Is the NSW Waratahs season now doomed?

It is no surprise that many are now AGAIN disappointed with another season of NSW's Super Rugby season. Although showing early signs of promise in earlier matches the Waratahs suffered another injury in the form of Drew Mitchell which could also have detrimental effects for the Australian Wallabies Rugby World Cup chances. Waratahs coach Chris Hickey put on a brave face and was sure his side can still be a finals contender despite the loss of Drew Mitchell for the rest of the season.

The international wing will miss the remainder of the campaign after dislocating his right ankle and fracturing a bone in his leg during Saturday night's 19-15 loss to the Reds. This game was an absolute cracker, though disappointing that it had a lot of focus on kicking penalties rather than fast paced try scoring action as has been seen this season by both sides. As we've mentioned before, the Queensland Reds seemed to have got their stuff together this year and put on a super season for fans, especially considering the years of disappointment suffered over the years for fans of the Reds.

Mitchell joins nine other players already unavailable for Hickey's side, but the coach is maintaining the Waratahs' depth has improved substantially since 2007, the year when a similar run of injuries led to a 13th-placed finish in the then 14-team competition.

Unfortunately, most people do not share the optimism of Mr Hickey about the prospects of finals hopes and we will probably see NSW Waratah's fans jump on the Reds bandwagon.

ANZAC Day Clash - AFL

With close to 90,000 fans attending the annual Essendon vs Collingwood ANZAC day clash it was little wonder that fans of both clubs and other spectators were greeted with a blockbuster that saw Essendon lose for the second year running despite being very close in the second half.

Having been down 29 points earlier in the first half, it was remarkable to see the lads get to an extremely close 1 point late in the third quarter with many thinking the Bombers could steal the show. Unfortunately, Collingwood proved why it was the reigning premiers and fought to held off the Dons in a remarkable show of defense across the 4th quarter to eventually take the game by 30 points, 107 to 77.

Had it not been for Cloke from the Magpies taking some cracker marks and converting them into goals it was clear that Collingwood's undefeated season was going to continue. Coach James Hird of Essendon said he was proud of the boys, but having now lost three games to very close margins it is clear that the pressure was getting to the team and that they needed to get back to basics.

Main Contender for Post Try celebration of the Year So Far.

Reds' Digby Ioane celebrates try in unique style (17/4)

Carney Out For Season

Tod Carney just doesn't learn.  I guess his only excuse is that he must have a medical problem as nobody could be this stupid.

As Roosters supporter it's tough to see the play-maker of your team sidelined for the season, but at the same time you have to ask?  How many chances does one person need?

Granted that in the scheme of things this offense is pretty minor, but to go out drinking in King Cross and not expect anyone to see you after the whole world know that you are in AA, are on a self imposed drinking ban and a ban issued by the club is just plain stupid.

The issue now is his team, The Roosters.  They haven't been playing well anyway, so this will just add to their issues.  So, as I called the season on the Tah's in my previous post, I call the season for last years grand finalist, The Sydney Roosters.  I cant see them going all the way this year.  In fact on current form they may not even make the top eight.

AFL - Another draw proves the tightness

In what seems to be the flavour of the 2011 AFL Premiership Season, another draw took place; the third of the season, this time between two of the oldest AFL Rivals of Carlton and Essendon and the match is impossible to not write about.

In what was not just a one-sided match up we saw the lead change hands an incredible SEVEN times throughout the match in what was a magnificent and pulsating final quarter.

In my opinion, the Blues could have gone further ahead at the half way mark after a goal by Simpson, but the run down that was chased by Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher (who is turning an un-heard of 36 years old whilst still playing at top level) who saved the goal.

Goals were shared evenly around the squad of Essendon with Jetta bagging 2, Lonergan 2 and 1 for Hurley Watson and Fletcher. On the Carlton side, Simpson bashed 3 through the two big sticks and Garlett, Laidler and Curnow scoring 1's each between others.

This weekend will see the Dons take on their ANZAC day nemesis Collingwood in what will surely be a jam-packed MCG stadium.

Hopefully we don't see the 4th draw of the season on the day.

The Reds are up, the Tahs are down.

How good are the Queensland Reds going?   I almost feel like swapping teams and supporting them.  Quad Cooper is presenting a master class in Rugby each week.  As for the Tah's its a totally different story.   They were pathetic against the Blues on the weekend.  New Melbourne Rebels recruit, Kurtly Beale,  certainly didn't show form in this game that would warrant a $1 million price tag to head south, but he had made the deal and off he will go next season.   As for this season I think, on this weekends performances, The Tah's are gone and the Reds are looking good for their first Super Rugby title.  As long as they keep their key players fit and they can secure a home finals birth they will be tough to stop.  But, a trip to SA or NZ could be an issue for them, as it is for all Aussie teams.  I say this knowing that QLD came away recently from SA with 2 wins from 2 starts, but finals is always a different story and you don't want to play the Bulls at home.   As a New South Welshman it pains me to say this, but go The REDS!

NZ Super Rugby - Crusaders sink Bulls

One match for the Round 8 Super Rugby that is worth writing home about had to be the Crusaders destroying the Bulls in a 27-0 defeat which left the bulls scoreless and very red faced.

Superstar Sonny Bill Williams scored after 14 minutes in what pleased the home crowd immensely. His 30m run and breaking the line had everyone on their feet and more and more excited about the youngster's Rugby World Cup debut in September, many are now calling him 'the X factor' in New Zealand's World Cup chances, hopefully shedding their label of being the 'chokers' of the international tournament.

Tries by Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Dagg and Tom Marshall never let the visiting South African's in with a glimpse of victory, nor points as they continue their stellar 2011 run.

Round 9 this week should see some great clashes, including the Crusaders vs. Chiefs, Blues vs Waratahs and one of the big Australian clashes between the Brumbies and Western Force. My tip will be for Crusaders, Blues and Brumbies to take the win from those games but as we know in Super Rugby this year, an upset is always on the cards.

Essendon pullout an upset over St. Kilda

In one of the upsets for 2011, Essendon Bombers stole a win from favourites St. Kilda Saints om a 52 point victory on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Essendon fans are now delighted at their team's now four match winning streak against the Saints while they never relinquished the leads from the get-go which set Essendon on a good path. Determined to forget the previous week's match against the Sydney Swans in which they lost the game by only a few points, the 'Dons made a strong case for why they could be a contender for the title in 2011.

Captain Jobe Watson led his side with a performance his Father (Essendon legend Joe Watson) would've been proud of. The young skipper picked up 32 possessions and also kicked himself three goals which gave the side an injection of confidence.

This loss now exposes the Saints as having a shaky start to 2011, with their worst start to a season since 2007, in which their coach Ross Lyon first took control of the squad.

What made matters worse was the fact St Kilda were celebrating Skipper Nick Riewoldt's 200th game and what a disappointment it was to the skipper. Riewoldt was quoted as saying 'It was a disappointing loss for the boys, whether or not it was my 200th game was irrelevant, we will continue our review of this season's performance and will be back to glory in no time at all'.

Essendon coach James Hird's fairly young side proved that experience is no match for fitness and accuracy in the goal kicking department with no more than 5 behinds in the first three quarters and a disappointing 10 points in the 4th quarter, though still impressive to St Kilda's 12 points in the 4th quarter, which is when they needed the most goals.

Essendon remains focused on its season ahead, and we will be most certainly looking forward to their annual ANZAC day match between Essendon and Collingwood which could shape up to be the finest in years, with both teams showing strong signs of form going into the day.

Manly vs Cronulla

I thought I would be a little tricky this week and put my bets on The Sharks as I had forgotten to put my tips on last week and I am already well behind the Eight Ball at the work tipping comp.

The Sharks were at home and I just had the feeling due to recent performances that they could pull off an upset and I would get points where others would not, as who tips the Sharks?  Nobody, that's who.

They started well and I was getting cocky by the end of the first half.  Infact I was verbally taunting people at work whilst the game was on.  I had this, what a masterstroke.  The Sharks were going to pull this off.

With about 10 minutes left Manly went in for a try.  No matter, they were still out of the game.  But then they went in again and converted.  They were only 1 point behind now.  This was starting to look bad.  The inevitable drop goal came and the scores were tied at full time.  It was going to golden point, and yes of course Manly were going to get 1st use of the football.

The try came not long after the restart to break The Sharks supporters hearts and my brilliant plan was left in tatters.

Ill never tip the Sharks again.  Useless

Manly steal win over Cronulla at the final siren (9/4)

Manly steal win over Cronulla at the final siren (9/4)

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This blog will focus on the winter sports through out Australia, with particular focus on NSW.

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