With 2014 coming to a close, it’s always good fun to look back at the preceding year for highlights, and unfortunate lowlights.
Like every year, 2014 has been chock full of both. Below are some of my personal favourites.
Of course there will be a mass of sporting achievements that don’t make this list based on the teams I support, but these are the few that I will remember fondly.
Australia complete 5-0 Ashes clean sweep
Victory in the New Year’s Test wrapped up a five-nil clean sweep victory for the Aussies.
The entire series was fantastic and the final Test was the cherry on top of what will be remembered as one of the most dominant Ashes series victories since 2006-07.
Mitchell Johnson, with 37 wickets, was the star of the show, however Brad Haddin and David Warner were also at the top of their games.
The final Test result summed up the summer. A win to Australia by 281 runs despite the fact they failed to score more than 330 in either of their innings.
New South Wales end Queensland’s State of Origin run
Prior to the series, no one gave NSW much of a chance of ending Queensland’s domination. Two games in Queensland, an Origin rookie halfback and Maroon players in form.
The moment Jarryd Hayne ran the ball out after the siren to clinch the series, will live long in the memories for fans of the Blues. Hayne, Trent Hodkinson and Paul Gallen were the ones who will bask in the glory of the victory, but the entire team, including those in coaching, can all take credit for the historic win.
As hard as it was for NSW to win the title, it’s going to be just as hard to retain it next year. The win feels like it has added life to the series once again. This year’s series however, will be long remembered.
Sydney darts
I’ll cop grief for this from those who don’t consider darts a sport, but the event was one of the loudest and most enjoyable events I have ever attended.
Fourteen-time world champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor was once again victorious for the second straight event in the Habour City, but it was the semi-final finish from Aussie Kyle Anderson that was most encouraging for the locals.
Those who have never seen the pageantry of the event will almost be shocked upon seeing what the sport has become. The noise is incredible and there is no better fan-involved sport in the world.
Tim Cahill’s goal versus the Netherlands
I’m sure there were plenty like me who were sitting up watching the Socceroos’ efforts in Brazil against the Netherlands when something magical happened.
A fair cross was sent over in our superstar Tim Cahill’s direction. Timmy met the cross with a left boot in a shot that nine times out of 10 would have worried those sitting in row Z more than the keeper.
Suddenly Cahill was reeling away and the Socceroos were level after an absolute wonder goal from the then 34-year-old. A brilliant moment, and a rare highlight in a difficult campaign.
Wanderers conquer Asia
I’m not expecting fans of other A-League clubs to be happy for the Wanderers, but what they did by defying the odds in the Asian Champions League was brilliant for the sport in this country.
It put hundreds of millions of eyes on one of our sporting teams, and has ensured Tony Popovic and Tomi Juric are on to much bigger and better things before their careers come to an end.
The enormity of the win will be lost on many who don’t understand just how big the gulf in resources between the A-League and the bigger Asian leagues truly is.
Some will say the Wanderers rode their luck, some will say they benefited from refereeing decisions, but in terms of the record books the Wanderers will be remembered as being the first Australian side to win the Champions League. A huge achievement.
Maddison Elliott wins gold and sets a new world record
The Commonwealth Games have plenty of detractors, but the vision of then 15-year-old Maddison Elliott shedding a tear in the pool after not only winning a gold medal for her country, but setting a new world record, should bring a smile to even the biggest critic of the games.
Without the stage that is the Commonwealth Games, I doubt many of us would have even heard of young Maddy or her amazing efforts in the pool.
Rise For Alex Round
Although it was due to a terrible, life-altering accident, the entire Rise For Alex Round showed everything that is great about the rugby league community.
Officials and fans of every club across the NRL joined together to raise funds for the wheelchair bound 22-year-old. Another positive to come from the round was that it drew attention to others who are suffering, such as Simon Dwyer.
I’d be more than happy to see a round like this each and every season to raise funds for those struggling.
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