Thanks for the mammoth newsletter Dylan. I watched the cricket (why have all the games been so one-sided? Weird) and got caught up in the AFL finals series. As a neutral (Richmond being erratic and therefore nowhere near the top 8 and deservedly so), the games were so intense and the crowds phenomenal (92,000 plus two nights in a row at the MCG). Much conversation about a terrible injury to a Melbourne player by a Collingwood player - Brayshaw knocked unconscious for two minutes after a flying smother by Maynard and a shoulder to the face as he came down. The AFL has sent it to the tribunal - will be interesting to see what happens at the hearing tonight, given the ongoing discussions about what level of care do players have to avoid the head.
Interesting points about defensive plays in Tennis. I'm not an avid follower but do they not have a version of expected goals (xG) like in football? Expected returns (xR)?!
On the cricket, got to say I was relieved to hear they left out Allen. Hadn't shown near enough consistency or game winning innings to persist with.
Only saw highlights of the Boks but for multiple spells it looked like they hunted every breakdown for the ball, it must be so relentless playing against them. They're going to take a lot of everything to get one over them. Looking forward to seeing Ireland try.
Absolutely agree with the sentiment regarding fly-half Ford over Farrell, but the Stuart Lancaster reference reminds me of what I do, all to frequently.
Can’t bring myself to call Djokovic the GOAT. I’d still play the argument that Fed would have a shed load more slams if he wasn’t playing at the same time as Nadal
With you there Max and Dylan (although could be argued that Joko would have lots more slams without Fed and Nadal :) ). He is technically a great player, great fitness and an ability to pull himself out of situations that look dire (2nd set today the radio commentators were saying he was struggling). Numbers wise he is the greatest player, however he just doesn't always seem a nice person which I think is important in being a GOAT (or just my excuse...). Great effort by Erin, hopefully more success for her.
Try Steve Borthwick as England coach. Stuart Lancaster was a couple of RWC's ago.
Ha ha, yes brain freeze. Was reading about some player going to Racing 92 and must have had Mr Lancaster on my mind.
Very interesting analysis here. Question is, what do the ABs do to counter it?
https://x.com/jimhamilton4/status/1701609837510238649?s=20
Thanks for the mammoth newsletter Dylan. I watched the cricket (why have all the games been so one-sided? Weird) and got caught up in the AFL finals series. As a neutral (Richmond being erratic and therefore nowhere near the top 8 and deservedly so), the games were so intense and the crowds phenomenal (92,000 plus two nights in a row at the MCG). Much conversation about a terrible injury to a Melbourne player by a Collingwood player - Brayshaw knocked unconscious for two minutes after a flying smother by Maynard and a shoulder to the face as he came down. The AFL has sent it to the tribunal - will be interesting to see what happens at the hearing tonight, given the ongoing discussions about what level of care do players have to avoid the head.
Interesting points about defensive plays in Tennis. I'm not an avid follower but do they not have a version of expected goals (xG) like in football? Expected returns (xR)?!
On the cricket, got to say I was relieved to hear they left out Allen. Hadn't shown near enough consistency or game winning innings to persist with.
Only saw highlights of the Boks but for multiple spells it looked like they hunted every breakdown for the ball, it must be so relentless playing against them. They're going to take a lot of everything to get one over them. Looking forward to seeing Ireland try.
Playing a backline player out of position at a RWC, slow learners
Absolutely agree with the sentiment regarding fly-half Ford over Farrell, but the Stuart Lancaster reference reminds me of what I do, all to frequently.
Keep the laughs coming....
Can’t bring myself to call Djokovic the GOAT. I’d still play the argument that Fed would have a shed load more slams if he wasn’t playing at the same time as Nadal
With you there Max and Dylan (although could be argued that Joko would have lots more slams without Fed and Nadal :) ). He is technically a great player, great fitness and an ability to pull himself out of situations that look dire (2nd set today the radio commentators were saying he was struggling). Numbers wise he is the greatest player, however he just doesn't always seem a nice person which I think is important in being a GOAT (or just my excuse...). Great effort by Erin, hopefully more success for her.
Haha I’d love to agree on the nice guy part, although Micheal Jordan and Tom Brady unfortunately break that theory