The Roar » Trevor

One HD has reignited Aussie motor sports

Trevor — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:45:55 +0000

V8 Supercars seem to be struggling at the moment for popularity, if what you read in the media is any indication. The defection of Lowndes to Holden next season seems set to alienate more fans, although his change to Ford years ago was accepted without too much drama.

Maybe that was due to fans of the Blue Oval looking for someone to carry the torch, where this time it’s quite the opposite.

Time will, of course, be the telling factor.

I was raised on a mix of Fords and Holdens, little Toyotas and the like all vying for track position at the annual Bathurst showcase.

I remember sitting there with my older brother, who insisted I follow the Holdens, unmoved for a whole day, watching with anticipation at the possibility of a crash or a big spin or some other heart stopping event.

The Moffat 1-2 was a highlight. Yeah, my brother never did have his way!

And we saw Volvos and Chevy Comaros, wild Mazda rotaries, and who can forget the all-conquering Nissans or the fragile pace of the Sierras?

Touring cars were where it was at. The varied manufacturers and speed differentials made for exciting racing.
But somewhere, the powers that be lost their way.

The insistence on the Aussie brand rather than the international dominance won out and we saw the two manufacturer format we now have.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m an Aussie through and through. V8’s have been a great competition to watch. The racing is close and definitely exciting.

However, my days of watching the races have shrunk from every round to two or three a year. I still watch Bathurst religiously, but couldn’t honestly say who’s won the last few years.

I know my beloved Fords have been up there, and after so many years in the wilderness, it’s almost a disappointment that my enthusiasm has waned. Maybe I’m just getting older!

With the advent of One HD, I find myself following Marcos Ambrose again, this time in his NASCAR adventures.

Maybe it’s the different format I haven’t seen much of in the past, or the fact that an Aussie is sticking it to the Yanks at their own game, but even the oval tracks, which I once despised, I find myself enjoying more and more.

I know the competition is nothing like the touring cars that once held my passion. I don’t know what it is but I do hope our home grown V8’s find that spark for me again.

Maybe this latest NASCAR sojourn will be enough to reignite that fire that once burnt strong within.

Roaring Hot

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Article link: One HD has reignited Aussie motor sports. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Basketball needs a sustainable elite level competition

Trevor — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:22:34 +0000

SEABL Basketball. Photo by Trevor Jackson

With the current disappointing trends at our elite basketball level, one league appears to be heading in the other direction. An article published on the SEABL website recently, Basketball Booms in SEABL, cited some good reasons for optimism in our game.

Rags to riches for Goorjian’s dragons

Trevor — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:21:34 +0000

Despite a busy night in the city, close to 9,000 screaming fans turned out to witness South Dragons comfortably defeat Melbourne Tigers at Hisense Arena in Friday’s NBL Championship fifth game decider. Coming off the bottom of the table last season, it has been a true rags to riches journey for the men in black [...]

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NBL Finals Series goes all the way

Trevor — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:03:50 +0000

The NBL Final Series has been one one of excitement and controversy thus far. Friday night’s do or die final game promises more of the same as the Tigers face the Dragons at Hisense Arena. Game three saw Tigers big man Chris Anstey outed and left to face the tribunal, followed by public criticism from [...]

Article link: NBL Finals Series goes all the way. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

All Melbourne final for NBL

Trevor — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:40:16 +0000

Grand Final berths have been decided in the last season of the NBL as we know it, and it’s no real surprise that it’s an all Melbourne affair. Given the Tigers longevity in the league it seems only fitting that they contest this final flag. Taking out their best of three semi-final series with two [...]

Article link: All Melbourne final for NBL. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Honeymoon is over for the Melbourne Tigers

Trevor — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:38:27 +0000

Much has been said about the form of the Melbourne Tigers this season. It was said they could have made a clean sweep of the competition, but their early form indicated quite the opposite. They struggled through the majority of the season with serious health issues for Sam Mackinnon, Chris Anstey suffering a mysterious illness [...]

Article link: Honeymoon is over for the Melbourne Tigers. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

A week in the life of the NBL in 2008-09

Trevor — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:38:29 +0000

In a season of turmoil for the NBL with clubs struggling to survive, some struggling to perform to expectations, others performing brilliantly (at times!), sackings, new signings and even walk outs, this last week has been no exception. Recent shake-ups have seen the likes of Rob Grizzard sacked from the “struggling to find form” Tigers [...]

Article link: A week in the life of the NBL in 2008-09. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Top two stumble in NBL

Trevor — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 20:59:44 +0000

In an interesting round 16 the two top teams, South Dragons and NZ Breakers have both taken multiple losses in their quest for the number one position on the NBL ladder. The Dragons faced the Crocs up at Townsville Wednesday night and went down by 10 points. The Crocs are holding strong in the bottom [...]

Article link: Top two stumble in NBL. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sixers take it to the Tigers at the Cage

Trevor — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:30:54 +0000

The question’s been asked, is Julius Hodge the best player in the NBL at the moment? Since returning to the league he’s been in scintillating form, already taking out a player of the week award. Saturday night saw the exciting import take the court for the 36ers against the Tigers at the Cage. In a [...]

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Dragons and Crocs struggle for supremacy at Hisense

Trevor — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:24:54 +0000

Saturday night saw a classic battle in the NBL as the Dragons hosted the Crocs at Hisense Arena in Melbourne. After their last defeat at home to Townsville South had some pride to regain but the Crocs seemed determined to repeat their early season success. From the outset, it was apparent that this was not [...]

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Memo NBL: thanks for keeping the dream alive

Trevor — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:31:53 +0000

In our current economic climate, many industries are suffering. Sport is one of those industries. For many years we, as sport junkies, have expected, maybe even demanded, more entertainment from our favourite industries whether it be rugby, football or, in this case, basketball. We want more coverage, more game days, easier access and so on. [...]

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The Sydney Spirit to continue. For now!

Trevor — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:19:04 +0000

According to a statement released by the NBL, the Spirit home game on Saturday night will go ahead as scheduled and it appears the team will be able to continue for the remainder of the season, albeit with a cut in salary for players and staff. The players are still prepared to take the court [...]

Article link: The Sydney Spirit to continue. For now!. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Another blow to the NBL as the Spirit collapses

Trevor — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:39:51 +0000

The NBL released a statement yesterday regarding the dire financial problems of the Sydney based Spirit. At this stage they claim it’s too early to decide on the future of the team, but say the Spirit may not be able to continue for the remainder of the season.

The Breakers will be hard to break at home

Trevor — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:32:26 +0000

The naming of Rick Rickert after round nine takes the Breakers tally to three Player of the Week awards this season. Rickert was given the nod after averaging a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds per game in the team’s wins over Cairns and Townsville. This is the second consecutive week the Breakers have [...]

Article link: The Breakers will be hard to break at home. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Will Bowen spark the Blaze?

Trevor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:57:24 +0000

Due to a serious foot injury, the Gold Coast Blaze have released Juaquin Hawkins from his commitments to the club. They’ve immediately replaced him with American import Justin Bowen. In his debut game against the Dragons, Bowen impressed with 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Coach Brendan Joyce is still confident his team can [...]

Article link: Will Bowen spark the Blaze?. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Ronaldson breaks Gaze’s record for NBL games played

Trevor — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 14:22:03 +0000

Veteran NBL player Tony Ronaldson surpassed Andrew Gaze’s record for games played when his Breakers team defeated the Townsville Crocodiles on Saturday night. He celebrated his 613th game with sixteen points in another solid performance by the New Zealand line up. Debuting for Eastside Melbourne, he’s currently in his second season with the Breakers, helping [...]

Article link: Ronaldson breaks Gaze’s record for NBL games played. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Dragons breathing fire in NBL

Trevor — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:21:50 +0000

The South Dragons are looking the in-form team in the NBL right now. On a hot 5 game winning streak they seem to be taking all before them. It all began with a solid win over the Blaze at the Gold Coast Convention center. No surprises there despite the road trip. They then traveled down [...]

Article link: Dragons breathing fire in NBL. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

9000 fans turn out to watch Dragons thump Tigers

Trevor — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 20:28:20 +0000

Over 9000 fans turned out to watch the NBL Dragons hammer the Tigers by a whopping 28 points on Saturday night down in Melbourne. It was a strong performance by the Dragons and the crowd. Sadly the night before when ex Kings coach Brian Goorjian took his team to Sydney only 1000 fans turned out [...]

Article link: 9000 fans turn out to watch Dragons thump Tigers. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Boomers still the hunt for medal

Trevor — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:37:52 +0000

The Boomers have copped a bit of flack lately for their performance on the court. Apparently nobody told the likes of Mills, Barlow or Bogut, all combining well in the opening minutes of the game against the European Champions, Russia. Newly was equally as sharp and when Anstey stepped on for his first minutes he [...]

Article link: Boomers still the hunt for medal. Written by Trevor, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion