Too many meaningless games

I have never represented my country in the Green & Gold on the sporting field but I have been around elite sport enough to know it must certainly be the greatest honour imaginable to a sportsperson.

Pulling on any National uniform that bares the Coat of Arms, Southern Cross or word Australia should always bring a sense of pride and belonging.

If you're in that uniform it should mean a lot.

But unfortunately, when it comes to modern cricket, many of the games in which those green and gold clad players take the field mean nothing to the rest of us.

Sure The Ashes, or pretty much any Test for that matter, command and receive the respect they deserve. And in the one day arena, or even Twenty20, the World Cup(s) and Champions Trophy are a big deal.

But that's about where it stops these days. Maybe a three-five game series against a touring team is warranted but that's surely it.

Playing a meaningless one day series against India for instance (as is currently taking place) or SEVEN one day matches against England at the end of a three month Tour is really pushing the friendship.

Even the most ardent of cricket fans must agree that it cheapens the experience and lessens the importance of the bigger matches and tournaments when upwards of 25 guys play for Australia each year and what seems like every month our side is playing in a one day series somewhere around the globe.

The reason is obviously revenue delivered by ticket sales and more still, by TV rights, especially in India. I get that.

But should we be playing games that, despite the fact we all want Australia to win, we couldnt really give a rats if they don't?

LOVETT'S NEW EYES PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

When the action gets underway in the Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge at Sydney’s Curl Curl beach this Friday all those entered will be happy to be out of the office, in the water and doing what they love most – surfing.

Happiest of all will no doubt be former world top ten surfer Richie Lovett - not because Lovett doesn’t enjoy working but because he is able to compete at all.

When the affable northern beaches local paddles out to surf for his team, accessory company FCS, he will be in a competition singlet for the first time since his life was changed forever in December 2005.

That was when he was diagnosed with Clear Cell Chondrosarcoma in his right leg, a malignant type of cancer that if left untreated would prove to be fatal. Several operations and months and months of specialist treatment in the USA followed before Lovett could even return home.

From that point on surfing as he knew it, and his ten year career at the sport’s highest level, was over. But the sport has remained in his blood and just as he had to learn to walk properly again with the almost foot long prosthesis in place of the top half of his femur, Lovett learned to surf again.

“There was a time when the doctors said I’d never surf again,” Lovett recalls.

“Athletically, I know I’ll never be able to compete professionally again but the Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge is about getting out there with my mates and putting in.

“As tough as the past four years have been, it’s great because I now see the world through new eyes.”

Puts things in perspective a little bit doesn't it!

Serena redefines arrogance

Much has been said and written about Serena Williams' absolutely disgusting behaviour in her US Open semi final at the weekend.

Her ghetto guttermouth outburst at a line judge, while reprehensible for an athlete of her age and experience, was nothing compared to the arrogant, ignorant and sad show she put on in the hours and days afterwards.

The pathetic debacle that saw her issue a PR statement via a publicist only to 'forget' to do the one thing that might have saved her from a lasting legacy surrounding this mess - apologise - was laughable. The desperate second apology statement was then a very little, a lot late.

Did she really think she could get away with the "I don't remember line"?

Maybe she didn't remember everything that happened in the heat of the battle - we have all been fired up in situations where we later couldn't recall exactly what we've said. But surely she could have thrown in an apology around the amnesia!

"I can't remember exactly what I said but I know it was horribly wrong and I am sincerely sorry" ..... or something to that affect??? Or maybe even suck it up and leave out the "I can't remember".

My friend and fellow blogger at www.sportdownunder.com.au explains it well in his latest post entitled "How Not To Apologise".

This is arrogance to a T.

Or a S for Serena actually and I for one am not surprised that this has happened.
For many years now this brat has talked down to opponents, treating other obviously less talented players with all the humility and grace of...well...of Serena Williams.

Put simply she is a bad sport whose vain attempts to add humour to press conferences often end up with a room full of cringe. And wouldn't it be nice for once in her decorated career if Serena was to commend an opponent when she has been beaten fair and square? No excuses, no disrespect.

Serena now wants us all to learn from this and move on. I bet she does.

Now it's up to the Grand Slam Committee to show her some respect. As in, show her how to respect match officials, her opponents and most of all our intelligence. As in Grand Slam suspension respect.

I for one will be appalled if she shows up back in Australia next January at all, let alone if it's out of shape and full of BS excuses if she gets her sizable booty kicked.

I don't care about your kid Kim

I received an email today from my buddy Morgo who had written to a newspaper's letters section about a topic I had considered blogging about.

Now that he has put it so well I am going to (with his permission) just post his thoughts with my full support.

Over to you Morgo:

"Kim Clijsters bringing her daughter onto the court after her remarkable US Open win finally motivated me to put finger to keyboard on this issue. It is becoming increasingly common for sports stars to include their children in post game/match/event celebrations, and I find it abhorrent.

Firstly, I think it is arrogant of the sports-parent to think that the public are interested in seeing their children when they have come to see the sports-parent (and team-mates where relevant) perform, celebrate and be rewarded for their achievements. Secondly, and even more importantly, I believe allowing the children to share in this privileged experience is doing the wrong thing by them, especially when they are permitted to be part of any presentation in front of large crowds. What lesson might this teach the child about hard work and rewards, and how may it impact upon their enjoyment of far lesser achievements as they grow up? If the sports-parent wants to share their success with their children let them do it away from the public eye, for the sake of the spectators and the children.

And if it’s OK for children to be involved where will it stop; what about Mum or Dad, or Grandma or Uncle Joe, or the faithful family dog?"

Couldn't have said it better myself. Or should I start on the Hewitt's bringing the kid they hide from general news media onto the stage at the Logies??

It's a great time to be alive

If you're an Australian sports fan with a love for American sports this time of year is always awesome. It's probably my favourite.

Here at home we have the NRL & AFL finals starting up, the Tri-Nations rugby is still on, the Spring Racing Carnival is not far off and the A-League is gathering some momentum.

Across the Pacific it's even more packed with the US Open Tennis, the start of the College Football season (ouch Oklahoma!!!), NFL, MLB pennant races happening and playoffs approaching, and NBA and NHL on the horizon. How good!!

The only pain in the ass is the time difference, but then again, if the time zones were all the same there wouldn't be enough time to take it all in.

So who is going to win??

That is something I am asked often by my sports loving brethren so I thought I'd have a crack - as much to get your thoughts and as much to see how stupid I might look down the track when everything is decided for another year. Although, I probably don't need to stick my neck out there too look stupid!

So here goes (with personal bias firmly in place):

Tri-Nations - The Springboks (pretty much already lifted the trophy)

NRL - Manly

AFL - Geelong

Cox Plate - Maldivian

Melbourne Cup - Profound Beauty

A-League - Sydney FC

MLB - Yankees

NCAA Football - Florida

NFL - New Orleans

NBA - Cleveland

NHL - Flyers

All this is without bringing into play the end of the various motor racing seasons, the Premier League in the UK and the myriad of exciting European football competitions. Damn work, can't someone just pay me to watch all of this stuff!

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

So long Mr Magic

Hazem El Masri will play the last NRL regular season home game of his storied career when the Bulldogs play the Warriors at ANZ Stadium this Sunday and all manner of fanfare is being planned for the match.

And so it should be. All hail Hazem!!

It has been well documented, this year more than ever, that El Masri has been one of the game's leading off field torch bearers for all that is good in rugby league and indeed the greater community for most of his stellar 14-year NRL career.

To go with that, and what should never be forgotten, is an on-field resume that boasts well over 300 first grade games, a Premiership, all-time NRL point scoring records and City, NSW and Australian jerseys.

Not a bad CV for a Muslim boy born in Lebanon who didn’t even arrive in this country UNTIL he was 12.

The Bulldogs will show their recognition of a club legend, by for the first time ever after a Rugby League match allow fans onto the hallowed ANZ Stadium turf. They will also have 5,500 supporters join together to unveil placards with a special message for Hazem just prior to kick-off.

To top it off there will be free entry for ALL members of ALL NRL clubs. That's not a misprint. The Bulldogs are going to allow members from rival clubs to come along and send off Hazem in style - for free. Kids under 15 get in free too.

So here is a club, much maligned for their off field culture and administration a little over 12 months ago, leading the NRL in 'how to promote the game' stakes by paying tribute to a guy who wrote the modern day book of 'how to promote the game'.

I have never been a fan of the Bulldogs. Actually, I’ve been a Bulldog hater most of my life. But I’ve never hated Hazem. I could even say I’ve liked him a lot.

This week for 80 minutes (or maybe around 100) I am going to be a Bulldogs fan. A fan because of the way CEO Todd Greenberg and his staff have shown all how things can be done off the field because of the way one man has kicked goals both literally and figuratively inside and outside the arena.

All hail Hazem!!

Sunday won't be the end for El Masri – the Bulldogs play the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium in the last premiership round and then will be a big contender in the semi-finals.

I can’t say I’ll support the Doggies after this game – but I’ll always have a soft spot for the man they call 'El Magic'.

International sport bucket list

Last week I wrote about my Australian sport bucket list and I was surprised by how many of my friends and associates discussed their lists with me in the days that followed.

Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised as it is an interesting topic that i think for most people could change on an almost daily basis.

I wish those people had shared their lists with everyone else via this site because it would have made for spirited reading and debate!

Anyway, the Aussie list is done and now it is time for my overseas list.

I will preface this list by admitting i am obsessed with US sport and also that this task was near impossible to narrow to just five so i went for six! Here goes, again in no particular order:

AMERICAN COLLEGE FOOTBALL - Texas v Oklahoma. The Red River Rivalry or Shootout -I don't care what you call it these days. And I think my preference would be to watch this in Austin too. Or maybe Norman?? Something about Longhorn cheerleaders though!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL FINAL - Give me Man Utd away against just about anyone on the continent. AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Galatasaray - I don't mind.

WORLD SERIES GAME 7 - If you know me there are probably no surprises that this would be in the new Yankee Stadium. I don't even care who it is against. And I wouldn't even care if it was in Game 4, 5 or 6 as long as it was a ring clincher. Second best (or maybe even better) would be to see the Yanks knock off the evil Red Sox in the ALCS the week or so before.

THE GRAND NATIONAL - All that pomp and flesh. I mean horseflesh. And I love to punt on things I know little about.

NCAA MEN'S SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS - Some say this is as good as watching the Olympic swimming program. Enormous pressure. As a swim fan I have to see this once.

SUPER BOWL - Preferably in New Orleans but I am not too picky on this one. And I wanna be greedy and be there for the whole week. I'll start with the Maxim and Victoria's Secret parties.

There - that's not asking for much. What do you think? Let us all see your list.

Aussie sport bucket list

I have always been a big fan of lists and I read with interest the other day when Sports Illustrated's (www.si.com) top online writers listed the sporting events they'd love to tick off before the eventually, well, tick off.

So I got to thinking, what sporting events would i like to see before my days are up. It wasn't easy. Or actually it was easy to think of things, lots of things.

The trick was narrowing it down to just five. I did cheat a little though - I have divided my lists into Australian and international (the overseas list will come next week).

So here goes in no particular order - check out mine and please let me know yours in the comments section:

AFL GRAND FINAL - no one in this country or at least no where in this country does sport quite like Melbourne and this, along with the Melbourne Cup is one of their two biggest events. Would be great to see two local teams involved in the big day at the G too.

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH - I am not that big a fan of getting all stoked and that sort of cool stuff that hangs around one of these events but I think this would be something special. Easter at Bells always throws up some great surfing.

STAWELL GIFT - If I was at Bells I'd have to duck up the road to Stawell for the gift that occurs every year around the same time. I hear the carnival atmosphere is outstanding.

RUGBY LEAGUE STATE OF ORIGIN GAME THREE - This one would be a cracker but it would have to be a tied series with the final game in Brisbane. With a solid brawl and a Blues victory for good measure!

AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS MEN'S FINAL - Federer v Nadal, epic 5 setter in Australia. Enough said.

I found it hard to leave out my local club rugby derby between Manly and Warringah and the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne but hey, maybe i'll find the time for them too!

I think that's it.....for now! I reserve the right to make changes!! Let's hear your list.

If you don't play take it off!

There are few things i like more in life than going to the footy with my mates and having a few beers.

I also like to cheer loudly for my team, yell at the ref to 'get 'em onside' and heap abuse on the opposition. I am even prepared to clap the other mob if they do something really cool.

And i like other people to do the same. If you've paid the freight to get in you should be allowed to support your team as enthusiastically as possible.

But i will not, under any circumstances, condone the wearing of a football jersey by an adult male. Unless you are about to come off the interchange bench (which you're not), take the jersey off. You look like a douche bag!!!

You've all seen the guy I'm talking about. You know, the dude with his Wallaby jersey tucked into his jeans under his RM Williams jacket or the Bulldogs fan with the jersey over his adidas hoodie.

Jerseys are for players. And kids. If you are over 16 you should be over the jersey. That's it, period.

There is only one thing worse and that's the tight-arse who is still wearing the jersey of the guy who left your club two years before. If he has left, or retired, he doesn't play in the team anymore!

Buy the polo, a stubbie holder or even one of those gay things that you stick on the back window of your car but do not wear the jersey.

You don't see motor racing fans wearing one of those fireproof jumpsuits to a race or a surfing fan rocking up to the Billabong Pro in a wetsuit so why would you wear a jersey to a football match.

And don't get me started on blokes that lob to an AFL match with a sleeveless vest on!!!

Time for swimsuit companies to take lead

While the swimsuit fiasco that has ruined swimming history rages on and jockeying takes place within the FINA ranks for political clout in the fallout, there is one stakeholder that can take immediate steps to bring meaningful change.

Swimsuit manufacturers are not to blame for this debacle but they weren't innocent bystanders either and they now have the ability to begin the repair job.

Last week the FINA Congress (all the swimming nations) voted overwhelmingly to return to non-permeable, textile only suits by January 1, 2010.

It was also proposed that suits for men would be from waist to knee only and for women, shoulder to knee with an open back. While this decision was done hurriedly and without the proper consultation it is at least a step in the right direction.

Now the goons on the FINA Bureau have decided that the swimsuit manufacturers need until April or May to make enough suits for the swimming world under the new rules and specifications. Bollocks!

With less than a month's notice these companies were able to prepare enough "bubble" suits to rocket propel every swimmer at the World Championships so why on earth over the next five months wouldn't they be able to revert back to silhouettes they have used in the past and material similar or the same as they used pre-February 2008 ?

Granted the new suits will not cost as much as those produced in the last 16 months and yes that will effect profit margins but the future of swimming is on the line here.

I challenge all swimsuit manufacturers to stand up and say "we will ensure we have the 2010 version of approved suits ready on January 1". In the end they will profit anyway - swimming nude is still out of the question.

Who will be the first to truly show they care as much about the sport and those that participate, in the pool and out (their clients and future clients), and take the lead that FINA so horribly lost.

Deans has reinvigorated club rugby

Robbie Deans has done plenty already for Australian Rugby Union and its followers in the short time he has been on this side of the ditch.

He has refreshed the style of play and the shape of the Wallabies backline, he has helped our guys to a couple of great Test victories and given us all hope that Australia can again contend for the Webb Ellis Trophy.

One other thing he has done that might not quite get the same public recognition as a win over the Springboks or AB's is his decision to allow members of his Wallaby squad to play club rugby on weekends off.

For rugby fans and the game's youngest followers, the next generations of Wallabies, it is a treat and a half to be able to pay the nominal entry fee that is charged at Sydney or Brisbane club gates and stand on the fence within a Stephen Moore throw in of your favourite player.

The players love it too. You can see them relax and enjoy the opportunity to run around with old mates, while giving back to the grass roots level of the game they love. Those team mates lucky enough to play with these guys benefit too, learning more in one game than they might in a month of Saturdays.

I don't have any figures by I am sure the gate would be up at least 30% every time this happens and a team gets the injection of a Wallaby or two into their first grade team.

So next time the Wallabies have a break, whether it's later this year or next, get on down to your local ground and cheer on your team, or any team. It'll cost you about a quarter of the ticket to a Test and you can almost touch the action. All courtesy of R Deans.

Don't forget the man in the bubble

Out of all the sports I love, and there are many, swimming sits at the top of the tree.

So it is with infinite sadness I view this year's FINA World Swimming Championships that begin (or at least the pool component does) in Rome this Sunday.

It has been well documented that FINA's bludgeoning of their own sport by allowing the use of swimsuits, that can be seen as nothing short of a hydrodynamic 'bubble', means this meet will border on farce.

Records and history will be demolished like never before. Ranking rising missiles whose body shapes are fortunate enough to be aided more than their rivals by these formerly unthinkable speed suits will come from everywhere. Athletes will be beaten purely by those with better rubber technology.

No manufacturer is innocent in this debacle but the water spout of blame must rest squarely on the pampered shoulders of those at the head of the FINA decision making table. Shame, FINA, shame!

But I ask for a moment that you to take a step back and consider the athletes inside the floatation devices.

They are the innocent victims of this whole situation that has raged on for a few years now and has come to an ugly head this July. Those and their coaches, families, fans and friends. Shame, FINA, shame!

From Michael Phelps to Eric the Eel - every swimmer will be affected one way or another. The meet will be written off by the media and just about everyone else as the fiasco it is and that is somewhat unfair on the athletes.

Granted, what was once a world record, a top ten all-time swim or a PB is in nigh all cases now no longer relevant but these athletes have still trained and prepared to be at their best for this eight-day period. They will still stand on the blocks and give their all for themselves and their countries, knowing a world title is on the line. The times they swim will mean jack, the effort they put in will not.

Think of those whose dreams will be shattered and those who will achieve something previously unthinkable. And hope too that the latter achievers know in their heart of hearts how they improved so much so quickly.

Think of the athlete fortunate enough to be paid by a manufacturer (and again, while not the cause of this mess, no manufacturer is free of all guilt here) as an ambassador who is forced to make a decision on which suit to wear based on a fear of having no chance of winning because they believe loyalty, a contract and no doubt the associated sponsorship dollars means something. While these athletes may have benefited more than others in the past, none deserve to be put in this position by the boffins running their sport.

Think of those whose achievements will forever be looked upon, a little unfairly, in a category not that far from those that used induced performance enhancers.

Shame, FINA, shame!

Vick has served his time

Former NFL quarterback stud Michael Vick this week finished his 23-month jail sentence for bankrolling an horrific and illegal dog fighting operation.

Vick has indicated his desire to play top level football again but he is currently under an indefinite suspension handed down before his custodial sentencing by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

His release from prison (and home detention) means Vick is now free to settle back into society and with that process should come the right to re-renter the workforce which for him would mean coming back to the NFL.

In a nutshell, Vick has served his time for this abhorrent crime and deserves a second chance. Goodell should reinstate the ex-Atlanta Falcons and Va-Tech star poste-haste and give each of the 32 clubs in the NFL the opportunity to decide if they wish to employ someone with Vick's character.

Personally if I was the GM of one of these multi-million dollar franchises I would be very hesitant to have Vick on my books (even though he was my favourite player for many years) because I believe he is too high a risk to run foul of the law again. Just my opinion. But I think each of the 32 clubs, and Vick himself, deserve the right to make that decision independently of the NFL.

If nobody picks him up, fine. But at least give him the chance. He's done his time.

Hooray for HorHay

Everywhere we look in sport we see hundreds, even thousands of athletes frivolously labelled 'a champion' or 'a legend' or 'one of the greats'.

Whether it's at an international standard or the grass roots level, commentators, team mates, parents and just about everyone else with an opinion has at some stage dedicated the above terms to a favourite player, a loved one or even a rival.

In truth, when emotion is minimised, more often than not those titles are used far too liberally.

Sometimes, however, they are warranted and one such player any of those three terms applies to is George Smith.

George, Jorge or Horhay as he is known throughout world rugby will this week play his 100th Test when the Wallabies clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.

He is the first breakaway to do so and now sits 10th on the all-time list for most Tests played internationally behind another famous Australian George - Gregan, who currently leads the pack with 139 matches.

At the ripe old age of 29 (it was his birthday earlier this week) and with Smith signed to the ARU for another two years, that record may not be safe!

And speaking of records - in the 99 Tests Smith has played in his career so far he has started 85, the Wallabies have won 62 and you can almost guarantee that the flying flanker from Manly was one of Australia's best players each and every time. Probably better in the 36 losses and one draw too.

You see Smith is a man who gives his all every time he takes the field. A no-nonsense backrower with the sublime skills of a mid field player. The sort of guy other teams game plan for but can rarely stop. A shy bloke by nature who's become a leader now too, Smith is someone for all to look up to.

Quite simply, anyone who plays 100 rugby Tests can be at times termed a 'a champion' or 'a legend' or 'one of the greats'.

George Smith is all three, all the time.

Alternative Origins

The State of Origin series winds up for another year this week and one question keeps popping up.

And no it's not 'will Queensland win for the next 1035 years?' The question revolves around scheduling - is the current format, that witnesses games played on a Wednesday night at three week intervals, the best one?

Players selected miss playing for their clubs, the people who pay their salary, the weekend before the game each time and must pull up injury free to turn out for their clubs the following weekend. Usually the bye saves each club once from the pain of taking the field without their best but that's it.

While I admit Wednesday nights have been successful and are now a huge part of Australia's annual sporting calendar, being forced to play without your team's stars when you are battling to make the Top 8 is tough on players, coaches and fans alike.

Surely there is a better solution.

We could start by making all players available for their clubs the week before a dead rubber, as is the case this week with QLD already up 2-0.

I would go even further and make radical changes. Under my rule the series would be played on three consecutive Saturday nights. Players would turn out for their clubs the week before the series starts and have a normal week to recover at the end of the series before they don club colours again. While the series is on there will only be one round of club footy the entire time - the first two weeks could have a game on Friday night, Sunday afternoon and Monday night, before a Friday night, Sunday afternoon weekend the final week.

That way, at most teams only miss their players once. Each team would still get two byes, albeit they would be closer together.

The elite that are fortunate enough to play Origin would not have to back up and play twice in a weekend either, they would simply miss their allocated byes or weeks off. Sure it's hard but that's why they get paid the big bucks!

Some will say that these guys need longer together to form combinations and so on but I don't buy it. Most have played together at some stage of their careers or will be together for a while to come. They have the ability to follow a game plan well and mesh with teammates with ease - that's why they are the best in the game.

All sounds good to me in theory but there is one HUGE problem. Television!! The television rights holders, Channel 9 and Fox, want the game on the box as often as possible so just two or three games a week is not going to cut the mustard for them or their advertisers who obviously help them recoup the millions they have paid the NRL for the broadcast rights.

I would imagine hell would freeze over before the networks agree to a schedule like mine but that brings us to another big question in the game - who is running the show - the media and television networks or the people who should, the fans?

I think we all know the answer to that one.

Where's The Consistency

At times there is nothing more entertaining than hearing a fired up talk back radio shock jock go to town on a back peddling politician or sports administrator, as was the case last week when the airwaves' hardest working man Ray Hadley pushed NRL boss David Gallop into a corner.

They were talking about the incident involving young Roosters players Jake 'if i keep carrying on like this i'll have no' Friend and Sandor 'i have the best name in footy' Earl.

Hadley raised a point that i am sure many NRL fans are currently wondering - why were these two players allowed to play on without suspension, especially after they'd been charged by police?

Simple Gallop said. There was an ongoing police investigation.

What happened, Hadley asked, in the 2006 case of Tevita Latu when the Sharks player was de-registered despite an on-going investigation for punching a woman in the nose? It was an open and shut case of Latu admitting his guilt Gallop said. Friend and Earl were disputing the facts he said.

Well please explain then Mr Gallop the suspension earlier this season of Brett Stewart. You said it had nothing to do with the ongoing police investigation that Stewart was facing and disputing. You said it was for "not conducting himself at all times in public in a sober, courteous and professional manner".

Were Sandor and Earl conducting themselves in a 'sober, courteous and professional manner' when they got in a fight? Was Anthony Watmough at the Manly season launch? I think not. Were they suspended? No.

Now the point i am trying to make here is not that Stewart shouldn't have been given an enforced holiday on the sidelines (because i believe he should have for acting like an idiot) or that Watmough and the two Roosters should have.

I am merely trying to show the inconsistencies in these examples. Was Stewart really suspended for being drunk and unprofessional or was it because of the police allegations? If it was the former, why have Friend and Earl been allowed to play on?

Gallop has spent plenty of time in recent years in the sort of corners that Hadley had him in last week (and I'll blog about that in coming weeks). It's high time he punched his way out and showed some leadership by ruling consistently across the board.

The Real TdF Leaders

With the rise of cable television, a raft of new digital offerings and even the internet providing us with access to almost every sporting event conceivable, we are fortunate in this day and age to be able to watch endless hours of sport from all over the globe.

Part of that coverage includes the many voices that bring us commentary on every punch, stroke, kick, shot and step.

We all have our favourites - Bob Costas for the NBA, Ray 'Rabs' Warren in the NRL, Bill McLaren for Test rugby, Henry Blofeld for cricket and the great Bruce McAvaney (for whatever he wants) to name a just a few.

But despite the obvious dulcet tones of all of those above, few can rival the dynamic two wheeled machine that is Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen at Tour de France time.

Never before has sticking matchsticks in your eye sockets to stay awake until 2am twenty nights in a row been so pleasurable than it is to hear Liggett and Sherwen wax lyrical about the goings on in the peloton.