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A look at the funny side of sport. Mostly
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I write for a living. Have done, in one way or another, for more than 30 years. Yet there are days when I can…
The biggest Olympic stories of the past 24 hours have involved the off-field antics of US swimmer Ryan Lochte and the arrest of a…
After two full blingless days, our sailors have got the Australian medal tally ticking over again, bless their soggy cotton socks. Tom Burton had…
The crowd sentiment was clear. They all wanted Bolt to win. And if he couldn’t, anyone but Cheaty McCheatface. Before the race, Bolt was…
It’s because of Cathy Freeman that I love the men’s 10,000 metres. Not that she competed in it. Wrong gender for a start. And…
The 1,500 metres showdown between Mack Horton and drug cheat Sun Yang is not to be. The self-proclaimed King, Sun Yang bombed out in…
For the first 85 metres of the 100 metres freestyle final, Kyle Chalmers swam in invisibility togs. No one could see him. The commentators…
It may not be as bad as Guanabara Bay but something is clearly not right with the Olympic diving pool. Athletes and spectators looked…
There’s one in every crowd. The killjoy hell-bent on dampening everyone’s enthusiasm. So as Australia celebrated its gold medal win in the women's rugby…
As Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett will tell you, comebacks are hard. So it's a big deal Michael Phelps is at the Rio Olympics…
One of the best things about the Olympics is the blubbing, especially when the sooky la-la is a villain getting their comeuppance. I'm talking…
The Olympics opening ceremony is an opportunity for the host city to showcase those things that set it apart. So Rio's extravaganza will feature…
Rio's Olympic organisers thought they'd seen the worst that circumstances could throw at them. Then they came face-to-face with Kitty Chiller. Australia's chef de…
The big question for me this week has been: is there a bigger plonker on the planet than Eddie McGuire? Turns out there is.…
We’d barely recovered from the sight of former Aussie prime minister Kevin Rudd eating his ear wax on a lazy day in Parliament. Then…
You're an Olympic champion keen to defend your title. But you're worried the Zika virus might harm your future procreation plans. What do you…
It was a week for throwing away certain victories, Dutch cyclist Steven Kruijswijk most of all. Three minutes in front going into the final…
Donald Trump tried to be nice to someone this week. It went spectacularly wrong. Trying to thank Colin Montgomerie for playing at one of…
When it comes to doping, the Russians make Lance Armstrong look like a weekend pill popper. As the World Anti-Doping Agency decides whether Russia…
Brazil’s economy is tanking more than Bernie Tomic, the country’s infested with Zika-bearing mozzies, the water’s putrid and a stack of Olympics-related construction won’t…
See what you started, Tenko? Great piece and welcome to The Roar community. Please write more.
Horse racing is dangerous and sometimes tragic: Here's why
I loved the Fitz article and agree with him on soccer/football too. But you make some compelling points as well. And we do have a habit in Australia of regulating things at the drop of a hat.
The thing is we don’t fully know the risks. Only now is there being research done on the long-term implications of repeated knocks to the head. Deakin University is doing a world first study on former footballers, most now aged in their 50s, and every one of them has brain damage.
Football codes have some big problems here. This is sport’s equivalent of tobacco. Even if players choose to play on after a knock, the codes are open to litigation down the track.
Choices and consequences should stay in the hands of individuals
Absolutely. I reckon bicycle boxing could take off as a sport.
Watching sport through a Bachelor filter
Thanks DaniE! There are more of us out there than we realise.
An unexpected podium finish
Good stuff, Mary. Erin Molan knows her stuff and more than holds her own on The Footy Show. I admire her for leaping into what must be, at times, a difficult role.
Erin Molan: Haters gonna hate
Sold! One Irish golfer to Patricia, with pre-approval from her dad. Congratulations. Go get him!
Wanted: A girlfriend for Rory McIlroy
I agree the story has dragged on for too long but it seems to have a perfect storm of ingredients – embattled coach, club in trouble, tensions between players and management, star player under siege, confidences betrayed – that ensures it’s longevity. Now we’ve heard from Farah, everyone should be able to get back to playing footy.
The Robbie Farah-Gorden Tallis dispute is a bore
No, it’s a tricky one. But part of me thinks the financial implications shouldn’t really be a consideration. It’d just be nice to see a proper penalty handed down. That would make one hell of a statement!
The weasel words of domestic violence
That’s a good point, mushi. I hadn’t thought of that.
The weasel words of domestic violence
In the short time I’ve been on The Roar, you’re one of the writers I’ve most enjoyed reading. Congratulations on the new gig and good luck.
The Waratahs' trajectory and my own life
You got me, Rich_uk. We’re so desperately insecure here in paradise. Enjoy the cricket.
The Commonwealth Games: Australia's all-you-can-eat buffet
Just let us know when you’ve finished with our Aussie coaches.
The Commonwealth Games: Australia's all-you-can-eat buffet
Lighten up, lads. It’s satire.
The Commonwealth Games: Australia's all-you-can-eat buffet
Having been raised on the northern beaches, I have long bled maroon. It’s great you’re seeing the light, Kris. They all do in the end.
That awkward moment when it's difficult to hate Manly
“…has never fully faced up to the consequences.” I agree, Phast Phil. The defence that everyone else was doping doesn’t wash with me. Armstrong didn’t just dope, he made it a team dynamic and he bullied anyone who dared to question his integrity. He put a lot of honest people through hell. He was litigious, vicious in his condemnation of others and, at the end of the day, he knew what he was doing was wrong because he covered it up for so long. So, Robbie and delbeato, I can’t go along with the scapegoat scenario because Armstrong took doping to a new level.
Reinstating Armstrong is a dopey idea
It’s incredible that Nick Cummins has been able to keep such a positive outlook on life with the serious health conditions affecting his father and two siblings. He loves that green and gold jersey but he’s putting his family first. He’s not just a top bloke but an honourable one as well.
Nick Cummins leaves Western Force and Aussie Rugby
Couldn’t agree more, Chop. Tomic’s attitude has always been an issue, even before he broke through at the 2011 Wimbledon. He had to be dragged kicking and screaming to play Davis Cup, picked a stupid fight with Lleyton Hewitt, was at loggerheads with the most even tempered of blokes, Pat Rafter, and cracked it when his dad was banned from appearing court side after bashing one of Bernie’s practice partners! He clearly doesn’t spend enough time in the gym, which is why he’s having such a long stint in the repair shop.
Kyrgios on the other hand is very gracious, wished Raonic well for the rest of the tournament, says Kokkinakis is more talented than him and just seems altogether more grounded. Yes, time will tell if he can maintain this but already the signs are better than they were for Tomic at a similar stage.
Kyrgios, Tomic and the future of Australian tennis
I guess that’s the question everyone has, Justin. But the early signs are good. He didn’t make any excuses for his loss to Raonic, he says he has a lot of improving to do and he even claims his Aussie practice partners are better than he is! His family can take a lot of credit for his level headedness.
At last, a new Lleyton Hewitt emerges
Great game and great article. So proud of our boys. Couldn’t agree more with you about Foz – love the guy.
When 'what ifs' are all we have
I wonder if he does deep water diving to build his lung capacity for the commentary box. He would’ve been hyperventilating after the Spain-Netherlands game.
Socceroos never say die
Man up, Poms. Happens in baseball all the time and no one gets their panties in a wad.
Very enjoyable read, Geoff.
All tremble when the Mankad shows its claws
Let’s face it, the Aussie side is still rebuilding after the Waugh/Warne/McGrath/Gillie glory days. No one expected us to win in South Africa. That series victory perhaps papered over some of the team’s lingering weaknesses.
Loss to Pakistan hardly a disaster