count of the times I've listened to the CDs, watched the videos, and seen the stage production (and film).

I was delighted to read that Cameron Macintosh was putting on the his new production in Sydney, so I would get the chance to see it. I have regularly told people that the best production of Les Mis I saw was an amateur production in Wollongong, in the 1990s. There was something about the performances that night which connected and resonated with me. I'll never forget one of the girls in my year (Lisa O'Connell) playing the role of Epoinine in one production, she was amazing.

I got goose bumps when the first notes of the overture were played, and was just riveted through the whole show. One of the highlights were the drawings which were incorporated into the show as backdrops.

Simon Gleeson and Hayden Tee were great as Val Jean and Javert respectively - I loved the orchestrations for 'The Confrontation', and the chemistry between them, Hayden nailed 'Stars' and I loved Simon's performance of 'What have I Done'.

Patrice Tipoki's (Fantine) 'I Dreamed a Dream' was beautiful. The Thenardiers (Trevor Ashley & Lara Mulcahy) added the 'lightness' to the show, as needed.

The highlight for me was Kerrie-Anne Greenland who plays Epoinine. She's always the character in the show that I identified with the most. I just loved the performances of 'On My Own' and 'A Little Fall of Rain' (which usually brings tears). The other moment which really stood out is the song 'Drink with Me' and Grantaire's lines:

'Drink with me to days gone by / Can it be you fear to die? / Will the world remember you When you fall? / Could it be your death means nothing at all? Is your life just one more lie?'.

Would love the cast singing 'Do You Hear the People Sing?' again after they take their bows.

I always have a hard time comparing performers and performances, as each and every time the story strikes me differently, and I notice different things. I don't think I can recommend seeing the musical highly enough, and the cast going to Brisbane after the Sydney season finishes.

Footy recap

AFL
So, yes were only five weeks in to the season...   but there's a few surprises in the top eight at the moment, suspect a few positional changes, and a couple of teams will drop out but after five rounds the top eight are:

• Fremantle
• Collingwood
• Western Bulldogs
• Hawthorn
• West Coast
• Sydney
• Adelaide
• GWS. 

Have been surprised with the form of the Bulldogs or Eagles as they weren't my list for the eight, but they've both impressive to watch so far this year, will be interesting to see how long they kept their form up.

The Swans were let down with both the decision-making and execution, they had the opportunities to win the game (61 inside 50s). Mick Malthouse was all class in the press conference following the Blue's loss on Friday. He's a great steward of the game.

SuperRugby
Impressed with the Hurricanes continuing their dominance over the Crusaders and keeping top spot on the ladder. Hoping for a Waratahs-Hurricanes, though at this stage, it'd be in Wellington...

A-League:
Today was a bit of a dampener on the Phoenix's seasons. A few weeks ago, they were potential winners of the minor premiership but let it slip.

Next week sees the Victory take on City in a Melbourne derby and Sydney tackle Adelaide for a place in the final..

NRL
The League tests were played on Sunday after being washed out on Friday. The Junior Kiwi's lost by two yesterday, and the women's team were outclassed 22-14.  The Men's team won the ANZAC test for the first time since 1998, and the first time they've won three in a row against Australia since 1952/53. Great to see the women's test played before the men's game.

The break to the season for the test is an interesting idea..  though I'd like a two week break for the State of Origin..  playing the games on Friday, Wednesday then Sunday.Would also be great to have a series for the women's teams, or a one-off match. The players who aren't involved in the State of Origin series could be invited to play in a knockout event held in a rotating regional centre. This would certainly help build the game in these areas. I'd love to see the NRL explore a knockout 'Cup' type competition using teams from each local area group, and the Toyota Cup teams from the NRL like the current football cup competition.  Not sure if that'd work.

World Cup Countdown...
- less than 50 days to the Women's Football World Cup.
- less than 100 days to the Netball World Cup.
- less than 150 days to the Rugby World Cup.

Australia received the draw for their World Cup recently. Perhaps a logistical nightmare more than anything else, as fans work out how they can get to the games, but we'll see.

Footy recap...

AFL
Two games of major ebbs and flows with Hawhorn coming back from 50 plus points down to lose by eight. The Swans trailed by 48 before losing by 14. Would have been an 'injustice' if the Swans & Hawks got up...

Four games in, here's a few notes:
With the Suns losing their four games against St Kilda, Geelong, GWS and Melbourne, to start the season, you feel they need a major turn around to say they will make the eight.  The Giants on the other hand have shown more promise but I'm not including them in my top eight yet.

Adelaide are the surprise packets so far, win their game today, and they will join Fremantle as the undefeated teams.

Geelong, will make the eight, but they are on their way down, their two losses have been against Fremantle and Hawthorn (who I still think will finish in the top four), so now disgrace.  Port Adelaide are where you'd expect them to be 2-2.

Shouldn't read to much into things mind you, I think the last time Sydney won the competition they were 1-3 or 1-4.

League
A surprise leader in Brisbane, but hard to not be impressed by how they've started the season.  Surprised with Souths at the moment (but they do have to adjust to being the hunted, rather than hunter...)

After three games, the Cowboys were 0-3, and now they're sitting fourth, so its dangerous to write teams off....

The Warriors haven't adjusted to life without Tomkins and do seem a little one-dimensional...  though they've had a few close losses which could have gone either way, still think they will scrap into the eight.

Test match...
The Kiwi's will compete well on Friday, but I just don't see them winning. Their record in the mid season test is not so good.

Super Rugby
The Waratahs are building some momentum now, and building their title defense.  The Hurricanes were back in the winners list. They've got a few tough games to come..  but the joy of sport is that you can be optimistic about how your team will go. :)