The Christmas wish list for 2015

If the decorations have been up in the shopping centres for the three months since the footy grand finals, then it must the week to hand down the much-anticipated Christmas wish list!

2015 has been a year of big events, which in turn led to big sleep-deprivation, big morning-after grumpiness, and big chances of a 2pm fadeout. Even the local events took a toll.

The Asian Cup football, the Cricket World Cup, the Women’s (football) World Cup, the Ashes tour, Netball World Cup, and the Rugby World Cup all have much to answer for.

Nevertheless, the wish list can still deliver in 2016. So, without any further ado…

Cricket
The number one priority Christmas wish at this point is that the Boxing Day Test continues into a fourth day. No-one will be more relieved than the Nine Network and Cricket Australia accountants if the words, “We’ll head back to regular programming” are not uttered until late next Tuesday.

From the Sydney Test and beyond, I’d like for the headaches to continue for the national selection panel. Depth within Australian cricket ranks will be truly healthy when multiple players in form have to be dropped or, even better, can’t get a look in.

This time last year I wrote, “I’d like to see a string of retirements in 2015, so that the next wave of regeneration can commence.” With the regeneration underway, I’d like it to be as smooth as it is proper. The only way to regenerate is with youth, and now presents the best opportunities to blood some promising young players. It may involve short-term pain, but the long-term benefit will make that worthwhile.

I pray that the ODI series against India in January doesn’t become too much of a chore for players, broadcasters, spectators, and viewers. We play India all the time, and yet another one-off, no-context series could play out like an afterthought. If there’s one format of the game that can’t afford to go through the motions, it’s the one-day game.

It’d be great if the tours to New Zealand and South Africa later in the year produce well-contested and hard-fought wins, and not just more underlining of the ‘home track heroes’ phenomenon that currently pervades through Test cricket.

The biggest hope for the World Twenty20 is that Australia does better than last time! Three losses on the trot is not the way to start a tournament – it’s how you end it prematurely.

I also hope that some proper thought is put into WT20 selections. Historically, Australia’s Twenty20 gameplan has boiled down to ‘we’re the best in the world at the other two formats, so we’ll just keep doing that’ and it’s not worked at all. Watch the BBL, observe what’s working for bowling teams particularly, and pick the right players to do that job.

And here’s a tip: stop ignoring Nathan Lyon!

Rugby
My big wish is that I’ll get my head around the 18-team, six-country, four-group, two-conference format before the Super Rugby season has commenced.

The Sunwolves do indeed have a coach, and a jersey with massive teeth on it, too. Now here’s hoping their social media machine keeps putting out post-translation gems like, “four players chosen than wolves to New Jersey to wear, came on stage. Players introduction time!”

I do hope that the Southern Kings players get paid before Christmas.

Beyond that, I’d like to see all three expansion teams start the season strongly – though in the case of Los Jaguares and their near-international squad, that’s not likely to be an issue.

Weak South African groups providing a rails-run through for the top handful of teams is a definite concern, and on this it’d be great to be wrong.

I said last year that I wanted two Australian teams in the playoffs, and four strong teams overall, and that I didn’t care which two and four. That remains the case for 2016, please Christmas fairies.

I do hope that the Western Force can find some attack under the Christmas tree on Friday, while I’d love to see Queensland back on track sooner rather than later – or make a call on a change of coach well before another season is lost. And if the Melbourne Rebels can build on their promise shown this year, well, that’d be bloody tops.

I’d really love for the New Zealand conference to implode into mediocrity after the great exodus, but experience tells me that won’t be the case. So in lieu, it’d be good if they just keep taking points off each other.

I’d like the Wallabies’ regeneration to be smooth, too, and for Michael Cheika to use ‘Giteau’s Law’ as a luxury item rather than a selection blueprint.

Priority wish number two: that the Bledisloe drought ends.

Trade offer: the Eden Park hoodoo can remain, if that’s what it costs.

Away from my regular beat
I’d still like to stop referring to my golf game as ‘annual’. On golf, let’s see Adam Scott’s short putter fire, and for he and Jason Day to keep pushing the top spots on the PGA rankings.

I’d like Nick Kyrgios to learn some damn humility, and for the world to just give Mick Fanning a break – he went through enough in 2015.

Can we see the Jarryd Hayne saga to sort itself out one way or the other? Just that we can end the ridiculous Australian cheer-porting like, “Pressure has been mounting on the 49ers’ coaching staff and management to reinstate Hayne in the 53-man squad.” Please.

In the NRL, I’d like to see… Um… Newcastle take the title? Pretty sure it’s their turn again. And I’d love for Geoff Toovey to be appointed to the video referee panel – either as a ref, or as an investigaaaa-tor. Entertainment either way.

In the AFL, seeing Hawthorn fire through to a fifth straight ‘granny’ and take a fourth straight title would be great. I’m not even a Hawks fan, but gee they’re a wonderful team to watch.

Beyond all this, I’ll settle for a couple of quiet beers on Christmas Day, and another couple on Boxing Day after what has been a massive year in sport.

Thanks to everyone who read, discussed, shared, misinterpreted, and deconstructed my columns this year.

All the very best for Christmas and the New Year, and I hope as much of your sporting wish list gets crossed off as mine. Safe travels if you’re on the roads.