White Angels
January 2, 2008 3:37 amBy Oceanboy
Geoff Lawson has done a bit of a uturn. Good on him. Funny how actually getting a better first hand appreciation usually leads to better insight
Interesting, I always felt the angst touring perceived hotspots around the world was more than somewhat of a middle class exaggeration. In fact I put it down to racism in parts but I won’t use that word.
Everyday life is not presented through western media and the danger presented is not consistent with say walking through a mine fields as everyday media presentation would have us believe. This filtered version is responsible for the uninformed information particularly since western media doesn’t show everyday culture, all we hear are problems.
Cricketers were happy to board the plane to England during the time the IRA were letting off bombs. I bet you Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrest wouldn’t hesitate for one moment not touring England. Because they know their culture. It’s a purely ignorant and one at best based around prejudices.
If it’s a perception thing where people don’t trust black people in times of perceived crisis and if this same crisis were happening in white man’s land would this concern be the same? Clearly not. There wasn’t any noteworthy discussion about the Australia team returning home following the 2005 bombings. Nah mate everything’s sweet mate, were in England.
My view unless civil war breaks out or if it becomes dangerously unsafe to walk the streets as it would be for any everyday person (which it is not) then if fools like Andrew Symonds don’t declare themselves available for the Pakistan tour, as far I’m concerned he should never be allowed to play for Australia again. Maybe he can spend the time gossing with his white middle class folk how uncivilised those Pakistanis conduct themselves and how really scary the whole thing is.
Sports Video
December 23, 2007 11:46 pmFrom TheGrandstand
Why not? From TheGrandstand’s YouTube Channel our own compilation of sports accidents and bloopers. Approaching 150,000 downloads and favourited 800+ times. To the music of TISM.
Enjoy 
Is Vaughan really a good captain?
December 19, 2007 2:26 amBy The Park
You would have to question whether Vaughan really thinks about the game when he comes up with ideas like this. Or if he does, what the motivations and aims of the English cricket team are.
An emotional Test match honouring life and loss might not be the time to discuss money, but the England and Wales Cricket Board are proposing to pay players performance-related bonuses for double hundreds and seven-wicket hauls.
The idea came from England’s captain, Michael Vaughan, but has yet to be rubber-stamped by the ECB’s new chairman, Giles Clarke. Anyone reaching either target would now be paid £5,000 into their own pocket rather than the players’ pool, the traditional home for bonuses and prize money.
It smells of so many flavours of bad it is hard to know where to begin.
- Players are well paid, will €5000 really focus their efforts? Are they giving up because they don’t have enough money and they are distracted from going on in an innings or dismissing more atsmen because they are worried about their mortgage or the wife’s credit card bill?
- Is placing the individual over the team the correct approach to building a winning culture? I can imagine if Vaughan wants to declare with a batsman on 180, it could cause some friction or take off a bowler who has six wickets when the tailenders are in.
- Is this just scheme to get KP back in form?
- Do you want a team relying so much on individual performances? Surely the tailender that sticks round for two hours while the batsman at the other end gets his double century has performed as well as the batsman for the team?
- Vaughan thought of this while watching the Adelaide Test when Collingwood got 200 and Hoggard seven wickets. England lost. Both are good team men and both would prefer some teammate support, I am sure, to a cash bonus. Is it consolation money for playing for England? “Your good work will probably be wasted but here is something for your efforts.”
Abolish the NAB Cup
December 15, 2007 4:45 pmBy Rik E Boy
Seriously the NAB’s gotta go. The pre-season competition is an anachronism in the current game. The clubs are still going to play an internal trial and an external trial anyway so let’s piss off this competition that provides such a lukewarm start to the football season. A lukewarm start to the year that takes place while the NRL has already started playing its real rounds. The AFL is giving the NRL this free kick every season.
We should extend the draw by an extra four rounds to assist with the equalisation of the draw and at the same time deservedly knock Rugby League on its arse every March. The money that is awarded as prizemoney should be pumped into grassroots football and extra bums on seats during real football rounds in March is the the reward for the highest level of the game.
Not exactly rocket surgery is it my friends?
regards,
REB
Sports Video Of The Week - Henry Goal
December 8, 2007 3:09 pmArgentina Need A Home
December 2, 2007 6:40 pmBy I-be-after-e
While watching the Pumas beat Northampton 40-17 at Franklins Gardens last night on TV the commentators spent some time discussing Argentina’s plight of being unable to play as much international rugby as they would like. I agree it was a shame that such as side had not yet been welcomed into either the Southern Hemisphere’s Tri-Nations or perhaps the North’s Six Nations equivalent.
Four or five years ago the Five Nations Championship was increased to Six to bring in an improving Italian side. Since then this team has improved year on year. They have some way to go but are a considerably better side for their inclusion.
Argentina, on the other hand have remained in the wilderness even though they are a much better all round team than Italy. Just like Italy they have no real competitive league structure in their home country so most of their players now play in Europe with their two top players, Pichot and Contepomi playing in Ireland. The location of their players therefore suggest being welcomed into a Seven Nations tournament would suit them best. Problem with this is that it would create a competition where teams are expected to play 6 international fixtures in 6 weeks. A bit much considering it would be within a very heavy domestic season.
Maybe the solution is for the Tri Nations to incorporate them. They are a Southern hemisphere team after all.
Wherever they go they need to go somewhere. Being forced to play club sides like Northampton Saints because no International opposition, of good standard is available is totally unfair on Argentina.
Sports Video Of The Week - Katate Expert!!
December 1, 2007 2:32 amSports Video Of The Week - Extreme Ping Pong
November 21, 2007 1:34 amFrom TheGrandstand
I dont know if this is staged or not. Either way a pretty amazing table tennis rally!
Enjoy
Brookie Forever
November 17, 2007 12:53 amBy eb
Is Manly the best team in NSW with the worst home ground?
Brookvale Oval is a mecca to Sea Eagles fans. It has an atmosphere and character that is unique in the NRL of 2007 where many teams are opting for soulless giant stadiums and abandoning suburban grounds.
Since moving to the Riverina I have not had the opportunity to visit Brookvale for a Manly home match, though about 7 years ago I was a regular. I love that ground. It is saturated with history and Sea Eagle tradition. My father first took me there as a very young kid and I still have the autograph book with the names Fulton, Randall, Eadie, Krilich throughout. Though unfortunately Brookvale is also becoming an eyesore, rundown and… yes neglected by those who own it Warringah Council.
After the dissapointment of the joint venture with North Sydney, and the bitter feeling that has left on both sides, Manly is seriously looking at relocation to the Central Coast unless Brookie has some serious money spent on it.
Manly CEO Grant Mayer confirmed,
There is an attractive financial commitment for any club to permanently move to the Central Coast. This option is our last option. The owners, board and entire management team want to remain at Brookvale long term, but the reality is Brookvale Oval cannot support the needs of the club or the community in its current state.
As a community asset Brookval Oval cannot even attract private investment due to zoning restrictions. It no longer complies with OH&S requirements and cannot adequately cater for disabled patrons. The lack of undercover seating and corporate facilities is becoming an embarrassment for the Sea Eagles.
Chairman and joint owner Scott Penn explains.
Brookvale is the priority for both the Delmege and Penn families. We want Manly to be in the NRL, we want Manly to be competitive in the NRL, we want Manly to win the NRL but for too many years now other NRL clubs have received millions in Government funding while Brookvale Oval crumbles before our very eyes,
What an absurd situation! The Sea Eagles pay $400,000 a year for the use of the ground, while other teams train and play for free at venues like Telstra Stadium and the SFS. Leichhardt Oval has $11 million in campaign promises for only 3 games per year!
The Central Coast Sea Eagles… 
it will be a dagger in the heart of Manly fans if it ever becomes a reality. Fans who have been through some lean times in recent years, who faced the very real prospect of losing their team permanently.
In many ways rugby league lost its soul during the Super League war, yer it has crawled back and the NRL Premiership has produced some fine football in recent years and a strong competition. But what made league great is its “tribal” nature… the suburban grounds… the local derbys. How many teams can call Telstra Stadium “home”?
The Sea Eagles are holding a rally on Wednesday the 21st of November calling it “Brookie Forever” and urging all fans to get along to the Oval and send a message to Warringah Council and Government representatives at all levels.
