Tag Archives: olympics

Sports

Weekend musing – father/son combinations, Richmond FC woes……

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Sfan OB6It was great to see Kyle Chalmers win our first men’s 100m freestyle Olympic gold medal since Michael Wenden in 1968. He is the son of Brett Chalmers who made his name playing AFL and it got me chalmersthinking about other father/son combinations in different sports. There is Gary Jack (rugby league) & Kieran Jack (AFL), Jack Newton (golf) & Clint Newton (rugby league), Ray Ruffels (tennis) & Ryan Ruffels (golf), Tony Mundine (boxing) & Anthony Mundine (rugby league & boxing), John Ronaldson (VFL/AFL) & Tony Ronaldson (basketball), Pat Cash Snr (VFL/AFL) & Pat Cash Jnr (tennis) and Dimitri Markov (pole vault) & Oleg Markov (AFL). There are bound to be a lot more, but this is a good starting point for further discussion.

I was pleased to see Richmond win last week to get the heat off Damian Hardwick. As much as I thought Richmond erred by martinextending his contract at the start of the year, I thought he should be excused one bad year. The discussions about Richmond this year remind me of the discussions about Richmond of 10-15 years ago. Back then they had fourn players, Matthew Knights, Wayne Campbell, Nick Daffy & Matthew Richardson and then they fell away and now it is Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin, Jack Riewoldt, Brent Deledio and Alex Rance and then they fall away again. Is history repeating itself?

Have a great weekend!

Sports

Friday musing – Justice for Jared Tallent

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Coors lightRobbed of a chance to have the gold medal around his neck after the 2012 London Olympic Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (‘CAS’) has upheld an appeal by the world governing body for tallentathletics, IAAF against the winner of the 50 kilometre walk, Russian Sergey Kirdyapkin. Kirdyapkin failed a drug test and his results for the period 2009-2012 were annulled except for the Olympics title.

In a decision earlier this week, CAS ruled that Kirdyapkin could not retain the tile and the event was awarded to the Australian who was second over the line. Tallent said he felt ‘vindicated’ and AOC President, John Coates has said that a ‘meaningful’ presentation will be arranged for Tallent.

Seems that we are quite prepared to take the decision from CAS on watsonthis one when it benefits an Australian, but, CAS have got it totally wrong when it comes to the Essendon Football Club players – hard to fathom.

News, Sports

Friday musing – cricket, golf, Jordan Spieth…..

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Chris Barwin HillsLast weeks Musing was devoted to Phil Hughes and I must say the despite not knowing the guy, it continued to affect me through the week. Now that we have had the funeral we can move on.

In my opinion the big thing from last weekend was the performance of the 21yo American, Jordan Spieth in the Australian Open. Currently ranked at number 158 in the world, he shot a 63, which was poignant in itself, to win the open easily was an amazing performance. The course was probably at its most difficult when he played andspeith I understand the best score from earlier in the day was 67. So he shot a score to win the tournament that no one else got close to during the day. And he is only 21! This is the guy that almost became the youngest US Masters winner, so he is no slouch and he could be the next world wide super star in golf now that Tiger Woods cannot seem to re-capture his former brilliance.

I know I have made this observation before, but Peter Donegan wasdonnes one of the commentators doing the golf telecast and he is one of the best all round sports commentators in Australia. He does the golf, he does the horse racing, he does the VFL football, the Olympics, is there any sport he cannot do? I struggle to think of any one better. Tim Lane and Bruce McAvaney have a higher profile, but PD is the ultimate support act.

Have a great weekend!

News, Sports

10 years on, Michael Phelps has learned nothing

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phelpsIn 2004, the same year as the Athens Olympic Games, Michael Phelps was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and he was placed on probation without a conviction being recorded. Wind forward ten years and once again Phelps is in hot water having been charged with a second DUI (he allegedly blew 0.14, well over the 0.08 limit in Maryland).

As if that wasn’t bad enough, he was also charged with excessive speed (allegedly recorded at 84mph in a 45mph zone) and crossing double lane lines meaning he was a big danger to other road users at the time.

Like most high profile athletes, Phelps has followed the usual route after tangling with the law. He is taking time out from his chosen field of sports endeavour to attend a course (or two). In Phelps case, so he can (reportedly) ‘better understand himself’.

There’s only one thing Phelps needs to understand here and that is drinking and driving is illegal. End of discussion.

In swimming, if you change lanes during a race, you are disqualified. It is disturbing that USA swimming don’t see this set of circumstances as disqualifiable as they are allegedly taking no action, notwithstanding this is Phelps’ second offence.

What message is that sending to the rest of society?

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio show #260.1

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@SportzfanRadio now available on iTunes!19 August 2012 260.1 – An outside broadcast from the Great Western Hotel with the Professor, the Gelding, Paul Gamble and Daniel Eade talking SEABL basketball finals with special guest, Nunawading Spectres guard J Shep. Daniel discusses Olympic basketball and looks at the performances of the Boomers and the Opals. He also wonders about the Adelaide 36ers and their home court lease. The Gelding looks at Caulfield races and gives a few tips for the punters at the hotel. Paul Dalligan, David Coutts and John O’Callaghan join the panel to discuss the Olympics and Nathan Tinkler’s problems with his horse racing/breeding venture

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio show #258.2

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@SportzfanRadio now available on iTunes!5 August 2012 258.2 – featuring Daniel Eade, the Gelding, Sportzfan Stan and the Professor talking with Mark Fiorenti about the Olympic soccer tournament and Spain’s early exit. The Professor awards medals for the poorly behaved Olympic athletes with a Greek athlete getting the gold.  They also discuss NRL with resident rugby league expert, Paul Dalligan. Mordiboy calls in from the MCG querying which sport has the ‘slips no go’ rule. He blasts the cheats at the Olympics and feels they should have all been immediately disqualified.

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio show #258.1

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@SportzfanRadio now available on iTunes!5 August 2012 258.1 – featuring Daniel Eade, the Gelding, Sportzfan Stan and the Professor who begin the show talking AFL tanking then chat US sport with Dan Butterly who looks at the Olympic fortunes of the US team, especially the golden run of Michael Phelps. He also discusses the start of the NFL pre-season and the MLB trades made before the deadline. The Gelding talks horse racing and looks at the results from Moonee Valley and Canterbury.  Daniel reviews the Olympic basketball tournament and the fortunes of the Boomers and Opals.

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio show #243.2

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@SportzfanRadio now available on iTunes!22 April 2012 243.2 – Featuring the Professor, Daniel Eade, Sportzfan Stan, Paul Dalligan and special guests John O’Callaghan and Andrew Hewitt talking AFL, football, Olympics, John Coates, Julia Gillard, ice hockey, AIHL, NRL, rugby league and the Anzac Day test.