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When will South Australian sporting teams learn? Is it that difficult to look outside our own state? Continuing in the South Australian sporting tradition of national league teams hiring local coaches, the Adelaide 36ers have hired former player and safe option Scott Ninnis to take the reins in the wake of Phil Smyth's departure.
I have said for this some time and the proof is in the pudding, our prominent South Australian-based sporting teams are too locally conscious and rarely hire interstate candidates, even if they appear the better choice.
While occasional good results may appear to thwart my argument, here is listed the coaches of our sporting teams. See if you notice the parochial pattern:
*The Adelaide Thunderbirds netball team will be coached by Jane Woodlands in 2008 and have previously coached by Tania Obst (2006) and Marg Angove (1997-2006), ironically Woodlands' mother. These 3 are all South Australians.
*The Adelaide Lightning women's basketballers are currently led by Vicki Valk but previously had Chris Lucas and current national coach Jan Stirling at the helm. Three more South Australians.
*The Port Adelaide Football Club have been led by Croweaters Mark Williams and Jack Cahill in the AFL.
*While their crosstown rivals, the Adelaide Crows, have had Graham Cornes, Malcolm Blight and Neil Craig as South Australian mentors. Victorian Gary Ayres and Tasmanian Robert Shaw have also led the team.
*The South Australian Redbacks cricket squad has had in recent years Wayne Phillips, Andrew Sincock, Greg Chappell and Jeff Hammond lead the team. Their results since the 1995/96 Sheffield Shield victory have been by far the most inconsistent and poorest of all main South Australian sporting teams. And yet, when looking nationally for a new coach late last year who did the SACA appoint, former third-string keeper, South Australian Mark Sorell. What a surprise!
*Then there is the 36ers. Before Ninnis was favourite son Phil Smyth for 10 seasons. Sure, American Mike Dunlap was before him but his unpopularity scared those in power at the club to replace him with someone the fans knew and loved. Smyth. Admittedly Smyth's results were outstanding until the past two years, but to replace him with another local boy just reeks of either cost-cutting or gutlessness by Mal Hemmerling and the key men at the Distinctive Homes Dome.
As much as I respect Ninnis' application and his coaching background, he was not the right choice for the position. Current West Sydney coach Rob Beveridge was. He was interviewed and his resume apparently discarded for the safe option, an option that pleases the general sporting public in this state and the average 36ers fan. However, it might not please the 36ers fans who have knowledge of Beveridge's outstanding credentials with both the Australian and New South Wales Institutes of sport.
To change some of the fortunes on sporting fields and in sporting arenas in this state South Australian sporting organisations have to start making tough decisions when it comes to selecting their head coaches.
The 36ers have not shown the way and have made the wrong decision. Good luck Scotty, I'll be watching. But I'll blame a gutless heirarchy if you fail. A heirarchy that has followed this annoying pattern, not broken it.
Morrissey sang so long ago about "Panic on the streets of London". Yet it's March 1st, 2008 tomorrow and his tune seems oh so relevant, as the end of the English Premier League season draws near.
As per usual, it appears that only Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea can win the 2007/08 League title, in what one anticipates will be as exciting a finish as any in recent history. The Gunners seemed at the beginning of the season to be the most unlikely of the trio to finish on top yet they are 3 points clear of the Red Devils, their nearest rivals. However, the draw to cellar-dwellars Birmingham City at the weekend has brought a sense of alarm amongst certain members of the Arsenal community and London media. An untimely penalty and a captain's dummy-spit have aroused calls for William Gallas' head. Yet in a topsy-turvy season, the last thing Arsene Wenger's side needs is axe-swinging and rash decisions. It shall be the "sook" Gallas who will steer the Gunners to the top of the table.
Acquired from Chelsea in a straight swap for unhappy England left-back Ashley Cole, Gallas has been influential in Arsenal's rise this season from an up-and-comer to a legitimate title hope. The 30 year-old has provided experience and calm for a team who, for much of the season, have lacked both. Partnering at various times Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, Phillipe Senderos, Bacary Sagna, Justin Hoyte and the aforementioned penalty villain Gael Clichy, Gallas' leadership has often shone through acting as the beacon of a tremendously underrated and inexperrienced defensive unit. He has led his side to some wonderful victories this season and scored crucial 'captain's' goals; none more important than his headers to escape with a draw at home against Manchester United in November and then defeat his former side with the only score of the match a month later. His value has been immeasurable up until the Birmingham clash.
Following the Clichy mistake, Gallas' displeasure was a highlight (or lowlight) on sports reels across the globe. The leader of his side was not backing up his young team-mate and instead sulking in the opposing half and near tears when James McFadden's penalty hit the back of the net. Birmingham City fans jeered the Frenchman for acting like a fool but deep down were just pleased to be escaping with 1 point against the unlikeliest of opponents. There is no doubt his actions also would have received stern words from Wenger and several players in the dressing room.
However, this one blunder has prompted an unbelievable over-exaggeration from various football media circles, particularly those in England. To call for Gallas to be dropped as captain in the most vital part of the year is as ludicrous a suggestion as Wenger would have heard all season. Arsenal still hold onto a 3 point lead with 11 games to play. And while there is much football ahead, one childish incident from the Gunners leader and fan favourite should not count against him until at least the season's end.
With the upcoming fixture against tricky 6th-placed outfit Aston Villa, Arsene Wenger and his men need order, discipline and strength at the back. Martin O'Neill's Villa outfit will be difficult to undermine unless the Gunners have the same agenda - to stay calm in defence and lively in attack and most importantly, get the 3 points! This weekend is a chance to quash uncertainties arising from the Birmingham blunder or the 5-1 FA Cup thrashing at the hands of the Red Devils. It is a chance for Clichy, his team-mates and particularly captain Gallas to prove their worth.
It has been a while between successes for the boys from Emirates Stadium. Written off by many as too young and too inexperienced to successfully challenge Chelsea and Manchester United this year, the Gunners have shown a lot of fortitude so far this season to be where they are. What lies ahead will show the captain's true form. Gallas, though outspoken (formerly clashing with keeper Manuel Almunia), unpredictable and fiery, is the experienced and passionate leader that Arsenal needs in charge of its youth brigade as it marches through March and beyond this season.
A hiccough against Alex McLeish's men last weekend won't be a stumbling block for the determined Gallas and his men as they seek to prove their doubters wrong. That is, if Gallas and Clichy get back to playing the sort of football they were at the beginning of the month and late last year.
"Billy" has the opportunity to join former Arsenal captains Viera, Henry and Adams in lifting the Premier League trophy aloft. Only then will the Birmingham City fans and the media nay-sayers be proven wrong and the football world can sing Morrissey again and chant "William, It Was Really Nothing".
I certainly predict a close finish to this exciting and at times controversial season but I do predict a smile on the Arsenal captain's face come May 11.
New Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has had the shortest of time to prepare his squad for tonight's crucial match against a relatively unknown Qatar outfit. His European-based players have only recently jetted back into the country and have attended merely one or two short trainings. Undoubtedly, the rise in popularity of the round-ball game in this country has put pressure on the national team to perform and to reach the lofty and unexpected heights of the 2006 World Cup. Jet-lag and missing key components Viduka and Kewell aside, Verbeek and these newly led Socceroos have to win tonight and win comprehensively, or otherwise face an uncertain and ill-fated World Cup Qualifying campaign.
No-one can deny that soccer, as it has been known on Australian soil, has well and truly got the nation's attention since John Aloisi's penalty against Uruguay saw us depart for the World Cup. Long-time fans had waited 32 years for that. Progressing beyond the Group Stage in Germany heaped fame onto the players and media and popularity onto the sport and national A-League. We all knew Kewell, Viduka and Schwarzer but suddenly Culina, Bresciano, Emerton, Grella and Cahill were household names. The dramatic loss to Francesco Totti's penalty against Italy hurt the Australian sporting nation more than the Ashes loss to England four years ago. Why? Well because deep down, we always knew that the supreme Test cricketing team were always going to get the Ashes back when Fletcher's men came Down Under. Winning the ultimate in the "world game" is much, much harder, and there are no guarantees on qualification for the Football World Cup, let alone success in it.
For the first time since that heartbreaking loss the nation has pricked up their ears in interest and anticipation for what awaits the Socceroos. Tonight it is Qatar but furthermore, it is entry into the Asian qualification stages that awaits. Ranked 88th and led by former Uruguayan coach Jorge Fossati, the middle-eastern outfit cannot be taken lightly if we are to start well in qualification. From here on in, home games have to turn into victories, for the upcoming draw will be extremely difficult. Alongside Qatar will be fixtures against China and Iraq, both home and away. China are expected to host at altitude, while Iraq in severe heat, while many of our (A-League) players are out of season. Verbeek knows how tough this competition is after much experience, particularly with South Korea. He is already being regarded by the media as a straight-talker, who will take nothing for granted and spare nobody. Omitting Kewell, Thwaite and Carle from the final 18-man squad has shown he has guile, character and hopefully judgment.
Unless the Socceroos reach the pinnacle of world football, the World Cup, through Asian qualifying stages, Pim Verbeek's future and the future of the rising sport in this country will be at stake. The game tonight is by far the most important since our defeat at the hands of the Italians 18 months ago. Our Asian Cup performances were below par. Our friendlies form has also been average, sometimes against beatable opponents.
But none of that really matters now. Only a win will do Pim.
The most dominant player in men's tennis today is an unbackable favourite to win his third straight Australian Open tournament. The first Grand Slam of the year kicked off at the beginning of the week with Swiss Roger Federer starting at $1.65 with bookmakers across the host country. And, with form, crowd support and history on his side, you'd think he'd win it again this year, wouldn't you? But you'd be wrong. The Grand Slam tournament synonymous with upsets and surprise finalists will produce another one this year. The mighty and seemingly unbeatable (except on clay) Federer will not even reach this years final.
A likeable, charming character and effortless tennis player, the Swiss is attempting to match Pete Sampras' Grand Slam titles record of 14 this year, currently sitting on 12 after taking the Australian, Wimbledon and US Open crowns in 2007. His record at Melbourne Park has been typically impressive. Since his breakthrough victory there in 2004, he has won the tournament on two more occasions and made a semi-final appearance three years ago. Overall, his performances on hard-court have been nothing short of outstanding, taking on all comers and emerging triumphant. And, after easy wins in the first two rounds again this year and admissions from the champ himself that he is "100% fit", the winner looks obvious once more
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If you do the crime you have to do the time. Sure the Indian cricket side has every reason to feel let down by poor umpiring decisions in the remarkable Second Test in Sydney at the weekend. Sure Mark Benson and the evergreen Steve Bucknor should face demotion for their poor decision-making, which, many argue, cost the Indians the test match. However, attempting to hold cricket ransom by halting their tour of Australia on the back of the supsension of off-spinner Harbajan Singh is a disgrace. A pure and utter disgrace. If they choose to leave this tour, I'd be reluctant to ever invite them back again. Although the sub-continent holds much of the money in world cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to be firm on this issue, as no test match side is bigger than the game.
Australia's one-day tour of India sparked incredible emotion after rollicking and fiery performances by Singh and firebrand quick, Sreesanth took it up to the World Champions. The series was superb to watch, and if you asked Ricky Ponting, amazing to win. But, when you have a sell-out and boisterous Mumbai crowd racially vilifying Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds to unprecedented lengths in October 2007, many questioned Indian and Australian cricket relations. The strapping Queenslander has had years of up and down performances though appears to have finally cemented a birth in the Australian line-up after several strong performances with the bat. Previously he was basically selected as a specialist fieldsman. Until this tour his name had rarely, if ever, been embroiled in controversy and 'Roy' was always seen as an incredibly popular member of the Australian outfit. Crowd taunting was a major issue during the Indian Tour and a little banter never hurt anybody; however, without doubt, racism does. Australian captain Ricky Ponting stood by Symonds during that tour, at times threatening to walk off the ground until racist jibes ceased. They did, at least for a time
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Traditionally, many pundits have thought that the state of the English Premier League table at Christmas says plenty about how it will wind up in May. And by the looks of things, it will wind up like it always does, with the same sides heading the ladder. Since it began in 1992, the Premier League has seen very few clubs consistently dominate. Only "the Big Four" - Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and more recently, Chelsea - have threatened to win titles and trophies year after year. So, as it looks increasingly unlikely that we will see a new champion this season, it begs the question as to whether predictable winners are good for the Premier League?
Every year since its inception, promoters and commentators have tried to talk up each season as "the most open year yet" with "any number of clubs capable of winning the title". You'll hear that on cable television. You'll read it in your newspaper. Season previews have thrown teams like Newcastle United, Tottenham, Everton and Aston Villa amongst potential challengers, regardless of their form from the previous year. I'm not sure whether analysts fear promoting the dominant oligopoly but some things never change: the Big Four always win. No matter how well other teams have recruited, they haven't had the firepower, depth or mental strength to wrestle the trophies from those who we expect to win them. Tottenham, after finishing 5th last season, was talked up as a potential top three team but have done nothing but disappoint. I think on paper their team had an outside hope of shifting the balance in power but let's be honest, were they ever really a chance
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The Indian cricket team is attempting to throw down the gauntlet one more time to an Australian side that looks nearly unbeatable. Following the 2-0 whitewash against a Sri Lankan outfit featuring Murali, Vaas, Sangakkara, Jayasuria and Jayawardene, serious questions are being asked as to whether any side can seriously match it with Ricky Ponting's men. With India opting for the experience of aging superstars Laxman, Dravid, Ganguly and Tendulkar, they are showing their determination to win with a line-up that has done well for them in the past. The problem is however, whether selecting age over youth bodes well for coach Gary Kirsten's men in the future, particularly if this last roll of the dice is unsuccessful.
On paper a line-up featuring Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S Laxman is enough to scare any bowling attack around the world. These four men have gotten India across the line so many times before that everybody has lost count. And, importantly, they have been part of Indian teams that have drawn series with Australia away from home and defeated them on the sub-continent
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The Adelaide 36ers franchise is one of the proudest in the National Basketball League. While being competitive during basketball's boom period in Australia in the mid-1990s, a change of coaches finally paid dividends when the team one back-to-back championships in 1997/1998. The Messiah was former Canberra Cannon and 36er, Phil Smyth, a popular man who coached like he played: hard but fair, and while having plenty of fun. Smyth's outstanding record of making the playoffs continued, winning another title along the way. However, the honeymoon is well and truly over and after looking like missing the final 8 for the second year running, 'the General' should be shipped elsewhere.
I have been a huge fan of Phil Smyth's since he took over from Dave Claxton at the end of the 1996 season in Adelaide. He truly did a fantastic job in taking a non-playoff team to the championship in his first two seasons. While the squad always had the benefit of having star shooter Brett Maher, choosing former Denver Nuggets, Darnell Mee and Kevin Brooks as imports brought the title to South Australia. Mee will go down as one of the best defensive talents this country has ever seen. And Brooks, a lanky shooter full of personality, had the uncanny ability to hit difficult clutch baskets at range. Together with Maher and other parts of the puzzle, John Rillie, Paul Rees and Martin Cattalini, Smyth had assembled a wonderful team and could not have wished for a better start
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One of Australia's most maligned - sometimes unfairly, sometimes fairly - sportspersons in recent times is on the brink of retirement. Mark "the Scud" Philippoussis' knee injury at the weekend, which will require immediate surgery and extended time off the court, could signal the end of his rollercoaster career. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up was once ranked as high as number 8 in the world, yet it was his Davis Cup inconsistencies and off-court interest in girls and fast cars that skews the view on "the Poo". This begs the question, how should he be remembered?
No-one can possibly doubt the Scud's natural talent with racquet in hand. The 6ft5 Victorian powerhouse burst onto the scene in 1996, aged 20, following a stunning upset of world number 1 and legend of the game Pete Sampras, at the Australian Open. Two years later, he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open against countryman Pat Rafter. And, while Philippoussis would eventually lose to Rafter, his quick rise was capped off with entry into the world's Top 10 at the beginning of 1999
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The last time there was this much excitement in Boston, it was because Ted Danson was running a bar where he knew everyone's name. For the first time since the Bird, McHale and Parrish era, the Celtics look to be a genuine title threat. Their Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are getting it done, with a little help from their friends. At 18-2 they look unstoppable but whether their run will transcend through to the playoffs is another story.
The thing about the 1980 era Celtics is that they had the talents of one man in particular: Larry Bird. Bird should go down as being in the Top 5 best basketballers of all time and there is a strong case for him to be number one. He turned a 29-53 1978-79 Celtics team into a 61-21 team in 1979-80. Acquiring Robert Parrish from Golden State and drafting Kevin McHale from the University of Minnesota for the following season saw the original Big Three come together, contesting and winning 3 titles together. They were consistently winning playoff games for 10 years
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