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Joined April 2012
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Love the Swans, love my cricket. Favourite players would be Brett Kirk, Shane Warne and Mark Waugh.
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There has been a lot made of the Geelong Cats' chances, or lack thereof, of defending their flag come the last Saturday in September.…
I have to agree with The Silent Progressor. My first three bowlers picked are Siddle, Bird and Pattinson, with Starc and Johnson my next two. I have been a big Johnson critic, and I am still nowhere near sold on his bowling but his batting could be crucial in England.
For me, at the moment, the English and Australian first picked sides are relatively equal on the bowling front (except Swann and Lyon), however, they’re batting is far more settled and as much as it pains me to say, simply better. Unless Starc performs above expectations with the bat in India, Johnson may get the nod in front of Starc for England if the selectors decide to go with a left-armer.
With all of this in mind, I think Australia is far better placed to replace their bowling stocks if a couple go down, which over the duration of 10 Tests is highly likely. Hopefully, Jimmy Anderson can take a page from Pigeon’s playbook and stand on a cricket ball before the start of play (preferably before Day One of the First Test).
Is there a place for Hilfenhaus and Harris in the Ashes squad?
Huss should be captain. I agree with the previous comments that Watson doesn’t need something else to worry about, as well as he lacks leadership qualities. I also think that it would be a deserved feather in the cap for Hussey, who since his debut has done nothing but epitomise what the Baggy Green is all about (much the same as Siddle).
My opinion on Siddle though is much the same as Sideline Commentator’s, he’d probably want to bowl himself all day (not selfishly, just that’s what he would want to do for the team). Let Siddle be a bowler, and let Huss lead his country on Boxing Day.
Saddle up, Captain Siddle?
Superb article Ryan, I couldn’t agree more. Even if you are wrong and Ponting does come out and retire, you can bet your bottom dollar it is because he has got the old tap on the shoulder, even then I don’t think he’d retire.
He truly is a legend of the game, and I hope he holds on to his spot until the Ashes in England next year as he will want to win over there more than anyone. This alone will be a huge advantage to the side, and when you take into account his stubborness, I wouldn’t mind having a little on him to be the leading run scorer over there. Fingers crossed he can chalk up a few scores in the next month or so to ensure his spot on the plane to Heathrow.
It’s Ricky Ponting’s job to score runs, not retire
Great article Spiro. I am so sick of the media constantly writing off the Wallabies. I also find it incredible how much anti-Waratah sentiment there is in NSW. Personally, I love the Wallabies, however, the vast numbers of Waratahs’ supporters who year after year bag their own team make me dislike the club a great deal.
Back to the important stuff though, a great win for the Wallabies and another good win for Deans.
SPIRO: The big W(in) is back in the name of the 2012 Wallabies
e will adapt and learn to love it just like we do now because at the end of the day, it is the AFL Grand Final and it is the best day of the year!
AFL Grand Final: Shift to night match would be terrible for fans
“I love grand final day more than Christmas Day – even when my beloved Hawks lose.” I love Christmas but I feel the exact same way, even more so this year as my beloved Swannies took home the biccies… sorry mate.
I feel as though it is inevitable that one day it will move to a night GF. As mentioned by another Roarer above, advertising revenue will increase and at the end of the day, money is power. I really hope that I am wrong but in years to come, the night GF will become the ‘institution’ that the day game is now. W
AFL Grand Final: Shift to night match would be terrible for fans
I can’t see the Crows winning but I can see them getting a lot closer than the bookies reckon. They play hard and contested footy and will surely take this up a notch with what is on the line today, their problem is that Hawthorn will too… and then some. The only way the Crows can win if they get quick ball going forward and give Tex, Tippet, Porplyza and co the chance to outmuscle the much smaller Hawks back 6. I just can’t see this happening though with the numerous tough nuts the Hawks have in the middle of the ground. Expect Lewis and Sewell to throw their bodies at contests as though they are made out of rubber and make sure every disposal the Adelaide midfield get they well and truly earn.
I think it will be pretty close until 3/4 time but the Hawks to take home the biccies after their week off and their class prevailing in the last term.
Can Adelaide really beat Hawthorn?
I agree with Hawks9108, I think the two teams they should be most nervous about are us and the Weagles. For my sake I hope it is us. Great article Michael, made me super excited for the enxt few weeks.
GO BLOODS!!
Can anyone actually beat Hawthorn?
As we all know anything can happen in Finals Footy, and as numerous coaches/players/commentators have said all year the difference between the teams is far smaller than in previous years. As the results all year have shown if one team is even 10% off their best, nearly anyone can beat anyone, so if the Crows do make it the Granny, they could definitely pull off one of the biggest premiership coups probably since their flag in ’98.
In saying this though, at their best (and taking into consideration where the Finals will be played in coming weeks) I still have all clubs bar Freo and Nth in front of them to be celebrating on the last Saturday in September. Being a Swans supporter I hope the Crows get knocked over this week!
Do Adelaide have what it takes to win the flag?
Couldn’t agree more Michael. I thought Buddy’s impromptu interview yesterday after the Hawks’ training was brilliant. He was honest, laid back and hopefully got through to all of those people out there who started/supported this rumour. Being a Swans fan, but also having a soft spot for Buddy (and also maybe having invested a fair bit on him earlier in the season to win the Coleman), I hope he kicks 10 this week in a losing side.
Talking about something you know nothing about? You Buddy idiot
Love the idea, but as Brett points out, it definitely won’t be happening any time soon. Look at the AFL, they have a far bigger audience (in Australia that is) and they change their start times every year almost so it is geared towards TV. As a viewer I love this, as biltongbek clearly does as well with his Super Rugby, but more importantly the corporates love it more and that is the bottom line.
What about a Super Rugby Super Round?
Rabbitz, cheer up mate. The Sydney Games was two of the best weeks of my life and I was 12 at the time. I’m now over in London and am so bloody excited for the Games to start in less than 24 hours. Good article hamleyn, I hope your wrong about the 5 gold though, fingers crossed for 7 or 8!!
What if the Olympics were held in Australia this year?
Get him away from my Test team, stuff his ‘potential’. He is 31, he has had his chance, time to show him the door was a few years ago bu now he should be pushed out of it and told to never come back. And as for someone leading the attack, how about Siddle? He led us superbly all Summer.
Johnson to really step up this summer
Thank you Proteas for knocking off the Poms, there really is nothing better than seeing the Poms being towelled up. Also, David, couldn’t agree more about Ernie being the most loved player on tour, he is a legend. Great article. Now let’s hope the Proteas can back it up in the 2nd Test!!
Cricket, golf ... South African sport on a roll
Couldn’t agree more Spiro, supporters are biased and always will be. Referees integrity should not be allowed to be questioned by putting them there to begin with.
SANZAR has the finals referees right - or do they?
I agree Michael, best thing Collingwood could have done. Clearly there will still be speculation for the remainder of the year about where he will go next year/stay at the Pies, however, they couldn’t have down much else. I hope for the sake of the rest of the nation it still does prove a distraction for the club and the playing group and it contributes to them not winning the premiership….fingers crossed!!
Collingwood should have cut Cloke talks sooner
Give the blokes a break Harry. I’m not sure how often you write on The Roar, but the GWS bashing has been done to death. These losses will steel this playing group in years to come and be the basis for what could and should be a very successful team in the future.
Pavlich the hero as Dockers pound GWS
Can’t wait to be called swannies0512 come October!! Go you good things.
Here's to the Swans winning the flag
Agreed Lroy, I don’t agree with anything in this article. I agree with an earlier comment about Vic sides complaining about 2 trips to Perth is evidence that travel is most definitely a factor.
Glen Jakovich has said for years that the flying takes its tolls on players, and the Victorian population just don’t appreciate how big this toll is. Not too sure about you Vanilla Gorilla but getting on the midnight horror back to Perth after flogging myself on the footy field for 2.5 hours isn’t my idea of the best way to recover, I’d much prefer to drive back Southbank for dinner then walk home.
As for their finishing positions ‘disproving’ the ‘travel myth’, they should act as evidence of West Coast being a truly champion club. As much as I hate to say it, West Coast’s achievement of 3 premierships since their inception in 1987, the equal best along with Brisbane in the same period, is fantastic.
Anyway, hated the article but if it aimed to stir up some conversation, then mission accomplished.
The AFL travel myth
Bit of an odd article. Each round there are ‘blockbusters’ at the moment. The amount of ‘8 point’ games coming up is amazing, I think this season will last in many people’s memories for a long time primarily because so many supporters will be able to say “What if…” or “If only (insert name here) had kicked that goal…” about their clubs.
The evenness of the competition is exactly why this season WILL live long in the memory.
Why this AFL season may not live long in the memory
Superb article Vince. I was appalled when North had to wear that terrible “powder blue” strip as well, just to appease those bloody Pies. On the Essendon clash jersey I actually think it is a great design and looks really good BUT watching their game on the weekend against the Saints I thought it quite difficult to distinguish the two sides so not too sure if it actually achieves its purpose. I like your idea of the red jersey with black slash, would look good. It beats me how the AFL deems red as a “dark colour” but allows for the grey to be used in their game against the Saints.
Demetriou, it's time to harden up on clash jumpers
Being a Swans member for almost twenty years now I have never known the story in this much detail, so thank you Wookie. Was a great read. Hopefully the boys can post another 4 points tomorrow afternoon. GO BLOODS
Revisiting the South Melbourne to Sydney saga
Johnno, you are great. The Roar should upgrade you to Expert straight away. Truer words have never been spoken.
How I would fix Australian rugby: improve the pathways
I have no doubt that we will win at least one of the remaining two games but still, great news the Poms can’t go to one in the world. GREAT NEWS
Third Aust-England one-dayer rained out
I am personally not a Tomic fan. Anyone who gets up Rafter and Roche (especially when they are hois coach/captain or whatever you want to call them) doesn’t deserve much respect in my book.
Jdubya’s earlier comment, “His personality has nothing to do with what he does on court as tennis isn’t a team sport”, I feel is just plain wrong. People’s personality can have a lot to do with how they perform on the sporting field. I’m not going to wheel out examples of professional sportspeople here because I simply don’t know enough of them, but anyone who has played sport can attest to people’s personalities playing a role in how they perform.
Just because he is Australian does not mean we have to support him… the respect has to be earnt first.
Can Tomic haters move on?