With the recent surge in cases of Covid-19 in Victoria the AFL is faced with a mammoth task to keep the 2020 AFL season on an even keel.
The Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions have started the season in fine style and their fans will be any relocations will not upset their apple cart.
In the NRL things are travelling a little smoother from a head office perspective.
Queensland officially have their fourth team, the Melbourne Storm taking up residence in their new digs at the Sunshine Coast has confirmed what many have been saying about the Queensland Storm for years (probably jealous). I cannot image that it is a prospect that was too daunting for players and in some cases their families.
Weighing up a Melbourne winter as opposed to winter on the Sunshine Coast and I know which most of us would jump at .
Of course the elephant in the room as far as Rugby League in Queensland is concerned is the abysmal performance of the Brisbane Broncos.
Just when you expect things cannot get any worse they simply find a way to make their next performance worse than the last.
Surely last week’s drubbing by the Titans must be the absolute low point. Everyone from former Broncos’ legends to the punter in the street and the wise judges in between have an opinion on what is wrong.
Is it the Coach, the Board, the CEO, the players, the conditioning staff, the recruitment team or the coffee shop operators. Beats me but I do know as a Bronco’s supporter, it is a tough time and I am not filled with confidence that things will turn around quickly.
Whether you are a rabid supporter or not, I think most people want to see the players putting in and having a go. It’s the Queensland way.
Some criticisms have been a harsh, some well deserved and on the money. I don’t think there is one person or group at fault and I don’t think it is an easy fix.
There seems there is no love or passion for the jersey in the way we have associated with Broncos in the past. Is this a symptom of the way the modern game is developing. I hope not.
Call me mad, but I’ll stick with the Broncos again this week against a Warriors side who deserve a far better rub of the green than they are getting at the moment. Things will be tough for the Broncos this week. I reckon after the Warrior’s lacklustre performance last week their new coach Todd Payten will have spelled out a few home truths for his players.
In the meantime, I heard one wag suggesting Paul White, Karl Morris and Anthony Seibold approach Peter V’Landy’s. Sign up the man and get him to throw on a Broncos’ jersey because, “V’Landy’s can fix anything“. Sadly, I fear not even his Midas touch could fix this mess.
Casey
NRL ROUND EIGHT TIPS
Storm
Raiders
Eels
Sharks
Broncos (the men in the little white coats will be along shortly to get me)
Panthers
Knights
Rabbitohs
GREAT RESULT FOR WOMEN’S SPORT
Women’s Football and women’s sport will receive a huge shot in the arm following the announcement by the FIFA Council that the Aussie and Kiwi Trans Tasman bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup was successful.
There were tears of joy from players and fans as social distancing among officials was forgotten in the historic moment.
Matilda’s captain, Sam Kerr said it all in her simple tweet. “We did it.“
The tournament will take place between July 10 to August 10, 2023. The games will likely be played in 13 stadiums in 12 cities across Australia and New Zealand. The final say on venues of course is a decision for FIFA but it is worth noting all of the proposed stadiums stood up well against the FIFA criteria.
With three years until kick off, there will be plenty of water passing under the bridge before a ball is kicked. If the Women’s T20 World Cup is anything to go by there is sure to be a spike in Women’s Football and a further strengthening of women’s sport in this country.
Australia will spend the next three years preparing for its chance on its biggest stage and for the Matilda’s and their captain kick off can’t come soon enough.
LIONS READY TO ROAR
Noosa Lions have confirmed the start dates for all 2020 competitions.
July 10: The Premier Women, Premier Reserve Women and Senior Friday night Competitive teams.
July 11: Minroos, Junior Competitive, Premier Men and Premier Reserve Men.
If you haven’t yet registered for season visit bit.ly/PlayFootball2020
Training for the junior players will continue during the holiday break in preparation for the start of the season.. Please check with individual coaches for any changes to your schedule.
Meanwhile Junior players have enjoyed the Noosa Football Academy’s Four Day Winter holiday programme which has been running since Monday and finishes today.
CAMPDRAFTERS CORRALLED
Campdraft enthusiasts are another group to see their sport put on ice in 2020. The Australian Campdrafting Association is considering a phased approach to the lifting of restrictions across the country however with the restrictions on numbers attending an event still in place in Queensland there looks little likelihood of a return to competition in Queensland in the near future. ACA remains positive and the governing body is still promoting the ACA 2020 National Finals Campdraft, scheduled to be held in Nebo from September 29 to October 2 2020.
The ACA expect the Northern Territory will be the first place to see the recommencement of Campdrafts in 2020.
The ACA Office Team have returned to their office in Roma, and are available during normal business hours. The team can be contacted at 07 4622 3110 or by email aca@campdraft.com.au
As Campdraft competitions are reliant on crossing borders not much can happen until the border travel restrictions are lifted.
WEATHER SCUPPERS OPENING 17TH HOLE
Officials of the Noosa Golf Club planned to have the 17th hole would be back in play for the resumption of the regular comepitition programme last weekend. Unfortunately like the best laid plans of mice and men, following more wet weather the Course Superintendent asked to keep the hole closed for another week. This will give the new growth more time to become better established before being subjected to heavy foot traffic. Barring unforeseen circumstances the 17th hole will be back in play this Saturday July 4.
The Committee wish to thanks all members for their efforts to preserve the course by not driving buggies through the muddy areas on the fairways and for also filling their own and other’s divots .
Club Captain, Bob Upham, has done a wonderful job to maintain a programme of competitions through very difficult and unusual times. He also has been coming in daily close those competitions.
Golfers are reminded that although the regular competition programme has resumed, social distancing requirements are still in place throughout the Club.
In the Mixed Foursomes played last Sunday. Live Dolan and Rick Coneybear returned the best Gross Score of 129. In second place were Jennifer Eborall and Michael Newman (134).
The Best Nett Score of (111.5) in the A Grade competition was returned by the Michael Newman and Jennifer Eborall. Not too far behind them in the runners up position was the pairing of Bradly Graham and Bettina Hammant with a score of 119.
In the B Grade Nett, honours went to James McKean and Christine Baker (110.5). runners up were Ben Joseph and Lisa Joseph (112.75)
FROM BAD LAD TO CAPTAIN
While the hunt for a new CEO for Cricket Australia rumbles along in the old dart England’s talisman Ben Stokes is poised to make the transition from bad boy to captain of the English Cricket team.
He is set to lead the team in the first test against West Indies on July 8 with captain Joe Root likely to miss the game to attend the birth of his second child.
The all-rounder said in a recent press conference that although it would be a huge honour to be able to say you had captained England even once, he had never really given the captaincy a great deal of thought. He said he will relish the opportunity should it arise but knows he will only be warning the seat until Joe Root returns.
Once the bad lad of English cricket, Stokes has matured since those early undisciplined days and was an inspirational vice captain and integral part of England’s World Cup winning side last year.
