The best way to predict your future is to create it.

I need to vent about footy and it's a week when my team has had the best win of their year!!!!

I've been listening with patience all year about how good the Demons are going to be and how their young brigade of players will hold them in good stead in the years to come.

Well I'm going to drop some statistical knowledge on you and you be the judge.

The Demons are playing so well!?!?!? or so it seems!!!!  They are currently 4 wins and a draw from 12 games. The 4 wins have been Adelaide and Richmond (Bottom 2), Brisbane and Port Adelaide (Bottom 8). Nuff said!!

The Kangaroos are 6 wins from 12 games and touted as having a shocking year. Sure I'll admit we have had a couple of blow out losses but that is to be expected with the youngest list in the comp.

As Janet and Luthur put it 'check this out!'

I was lurking through the dark murky sewers or the 'net' and stumbled across http://www.livewire.com/ and found a fantastic resource for AFL stats!!!!

I noticed Ryan Bastinac our star recruit at pick #21 in the 09 draft is the #1 Rising Star in the AFL for disposals. I thought this was a good endorsement that he was travelling well so I sluthed further and found this:

Rising Star Total Disposals

#1     Ryan Bastinac  236

#5     Jack Ziebell     194

#26   Sam Wright     121  (11 Games played out of 12)

#31   Ben Cunnington 99  (8 Games played)

Rising Star Total Kicks

#1     Ryan Bastinac   121

#2     Jack Ziebell      117

#19   Sam Wright       73

#27   Ben Warren      60 (8 Games played out of 12)

Rising Star Total Goals

#8    Ben Warren     10

#11  Sam Wright      8  (Both not even Forwards!)

Rising Star Tackles (Probably the most impressive stats for rookies!)

#2     Jack Ziebell      58

#7     Ben Cunnington  47 (#1 avg per game at over 5!!!!)

#9    Ryan Bastinac     38

#22  Sam Wright        28

#24  Cruize Garlett     24 (4 Games Played)

#40  Ben Warren        14

I started off comparing 'our' young group with Melbourne's but have gone with a focus on The Roos group to point out the brightness of our future and where we are (hopefully) heading as a club on the field.

Nth Melb are 6-6 sitting in 9th position equal to Hawthorn who are 6-6 in 8th. A must win game this Sunday against The Power could find the Roos in the 8 at the end of the week??

Potential is a finicky game but I honestly believe that if the Roos miss the finals this year, they should make it next!!

One final look at the guns at our club who have played less than 100 games

89 Hamish McIntosh

74 Andrew Swallow

66 Lindsay Thomas

62 Scott McMahon

53 Matt Campbell

47 Aaron Edwards

41 Lachie Hansen

40 Scott Thompson

37 Gavin Urquhart

36 Ed Lower

28 Todd Goldstein

24 Nathan Grima

22 Jack Ziebell

18 Levi Greenwood

17 Liam Anthony

17 Ben Warren

15 Leigh Adams

15 Sam Wright

14 Ben Ross

12 Ryan Bastinac

9  Cruize Garlett

9  Josh Smith

8  Ben Cunnington

5  Alan Obst

2  Nathan O'Keefe

0  Majak Daw

0  Robbie Tarrant

Plus many other unplayed rookies!!!

Until then hail to the Rising Star!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #2

Top Ten Sport to Watch #2

American Football (Gridiron) - New York Football Giants

I started watching NFL in 1991 and have been addicted ever since. So much so I paid for pay TV just so I could get up at 3am ad watch the early game. Oh and Sports Centre. I'm not particular either I'll watch any team and now that I have access to channel ONE I'll see more this coming summer. Back in the day I used to watch the local Frankston team and in 1999 I flew to Sydney to watch The Denver Broncos and the San Diego Chargers play an exhibition game. One of my bucket list goals is to see a game in New York and the Superbowl (I can dream!) Watching a game featuring the New York Giants is an absolute thrill for me and seeing them win SuperBowl XLII (42 if you're not Roman!) with my mate Rowie (sic) was top 3 sporting events ever.

I am a big fan of stats and NFL has it in spades and I'm also a huge fan of the tactical part of the sport!

Top Ten Sport to Play #2

American Football (Gridiron) - I'm looking for a throw, I'm looking to a long throw!

As I've stated earlier, my enjoyment for a sport grows exponentially with my ability to actually play it. My 3 best friends in high school were all very talented sportsmen but I would like to think that this is the one sport where I could hold my own. I have pretty good hands but lack the pace unfortunately. But throwing the ball for some reason suited me. I'm by no means muscular so I guess from a bio mechanical point my throwing style suited that skill. I'm generally pretty accurate and could definitely throw it further so my enjoyment was lifted. I would have loved to play high school football but maybe that would shown me I wasn't quite as good as I thought so it's for the best!

Until then hail to the Mary!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #3

Top Sport to Watch #3

Basketball - Clyde the Glide

During the early 90's I introduced gridiron to my family and my younger Bro brought basketball to the mix. We followed separate NBL and NBA teams but that only makes it more interesting. We even went to a NBL All-Star game which was awesome including the dunk comp! NBA was Jordan mad so we watched plenty of Sat morning NBA time. High School finished and like alot of my friends we lost contact. Well I now have the HD channels and like an old friend it was fun to catch up and out of no where I fell for the Celtics, and over the last 5 months we have been reacquainted and we(the Celtics) are 1 game away from the finals.

It's also a fast paced (minus the timeouts) exciting, skillful game.

Top Sports to Play #3

Basketball - Trojans Vs Reeconiks

I was unfortunate to have my 3 best friends in high school being very good at sport. Any Sport! So when we were 17 and formed a basketball team I was the weak link and looking back at it I really took it to heart. I'm also only about 5" 10' and was usually the tallest or 2nd tallest in the team so was grossly out of position. That is not an excuse for my bad shooting or turnovers but basketball is number #3 on my list so I obviously enjoy the game.

I am a huge stats man so my trusty younger bro would tag along and keep my stats which couldn't have too hard as I averaged about 4 points a game. However one particular game stands out as we had alot of players who couldn't play so my older brother Marc stepped in and my 13 year old brother played as well. Take into account we were playing 'C' grade mens it is pretty impressive. Unfortunately Ryan's 3 point buzzer beater at the end of the 1st half over shadowed my best scoring game of 15 points.

Until then hail to the tre!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #4

Top Sport to Watch #4

Cricket - Before the men started taking their wives on tour

As any red blooded Aussie male I've seen my fair share of Aussie cricket. Not interested in Sheffield Shield it has to be Australia and preferably ODI or TESTS. Haven't really taken to 20TWENTY but will watch it if no other sport on!!!!  I grew up playing in the backyard and I was Dean Jones and my younger bro Mark Waugh and I listened to The 12th Man. I've been a huge fan of Pontings throughout his whole career! A bit late for DK Lillie and Co but still the Aussie team has been in a state of constant halcyon years since I've been alive! Love beating the KIWI's and particularly the POMS in the Ashes.

Top Sport to Play #4

Soccer - Liverpool kiss! Chelsea smile!

The only reason I have this above 5-8 is because of the round ball and it's easier therefore I'm better at it! Yes I get more enjoyment if I can actually participate!!!! Fancy myself as a bit of a striker but never played professionally! I'm sure I'll get out in the playground come World Cup!!


Can I also give a shout out to my esteemed little bro. He is a published writer of some note and has his thick cheerio fingers in many pies and as of today has launched a new blog/website thoughtballoon where 9 writers including him pick a comic character each week to write a one page comic script each. They've started with Tony Stark and as of now they have 2 very different yet interesting takes on the Tin Man.

Until then hail to the Stark!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #6 and #5

Well here are my #6

Sports to Watch

Tennis - Grand Slams only!!!!

To be honest patriotism comes into it more than watching good players!!!  Federer is an awesome player and seemingly a nice guy but I've never rooted for him. I will be interested in a grand slam if an Aussie is playing otherwise not really at all.  Having said that if an Aussie is in a final I will stay up all night and really enjoy the spectacle.


Sports to Play


Cricket - 2 wickets for 4 runs off 4 overs.

I never played as a kid and this year I partook in the famous Charters Towers Ashes and played 3 games. If I was any good at cricket I'd have it in my top 3 or 4. But I am dodgier than a prawn left in the sun. In 3 games I made 3, 1 and an 8. Not good at all. Admittedly after each ball I grabbed my stubbie from behind the wickets and had a good old swig. Gloves weren't a problem as I didn't wear any. I did however enjoy my 8 by hitting a cracking cut shot for 4 but then the rain started and by the ball that took my wicket hit the pitch about 2 metres in front of me and rolled into my stumps. Yes I know excuses but I reckon I had a few more runs in me. As for bowling, I was a little better but that wasn't hard. Game 1 -  I took 2 for 4 and ran someone out from just inside the boundary.  Game 2 - 2 for 6 and another long run out. and Game 3 - 1 for lots in the rain.  Yes Ryan my 3 days I was more concerned with stats and beers!



Well here are my #5


Sports to Watch


Baseball - RedSox baby!!!!!


I have very fond memories of staying up late with my younger bro with a real strong coffee and watching 3 innings before falling asleep on the dirty mocha chicken couch!!!!  I'm now a relatively big Boston RedSox fan any game on ONE is enjoyed!



Sports to Play


Baseball - Karingal SC regional champs

I have a ball and glove and in high school enjoyed having a hit. I was on the school team that won the regional champs as an outfielder and back up pitcher. Sure I was probably the weakest link on the team but I enjoyed it and would have to say I'm better at this than cricket and yes the enjoyment factor goes up if I'm better for it!



Until then hail to the hit and giggle!

Top Ten Sports to Watch/Play #8 and #7

Well here are my #8

Sports to Watch

Golf - 18 Holes isn't enough for Tiger

To watch golf I have to pick a 'swinger' to 'follow' and only the big events!!!!!!

Sports to Play

Tennis - Beating Aiden being the highlight

I have swung the racket a couple of times but my win over Aiden at UNE was the highlight.

Well here are my #7

Sports to Watch

Soccer - Living in England during the 2006 World Cup was awesome!

I've never been a huge fan but I'll keep an eye on Aussie qualifiers and the Fury but damn I'm in for the World Cup. Less than a month to go!!!!

Sports to Play

Golf - Royal Chindarah

I really enjoy Golf but I am not very good at it and my patience isn't great so it can be frustrating!!!!  However I usually enjoy the experience and can usual come close to Rowey or Ryan.  Hanging the 14th hole flag proudly is almost a highlight!!!! How teeing off and landing less than a metre from the pin after a drink fuelled superbowl is it!

Until then hail to South Africa!!

Top Ten sports to watch and play!!! The Nines

Well I've already changed my top ten selection from Netball to Darts. Well this has shaken my list to it's very core!!

I'm going to forge ahead anyway as I'm interested in the discussion it will generate!!!


Well here are the nines!!!!

Top Ten sports to play - Nine

Netball

Yes mixed netball I played in the Charters Towers 'B' Grade premiership team 07. I found that it is an excellent workout and my competitive spirit definitely kicked in!!!  This is again here based on lack of other options.  I did think darts but have never actually played it sober or for sport although I'm a bit of a fan. Any sport you can play with a schooner in your hand is okay by me. However I find I am more into netball and probably a better player.

Top Ten sports to watch - Nine

Ice Hockey - The Great Gretzky

Back in the day my mates and I would play a bit of a Sega MegaDrive and the staple at my place was EA Sports (it's in the game!). haha I still say it when I play Madden 09 on my PC!!!!!  We had most Madden's, a run hungry Joe Montana Sports talk football, NBA and NHL 94 (I think?). I had the first version where you could fight which was a bonus. The early nineties were a time for alot of American sports on TV and amongst the NFL, NBA and MLB we also partook in a little NHL. Not heaps as it's only 9 on the list but enough!!!

So doubters where have I gone wrong?

Until then it's in the game!

Top Ten - Sports to play!!!!!! Sports to watch!!!

Okay I am absolutely certain that I will post this and someone (Ryan or Aidan) will notice an obvious choice missing like cricket or basketball (both included!!)

So with minimal research and only a solid top 8 here it is!!!!

Top 10 to play!! #10

Ice Hockey - You'd like pretty funny eating corn on the cob with no ****ing teeth

I've been ice skating several times and considering I haven't done it much I'm serviceable!!!!  I've only held a stick once and based on my greenness it's a lowly 10. Also the fact that I haven't latched onto a team to follow is another reason for the position.

Top 10 to watch!! #10

DARTS!!!!!!!!!!!! -     One hundred and eightttttyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy  (note: changed after posting!!)

Can't believe I put netball in ahead!!!!!!!! Thanks Stink!!!!!

Netball - Long legs and pointy elbows

This is really only made the grade because I couldn't think of a better option. Com'n Ryan or Aidan what should replace it????  I've played netball for a season and appreciate the stamina required and I have watched a bot particularly Commonwealth Games.


One debate I had with my inner monologue is....  can you split a sport into mens and womens?????

Anyway that's the tens with nines following very shortly!!!!

Until then hail to those legs!