All posts by @packers4

News, Sports

Booze + late night out = bonding

Leave a comment

MarkNot an equation that I learnt in maths class at High School, but one that the touring Indigenous All Stars thought was the solution to a lack lustre first up performance in the first International Rules Test against Ireland.

All Stars coach, Michael O’Loughlin said “It’s about that bonding stuff…….have a few beers and tell stories and you get to know each other”.

O’Loughlin must have missed the large number of articles and studies on the adverse effects of drinking a lot of alcohol. He must have also forgotten that elite athletes specifically avoid alcohol during competition.

If it was all about the bonding…….why did they need alcohol or a late night to seal the deal?

 

News, Sports

Friday musing – Cox Plate, Fiorente, Arsenal, Wenger…..

Leave a comment

Chris Barwin HillsIt was disappointing to see Atlantic Jewel is out of the Cox Plate as she was the clear favourite and it would have been great to see her win the race. It is now a lot more open with Itsadundeel likely to start the favourite, but having missed a run with a foot abscess, I think he is vulnerable.  I am going to get in before the Gelding and tip (Mark) Fiorente to keep it in the Sportzfan family!

Also disappointing to see the Gunners concede a late goal against Borussia Dortmund and not escape with a draw. Arsenal has had a great run since their opening loss of the Premier League season against Aston Villa. The Champions League group stage has got a bit to play out so all is not lost.

I did finally get a look at Jack Wilshere’s goal scored against Norwich City. What an absolute cracker and an early nominee for the Goal of the Season!!  In the newspaper article they suggested that it was a goal that had Arsene Wenger written all over it and I would agree it is the type of slick football that is the trademark of his teams.  Perhaps a bit more focus on defence will take them further in all competitions though.

News, Sports

The ‘Friday musing’ is back

Leave a comment

Chris Barwin HillsA regular part of Sportzfan Radio was the Friday musing provided each week by Chris from Barwon Heads.

Luckily, prior to the end of the free agency period, we have managed to convince Chris to continue providing the musing each week for the online version of Sportzfan Radio.

Check back in next Friday to see what Chris has turned his mind to in the World of Sport!

News, Sports

Professor’s rant – Osieck over and out!

Leave a comment

HolgerOn a recent Sportzfan Radio show we discussed at length with our soccer expert, Mark Fiorenti, the notion that the Socceroos coach should be appointed for a period well beyond the next World Cup. The rationale behind such an appointment was to encourage the coach to rejuvenate the playing squad at regular intervals with younger players so as to not be left with what we have now……a lot of players that are past their use by date.  The average age of the team that lost 6-0 to Brazil several weeks ago was 32.7 years. The average age of the Brazilian team was 26.3.

In fact, the Sportzfan Radio panel has been discussing the average age of the Socceroos players since the qualifying rounds for the last World Cup and said way back then that youth needed to be infused. This didn’t happen and now we are left with the sad reality that, whilst Australia is going to the World Cup, we look like we are simply making up the numbers.

Who then to appoint to replace Osieck? This will depend on whether the FFA has learnt anythingschwarzer from the current situation. I have heard calls to bring back Guus Hiddink or to insert a credentialed coach from Europe. Both suggestions are not the answer. Guus at 66 years of age (67 when next year’s World Cup is on) is yesterday’s man and also past his use by date. He will only be thinking about achieving something in the World Cup (like Osieck) that will not take care of the Socceroo’s future. Same could be said for any profiled European coach.

I am all for giving one of the current Australian A League coaches a shot with the mandate to coach for the future of the Socceroos and not be blinkered to think the future only extends as far as next year’s World Cup. As an example, look at the great building job Tony Popovic has achieved at Western Sydney Wanderers in one season.

The FFA needs to insert KPI’s into the contract that reflect the need for identification of young talent and the need for youth to be injected into the squad. Only then, will the national team be capable of approaching the past glories that the Australian public has become accustomed to!

News, Sports

The Professor’s rant #1

Leave a comment

ChipperPoor form by Braves players who refused to catch the ceremonial first pitch from Chipper Jones. By the way Chipper just happened to play 19 seasons with the Braves, 8 time All Star, 1999 NL MVP, his number retired by the Braves and no doubt a first round Hall of Fame entrant when he is eligible.

The petulant players sent out the Brave’s mascot instead to catch the ball.

Chipper’s crime? His forecast to the media that he thought the Dodgers would beat the Braves 4-1 (which they did).

Me thinks the Braves as an organisation need to take a good hard look at themselves! A terrible way to treat a former champion.

Braves……you have struck out!

News, Punting

306 and out!

Leave a comment

the gelding & othersAfter 306 shows and six and a half years on air, Sportzfan Radio comes to an end on Sunday 29 September 2013. A most fitting day as it is the first anniversary of the demise of Sportzfan Stan. Unlike nearly every other sports program we strived to discuss the real issues in sport and to provide thought provoking discussion.

We like to think that our ‘experts’ really know the games that they talked Mar 6 2011 004about – Dalligan on League, Fiorenti on soccer, Mordiboy on golf, the Gambler on lawn bowls, the Gelding & the Sydney Colt on all matters racing, John O’Callaghan on the legal issues inFeb 27 2011 021 sport, Daniel Eade on NBL, NBA & AIHL, Sportzfan Stan on sackings, Dan Butterly on US sport and the Professor on……well he commented on anything and everything.

We have enjoyed all the production meetings at the Great Western Hotel and every minute of presenting the show. We hope that you enjoyed our analysis on sport, but wonder where the ladies at the Tennis club will now get their Saturday morning race selections from. Maybe we can prevail on the Gelding and the Sydney Colt to still post their expert predictions on the website.

Don’t miss the last show from midday tomorrow!Feb 27 2011 007

 

News, Punting, Sports

Gelding’s ‘red hot’ tips for 14 September 2013

Leave a comment

Mar 6 2011 010

The Gelding’s attention is on Moonee Valley today with the running of the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes feature race. The return of the good horses makes selecting a winner just that bit more difficult, but, the Gelding is up for the task.

As always the bets are on an each way and all up basis.

Moonee Valley

Race 4 Horse 1 – Atlantic Jewel (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 5 Horse 1 – Moment of Change (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 6 Horse 8 – Super Cool

Race 7 Horse 1 – Clear for Action

Race 8 Horse 7 – Elite Elle

The Gelding will also have a flutter at Echuca today in Race 8 Horse 5 – Danish Rock!

You can hear the Gelding discuss racing with the Professor every Sunday on Sportzfan Radio at 12.30pm on 88.3 Southern FM. The Gelding’s segment is sponsored by the Great Western Hotel.

Good luck and good punting!

The Gelding

News, Punting, Sports

Gelding’s Hotties and Dalligan’s Dandies for 7 September 2013

Leave a comment

42As a special treat to Sportzfan Radio followers, we have selections not only from the Gelding, but also Paul Dalligan weighs in today. The Dandies v the Hotties. Who will triumph? Be listening to Sportzfan Radio tomorrow to hear how each tipster fared.

For Gelding’s Hotties, as usual, the bets are on an each way and all up basis.

Gelding’s Hotties

Flemington

Race 1 Horse 2 – Metastasio

Race 4 Horse 7 – Dany the Fox

Race 5 Horse 17 – Gregers

Race 6 Horse 8 – Puissance De Lune (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 7 Horse 3 – Rebel Dane (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Dalligan’s Dandies

Flemington

Race 5 Horse 1 – Romantic Touch – take in a quinella with Horse 12 – Il Cavallo

Race 6 Horse 8 – Puissance De Lune

Randwick

Race 6 – Horse 7 – Norzita – take in a quinella with Horse 16 – Someday

You can hear the Gelding discuss racing with the Professor every Sunday on Sportzfan Radio at 12.30pm on 88.3 Southern FM. The Gelding’s segment is sponsored by the Great Western Hotel.

Good luck and good punting!

The Gelding

News, Punting, Sports

Dalligan’s Dandies for 31 August 2013

Leave a comment

42There is no doubt that in the head to head last Saturday, the Sydney Colt won the day and it turned out that Someday wasn’t the fastest thing out of Brisbane since Wendell Sailor.

Today, Paul looks at both Caulfield and Rosehill for some value for punters. He hopes that a turf war doesn’t break out between he and the Sydney Colt.

Caulfield

Race 3 Horse 9 – Mosse Diva (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 4 Horse 3 – Prince Harada

Rosehill

Race 1 Horse 1 – Bull Point (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 8 Horse 11 – Pretty Pins

Paul says that Danish Rock is running at Horsham on Tuesday and he may have a dollar or two each way on it as well.

Good luck and good punting!

News, Punting, Sports

Dalligan’s Dandies for 24 August 2013

Leave a comment

42With the Gelding still enjoying his well earned break in Hawaii, our guest tipster Paul Dalligan turns his mind to selecting some more winners for the Sportzfan Radio punt drunks.

This week he goes head to head with the Sydney Colt as Paul centres his attention on Warwick Farm. Paul says his best bet of the day is in Race 8 Someday – the fastest thing out of Brisbane since Wendell Sailor!

Warwick Farm

Race 6 Horse 14 – Streama (for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Race 8 Horse 15 – Someday (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)

Paul suggests a quinella in the 8th race coupling Someday with Horse 2 Norzita.

He also suggests a dollar or two each way on the Victorian provincial meeting at Donald in race 7 horse 5 Danish Rock.

We’ll talk with Paul tomorrow on Sportzfan Radio about his selections.

Good luck and good punting!!