September 6, 2009
I don’t know what Channel 7 does in the eastern states, but here in Western Australia they treat rugby union viewers (and I suspect many other sports-watchers) with contempt.
First, they telecast the Wallabies matches against NZ and South Africa at midnight. Second, they don’t replay the game on a Sunday, when there’s more chance people will watch the game.
Telecasting a rugby match at midnight means most people will record it, watch it later and skip through the ads, so the advertisers are wasting their money.
Why couldn’t they schedule it, say for 7am? Take today’s TV program. There’s some movie called Ghost Dad on at 3.30pm. It got one star in the TV guide. Why couldn’t Seven replay it then?
I’m not sure what universe TV programers (particularly those in WA) live in, but it sure as hell isn’t a real one. The logic defies me.
Channel 7 do not deserve the rugby union. Kerry Stokes obviously isn’t a rugby fan.
August 30, 2009
Sydney Morning Herald journalist Spiro Zavos recently wrote the Wallabies lacked fitness, explaining their current (But typical) lack of form.
While that’s partially true, I believe it’s more about a lack of passion.
It’s not that the players don;t have the desire to win, it’s more that they don’t have the same level (or type) of desire that fires the All Black and Springboks.
Both these teams comes form countries where Rugby Union is the national sport. Having lived in both these nations, it breeds a different type of players to the Wallaby.
Almost every kid wants to become an All Black or Springbok. Not here. We can become Kangaroos, Socceroos or Hockeyroos (damn roos are all over the place). It’s hard to become an AFL-aroo, as they only play Ireland. But you get the picture?
Secondly, all of Australia isn’t behind the Wallabies when they play. I reckon in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, there’s more cars on the streets when the Wallabies play than when there’s an AFL match.
So while the Wallabies fans write off yet another season, bear in mind that wins against NZ and SA are part of the lifecycle that is the Wallabies.
Just what it is that once again sparks the Wallabies is anyone’s guess. Perhaps it’s just getting the right chemistry of players (more Rocky Elsoms, please) or maybe it’s just that missing ingredient … passion.
August 20, 2009
Surely it says something that we’ve signed a LNG deal with China, followed by the provision that is has to pass environmental scrutiny.
Logically (and morally) shouldn’t the environmental studies come before the deal is sealed? It shows how much importance this government places on the environment, and our future. Does this make Peter Garrett superfluous?
It’s also disturbing that all this take place amid the continuing detention of Australian mining executive Stern Hu.
A report in the Globe and Mail (20 Aug) said: “The LNG deal shows that China’s growing demand for gas, uranium, iron ore and coal – and Australia’s investment needs – will overshadow any short-term political rows.”
Indeed.
August 12, 2009
Clearly, the boss of Aussie Home Loans, John Symond “gets it”: reputation management, that is. It’s also quite clear the that boss of the ARL and CEO of the Melbourne Storm don’t.
How many more times do rugby league players have to transgress normal levels of decency before something is done to reverse the situation?
Storm player Greg Ingliss, it seems, can do no wrong, despite allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. As the Storm chief said: “He has a future in rugby League.”
What I can’t fathom is why this behaviour continues to be tolerated. These are (apparently) “professional” sports people. Sport is their job. If it was you or I, we would have been sacked long ago.
As a society we really do have to question our own values when we continue to be part of this sham that is “professional” sport. I certainly wouldn’t give a zac to watch the game.
Of course, other sports are no better. Over here in WA we have the case of State and Australian player Luke Pomersbach allegedly running amok in two alcohol-related hit-and-run incidents. They weren’t his first run-ins with the law.
It seems the attitude of administrators are to let these people continue to play. Winning, it seems, is all that matters.
At least the Cronulla club has the “guts” to sack their troublemakers. The club now is in last place. But coach Ricky Stuart says it was the right thing to do for the game.
Stuart obviously “gets it”.
July 30, 2009
Swimming isn’t the only sport affected by the current wetsuit debacle.
It’s cousin, surf life saving, ridiculously allows competitors to wear wetsuits.
At the recent Australian titles in Perth, even some Masters competitors were wearing the expensive buoyancy devices.
Seeing as though the purpose of surf life saving competition is to practice for rescues, I find it hard to believe a lifesaver would waste what could be up to 20 minutes donning a high-tech wetsuit so he or she could rescue someone from drowning.
And at the end of the day, the wearing of wetsuits goes against the spirit of competition, and that “man-against-the-elements” ethos of surf life saving.
Interesting to note the winner of the over-50 surf race at the national titles wore one of these suits, despite pre-race consternation shown by some competitors. Afterwards several competitors made their feelings known.
The next day that same competitor did not wear a wetsuit and his performances were not of the same standard. Proof enough (again) that these suits should be banned immediately.
Huey, the god of surf, would not be impressed.
June 26, 2009
Excuse me while I puke. I’m listening to Perth fm stations. At least little boys and monkeys will sleep easier.
June 20, 2009
In all the hubbub about whether or not the Prime Minister (or his office) was allegedly involved in giving a car dealer mate a good deal, spare a though for the Public Servant at the centre of the controversy.
Sure, someone’s going to be a political reputational winner and someone a loser. But what will be the effect on Treasury official Godwin Grech’s career once the dust has settled?
I’m betting he may come out of it with his reputation (and job) intact. He doesn’t strike me as someone prone to making such damaging insinuations.
prLAB
June 20, 2009
I won’t name a name, but there’s a guy on ABC TV who must be the worst TV reporter (well close to another guy on Channel 7 Perth).
Cliches are this bloke’s game. Last night he referred to a cricketer as having a “frothing bat”.
I could go on, but it’s not worth the effort. It’s hard enough to listen to his inflection-riddled reports, which end with an “A”.
June 10, 2009
Just finished supervising exams. Lots of cramps. Funny how we still expect students to write exams with pens when they usually use laptops.
May 24, 2009
The latest toy to hit the market is an Aussie Rules handheld statistics counter. Now parents can count their kids’ passes, kicks and so forth. How sad. Whatever happened to kids just enjoying a run around without the pressure of idiot parents tallying their statistics.
