Top 5 of Australian Sport, 2009
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By the all rounder, 29 Jun 2009 the all rounder is a Roar Rookie
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Half way through the calendar year, it’s time to decide what have been the best sporting achievements by Australians thus far. In no particular order my list is as follows.
1. Australia qualified for the football World Cup
The Socceroos qualified for their 3rd World Cup, and their second in a row, with 2 qualifiers remaining.
2. Sam Stosur made the French Open semi-finals
About time an Australian tennis player did something!
3. Queensland won their 4th Origin Series in a row
An amazing rugby league side, easily outclassing NSW who were plagued by injuries and poor selections.
4. Mark Webber’s strong start to the F1 season
Webber finally gets a decent vehicle and has had several podiums already. Looks unlikely to catch Jenson Button but you never know.
5. Melbourne Victory emerged as an A-League Superpower
Pre-season winners, League Winners and then Champions for the second time. A solid team with no apparent weaknesses, they demolished all their rivals. Who’s going to stop them them this season?
Agree wholeheartedly? Think I’m crazy? Share your opinions…
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Tom said | June 29th 2009 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Australian cricket team winning the test series in South Africa should be in there.
Or perhaps Phil Hughes being top scorer in his first ever test series.
vinay verma said | June 29th 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
The only truly great Australian sporting achievement thus far this year is Emma Moffatt’s win in the Iowa Triathlon this weekend. This on top of her win last weekend in the Washington Triathlon.
The lonlinees of the long distance runner,the burning muscles in the bike ride and the lung busting effort of the swim. These are endeavours of Olympic proportions.
The pity is that it does not rate headlines against the glamour sports of tennis and golf.
Thankfully the athletes are being rewarded and Emma picked up $200000 for her effort.
Brsd Kahlefeldt finished an agonising second in the men’s Triathlon.
Real Aussie sporting heroes in the tradition of the Renfords and Frasers, Lavers and Elliots.
the all rounder said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:32am | Report comment
vinay, funny you should mention this! i am a keen triathlete myself, and am glad [albeit surprised] to hear that others follow and take pride in the achievements of triathlon’s elite. Brad Kahlefeldt + Courtney Atkinson have both had a great start to the season and are strong chances to finish the year World # 1. The Emma’s [Snowsill and Moffatt] have continued to dominate women’s triathlon this year, and I’m confident one will be crowned world champion in 2009. Just wait til my end of year list. However, with that being said, surely QLD’s continued domination of Origin and our World Cup qualification are also great sporting achievements in this nation?
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
all rounder
I think you’ve made a fair fist of it.
The only doubt I’d have would be Webber’s selection at no. 4.
I can also imagine that some woudl quibble with Stosur at no. 2 – it was a breakthrough of sorts, but it was still only to the sem-final.
Certainly no arguments in relation to the Socceroos, the Maroons or the Victory.
It’s only mid-season in the AFL, but I would add from that competition:
1. the Saints’ unbeaten 13 game run to match it with Geelong (they meet this weekend in the game of the year, both are undefeated); and
2. the much anticiapted arrival of Nic Naitanui.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rgrjbpukzI
vinay verma said | June 29th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
TAR
I am reluctant to use the word great for the Origin and Socceroos. Notable yes but great,I have my reservations.
Now,if the indigenous Australian Cricket team touring England go through undefeated I may dust off the great. If ponting’s side win 5-0 I would class that as great. If Hewitt wins Wimbledon that would rate as great.
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Art Sapphire’s utterly unbiased Top 5 of Australian sport so far in 2009
1 – Socceroos qualifying for the World Cup.
2 – Melbourne Victory winning the A-League.
3. Essendon miraculously defeating Collingwood on Anzac Day.
4. Essendon bursting Carlton’s bubble twice, the second time around being a lovely exercise in humiliation.
5. Queensland for their 4 successive State of Origin series wins.
Top of the pops – Australian losers 2009
1. Pissants
2. Aussie 20/20 cricket team
3. Sydney FC – thats 3 years in a row – keep it up!
4. Hawthorn – premiership bubble has burst.
5. NSW RL State of Origin team – going for 5 in a row!
Tom said | June 29th 2009 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
As a member of the Melbourne Victory for five consecutive seasons, they shouldn’t be on that list. They established themselves as a power club in 06/07 and by their consistently strong attendances. All that happened this year is they won a couple of titles.
Which was great, but being top of an eight team competition thats only been around for four years doesn’t really compare with some of the other achievements people have mentioned.
Art Sapphire said | June 29th 2009 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Tom –
I, as a Melbourne Victory member for the first four seasons (I will be signing up for the forthcoming 5tth season next week)diasgree wholeheartedly with your belittling of the Melbourne Victory’s achievements.
“All that happened this year is they won a couple of titles” you ridiculously state.
What else did you expect them to do??? win the Nobel peace prize!!!
Pippinu said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
Art
I like your top 5 losers list (very hard to argue with).
Tom
the Victory won some titles – that definitely proves they’ve underachieved!!!
MVDave said | June 29th 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Art agree with your last post. l’m waiting for my Silver scarf from the MV so may be a little biased. However MVs performance in winning the treble in 2008/2009 is as good as any other domestic sporting team’s performance.
Vinay
The Socceroos have qualified for only their 3rd WC in history and in a new confederation with all the associated difficulties of travel, climate,venues, playing styles etc. They are now at the biggest sporting festival and IMO this is a great achievement.