The second annual Christmas sports wish list

 
Brett McKay Columnist

By , 16 Dec 2009 Brett McKay is a Roar Expert

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Australia's Stuart Clark, left, celebrates with teammate Michael Hussey after taking the wicket of England's Paul Collingwood on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and Australia, at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds, England, Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. AP Photo/Tim Hales

Australia's Stuart Clark, left, celebrates with teammate Michael Hussey after taking the wicket of England's Paul Collingwood. Aug. 7, 2009. AP Photo/Tim Hales

Roarers, it’s that time of the year again. Christmas is here, and our letterboxes are full of catalogues from every conceivable store. Hints are being left in both subtle and unsubtle ways.

In my house over the weekend I was told, “I’m not telling you what I want, but I’ll tell you what I definitely don’t want”

Santa’s making his list too, and checking it twice, we’re led to believe. And with that in mind, I bring you the second annual Christmas sports wish list.

This time last year, you may recall that I was hoping for a favourable prognosis for what ended up being my former plasma TV, in time for the Perth Test Match.

Well, this year’s first wish is once again Perth-related, but happily, it’s not the new TV. You see, where I work is full of fluorescent lights and computer screens, and so getting ABC Radio is nigh on impossible. What’s more if you do happen to pick up a faint signal, it’s lost as soon as a plane takes off from just across the car park.

So Santa, from this Wednesday, I’d really, really like all interference and planes to be gone, so that I may listen to the cricket at work. Please.

On the cricket, I’d like Shane Watson to take something for this allergy to batting milestones he’s suddenly developed. I’d love Mike Hussey to turn back the clock on his home ground and peel of the cracking century we all know he’s capable of. Pretty sure Mike’s with me on that too.

I’d like the selectors to explain themselves. And take responsibility. And admit their mistakes. And while they’re at it, they can explain why Stuart Clark is being treated like a leper.

I’d like the Sydney papers to take a breath, and stop devoting any spare column inches to remind us Phillip Hughes shouldn’t have been dropped. It’s great that he’s “just concentrating on making runs for NSW”, but let’s just let him do it. In his own time.

And speaking of newspaper stupidity, I’d like the News Ltd papers to make up their minds about Michael Clarke. How can he “over-rated” one week, and “Australia’s No.1 batsman” the next?

And just on Michael Clarke too, last year I said of Lleyton Hewitt that I’d like him “to be on the back page of the paper more than he’s on the front page of New Idea.”

Well, same goes Michael. If you seriously want to be the next captain of the Australian Cricket team, then you and Lara need to give Bec and Lleyton their magazine space back. All we want to know about from you is how well you’re hitting your cover drives, not how much Lara’s Aston Martin cost.

Actually, Santa, I’d really like to take Lara’s Aston Martin for a drive (and yes, I actually mean the car).

I’m sure I won’t be alone in wishing for a more successful year for the Wallabies in 2010. I’d like more consistency. While the spring tour ended in good style over Wales, no-one will forget the Scotland game the week before in a real hurry.

For the Super 14, I and plenty of others have high hopes for the Brumbies, and so I’d like those high hopes not to go unfounded. Beyond that, I’d like all the Australian sides to finish in the top half of the table, and for two teams to make the semis. An all-Australian Final would be lovely, thanks very much.

I’d love for the Socceroos to get through the first stage of the World Cup in South Africa. If a meeting with England could eventuate too, that’d be outstanding. The ghosts of Upton Park are begging to resurface.

Speaking of the World Cup, I’d love to see all the pieces for an Australian bid fall in to place, and for everyone to get behind it. And I’d like some surety to come through about the details too, so that we don’t have a repeat of this last week on The Roar.

Seriously, well over a thousand comments on articles and opinion formed around speculation?!? Come on guys…

I’d like to find some time to get into the A-League.

I’d like the independent commission for rugby league to progress beyond just talk, and for the various state and national bodies to realise that the time has come for them to put the game ahead of their vested interests.

I’d like the players to behave, and for the game to get back on the back page. I’d like to think the great games we saw this year can keep getting better. And I know I said this last year, but I’d still like NSW to show up come Origin time.

I’d like the AFL to realise it’s not too late to leave western Sydney alone and to turn all attention to Tasmania. Failing that, I’d be content if Andrew Demetriou could speak in public without a soapbox.

I’d like a Holden to wear the No.1 on merit, and not just because someone switched makes.

I’d like my Ashes series tour dream for next summer to come true.

I’d still like to hit my pitching wedge longer, and for my putts to drop.

I’d still like Fox Sports to come up with an offer that can’t be refused.

And to finish, I’d like to keep putting out half-decent columns that Roarers from near and far continue to enjoy reading. So far, so good, it would seem.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Roarers, and please stay safe over the holiday period. I look forward to ticking these wishes off with you from early 2010.

Follow Brett McKay on Twitter: @BMcSport
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