Sports stars that divide us

Whether they like it or not, continuous coverage and constant cash flow sees sportsmen under the microscope more than ever before.

I have compiled a list of the top 10 Australian athletes who split public opinion the most. These are the people we love to hate, and hate to love…

10. Lleyton Hewitt

I remember being at a friend’s place and watching Lleyton Hewitt play David Nalbandian in the opening round of the 2011 Australian Open.

There were probably about a dozen people in the lounge room, and by the fifth set it had become something of a war zone – half were cheering for Lleyton, while the rest were very un-patriotic and backing home his Argentinian opponent.

“I can’t stand him” or “gee he’s good to watch” were two commonly used phrases of the evening.

It wouldn’t be a Hewitt match without it going the full five-sets, and after squandering a lead in the final set, the Australian icon was knocked out.

For the record, I was on Lleyton’s side…

9. Stephanie Rice

The only female on the list, Rice is out-going and her public life is often under the microscope. She is charismatic and far from camera-shy, to the extent that a post-swimming media career beckons.

However, her Tweeting every 12 seconds and average showing in London left many Aussie fans unhappy.

8. Shane Watson

The now infamous ‘homework-gate’ has seen Watson again miss a Test match for Australia. At 31, the vice-captain has only 38 matches and two centuries beside his name.

Injuries and injuries have meant the prodigal talent from Brisbane’s Redlands Club has missed more cricket than he has played.

Being labelled as ‘soft’ and a ‘team player sometimes’ indicates a growing impatience for Watson to reach his potential and earn his pay cheque.

7. Lucas Neil

Great representative for the Soccerroos, sure. But for Mr Neil to publicly bag the A-League only to come crawling back, pissing off half of Melbourne along the way, is a touch rash from the Australian leader.

Maybe it’s harsh of me to include him, but I guess I still haven’t forgotten June 26, 2006…

6. James Magnussen

Following Australia’s shock fourth place in the 4 x 100m men’s relay in London, the Twitter-verse went nuts – and it was Magnussen, Australia’s golden boy, who was copping it.

After he appeared to brush reporters post-race, one disgruntled fan posted:

“Poor form by James Magnussen in post-race interview. Total lack of grace and respect. #London2012.”

With revelatations of misbehaviour and the use of Stilnox, redemption at Rio 2016 would seem an eternity away for ‘the Missile’.

5. Robert Allenby

Having never won a major, Robert Allenby’s moderate success over his career has often been overshadowed by a few unruly incidents. An open feud with fellow Australian Geoff Ogilvy at the 2011 President’s Cup hardly quelled any public perception of him being a ‘sook’ or an ‘ego-maniac’.

4. Quade Cooper

His on-field form mirrors his career… all over the shop.

After a gun season for the Reds in 2011, Cooper shouldered much of the blame for the Wallabies’ World Cup disappointment.

Injuries, break-ups, arrests, falling-outs… He’s playing rugby league – no he’s boxing – oh no, he’s re-signed with the Reds.

Love or hate the man, the Quade Cooper show is guaranteed to entertain.

3. Bernard Tomic

‘Australian Tennis’ next great hope’. He has been dubbed as the one to lift Aussie men’s tennis out of the doldrums, but Bernard Tomic struggles to stay under the speed limit.

The frustration for Australian fans is that his talent is there – when he wants it to be. He has beaten Novak Djokovic, and taken the challenge to players like Roger Federer and Tommy Haas.

However, a public rift with Patrick Rafter- regarded as one of the game’s most respected personalities – portrays Tomic’s attitude and immaturity.

2. Sonny Bill Williams

Where to begin with $BW? While he would still be the ‘most wanted’ man in Canterbury-Bankstown following his infamous ‘smoke-bombing’ in 2008, the media (particularly Channel Nine) have seemingly put him on a donkey’s back and are fanning him with palm leaves.

1. Anthony Mundine

Anthony Mundine has been described as ‘the most polarising athlete in Australian sports history’. His ability as a sportsman is unquestionable; it is his words that have continuously boiled the blood of the Aussie public.

From St George Illawarra to the ring, there has always been a spot for Mundine on the back page.

As his career seems to be in its twilight, following his humbling defeat to Daniel Geale, you can rest assured we will still be hearing from ‘the man’ for years to come…