We are being ambushed with old images. Hairy ODIs and sun-drenched Kooyong. Promoters love nostalgia. It can be interesting some times to reflect on what change has slipped by during your lifetime. Often it is quite difficult to recall where and when it came about. Who was last to “turn out the lights”? Who did [Read more]

As South Australia demolished the Bushrangers at Adelaide Oval in their “BIG BASH”, I posed to Tom – what has the greater bearing on a game’s outcome; the toss or home ground advantage? He plumped for the local “dung heap”. The stats don’t support him. Whilst only half of the home sides have won thus [Read more]

Geelong and St.Kilda, as usual, saw it differently. Whilst the Cats used “expert consultants” to appoint the low-profile Tom Harley, Grant Thomas declared an annual rotation of figureheads at Linton St in a bid to spread the load. In an era of leadership groups, specialist coaches, shrinks and mentors, the question of captaincy remains vexed. [Read more]

Wow! What a backlash. The Aussies were ridiculously short odds in early markets (I laid them at $1.62 for the series) and it now seems the early Tests have generated shockwaves across all cricketing circles…so much so that, in my normal “counter-balancing” way, I now feel compelled to pump up their chances. So let’s (overlooking [Read more]

by Chris Riordan A counterpoint to last week’s Q. Last week we established that many “athletes” don’t necessarily cut it as sportsmen. This week I want to celebrate – and with my physique, believe – that being “cut” is not necessarily the criteria for success. I’m piecing together an Aussie XI and need help with [Read more]

Sport, of course, is simply a grading phase en route to the ultimate fame game – the media. Warnie, mostly unencumbered now by actually playing anything other than cards, can spread his wisdom across both our dailies, with TV, radio, twitter and other outlets all breathless for a grab. Tim Watson (newsreader, breakfast radio host [Read more]

by Chris Riordan   For the thousandth time in the week, a girl wobbled on impossible heels and procrastinated over what horse to back. Improbably, she eventually chose “NO HESITATION”, causing me to splutter in to my Bookies bag. “You shoulda seen me choosing my shoes this morning!”, she laughed.   Decisions, decisions…   Yesterday [Read more]

Chances are that you’ve either chucked out the razor and/or got an inbox clogged with sponsorship requests. As a Movember tribute, let’s highlight some notable growths and maybe put together some teams and lists. No Arantxa Sanchez gags please! crio

So You Think has trampled on our old truisms for a hot Cup fav…just 11 starts and none beyond a mile and a quarter – but 2 Cox Plates and five times unbeaten this prep are irresistible credentials. To beat him, punters are plumping for Maluckyday, a Hawkesbury maiden winner in March, having his 9th [Read more]

It runs in the family! Though urban myth insists that Nellie Melba’s sister couldn’t whistle, evidence suggests there’s something in a gene pool. No sooner had another progeny of High Chaparral pocketed a Gr1 (Descarado, trained by Gai Waterhouse, daughter of legend T J Smith), than news reached me that Chris (brother of Brad) Scott was to be appointed [Read more]

As the Dogs tried to break the Saints in their recent semi, Kosi seemed to lend a hand, smashing in to Riewoldt who crashed, stunned, to the turf. Here, it seemed, was the moment. Instead, the great #12 dusted himself off and set about winning the match. Last week, as the Aussies turned the screws [Read more]