These boots

I love you Serena Williams.

Shoaib takes a shower

Did I just hear correctly on the ABC radio coverage of the Melbourne Test that Shoaib has left the field to take a shower? Can you imagine Lillie or Thommo or even Warney, that great hunk of spunk, leaving the field to attend to their ablutions? Hell no. These blokes probably waited til the fifth day to take a shower. They probably took a slash on the field during drinks. Well, the first two probably did.

Bloody hell, Martyn's out.

Bluebags r us

Having recently moved to Newtown I have noticed the support the Newtown Jets seem to have around the joint. I was in a wonderfully old-fashioned pub tonight that displays photos of Jets greats and I noticed a sign that read "XX days til the next Jets game" (Sorry, can't remember the exact number, could be 96. The sign also mentioned Henson Park - for old-time Leaguies this will ring some bells).

In these days of franchised teams and corporatisation it is good to see some 'grass roots' support of a team. It seems so antiquated and yet endearing that this little pub holds true to its team, even though they now play in a rung below the top level of the sport. The Jets biggest moment was a loss. A loss to Parramatta in the '81 grand final. The club has immortalised this historic loss in a Gallipoli-like fashion. You can now buy shirts with '81' on the front.

There is a noticeable elevation of failure to winning among old-time League clubs. Souths are gallant losers, Newtown are legends, even if they play in the NSWRL First Division, West Tigers are never better than when they're losing valiantly at Leichhardt in front of 2000 people. I know the game is big on telly and I know the Jets and the Tiges and the Rabbitohs will never get the crowds of the likes of the Broncos and the Dogs but I have to admit that there is a sense of community, of the community owning the team, that doesn't filter through with the big teams. There is passion, even if it's only to glorify their defeats. Go you Jets.

Postscript: I may have to go next door and ask for an explanation - I just heard a whoop of joy when New Zealand scored their winning run in tonight's one-dayer. I'm sorry, that is just not on.

Postscript two: For my brother, Charles - the Jets have been known as such since 1973, before that they were the 'Bluebags'. I think I prefer the latter.

What the?

Am I in a parallel universe? Brett Lee is wearing a red ribbon this evening, presumably as it was World Aids Day recently. I have just settled down to watch a bit of cricket and as Brett Lee was celebrating his successful yorking of Chris Cairns I saw the red fluttering prominently on his chest.

Punching a hole in the Hookesy legend

This blog doesn't usually post anything even vaguely related to sport but the latest post is about the glorification of David Hookes after his death and asks some hard questions. Well worth a read but the recommendation comes with an extreme language warning.

What is this?

On the day Chris Sheil at Backpages decides to call it a day, Scott Wickstein at Ubersportingpundit is also throwing in the towel. Scott also wrote at Troppo (I think). He and I may not have been politically aligned but I would be the first to admit that Scott made an undeniably valuable contribution to the blogosphere. I hope he regains his enthusiasm in the new year.

Brains? Bah!

In the Fitz Files this weekend just gone was the following, absolutely wonderful, quote:

"It was boring, none of us liked it. There was nothing to do. There were hardly any pubs, no TABs. I'd rather be in Penrith ..." Luke Rooney, the Kangaroos winger on 2UE, after spending four miserable days in Prague with some of his teammates.

Now, I don't know about you but I believe I may be disappointed if the quote expressed any other sentiment. That's why we love our Leaguies, because they're BRAINLESS. What would league be like if it were different? I shudder to think. Admittedly, it's not just Leaguies. There's the legendary story of the English footballer who declined a visit to the Great Wall in China while on tour, claiming 'seen one wall, seen 'em all'. I think he preferred to stay in the hotel and play cards.

Let's face it though, if we found out our Leaguies had been visiting art galleries, picking up a few cheap second-hand-books, dropping into museums or dining in fine restaurants we'd be shocked and appalled. The inclusion of this quote in Fitz's column was just another Union bloke trying to put it over the Leaguies, to make us all poke fun at young Rooney. The thing is Fitzy, we expect nothing more and nothing less from these blokes, and I for one would be very upset should the status quo change.

First Rooters scandal of the season

So, the Sydney Rooters have been given two byes next season, both of which fall conveniently in the weeks before the two State of Origin matches. That's a bit presumptuous on the part of the ARL, I mean, NRL, isn't it? Why don't they just name the Origin teams now? Of course, they will say that it was pure coincidence that the byes are at rather conveninent times. Arse.

A-League blog

Ok, I have spent plenty of time bagging Australian soccer so it's perhaps time I did it a favour for once (never mind the 20-odd years I actually played and paid fees etc etc). I have been alerted to the existence of an A-League blog by Stephen via a comment. I am very happpy to give it a plug as I think it is a good sign if someone is willing to set up a blog about the fledgling comp. Perhaps a little passion may be developing...slowly. So I guess I should also get in on the act by saying COME ON SYDNEY F.C.! (Well, I live in Sydney so I figured they would be my team. And they have one of the less dorkier names).

Oh, this has also brought it to my attention that there is no way to contact Blogballer, should you so desire. Feel free to email me (and I'll pass it on if you want it to go to one of the other contributors) at heygeorgATgmail.com (just replace that AT with an @).

Vale Johnny Warren

Mr Football has succumbed to cancer. A moment's silence please.

A-League launch proves Australian soccer has no imagination

The new, improved, revamped, de-ethnicised Australian soccer leage was announced today. And why oh why am I feeling the need to pick the eyes out of it already? Maybe I was just born cynical but I can't say I'm feeling really optimistic about the latest reincarnation of the league. The teams are:

The eight participant clubs will be Adelaide United, Auckland Kingz, Queensland Lions, Central Coast Mariners from Gosford in NSW, Melbourne Victory, Newcastle United, Perth Glory and Sydney FC.

My first query is: two teams just north of Sydney? The Central Coast Mariners (Mariners?? Not a good start as any rugby league fan will know) and Newcastle United. Can the area support TWO teams? I would wonder if they could support one. Of course, I would love to be proved wrong.

Secondly, who thought up the gay names? Kingz was pretty bad but they can be excused, they're New Zealanders. The 'Victory'? Surely a mocker if ever I heard one. I'm still finding it hard to stomach the 'Glory'. I know John O'Neill has said this is not the Premier League (you got THAT right sunshine) but a little more imagination with the names wouldn't have gone astray. How can we ever dream to match it with the 'Terriers', the 'Addicks', the 'Toffees' or even the 'Posh'?

One good thing that I can see with the creation of this new league: NO NORTHERN SPIRIT!

Old Big 'ead dies

One of the most entertaining figures in English football, Brian Clough, has died. Clough was notoriously outspoken, so to mark his passing, some his memorable utterances:

"If I had an argument with a player we would sit down for twenty minutes, talk about it and then decide I was right."

"If God wanted us to play football in the air, then he would have built a pitch in the clouds."

"Manchester United in Brazil? I hope they all get bloody diarrhoea." (on ManU opting-out of the FA Cup to play in the World Club Championship).

"I can't even spell spaghetti never mind talk Italian. How could I tell an Italian to get the ball - he might grab mine."

"I like my women to be feminine, not sliding into tackles and covered in mud." (on women playing football)

"That Seaman is a handsome young man but he spends too much time looking in his mirror, rather than at the ball. You can't keep goal with hair like that."

Enough already

Is anyone else totally Thorpedoed out? Yes, the boy can swim, yes, he scrubs up pretty well, yes, he is so very nice to boot, but "functional energy waters"? What the fuck is that about? I have functional waters too but I don't generally bottle them and try to sell them to the public. The pearls were one thing but now the water, the food, and the promise of more:

"Different personalities have different interests. Fashion is one of my interests, food is one of my interests and I have a lot of other interests that people will see. Some may be surprised by them, some won't."

Thorpie, if only you would surprise us. Does anyone actually care what Thorpie's interests are, outside of swimming very fast, winning gold medals and making us glad he's on our team? Well, even if you were interested, would you buy something because it's an "interest" of Thorpie's? The last straw was that bloody wanky photo of him in the Sun Herald this weekend. Reading the SMH's Good Living whilst immaculately attired in some wanky restaurant, I almost forgot why he was famous in the first place.

Chance of fisticuffs foiled

What a disappointment! The Australia Olympic womens 8 rowing team has been given counselling ahead of the parade for athletes in Sydney today. Hands up who would have been mildly amused at the sight of a couple of chicks throwing punches as their car headed down George St? Seriously though, I find the level of counselling and general molly-coddling these women are receiving a tad hard to believe.

Update: My dreams almost came true. Apparently rower Catriona Oliver slapped Sally Robbins at an official Olympic function. The slap was across the shoulder so no face-slapping foxy-boxing style happened.

It's been a while

It's been a loooong time since I've posted on ye old Blogballer but I have been busy blogging elsewhere. So, a few comments on the weekend gone.

The Swans lost but that was predictable in a way, even though I would have loved to have seen them do St Kilda for a third time. Will Sydney ever reach the heady heights of 1996 when Plugger reigned and we really thought we could do it? (Damn you Wayne Carey! I'm glad you got caught in a dunny with your best mate's girl you swine) I am beginning to think that that was the Swans time and that nothing is going to bring back this fickle city, not even big, bad Bazza Hall.

The NRL. A weekend of upsets and how wonderful it was. I know many a tipper who refuses to punt on the Dogs, out of principle, including my mother. Well, you all got your wish with the Cowboys doing the Dogs. Let's just hope the NRL does the sensible thing and moves the Cowboys/Broncos match to Queensland. If this game really is about the fans then they will move it. Oh, and of course they'll be guaranteed a full stadium whereas the telly would have shown lots of empty green seats should the game have been played in Sydney. Not a good look.

And little Lleyton? Well as my colleague emailed me breathlessly: the little w**ker choked. Yes, he did. But how good is Federer? I know nothing about tennis, (well, I know more than some but it doesn't hold my interest), and I didn't watch the game but the scoreline? Little Lleyton hadn't dropped a set until the final and then it was gone in just 18 minutes. I would have liked him to win, even though he is a complete w**ker, but then again we all know what happened the last time he won the US Open. Sorry, that was a sick joke.

And finally, to my utmost love, Liverpool FC. Thanks to the argy-bargy between SBS and Foxtel I have not seen ONE SECOND of the new Premier League season. I am absolutely bereft. Liverpool have started in their wonderfully endearing inconsistent manner. The Arse STILL haven't lost and Chelsea are, as expected, sitting snugly just behind them. ManUre though are sitting 11th, 9 points behind the Arse. Wahay. This is all I need to know. But please, will someone please beat the Arse and not let them win again. It's just as tedious as ManU winning all the time. The way it stands I might be hoping they get up just to put a bit of spice in things...