A win is a Win...

Thankfully there was a result in the AFL Grand Final on the weekend, all the crying and whining going on because the teams had the temerity to draw the week before was getting to much to bear. Photos of men and women crying, little boys sobbing, bloody hell what a bunch of pansies. It was a draw, get over it, you got another Grand Final out of the deal and the losers on the second occasion obviously weren't up to it as they were roundly and comprehensively, thrashed! Then I see a photo in the paper of Eddie McGuire bawling his eyes out. Must be something in the water down in Victoria. Pathetic.

My boyhoood local hero's in the NZ national league (Football in it's correct and proper sense - the round ball code) fought out three replays back in the seventies. With each draw attention turned to the game and people stood in amazement, cheering at the closeness of the competition.

Sure, it helped that my team won the day in the end and a huge crowd turned out at the airport to welcome home the victors. Not bad for a Rugby mad country. Not a teary eye to be seen, no grumbles, just amazement at the tough, unforgiving nature of the competition. Fantastic.

Then there was the NRL and the bawling going on all over the paddock after the final whistle had sounded. I thought I must have the wrong channel, but no. and it didn't matter which team you looked at, winners or losers. Must be something in the water down in NSW. Pathetic.

Oh well another squashed ball season over, some magnificent football played throughout by all and sundry, and now for the real footy, the English premier League. Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-0 this morning and increased their lead over new rival Manchester City to 4 points, another point back to cross city Mancunian's United and the rest tagging along. Way too early to tell how it will shape up but Chelsea are on form early and that bodes well for those of us who follow in the footsteps of the best team in the league currently.

I am really holding my breath for Mark Webber too, fighting alone in a title stoush on the other side of the planet, albeit with a large team behind him. Mark stands poised to win the ultimate title in Motorsport, the Formula One Driver's crown, something not acheived by an Aussie since 1980 when Alan Jones won the title driving for Williams. That was a great year, a fantastic achievment and something I hope can be replicated by Mark over the next few weeks. He has driven brilliantly all year, he has shown all nay sayer's that he has the talent and the mental toughness to keep all at bay, and rise to the very top of the rankings. He will be a very deserving champion if he can continue on without his bumptious little German team mate trying to drive him off the road, or stealing updated body parts from his car!

So plenty to keep me interested in the weeks ahead, although the F1 has always taken priority and keeps me on the edge of my seat race after race. By that time the EPL will be well under way as well...yahoo.

Think Long & Propser
Dan