litres of ink

Black Mountain – Wilderness Heart

2010-10-21T14:13:00.007+11:00

Jagjaguwar Records
This post appeared on Crikey 21/10/10

In a recent piece for TIME Magazine titled ‘America from The Road’, political scribe Joe Klein, latched onto budding public sentiment that America’s once implicit international dominance is fading quicker than a winning TAB ticket left to rot in your back pocket. One protagonist equated the US sentiment to Turkey’s own struggle to maintain empirical prosperity--‘a prevailing sense of melancholy’.

You’re damn right I’m about to compare a rousing, cultural sentiment with the ebbs and flows of a modern rock ‘n’ roll record, and here’s how:

On the surface Wilderness Heart, Black Mountain’s third record, is the Canadian’s most commercially affable work. The carefree, bliss rock featured on previous records In The Future and Black Mountain has been buffed and polished, the shoeshine-rag doused in an impulsive melancholy—just to make sure those Doc Martens (or lets be civil here, Chuck Taylors) shine. But lurking beneath the sheen alterna-pop and driving pace of tracks like Buried By The Blues and Let Spirits Ride lay a warped sarcastic tone; a brooding emulsion.

The staccato phrasing in the main refrain of opener The Hair Song recalls the brooding pop fashioned by the alternative rulers of the mid to late 90s. The kind Soundgarden perfected with Superunknown and laboured over on Down On The Upside.

First single, Old Fangs, sucks you in with a sleek call and response vocal between Stephen McBean and Amber Webber; the verses hum along as a korg plays an outrageous melody, straddling the fine line of accompaniment and dominance.

While foremost songwriter McBean delivers suggestive lines like ‘children having their fun with the blues’ and ‘play those deathwish chords’ -- honing in on plausible and indulgent cheap shots would distract from the thrilling instrumentation and serene melodies found elsewhere.

The album’s torso, Radiant Hearts, Rollercoaster and The Way to Gone successfully nail every traditional song writing device from soaring pre-chorus to clear and efficient melody shifts. The record winds down with two reflective tracks The Space In Your Mind and closer Sadie both, thankfully, engage in nostalgia without succumbing to wallowing depths.

Overall Wilderness Heart is a deftly shaped record, riddled with hooks and catch cries you can either drink to or ruminate on, the choice is yours.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

For the love of sport – let us set aside our differences

2010-07-31T11:04:00.002+10:00

This post appeared on Crikey Sports 21/7/10

There comes a point in every normal person's life when they stop looking at athletes as models for living.

Why we look the other way – Chuck Klosterman

In a 2007 piece for ESPN The Magazine, essayist and self-avowed sporting atheist Chuck Klosterman sketched out the fluid ethical dilemmas facing a modern sporting fanatic.

Why does the contemporary sports fan turn a blind eye to the deceptive behaviours of an athlete he or she chooses to admire? How can that fan reconcile such a judgment with the creeds he or she abides by in other realms of their life?

Consider a daily commute – a commuter who discovers that their bus driver has a drinking problem may seriously consider taking an alternative route. Yet if that same commuter is tipped off that the driver has been unfaithful to his or her spouse; I doubt the commuter gives an alternative route a second thought.

So what is it about sporting performance that makes fans and scribes demand absolute morality from athletes?

An argument can be made that the narratives of sport satisfy the divergent impulses of many: achievement, character, competition, escapism, fitness, health and social development.

Stepping into the headspace of an economist, let us consider a protagonist’s attempt to reach excellence in a nonspecific field. In order to achieve excellence the protagonist has a choice – abide by the conventions of the relevant field or attempt to gain an advantage by unscrupulous means. The economist will say that the benefit gained in achieving excellence outweighs the cost of the unscrupulous behaviour.

So, should we insinuate that the only satisfied modern sports fan moonlights as an economist? Of course not, but the average fan in 2010 has witnessed numerous cases of unscrupulous behaviour: unprecedented salary cap rorts, continued innuendo surrounding illegal performance enhancers, racial discrimination, incredulous egos and absurd actions of greed – it’s enough to crush the spirit of the most strident freakonomicist.

Despite copping a battering fans continue to invest both financially and emotionally in their favourite sports. What is it about sport that obliges fans continue to embrace despite their ideals continually being crushed?

In the 90s Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley almost caused a riot when he quipped that he was not a role model and that it was the responsibility of parents to educate their children on the dos and don’ts of society.

In his 2007 piece Klosterman mused that ‘any thinking adult who follows pro sports understands that some people are corrupt and the games are just games and money drives everything. It would be strange if they did not realize these things. But what's equally strange is the way so many fans (and sportswriters, myself included) revert back to their 10-year-old selves whenever an issue like steroids shatters the surface.’

Sport is just one of many sub-cultures that make up modern society. And fans of sport face many ethical dilemmas in various fields on a daily basis. The challenge for the modern sports fan is how to negotiate the fluid and distinctive moral judgements in way that ultimately leads to a satisfying sporting experience.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

We bid you adieu, Lance, but you’ll still need to answer the critics

2010-07-26T16:28:00.003+10:00

This post appeared on Crikey Sports

Overnight seven time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong bid adieu a second time to the race that has defined his career. A career he has congealed into a tetchy international profile.

Like a graduating high school student looking to cause havoc on muck up day Armstrong, a former cancer sufferer, managed to irk tour officials during the warm-up to the final stage, from Longjumeau to the Champs Elysees in Paris.

His RadioShack team traded in the red and grey tops they have donned throughout the tour in favour of black tops with the number ‘28’ emblazoned on them. The team made the switch to raise awareness for Armstrong’s Livestrong foundation – the number ‘28’ representing the 28 million people currently battling cancer worldwide.

Officials stepped in and soon after the Radioshack team reverted back to the official uniform. Armstrong seemed to draw out the incident for as long as possible to achieve ultimate exposure.

For the record Armstrong completed the tour 39 minutes behind winner Spanish rider Alberto Contador. Despite Armstrong failing to challenge the general classification or take out a stage win, his RadioShack team did manage best overall team across the 20 stage grand tour.

Armstrong will now focus his attention on discrediting the allegations made by his disgraced former teammate Floyd Landis. Landis admitted to lying about using performance enhancers and claimed that Armstrong was a not only a participant in the practice of blood-doping but that he taught others including Landis how to administer doping programs.

Armstrong has been at the centre of doping allegations for his entire career, firstly by European press, more recently in the American press and now as a result of the Landis allegations, a US Federal inquiry.

During his career Armstrong has built – on the foundations of competing in and winning tours as a ‘clean’ athlete - the Livestrong brand into an international juggernaut. No doubt the Livestrong Foundation has provided assistance to countless cancer suffers worldwide, invested millions into cancer research and advanced the prolife of the disease.

My question is this – if during his retirement it is revealed that Armstrong has been guilty of blood doping then his recognition and achievements in the sport of cycling will evaporate - but what impact would such a development have on the legacy and charitable achievements of his Livestrong Foundation?

If Armstrong was found guilty of doping then the Livestrong Foundation was built on a false premise. Would investors have committed to the Armstrong campaign knowing that he had abused and cheated the sport?

Armstrong was cheered and revered on every stage during his final tour. He suffered setbacks, crashing numerous times in the early stages, which effectively ruled him out of contention in the general classification.

But Armstrong dug in and completed the tour in his customary polarising manner. I expect Armstrong to be just as polarising in retirement as he was climbing the Pyrenees.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Tall Blacks seek out a Celtic

2010-07-23T13:23:00.000+10:00

It has been a drawn-out week: our pollies have spluttered through the first week of an increasingly lacklustre election campaign; a week where Danny Green has once again highlighted the inept and farcical administration and ultimate irrelevance of boxing in this country; and a week where Jason Akermanis collected a few more anecdotes for his upcoming autobiography.

Amongst these so-so stories one yarn stood out like a Tour De France participant taking time out for a ‘nature break’ – the attempt of New Zealand basketball to entice 7ft Boston Celtics centre Kendrick Perkins to tread the pine and pound the boards for the Tall Blacks.

The heritage link – according to The Waikato Times is Perkins’ estranged father who resides in Christchurch and played in the NZ basketball league in the 80s.

Kiwi, a good friend of Litres of Ink and proud New Zealander has fond memories of Kenny Perkins tearing up the NZBL.

This Perkins thing won’t happen will it? How crazy would it be if he did!
I remember watching Old Kenny Perkins back in the 80's and 90's he was gold, he was a superstar back then. Did not know the connection.

The yarn also caught the eye of Zach Lowe of the Celtics Hub blog.

This will never happen, but if it did, it might end up being the most ridiculous player/country match I can think of off the top of my head.
Becky Hammon got a lot of flack for her decision to become a Russian citizen in order to play for Russia in the ’08 Olympics, but at least she had some connection to Russia, having played there in off-seasons before.

Whether or not you think the Tall Blacks attempts to link Perkins to NZ are a stretch, a sign of desperation or indeed a genius ploy, the story garnered NZ basketball some international attention and has been a refreshing distraction from a week that has produced few, if any, engaging narratives.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

US left hanging on the words of the billion dollar man

2010-07-09T17:33:00.000+10:00

This post also appears on ThePunch

The Decision has been made - LeBron James will spend his foreseeable future playing in South Beach Florida, hooping for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association.

James, an Akron Ohio native whose decision to leave his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers after seven seasons has shattered Cavs fans - James has copped a blasting from Cavs owner Dan Gilbert here –and is the most significant transaction of an American athlete since Shaquille O’Neal left the Orlando Magic franchise for the L.A. Lakers in 1996.

The magnitude and the bizarre nature of The Decision will be felt on two fronts: how the next five to ten years play out for the Miami Heat and ultimately the NBA; and how the international sporting media reflects on its own behaviour during this unprecedented episode.

As the New York Times has written today the hoopla surrounding James’ decision has been unprecedented. Twitter has been a flutter for weeks as potential suitors, President Obama included, tried to pin the tail on the 25 year old.

In the quest to become the world’s second billionaire athlete – James and his brain trust combined with US sporting network ESPN to capitalise, make that metamorphose, the typically mundane act of a free-agent committing to a team into an indulgent one hour special.

While James ensured that all advertising revenue raised during the program was dutifully given to charity; the move reeked of a marketing savvy and grit that even a turpentine cleansing would find hard to shake.

The questions quickly arose of ESPN’s editorial credibility: would ESPN reporters risk their integrity by freezing tip-offs until after the special aired; should a network pander to the quest of a superstar looking to become a super-duper-star; and will the network be tarnished and tagged with dumbing down to TMZ standards?

I do not see a problem with an exclusive sporting network showcasing what some might consider a trivial by product of day to day sport coverage, it’s ESPN’s prerogative and after all it’s a network that covers what? Sport!

As far as I can tell ESPN reporters did not withhold any information or fail in their duty to cover the event objectively.

As far as the future of the NBA goes well fans are in for a ride. Can Miami build, who also resigned Heat star Dwayne Wade and former Toronto Raptor Chris Bosh, afford to build a championship squad around three superstars.

One thing is for certain the Heat will instantly become the fan-favourite team to root against – taking the mantle from current title holders the L.A Lakers.

I’m salivating at the prospect of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant taking it to both James and Wade over the next few years; will it be James or Wade who takes the final shot in crunch time?

Will James win more titles than Bryant’s five or Michael Jordan’s six and become a super-duper-star in South Beach? We’ll have to wait and see.

It’s going to be a fun ride and as recently retired NBA stalwart Rasheed Wallace likes to say ‘Ball don’t lie’.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

The two-anthem initiative was a success

2010-07-09T17:02:00.001+10:00

A few years ago the Australian Rugby Union employed true-blue John Williamson to perform Waltzing Matilda before Bledisloe Test matches. It was an ill-advised attempt to offset the intensity of the All Black’s performance of the haka.

Cringe-worthy to say the least, the sight of Williamson pacing the sideline with his acoustic guitar swung over his shoulder gave leaguies yet another opportunity to mock the rah-rah faithful and thankfully was ditched after two years or so.

The NRL’s decision to perform two versions of the national anthem, one in English and one in the Daharug language, prior to State of Origin III on Wednesday should be applauded.

As Daniel Lewis and Paddy Wood reported in the SMH reported today, there was a hiccup with the Daharug version incorrectly attributed as the Eora language.

Lets hope the mistake doesn’t take the gloss off the initiative. It was successfully devised by rugby league’s Indigenous Council as part of the Naidoc Week celebrations and not as some cynics may have you believe an attempt to diffuse the Andrew Johns racial abuse case.

New Zealand performs its anthem in both Maori and English and the NRL and other Australian sporting codes should seriously consider implementing the practice at all major events.

The beauty of sport is its ability to lay the foundations for social change. By adopting the two-anthem initiative Australian sporting organisations would be showing supporters that committing to the reconciliation process is a life’s work, not simply a one-off token gesture.

Read the SMH yarn here – State of Origin woes

I’m interested in your thoughts.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Kick for the seagulls

2010-05-31T11:48:00.003+10:00

It’s Monday morning and that means it’s time to devour every inch of The Australian’s Media Section. Media is a ‘can’t miss’ for Litres of Ink and in today’s issue James Chessell has offered up a corker of a yarn.

In Seagulls disrupt the Footy at MCG, Chessell takes a look at the influx of seagulls come game time and the occupational hazards wildlife present for athletes and sportscasters.

Throughout the 2010 season many close observers of Australian Rules Football in Melbourne have noticed unusually large flocks of seagulls congregating around the ground during night matches.

Attracted by a combination of lights, insects and a large expanse of green grass, the common silver gull has been a regular visitor to the MCG over the years. But this season the birds have shown a particular enthusiasm for football...

Wildlife is an occupational hazard for sportspeople and broadcasters alike.

In a World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in September 2008, Socceroos captain Lucas Neil risked the wrath of animal rights activists when he accidentally kicked the ball into an injured bird that was having trouble vacating the field.

Seagulls have held up the bowler or collided with balls on the cricket field. Major League baseball pitcher Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson once killed a dove when the bird swooped into the path of a fastball during a spring training game in 2001.

As a kid from the rugby league obsessed South West Slopes of NSW, I would watch the game and marvel at the language used to describe the ebbs and flows of the contest. My grandfather would mumble ‘kick for seagulls’ and I would laugh at the practicality of the metaphor, oblivious to the reference of kicking into open space.

Until today I was unaware of its origins, Chessell explains:

Nine's head of sport, Steve Crawley, notes that bird problems seem to be largely confined to Melbourne. "The ones up here (in Sydney) aren't causing as many problems," he says.

"In rugby league, the only reference to seagulls was the great Jack Gibson, who was the first supercoach. He used to tell Peter Stirling, who now works with us, to kick for the seagulls because that meant there was no one around there.

The vitality of a sport can often be measured by the affectionate colloquialisms or endearing tones of language used to describe it.

Each week ABC Grandstand commentator, David Morrow, illuminates the wireless with his depictions of rugby league play. And each week I get a shot of adrenaline as Morrow embeds himself in a sides’ attacking backline ball movement.

Morrow’s patented cry of ‘away-it-goes’ evokes pure excitement in the listener; as does his ability to make the player with possession the ruler of an Empire for the split second he handles the ball.

The absolution in Morrow's voice when a player crosses the line to score is intoxicating – it’s as if a try had never been scored before and somehow the moment had solved Greece's economic woes.

If co-commentator Warren ‘The Wok’ Ryan throws in a ’that’s two Meat-Pies for young [insert winger’s name]’, I know I have entered a state of aural bliss.

I’d love to hear from you about your favourite sporting colloquialisms; commentator quirks or localised nicknames.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Could a luxury cap solve the NRL's salary cap problems?

2010-05-21T11:00:00.003+10:00

It’s been 29 days since the National Rugby League sanctioned the Melbourne Storm for its systematic salary rorts. Like a sting from a box jellyfish – the narrative has pricked the skin and stunned fans of rugby league into distress.

The severities of the sanctions mirrored the deceitful infection of the crime. The pitiless penalty of them all - the club was stripped of its 2007 and 2009 Premierships. Two asterisks now don the NRL record books, defining to future sporting generations the futility of fraud.

The supplementary penalties pale in comparison: a $500,000 fine; an order to pay back $1.1 million in prize money; all 2010 competition points voided and prevented from accumulating further points until 2011.

Since the NRL’s decision there has been rigorous debate. Player retention and the future of the current salary cap model have been at the forefront. As has the future of the Storm franchise; how to address News Limited’s conflicting interest in ownership; the sanctioning powers of the NRL administration and indeed the viability of the sport.

Today, it seems that the debate has slowed. I worry that an 'it’ll be right mate' attitude has crept in and that the month-and-a-half spectacle that is State of Origin will mask the salary cap issue like spilt fuel lying dormant only to ignite without warning.

Definitive answers have been hard to come by and so the questions, that until last week had been so dire, have been set aside and with them the solutions or maverick models that might offer up a resolution.

Disgruntled stars have side-stepped their own Players Association to voice concern; attention has been given to an exclusive television rights agreement, an agreement that doesn’t commence for another two years; while talk of restrictions of trade seem frivolous – the NRL administers a salary cap – it’s a free market and players are free to explore alternate options.

The players are unhappy; the fans are struggling to reconcile that the game they love could be victimised by such deception and so the discussion has bogged.

What was melancholy is slowly turning to spite.

It reminds me of the Paul Kelly penned ode to Sir Donald Bradman. In the five minute tune Kelly both extols Bradman’s graceful once-in-a-generation domination of his chosen sport while also voicing his disillusionment at cricket administrators for introducing the One-Day form of the game.

They always came for Bradman ‘cause fortune used to hide in the palm of his hand
More than just one man, he was half the bloody side
Now the players all wear colours, the circus is in town
I no longer can go down there, down to that sacred ground

Bradman, Paul Kelly

The NRL needs to modify the salary cap model before another polarised artist immortalises it in song.

My salary cap solution: look to precedent. Major American sports operate under salary caps with a luxury tax principle. Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association use unique models developed to cater to the individual quirks of each game.

My three pronged NRL salary cap solution:

Introduce a luxury tax

Under a luxury tax policy a club willing to spend over a salary cap tax threshold will be entitled to do so. The concession is straightforward. For every dollar a club chooses to exceed the threshold – it pays the equivalent in tax to the National Rugby League or to the Independent body that will be running the sport post 2010.

The consolidated takings are fed back into the NRL’s revenue streams or ‘pie’ and distributed as is currently the case.

Reward clubs

Introduce two cap concessions, one to reward clubs who identify and develop talent and another for clubs who hold onto that talent.

If a club identifies and signs a player at the age of 15 and that player goes on to play first grade for the club, then a percentage of that player’s salary should be exempt from the cap.

Similarly, if a player is contracted to the same club for five years, then a percentage of the tenured player’s salary is exempt from the cap. The percentage exemption could increase for every year the player is contracted after the fifth year.

Match general inflation

Increase the salary cap every second year to reflect general inflation figures.

While offering up an alternative salary cap model is far from the utopian solution (I’m sure the administrators at NRL Headquarters are diligently devising models of their own), it is, if not a vain attempt, to progress the conversation.

You’ll catch me once, maybe twice but never a third. Salary cap rorts haven’t crept up on an unsuspecting NRL administration, the 2002 Bulldogs and 2004-05 Warriors clued them in. The Storm rorts caught the NRL out a third time.

The perpetrators have been identified now it’s time the NRL resolved its salary cap mess.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

ACT Brumbies coverage

2010-04-19T13:50:00.001+10:00

After mixed results against the Cheetahs and Hurricanes, the Brumbies need to address a few offensive deficiencies to have any chance of toppling the 'Tahs this week. I was given the opportunity to cover the past two Brumbies games for www.sportal.com.au/rugby-union.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

The We Shouldn’t Have Let Him Go ache

2010-04-11T21:51:00.004+10:00

This post also appeared on Crikey Sports.

As Canberra Raiders prepare for a Monday night clash with the Parramatta Eels, the Green Machine faithful are lamenting past players and opportunities lost.

In past seasons, attempts to attract top shelf players to the nation’s capital have been as difficult as painting a bed post in the rain with a toothbrush.

While stymied to some extent by the 2009 signings of international forwards Bronson Harrison and David Shillington, the emphasis has now shifted to the battle to retain players.

While talk across the competition’s opening rounds has been about see-sawing momentum swings and come from behind performances. The story for Raiders’ fans has been the We Shouldn’t Have Let Him Go ache. The number of Raider alumni killing it for new teams in 2010 is staggering.

A quick glance sees Phil Graham and Todd Carney heavily involved in the Roosters attack. After heading to the Dragons, Michael Weyman shed himself in weight earning an Origin spot in the process.

Adrian Purtell is scoring game winning four pointers for the Mountain Men, the Temora Toiler Ryan Hinchcliffe is making a valuable contribution for premiers Melbourne while the ageless Colin Best is enjoying success with the Rabbits.

Agonizingly William Zillman is aptly filling in for Preston Campbell at fullback for the Gold Coast Silent Developers...

I could go on and on.

The rueing of opportunities missed or muffed is a common trait amongst sporting fans, it plays right into the underdog aesthetic.

It sure beats two years of dwelling on just how a young star threw away his Raiders tenure after urinating in a mate’s mate’s mouth and subsequently had his hometown change the locks on him.

I’d love to acknowledge Raiders general manager, Don Furner as the Billy Beane* of the NRL. Consistently identifying undervalued talent, scouting players overlooked by other clubs who will produce on the field and become profitable assets.

The reality is that the 15 clubs not based in Canberra are the Billy Beanes of the NRL - consistently pinching promising Raiders undervalued by the club think-tank.

Unfortunately we don’t trade blokes in rugby league, it’s just not the ‘done’ thing. So after identifying a youngster and investing club resources into development, the player walks (or in Canberra’s case is shown the door) and the club is left with no compensation - forced to blood underdeveloped youngsters to fill the gap.

Weyman is the textbook example.

It’s easy to question club motives when your side is losing. After all hindsight is a prize fans thrive on. A club repeating past mistakes is frustrating for a fan but in the end only winning will ease the ache.

*Author Michael Lewis documented Major League Baseball general manager Billy Beane and his club the Oakland Athletics methods of identifying undervalued baseball talent (one of many concepts adopted by the franchise). For mine, the Melbourne Storm are the only NRL side to successfully adopt the Moneyball approach of replacing high profile players with previously undervalued players. You can’t argue with four grand final appearances in as many seasons.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Obama and Rudd to open playbooks

2010-03-17T10:31:00.000+11:00

Don’t believe the hype.

Yes, the purpose of President Obama’s impending visit is to celebrate 70 years of Australian-US Diplomatic relations. It’s also a chance for Prime Minister Rudd to do some advance scouting.

When it comes to the sporting demographic the Member for Griffith has ‘lost’ his players and is desperate need of fresh tactics.

The writing is on the wall for Coach Rudd. Who recently referred to the excitement of Winter Olympic gold medallist Torah Bright as ‘a cat on a hot tin roof’. Exhilarated, yes, reward for years of disciplined training, check, but comparing Bright to a sweltering frightened feline?

Enter the President of the United States. Rudd must be straddling his Brisbane Lions jersey at the prospect of President Obama revealing his playbook. After all the PM is a competitor not afraid to sacrifice his own ego for the team. He wants to win.

As the media focuses on a fresh Opposition leader with panache for pre-dawn pushy rides and beaching in his Speedos, the arm wrestle to hold the nation’s attention is fierce.

What is there to lose: Office? Pride? Surely it’s the chase that matters most.

With both leaders keen to avoid the trappings that the one-term, one-title tag would attest, why not spend some time going over re-election strategies, whip up a few offensive plays; a few defensive options wouldn’t go astray either.

In the lead up to the President’s visit, taking cues from coaches in the Kevin Sheedy or Wayne Bennett mould, Rudd has been playing mind games through the media.

Rudd casually lobbed the news of the President’s visit with the cheeky line ‘We are allies, we are trading partners, and we co-operate on international challenges confronting all nations’.

That’s Ruddspeak for ‘Mate, my Olympics are coming up, I’m not the rookie anymore, they’re gunning for me mate, I need a fresh approach. Help me and I’ll throw you a forward pass (quarterback-style) come 2011’.

Unfortunately for the PM, his record speaks for itself.

The pain of losing consecutive Prime Minister’s XI matches is compounded by naff timing when unleashing a binge drinking mantra ‘Know when to declare’ on unsuspecting Boxing Day test patrons before a shoulder had even rolled over.

Catch Rudd appearing on an AFL or NRL telecast and you’ll understand why the nation’s leader is often pinned with the ‘daggy-dad ‘tag.

Each appearance feels like an exhaustive week of training has preceded it. A week practicing the ‘one–button open’ shirt option, only for Rudd to get the jitters, abandoning the game plan in favour of a more radical ‘two-button open’ approach, which comes across on screen as simply trying too hard.

The President, who usually abstains from picking sides predicted the recent New Orleans Super Bowl XLIII win, has more wins than losses when it comes to taking on the sporting world.

While President Obama’s sharp oration skills established his leadership credentials, the 44th President will no doubt tell Rudd that the defining moment he stamped his authority came throwing the ceremonial first pitch in Major League Baseball’s All-Star showcase.

The Chicago native, wearing a hometown White-Sox spray jacket, pitched a left hander to the plate and into the glove of MLB superstar Albert Pujols, as good a tactic as any to sure up Cabinet support.

Maybe the Rudd Government should conduct Cabinet meetings on the court? The Obama administration’s love of pickup basketball games has been well documented by The New Yorker and Politico.

In fact when a young Michelle Robinson first started dating the President-to-be, the now First Lady asked her brother Craig Robinson, coach of college basketball side Oregon State, to play the President in a pickup game and report back on the potential suitor’s character.

Coach Rudd may have a few congenial-TV-charisma deficiencies but the President has him covered with plenty of experience to expel on the eager apprentice.

Like the time a crew, including Vice President Joe Biden, senior advisor David Axelrod and personal aide Reggie Love (a Duke University alum) accompanied the President to a Georgetown Hoyas vs Duke Blue Devils NCAA basketball game in Washington D.C. .The President mingled with minimal security and fuss even contributed some well versed commentary to the televised broadcast.

In between furiously jotting down notes from the (Pro), and hyperventilating over how to best implement the new tips into a re-election training regime, the PM could tap the mind of US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. From 1987 to 1991 Duncan played professional basketball in the Australian National Basketball League for Victorian side Eastside Spectres.

As well as busying himself implementing an ambitious new education agenda, the former Spectre could run his eye over the revamped NBL to see how it’s holding up in its inaugural season.

Rudd, in an attempt to appeal to Australia’s wider sporting community, could take Duncan’s assessment and release the findings in a Duncan Report - a Rudd led Government cares about ‘working-sporting organisations’ - that sort of thing.

Nobly, the President and PM will forego trading plays on how best to tap into the sporting mainstream to focus on ‘real’ issues like the economic recovery, climate change, clean energy, nuclear non-proliferation and the war in Afghanistan.

Sure 70 years of diplomatic relations is worth celebrating but it's the performances of each leader’s re-election campaign that will determine who wins out.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Ink links | March 1

2010-03-01T11:14:00.001+11:00

Why is Tiger's tomcatting the fault of the birds - David Rowe, National Times.

Luke Buckmaster reviews The Blind Side for Crikey- Bullock is bollocks in syrupy sports movie codswallop.

The Daily Telegraph rates the NRL's top 50 players. A few Raiders get a mention.

South's recruit Sam Burgess (twitter handle @samburgess8) is certainly making a good impression. The importance of being Burgess: boom recruit is poetry in motion for success-starved Bunnies - Chris Barrett http://www.smh.com.au/.

NFL Scouting Combine: Athletes love to stretch the truth at Combine - Matt Glenesk ESPN Page 2.

If you think it’s worthy and can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

NRL: Guaranteed player contracts threaten to cripple clubs

2010-02-26T13:28:00.000+11:00

The good news is that Benji Marshall is a Tiger for life. But at what cost?

The NRL needs to consider capping the number of years a player can sign under a guaranteed contract.

If Marshall suffers a season ending or multiple season injury, not hard to comprehend given his history, where does that leave the Tigers?

They are on the hook for Marshall’s contract till 2015 regardless of whether he plays or not.

Under the salary cap, it would be impossible for the Tigers to sign a ‘high profile’ replacement player to take Marshall’s place.

The club’s progress would be stalled until 2015. Are fans happy to cop this?

Every fan loves a one club stalwart, and yes the introduction of a salary cap has made it harder for players and clubs to remain coupled from pup to pasture.

Marshall’s extension is notably being celebrated as loyalty restored; a saving grace of sorts for a league constantly under threat of cross code defections.

Fairfax broke the story yesterday with Who said loyalty was dead?, Richard Hinds has written today It’s easy to ridicule players for their lack of loyalty, so let’s holler for Benji.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great for fans of rugby league and the NRL that Marshall has decided to go all in with the sport until 2015. Now that Marshall has invested in the NRL, maybe Jonathon Thurston will follow suit.

But the rumours and innuendo of cross code defections are here to stay and frankly as a sports fan are an intriguing proposition.

The larger issue for the NRL is the threat of guaranteed contracts crippling clubs for the life of the contract.

NBA teams are constantly plagued by lengthy guaranteed contracts and often try to salary dump by trading the player in question. If the salary is so large no other team is willing take it on, the club is left immobilised and fans suffer.

The NRL needs to a cap the length clubs can sign a player to a guaranteed contract before fans bear the brunt.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Men’s Fitness Magazine

2010-02-25T11:05:00.000+11:00

If you’re stuck in the supermarket queue, why not take a gander at the March edition of Men’s Fitness Magazine. I have written a yarn about the crossover of tattoos into the sporting realm (hard hitting stuff I know).

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Joel Monaghan injury a blessing in disguise for Green Machine

2010-02-22T16:13:00.001+11:00

The news that Raiders centre Joel Monaghan is set to miss the first six to eight weeks of the NRL season with a broken hand is not as bad as it looks.

The importance of early season form is often unfairly weighted. The Raiders have stuttered through the openly 10 rounds of the past three NRL seasons:

• 2009: two wins; seven losses; one bye.

• 2008: four wins; five losses; one bye.

• 2007: four wins; five losses; one bye.

There’s no doubt that Coach Furner would prefer to head into the 2010 season with the experience of his injured outside backs Monaghan (112 games), David Milne (45) and Justin Carney (20), both scheduled for a round five return.

However the injuries allow Furner to build confidence in his exciting young backline (Dan Vidot, Jared Croker, Marc Herbert and Josh Dugan have 79 games between them) as they develop chemistry and form the rhythms that will determine their style of play this season.

Additionally Furner can build on the club’s depth by blooding youngsters Joel Thompson, Reece Robinson and allowing new signing Danny Galea to find his role within the side as he plugs the gaps through the early rounds.

The eventual return of a fresh Monaghan, Carney and Milne into a confident firing backline will serve the side well in the middle to back half of the season. And in the event of in-season injuries, Furner will have established confidence in his young replacement players to handle high pressure demands of NRL first grade play.

While it’s beneficial for a side to get some early wins on the board, the Raiders have been slow starters the past three seasons. The side's form heading into the finals will matter most.

The loss of Monaghan for the early rounds could be a blessing in disguise for the Green Machine.

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Voss - The Inland Sea (Extended)

2010-02-15T14:07:00.001+11:00

Upstart Magazine is currently running my extended review of Voss' debut record, The Inland Sea.

You can catch Voss at The National Folk Festival, Exhibition Park. Canberra, April 1.

www.myspace.com/vosstheband

http://www.dreamdamage.com/

www.hellosquarerecordings.com/pieno.html

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Fight your own fight

2010-02-12T09:04:00.002+11:00

Danny Green’s latest trick is just another example of the irrelevance of professional boxing.

For those not paying attention to Green’s tedious antics, Green wants an ANZAC day rematch with Anthony Mundine, and has issued an ultimatum. Green, whose previous win was against the 41 year old Roy Jones Jr, has offered to split the purse 45% to each fighter and to use the remaining 10% to fund an Indigenous youth program.

No really, Green delivered his ransom alongside indigenous footballers Des Headland and David Wirrpanda in a suburban Western Australian school yard school yesterday.

Green is serious.

"I don't see how he [Mundine] can possibly turn this offer down and if he does I suggest he check his passport and leave the country because he'd have to hang his head in shame," Green said.

"This is what I think will smoke him out of the hole he's been hiding in since he called me out of retirement.”

What could Green possibly hope to achieve by holding Mundine ransom to his own culture?

Mundine should think hard before dignifying Green with a response, there certainly would be no dishonour in Mundine politely declining the offer and leaving Green to revel in his own obscurity.

What will be the focus of this youth program? Who will administer it, what are the projections? I doubt Green and his team his given the details a second thought.

If this is an attempt to stall the rise of mixed martial arts, which is slowly smothering what little interest is left in the sport of professional boxing, then please Danny, leave the ANZACs and kids out of it.

Fight your own fight.

Why not just establish the youth program anyway? Show you’re committed to the cause, champion the programs results. Then put together an event and feed the proceeds, reports estimate a rematch could generate as much as $10 million, into said program.

Few would doubt that a Green Vs Mundine rematch would generate keen interest; the frivolous prefight banter alone would provide enough faux-hype to set the bookies alight.

The fact is professional boxing is struggling to remain relevant. And Danny Greens’ latest attempt at reviving the sport by holding Mundine to ransom, and a limp attempt at evoking the ANZAC spirit, is a cheap-shot at exhuming a nostalgic dinosaur.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Ink links | Feb 12

2010-02-12T08:59:00.001+11:00

Wired Playbook: For all things winter Olympics hit up Wired Palybook. Here's the top five stories WP is following heading into the Vancouver Olympics.

Winter Olympics: You're Not Ghana Believe Olympian's Road to Vancouver - Lisa Olson for Fanhouse.

In an eclectic village of curlers and lugers and gap-toothed Belarusian hockey players, Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong stands out because of his obscurity. His flashy attire has earned him the nickname "The Snow Leopard," a handle golden-tongued NBC announcers no doubt will appreciate across the next fortnight as they narrate this most improbable Olympic journey.

ESPNs Page 2 is currently debating the best NBA poster dunk of all-time. For what's worth, I voted for Scottie Pippen's '94 effort over Knick Patrick Ewing.

NRL to trial 3D broadcasts - Chris Barrett for SMH.

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Zero 7 | Yeah Ghost

2010-02-11T19:28:00.000+11:00

FLY 11_02_2010

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Ink Links | Feb 5

2010-02-05T12:57:00.005+11:00

Gun-toting athletes no barrel of laughs Kim Landers for ABCs The Drum.

Imagine if cricketers Simon Katich and Michael Clarke had resorted to guns in their dressing room altercation over the singing of the Australian team's song? Instead it would seem Simon Katich merely grabbed Michael Clarke by the throat.
The Saints are America's team Billy Sothern for http://www.open.salon.com/
New Orleans' great Super Bowl hope represents everything that's good about this tragedy-stricken city.
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Voss | The Inland Sea

2010-02-04T19:07:00.005+11:00

Bummer 'bout the headline but i'm hoping to convince someone to publish the extended version of this yarn.

www.myspace.com/vosstheband

http://www.hellosquarerecordings.com/pieno01.html

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Retribution Gospel Choir | 2

2010-02-04T18:59:00.004+11:00

FLY_04_02_2010

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Ink links | Feb 3

2010-02-03T16:28:00.003+11:00

Who has Federer hurt the most--A hypothetical look into a world without Roger Federer—If you’re Andy Roddick, you might want to sit this post out. Posted by Grog’s Gamut Running the Gamut of Emotions from A to B.
The Age: AFL makes its pitch for Obama.
Quote of the week from AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou:
"We’d love to have him. His Christian name is what we do - we ‘Barack’."
Winter X-Games 14: Did you catch pro snowboarder/skater Shaun White’s half pipe miss hap? Shaun White Crash at Winter X Games 2010 during Superpipe practice. An hour later White won Gold in the Super Pipe event.
Sports Illustrated is the place to go for Super Bowl XLIV coverage.

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Ink links | Jan 29

2010-01-29T09:16:00.002+11:00

Aust Open: What to Watch: Federer vs. Tsonga. NYTs’ Geoff MacDonald breaks down tonight’s second semi-final.

ABC Grandstand Sport: Tim Smith pushing for Broncos spot. It’s good to see Tim Smith back in the NRL, in contention for a spot at least. Smith has shown glimpses of brilliance in stints at Parramatta and at Wigan.

The Daily Telegraph’s Todd Balym on Tadgh Kennelly’s return to AFL and the Swans.

The NBA trade deadline is approaching, the intense speculation has to affect a team/player’s focus, trades can revitalise or demoralise both the team and player/s involved– for Phoenix Suns and Suns forward, Amar’e Stoudemire, it’s more a case of ‘meh’. - Paul Coro – The Arizona Republic

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Ink links | Jan 28

2010-01-28T15:54:00.005+11:00

NYT: Joe Drape covers the Australian Open Gambling on Matches Makes Tennis Tours Uneasy

Nikolay Davydenko: “I’m not Paris Hilton,” he said.
In fact, money comes up a lot in his conversation, a tendency for which he blames his heritage.
“Russians always talk about money,” he said.
ESPN: Rick Reilly on The misbehaviour of athletes

You can't knock the smile off my face with a snowball. I am Optimist Prime. You see a recession? I see a pawnshop boom. You see global warming? I see terrific new surf spots. You see a sports world full of cheats you wouldn't let babysit your rubber tree? I see a column. For instance ...
ABCs The Sports Desk: Tiger still a money-making machine. He earned an estimated $US103 million last year, on and off the golf course, to finish a long way ahead of second-placed NBA superstar LeBron James ($44 million).
NYT’s Howard Beck on NBA star Gilbert Arenas season ending suspension
Stern Issues Suspensions to Deter Use of Guns
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Ink links | Jan 27

2010-01-27T09:06:00.002+11:00

Treating women’s sport like a trivial fashion contest
--Kate Ellis http://tiny.cc/n06u3
http://www.thepunch.com.au/
Seven's desertion betrays uncomfortable truth about game's standing
--Richard Hinds http://tiny.cc/WBAAZ
http://www.smh.com.au/
Another Major Chance Blown for Roddick
--Greg Couch http://tiny.cc/PCJ0l
http://www.fanhouse.com/
Magic Johnson on Barack Obama's trash talk
--Henry Abbott http://tiny.cc/GnnWB
NBA Truehoopwww.espn.go.com/blog/truehoop

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The Punch - A simple rule that could transform sport in Australia

2010-01-20T07:47:00.001+11:00
The Punch is running my Rooney Rule yarn today. You can read it here - www.thepunch.com.au

Would Australian sport benefit from a Rooney Rule?

2010-01-18T09:48:00.010+11:00
Would Australia’s sporting mainstream benefit from the introduction of a Rooney Rule?

In 2003, The American National Football League (NFL) introduced the Rooney Rule to provide legitimate opportunities for minority candidates. The Rooney Rule, named after Dan Rooney, owner of Pittsburgh Steelers franchise and strong advocate for the rules introduction, requires all NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate for any vacant head coaching or front office position.

Concurrently the Fritz Pollard Alliance was established to identify candidates, submit names for vacancies and to prepare prospective applicants for the interview process.

"The idea of the rule is to slow down the process and get teams to do their homework and investigate a lot of candidates, not just minority candidates.

“You [go] through the process, and in doing that, sometimes you uncover people."

Tony Dungy, the first African-American NFL Coach to win a Super Bowl.

Through an Australian perspective the Rooney Rule may seem condescending and insensitive. But, the influence of the Rooney Rule is hard to ignore. Before 2003, there had only been five African-American coaches in NFL history.

Since the introduction of the Rooney Rule, five of the past six teams to reach the Super Bowl, including the past three Super Bowl winners, have had either an African-American coach or general manager.

Would a policy similar in principle to the Rooney Rule transfer into the Australian sporting landscape?

Leading Australian sporting organisations have the management structures and an attentive audience in place to adopt a Rooney Rule-like policy and an associated body to identify and nurture minority candidates.

Why not incorporate the Rooney Rule into established workplace diversity programs, Reconciliation Action Plans, youth development initiatives and talent identification programs?

It’s an opportunity to identify and develop the next generation of sporting administrators and leaders.

It’s an opportunity to actively participate in social change.

Sporting organisations already poach administrators from outside the sporting realm. A Rooney Rule could see the reverse happen.

Not all minority candidates may secure employment in sporting organisations, however the valuable interview skills acquired through the increased exposure to executive level coaching and management positions will serve the candidates well in applying for positions in other industries. Minority candidates could potentially be headhunted from outside the sporting workforce.

The Rooney Rule is far from water tight. The legitimacy of the Rule is intrinsically tied to the honest participation of its protagonists. It needs to be enforced effectively.

NFL franchises are run by private ownership, as with any privately run enterprise, the owner has the discretion to hire whoever he or she may please. Recently, the relevance of the Rooney Rule was put into question when two NFL franchises skirted the Rooney Rule process in order to hire esteemed coaches with ‘celebrity’ like status.

As both teams backtracked to officially comply with the regulations, the media debated the value of the Rooney Rule.

Journalist Jay Mariotti surmised that “If teams aren't serious about their interviews with certain minority candidates, why waste their time and sabotage the intent of the Rooney Rule? Or why even have such a rule at all when it seems, in the minds of some owners, to be more of a logistical pain in the butt than a sincere attempt to raise the profiles of minority candidates?”

If successful, a Rooney Rule would shine a prosperous light on the Australian sporting mainstream, encouraging cultural growth through a sporting prism.

When adequately enforced and respected by its participants, the NFL’s Rooney Rule is a noble example of how sport can be a catalyst for social change.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

A few good reads

2010-01-16T15:07:00.003+11:00
Current US Secretary of Education and former NBL (Eastside Spectres) alum, Arne Duncan, chats to ESPNs Henry Abbott about the NBA's current age restriction, the 'one and done' rule, and its effect on the NCAA student athlete experience. The New York Times’ take on Duncan’s NCAA address.

The Dirtiest Player – A revealing look into the life of former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, Marvin Harrison-- wonderfully written by Jason Fagone for GQ Magazine.

A bum rap or is Carney lucky not to be fired? I don’t always agree with the SMH’s Will Swanton’s written word, but his yarn about Todd Carney’s continued juvenile exploits is spot on.

I thought the Suns were supposed to be in tune with each other

2009-12-23T09:49:00.001+11:00
I thought the Suns were supposed to be in tune with each other

Posted using ShareThis

Voss - The Inland Sea

2009-12-10T19:59:00.000+11:00
FLY - 10_12_09
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Pete Yorn - Back and Fourth

2009-11-02T10:46:00.000+11:00
Like Yorn’s past three records, Back and Fourth hits more than it misses.

The exuberant glow of Yorn’s distinctive pop-rock songs can be taken at face value, fitting snug like your togs after a hearty winter, or alternatively every structure, lyric and layered instrument dissected into methodical evaluation.

To his credit Yorn thrives on the collaborative input of various producers and musicians. Each track stands alone on merit, before it’s fashioned into a cohesive record.

Back and Fourth is no different. Paradise Cove and Last Summer conceal a dark honesty by placing lively vocal and instrumental melodies over graceful song structures.

The jangly guitar phrasing in Shotgun is intoxicating an exuberant while a moving chorus in Social Development Dance is let down by the throwaway line of its second verse, ‘I tried to find out what had happened to you – I googled you in quotes, got no results’.

The subtle instrumentation in closer Long Time Nothing New mirrors the song’s stirring structure.

A warm intuitive-traditional bass line played on an upright bass and a delicate piano melody ease the listener into a floating chorus, (akin to an Adam Duritz melody), before dropping you back into the second verse with the humble line ‘Something survived here… how’s it feel to lie? It burns on in your mind’.

The track introduces mandolin, electric guitar flourishes and acoustic strumming as the vocal melody swells.

Yorn has a talent for channelling a song’s innate character, accenting the intangibles of what on the surface might seem a tired format.

Current listening: Doomriders-Darkness Comes Alive; Koolism-Jam Master Jay Tribute; The Cave Singers-Welcome Joy.

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A few good reads

2009-10-12T13:10:00.000+11:00
I’ve always had an affinity for sharing stories, whether it’s decent writing, human achievement or a simply a great yarn. I’m constantly bombarding my friends and family w/ news stories, features and blog content (twitter is great for this purpose).

I’m sure not all the recipients get around to reading everything I send, (especially Mrs Ink, who cops the majority of forwarded-links), but I just can’t help it.

In my humble opinion if a friend or family member finds something I send of interest to them (say two out of five links), a story or blog post that might otherwise have passed by them, then it’s worth it.

So with that in mind. Here is the first Litres of Ink instalment of A few good reads. You can also find the links to these reads on www.twitter.com/litresofink.

It’s fair to say that Fairfax journos Roy Masters and Jacqueline Magnay pretty much own rugby league writing. That said, I strugged to engage with almost any league piece this season. Despite this, two recent top-shelf post season yarns have caught my eye.

The first is The Year of the Fullback by Jason Wilson for http://www.newmatlida.com/. Wilson ingeniously and accurately attributes the ebbs and flows of the’ 09 NRL season to the men who pulverise and endear fans from the full-back position.

The second is Claire Harvey’s insightful take on NRL Chief Executive, David Gallop’s development as a feminist icon. We love David Gallop, was published in News Limited press and finally gives the underrated administrator some credit for his role in addressing the game’s archaic culture.

Roller derby teams are popping up all over the country – Canberra is no exception. Upstart writer Carey Sheer takes a look at the roller derby scene in Victoria. http://www.upstart.net.au/roller-derby-rocks.

Are marathons good for your health? This Wall Street Journal piece, The Fleeting Benefits of Marathons: Many Newcomers Race, but Few Follow Through With Lifelong Exercise, by Kevin Helliker, looks at the merits of running marathons over shorter controllable distances.
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Tiny is the new loud for tiny acoustic Seattle songstress

2009-09-25T18:58:00.000+10:00
Tiny Vipers
FLY - 24-09-09

Current listening: Love of Diagrams-Nowhere Forever; Mos Def-The Ecstatic; Shipping News-Flies the Fields.

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Betting culture in Australian sport

2009-09-18T18:26:00.000+10:00
A few quick thoughts on the rise of betting culture in Australian sport.

This yarn also appeared on www.thepunch.com.au: I bet you won’t believe what’s going on in the bowls.

News broke this afternoon that the New Zealand bowls’ four (yep, bowls) tanked a game in the Asia-Pacific championships in Malaysia last month. Reports state that as a result of NZ’s poor performance, the Canadian side failed to progress to the championship playoffs. One Black Jack has been stood down as a result despite denying the match-fixing allegations.

No word on how the NZ economy has reacted to the news or if Prime Minister Key is donning his whites in preparation of a statement from the Blockhouse Bay bowling green.

I’m exaggerating the enormity of this scandal but should we really be surprised?

2009 has been the year of sports betting. The ascendency of sports betting from office sweep foolery to the sporting mainstream has been remarkable. Betting agencies at their prerogative are intent on solidifying an online presence and buying up sport sponsorship is its preferred method.

Incredulously, and presumably without much discussion with major sporting codes, commercial television networks have insidiously installed odds and spreads at regular intervals throughout live telecasts and magazine style ‘analysis’ broadcasts.

Aside from the problem gambling connotations associated with the promotion of betting, national sporting codes accept sponsorship money from betting agencies at their own peril.

One implication that a major Australian sporting event has been compromised due to a rumoured betting deal, points shaving scheme or the tanking of a game and you can kiss all credibility goodbye.

That includes code administrators, players, club officials and you’d be a fool to suggest that fans of said code wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire. Although other high profile codes might be reluctant to put the boot in in case its own sport was implicated in the future.

In what has been a year of regret for leaguies nationwide, imagine if the National Rugby League had been linked to betting related tanking or a points shaving scandal this season.

The code would be reduced to ‘bush’ league status quicker than Kanye could interrupt Chief Executive, David Gallop’s 1148th teary and no doubt sincere appeal for forgiveness.

Without delving into Mark Waugh and Shane Warne’s 1994 adventures with an Indian bookie or rumours of elite athletes drowned in debt, these are serious concerns for Australia’s sporting codes.

Codes need to ramp up betting education for players, club administrators and staff; to establish clear guidelines and develop new policy such as placing caps on betting agency involvement/influence in sport.

The tanking Black Jack bowlers’ might have opened the NZ sporting elite to a few more light hearted cross-Tasman gibes, but it serves as a warning to all Australian sporting codes that betting scandals are a real threat.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Upstart.net.au

2009-09-15T22:49:00.000+10:00
The Upstart team were kind enough to run my Wavering Winter piece. Upstart is a new website for emerging Australian journalists.
It's slick and informative, particularly the profiles on practicing journos.

Check out Upstart here:

http://www.upstart.net.au

www.twitter.com/upstartmagazine

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Wavering winter

2009-09-11T15:33:00.000+10:00
With the NRL Finals starting tonight I’m ready to confess.

Rather, to purge. It’s no doubt obvious to those close that I have acted sheepishly this past winter and I cannot contain it any longer – Catholic guilt will always prevail.

I have been courting a new flame – the Australian Football League. Yes, that’s right - raised by staunch Rugby League brethren, where every Friday night footy telecast was treated like a visit from a Monarch, the anticipative intensity reaching levels akin to those prior to Led Zeppelin’s Sydney Showground performance in ‘72.

Fed up with the relentless bludgeoning of immoral player behaviour and kludgy sanctions imposed by club and league administrators, I tuned out. I badgered Mrs Ink, ‘I just want to see a game a game without any deviant connotations ruining the contest’.

On the whim of an excited neighbour (he barracks for the Bombers), I tuned into the AFL’s Anzac Day clash between Dons and Collingwood. Admittedly, the game of kicks has always been around, lurking with charm, waiting to pounce on a dejected leaguie.

A game of: lightning quick ball movement; crafty field placement and player management; a full stadia of fans intent on a fair contest, for each and every contest; incredible kicking accuracy, basketball-like screens and zone defences and imperative momentum swings.

I fell for a few players that day. Lovett, Mcphee, Watson and of course rookie David Zaharakis, who diligently slotted the winning goal to erase a 14 point deficit as the deafening siren roared. But it was 21 year old Paddy Ryder that caught my eye.

The ruckman forced to ‘pinch hit’ for injured mainstay David Hille, was engaged in his task of defending Pie stalwart Josh Fraser. The Bomber’s ’05 seventh draft pick put in a ‘coming of age’ performance.

A timely last-stanza goal, 13 tackles and 16 possessions secured the West Australian the ANZAC medal for best on ground – the sight of Ryder exuberant through his exhaustion as the medallion swung from his 1.90cm frame, left this writer w/ a sneaky ‘how good is this?’ grin and a few guilt ridden weeks would follow.

Exactly two months later I went on my first date. The MCG was fervent for a midseason Blues v Bombers clash. Mrs Ink and I melted in with ‘lifers’ from both sides and witnessed a dominant Dons 63 point win.

We left the MCG in awe that a game w/ such a large differential could be so engaging, dare I say it – a complete sporting experience.

I woke up dusty from a few post game drinks - I felt dirty. The Dragons and Bulldogs were stamping their dominance for the ’09 NRL title, and here I was smitten in the heart of the enemy.

I’d had enough – ashamed and in midseason limbo, I craved a 40-20 penalty, a deft halves play from a scrum feed, a back-rower putting in a 45 tackle effort – I craved my Raiders.

I found a comforting shoulder in a Major League baseball game. I took solace in the refusal of baseball fans, whose game has been tarnished by a decade or so of HGH abuse – blowing out statistics and distorting records, to remain committed to their game.

I knew that if I could just stay in touch until the back half of the season that a couple of quality performances could restore my faith. The following week – I received a text from my lil’ bro, “the Eels are gunna win the comp”. The Eels went on to string together seven in a row.

The news broke that Karmichael Hunt had defected to AFL, as tempted as I was to jump ship w/ the fullback and nominate the Gold Coast as ‘my’ AFL team, I instead concentrated on the athletic transformation Hunt would require to be successful in his new code.

Then it happened, Round 15. The Raiders dug in with a cracker performance to beat the league leading Dragons. A game which was probably in the top 5 matches this season.
Two weeks later, I witnessed the Raiders belt the Broncos in a 56 point shut out.

I haven’t tuned into an AFL game since.

The final few rounds were vibrant as teams manoeuvred their way into final contention. I wasn’t at all disappointed that the Green Machine didn’t make the eight for the first time in three seasons (a few rookies established themselves as competent first graders, a decent slab for the future).

Today my flirtation w/ the game of kicks seems but a distant blunder, a mid season blip.

Tonight the finals begin and I find myself w/ a rooting interest. Here are my picks.

The Sea Eagles (Mother Ink’s defending champs) take on the Storm (Step-Father Ink’s savvy veterans) – Storm to dominate by 16, (I could speculate on the taunts and tantrums that will fly in my parents’ lounge-room, but lets move on).

Bulldogs V Knights – Bulldogs by three in a tight one

Titans V Broncos – Broncos experience will prove the difference –take it out by eight.

Eels V Dragons – the lead could change a number of times in this one, but the Dragons should win by four.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

The Nation Blue - Rising Waters

2009-08-20T17:01:00.000+10:00
FLY Review
The Nation Blue Rising Waters - 20 August

Current listening: Athol Intermediate; BIBIO Ambivalence Avenue; JDilla Just Stay Paid.

ACT seeks inclusion in new Australian Baseball League

2009-08-20T13:55:00.000+10:00
Let's Do It Canberra is rallying the ACT to support a Canberra team in the new Australian Baseball League. 5,000 pledges of $20 are required to secure an ABL spot alongside squads from Sydney, Melbourne and Bris‑vegas.

You can pledge your support and sign up for updates from LDIC at http://www.letsdoitcanberra.com.au and the team also has a twitter addy.
www.twitter.com/LetsDoItCanb. So get pledging!

Canberra’s standing up to the AFL cash grab

2009-08-17T09:00:00.000+10:00
This post also appeared on ThePunch.com.au
http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/canberras-standing-up-to-the-afl-cash-grab/

Today I am a pleased lil’ constituent. ACT Minister for Sport Andrew Barr is standing firm as negotiations with the Australian Football League, for the right to host AFL games at Manuka Oval, become crotchety.

Until recently the negotiations had been unfolding akin to a Beckett script – the AFL thrust into the superior ‘Godot’ role while the Minister slipped obediently into a plausible translation of the masters of mundane, Vladimir and Estragon.

The AFL’s asking price, a hefty $800,000 for the right to host two top flight fixtures, is a $436,000 increase on the current two-year deal which expires this year. The AFL is justifying the cash grab by suggesting that two pre-season and two competition games held in 2008 generated $1.13 million into the ACT economy.

It’s worth noting that for a combined sum of $115,000, the ACT Government successfully negotiated for the Socceroos, Wallabies and Opals to play internationals in Canberra this calendar year.

The Canberra Times has kept a close eye on the negotiations with recent editorial and opinion pieces urging Barr to remain steadfast, as the AFL (in its prerogative business interests) blatantly shuns the capital to ‘pursue the lucrative markets of western Sydney and the Gold Coast’.

Barr has been guarded in his remarks, refusing to burn bridges between the ACT Government and the AFL. The Government has been burned before – in 2006, the North Melbourne Kangaroos ended its association with the capital and high tailed it to Carrara Stadium up on the Gold Coast.

Aware of the potential Groundhog Day implications Barr spoke candidly this past week, stating that any new deal would be tied to the inclusion of a top Victorian team (he suggested St Kilda or Geelong).

Further to this, Barr suggested that comments made by the AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou have confirmed that the negotiations have ‘seemingly stopped being about growing the game and became all about a financial transaction’. This was a strident move and lets Demetriou know that the ACT won’t cop another shellacking.

It has also solidified in this constituents mind Barr’s credibility as a future leader of the ACT Labor Party. Elected to the ACT legislative Assembly in 2006, and given key portfolios in Planning, Education and Training as well as Children and Young People and Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

Barr was immediately handed the deafening assignment of closing 23 of the Territory’s schools - an unenviable task which left voters with a nasty scar and which will haunt Barr for the rest of his political career.

As Demetriou spits out condescending lines such as ‘I don’t think (St Kilda or Geelong) are the clubs we’ve got our eyes on to be honest’, Barr and the ACT Government should shun the AFL and consider using the funding to boost its local AFL competition, which coincidently boasts the Sydney Swans reserves.

It could use ACT AFL stars to promote its healthy living initiatives - through educational visits and training programs. This would send a strong message that the ACT will continue to seriously development the sport in the region despite attempts by the AFL to play the bully.

Vladimir: Good. A diversion comes along and what do we do? Come, let’s get to work!

With a genuine interest in the sport portfolio, the Canberra Darters (netball ) number one ticket holder is also often seen cheering on the Canberra Capitals women’s basketball team or chewing on the cauliflower ear of former rah-rah great Stephen Larkham at Brumbies matches.

If Barr stands firm and refuses to be taken advantage of by the AFL, he might just shed the Beckett tag and get a better deal for his constituents in the process.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to
litresofink@gmail.com

Margins - S/T - Obits - I Blame You

2009-08-16T16:24:00.001+10:00
Recent FLY reviews
Margins Margins - 30 July
Obits I Blame You - 13 August

JR On Fire

2009-07-29T15:01:00.000+10:00
Thanks to John Rillie for posting a link to my NBL revamp yarn.
The 13 yr NBL veteran has a podcast 'The OT' and posts regularly on all Australian Basketball and Gonzaga Alumni.
Check out JR's musings via his site http://jronfire.blogspot.com/

NBL revamp discussion

2009-07-24T09:48:00.000+10:00
A few talking points and comments on my BA/NBL revamp piece. I'm happy the yarn managed to get a few people thinking - and talking basketball. These comments appeared on ThePunch website.

Chris says:
The new revamped league will NOT work.They haven’t done the work needed for the relaunch.
What should have been done is shutting the league down for a season or two, done the work that was needed and then come back bigger and better.
It worked for the A League, so why not Basketball? I’d say because the people running the game have very little business sense at all.
It’s a damn shame because I was once one of those many thousands who filled Melbourne Park and the Glasshouse watching the likes of the South East Melbourne Magic, North Melbourne Giants and Melbourne Tigers. Can only hope it gets back to that level one day, but it certainly wont be anytime soon.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:45am

amsk says:
The new revamped League WILL work!
BA have a very good leader in Larry Sengstock who seems to pull no punches and has the passion and basketball nous required for this role. Just because South Dragons don’t want to play ball this year doesn’t mean the other teams want to follow suit. What are all the players, coaches, other staff and fans going to do for a “season or two” if there is no NBL?? Sit on their hands or knit?? No, they will retire, find different jobs, follow different sports and all in all will be lost to basketball forever - basketball in Australia just can’t afford for that to happen. It is still a minority sport and as such just cannot be compared with the relaunching of soccer with its millions of followers.
Keep everyone interested this season, have Sydney and Brisbane teams back next season and basketball can only become bigger and better in Australia. Even with eight teams, these eight teams have the cream of the players and every single game should be entertaining and competitive.
Add some free to air coverage PLEASE to make basketball more accessible to more people, some innovative advertising and before long basketball will be the much loved sport that it was.
July 23rd, 2009 at 01:12pm

IJK says:
I fear basketball will always be a sport that appeals only to a hardcore minority of Australians. Despite years of expert marketing and years of our youth being exposed to American culture (and, therefore, basketball), the game has died a messy death here.
I’m not a fan, but I don’t mind a good game of anything. Basketball is much better ‘in the flesh’ than on TV. I agree with whoever said that televised matches should start at 100 points each and the first to 110 be declared the winner and then we all go home. But the problem is you need the TV product to feed to sponsorships.
If it vanished from the local scene I’m not sure too many people would care much. Australia would still produce world-class players and they would still ply their trade in the US or elsewhere where the big money is. As long as they make themselves available for the Australian Olympic squad I think most of us would be happy.
July 23rd, 2009 at 04:16pm

Jack says:
Why do people keep thinking the A-League shutting down for a season worked?Brisbane Roar, Adelaide United and Central Coast Mariners have been or are up the creek without a financial paddle and are needing or have needed hand-outs to survive .(Socceroo success is what drives interest in the sport in this country.)Baseball “shut down” for a season and died almost immediately.So shutting down would have been a good idea for basketball?No way.Check your history, Chris.Battling through the turmoil and keeping its participants employed was ballsy and worthy of support.The game will survive and thrive again but it won’t achieve that by hiding.LJK, when 15,000 people attend a finals series in Melbourne, or 10,000 go to the Sydney Ent Centre, you know there’s a market there to be tapped, even if you personally are not part of it.Marketing its product has ALWAYS been basketball’s biggest failure.Maybe if BA gets THAT right, and some free-to-air TV, the good times won’t be far off.
July 23rd, 2009 at 05:33pm

My Punch debut - Sending out an SOS for Australian Basketball

2009-07-23T08:57:00.000+10:00
I've punched-out (pun-intended) my debut piece for www.thepunch.com.au

A lil' yarn on the revamped BA/NBL.

I've posted it below but here is a direct link to The Punch- http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/sending-out-an-sos-for-australian-basketball/

Sending out an SOS to Australian basketball

It was Mailer who wrote of Muhammad Ali’s pursuit of n’golo. Applied to the Rumble in the Jungle participant, the Congolese word for ‘force’ was a chase for ego, status and strength. In Mailer’s words ‘It is not the n’golo you have, but the n’golo you are denied that excites the harshest hysterias of the soul.’

As a basketball disciple and universal sporting fan, I hope Basketball Australia has taken on the n’golo creed in its revamp of the National Basketball League. BA has taken ownership of the NBL and a new board has been elected to take the league into its 33rd year of competition. The streamlined eight-team competition is set for a September 24 tip-off.

How will BA and NBL administrators evoke the passion and traction required to demand the outsider to take notice?

The heart of the revamp concerns the streamlining of teams from ten to eight, a negotiation of a major sponsor and an upgraded television rights deal. BA is reluctant to confirm an agreement has been struck, however, BA Chief Executive Larry Sengstock has hinted the deal will expose the league to a larger TV audience than ever before. An essential element, especially after Australia’s only magazine dedicated to basketball, Handle, ceased publication in March this year.

Current SEN radio host and former Communications Manager for the defunct South Dragons, Ed Wyatt, is waiting to see how the new changes will play out. In particular, a raising of the salary cap by $200,000 to $1 million and a reduction in quarters from 12 to ten minutes which will conform with FIBA International standards.

“While I understand the concept of complying with FIBA's international game, I think it will restrict playing time for the 8th, 9th and 10th players,” Wyatt says.

“Last season, guys like Rhys Carter and Nathan Herbert played a huge role in the Dragons' success. Not sure they'd have been able to contribute as much in a ten-minute quarter.

“Much has been made about the salary cap, but I don't see much change to be honest. New Zealand has already admitted that they cannot conform to the new cap. Cairns has said they will not use 100% of the cap and I doubt Wollongong will either. The questions surrounding the Melbourne Tigers will still be there, right or wrong.”

Finding stability for each club should be a BA priority. The QLD Government has committed to a three-year $350,000 sponsorship deal with the Cairns Taipans. It’s a significant move that brings sustainability to the club in exchange for players participating in healthy living programs for youngsters (a fundamental demographic).

A proposed preseason tournament to be held in Darwin, The Top End Blitz, is a vibrant crack at rejuvenating the spirit among players. Subject to NT Government approval, the tourney would symbolise a league willing to revitalise - an icebreaker of sorts, an initiation to what may be a turgid transitional process.
With team rosters still being confirmed it will serve as a chance for coaches to formulate tactics, player units and give the players a fitness boost - ensuring a high standard of play come season tip-off.

Teams in the major markets of Sydney and Brisbane are noticeably absent. While BA has expansion plans to re-introduce both teams for the 2009-10 season, this might be a case of BA having eyes bigger than its belly.

The return of exiled NBL icon Brian Goorjian, arguably the Australian coach of the past two decades regardless of sport, should be higher on BA’s priority list. The veteran coach has accepted an assistant coaching role with the Chinese national team, after the South Dragons team he coached to the 2008-09 NBL championship (Goorjian’s sixth title) elected to abstain from nominating for the new league.

Wyatt says that while there have been problems in the past with consistency in the scheduling of fixtures, which hurts both attendances and media coverage, the NBL still has a lot to offer.

“It's a reasonably professional league with some talented players who are very media-friendly. I can honestly say that every guy on last year's Dragons squad was a good guy. I've met very few NBL players I don't like. The games are usually well-played and competitive.”

‘He could not want to lose this fight. If he did, they would write up the epitaphs for his career, and the dead have no n’golo.’

The upcoming NBL season may be seen as a gap year by BA administrators- a season to establish momentum and stability. It’s also a chance to recapture some n’golo of days gone by.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to
litresofink@gmail.com .

Thanks to Ed Wyatt for his time. Check out his website and twitter page at www.edwyatt.com.au & www.twitter.com/edwyatt

A step too far

2009-07-11T18:01:00.000+10:00
A story in the New York Times this week about ultra marathon runner Diane Van Deren had LOI in two minds. Brain Surgery Frees Runner, but Raises Barriers details Van Deren’s recovery from successful lobectomy surgery, which corrected seizures she had been suffering for years. It’s superbly written by John Branch with a number of engaging anecdotes.

She used to run away from epileptic seizures. Since brain surgery, she just runs, uninhibited by the drudgery of time and distance, undeterred by an inability to remember exactly where she is going or how to get back...

“When she is running, it helps her,” Don Gerber, a clinical neuropsychologist who has worked extensively with Van Deren, said of the hole in Van Deren’s brain. “ In the rest of her life, it does not.

Gerber, who works at Craig Hospital, a rehabilitation hospital in Englewood, Colo., for people with brain or spinal-cord injuries, said that Van Deren “can go hours and hours and have no idea how long it’s been.” Her mind carries little dread for how far she is from the finish. She does not track her pace, even in training. Her gauge is the sound of her feet on the trail. “It’s a kinesthetic melody that she hits,” Gerber said. “And when she hits it, she knows she’s running well.”

It’s an endearing story – but has posed a few questions. Has Van Deren’s surgery given her an unfair competitive advantage? Is it unethical to insinuate that Van Deren’s reduced mental capacity has ultimately given her this competitive edge? How do Van Deren’s fellow competitors feel about this?

We readily accept athletes who undergo medical procedures to remedy injury, procedures such as cortisone injections and Tommy John surgery, where elbow ligaments are replaced w/ tendons from other parts of an athlete’s body. But where a medical procedure to remedy a physiological disorder results in an impaired mental capacity – should that athlete be excluded from mainstream elite competition?

South African runner, Oscar Pistorius, affectionately known as Blade Runner shaped an ethical debate in his bid to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Blade Runner, a double amputee successfully appealed a decision to prevent him from participating in the Beijing games. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that there had not been sufficient evidence to prove Pistorius’ prostheses gave him a competitive edge over able-bodied athletes. Ultimately Pistorius did not compete on the South African Olympic team after failing to post the qualifying times required to compete at the games.

The fact remains that Van Deren is competing successfully and Pistorius‘ failed Olympic bid was due to qualifying regulations. If the athlete, able-bodied, disabled, mentally reduced or otherwise can cut it at an elite level – that athlete should be allowed to compete in any event they choose fit.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Isis - Wavering Radiant

2009-06-22T20:32:00.000+10:00
The Canberra Times - FLY
18 June 2009

Aussies shine in WNBA openers

2009-06-08T12:29:00.000+10:00

The WNBA season kicked off overnight w/ a number of Australians putting in solid performances.
LA Sparks guard, Kristi Harrower, dished out seven assists and hustled for three steals and two rebounds in a 20 point rout of defending champions Detroit Shock.
Tully Bevilaqua scored 18 points, had five rebounds and five assists for the Indiana Fever, in a one point, double overtime loss to the Atlanta Dream.
Lauren Jackson scored 23 points in a 10 point win over Sacramento Monarchs.
Mechelle Voepel has written a piece for ESPN.com about Jackson returning to the Storm for her tenth WNBA season. Also discusses the idea that both Australian and American athletes thrive on team camaraderie.
If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Is Jackson the greatest?

2009-06-07T18:54:00.000+10:00
Is LA Lakers coach Phil Jackson the greatest NBA coach of all time? Former Chicago Sun Times and current AOL Fanhouse columnist, Jay Mariotti, makes the case here.
After a dominating performance in game one of the NBA Finals series against the Orlando Magic (which included a 40 point performance from Kobe Bryant [check out Bryant’s newest facial expression, the scowl]), media attention has turned to whether Jackson can capture his tenth NBA title in 18 years of coaching. Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to six titles in the ‘90s after his players, at first indifferent to his and assistant Tex Winter’s triangle offence, bought into the unselfish system. Jackson went onto to win a further three titles w/ the Lakers lead by Shaquille O’Neal and Bryant. Currently tied w/ Boston Celtics great Red Auerbach with nine titles, Jackson and Bryant have lost their previous two trips to the NBA finals going down to the Detroit Pistons in ’04 and to the Celtics in ’08. Securing the title would see Jackson surpass Auerbach and see Bryant capture his first ring without O’Neal who was traded to the Miami Heat in ’04.
For further reading check out Jackson’s book Sacred Hoops, and Sam Smith’s Jordan Rules.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Current Ink favs: Isis – Wavering Radiant; Dalek – Gutter Tactics; Norman Mailer – The Fight.

Decisions, decisions

2009-06-03T11:31:00.000+10:00
ESPN and Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon has weighed in on LeBron James’ brain explosion following the Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6 loss to the Orlando Magic in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. It’s a measured response to a relatively minor incident. James has undoubtedly become the face of the NBA and with that comes the heightened scrutiny of every decision he makes.
James’ Cavs were heavily favoured heading into the series with Orlando. Despite James’ best efforts (including a remarkable game winning shot in game two), his supporting cast failed to provide the help necessary to beat the Magic. The presence/emergence of Magic centre Dwight Howard was the key to the Magic’s success. Howard consistently drew defenders away from the Magic’s outside shooters, who capitalised making 62 3-point shots in the series (tying the NBA record for most 3-point field goals made in a six game playoff series).
There's context to everything . . . even the decidedly unsportsmanlike act of walking off the court at the end of a crushing defeat without shaking your opponent's hand. That, in and of itself, is inexcusable. Cavs were heavily favoured to take the series
Michael Wilbon - The Washington Post 2 June 2009

An Australian parallel that comes to mind is Andrew Johns’ snubbing of a presentation after he became the NRL’s all-time points leader in 2006. The Knights put in a disgraceful effort losing 46-12 to the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. Afterwards Johns’ skipped a presentation where he was to be given the game ball by the previous record holder and current South Sydney coach, Jason Taylor.
If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Twitter Ink

2009-05-10T18:02:00.000+10:00
Litres of Ink has officially entered the world of Twitter (check the nifty little tweet updates gadget to the right). Not entirely certain on the best way to fully utilise this medium – thinking that tweeting from live events might be the go (for example Bleacher Report is tweeting the NBA playoffs). If you have any suggestions about Twitter Ink or an event Litres of Ink could cover via twitter send us an email.
If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Friend: We had belief

2009-05-10T13:34:00.000+10:00
http://sportal.com.au/Rugby-Union-news-display/friend-we-had-belief-70156

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Listening: Obits - I blame you

Man Oh Manny!

2009-05-08T16:38:00.000+10:00
The news of L.A. Dodgers hitter Manny Ramirez being suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseballs' drug policy is a massive blow to Boston Red Sox fans and for those who followed the history breaking '04 World Series campaign.

ESPN has a posted a few interesting takes on whether Ramirez's violation will tarnish the Red Sox's '04 and '08 titles.

MLB Players react:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4150823

MLB Reporter Jayson Stark takes a hard-line approach;

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=4150444

Red Sox renaissance man Bill Simmons predicts the future for Red Sox fans;

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090507&sportCat=mlb.

The Simmons piece reads like an obituary - as if it was written and shelved for the enivitable time that the previously clean and legit '04 & '08 Red Sox teams became linked to a title tarnishing drug scandal. Questions will now be asked of other Sox players most notably slugger David Ortiz who's form has significantly dropped over the past two seasons.
If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

City V Country vital in ‘09

2009-05-06T16:09:00.000+10:00
The NRL’s decision to schedule two representative games on the same night is a humdinger. With only four games scheduled for this weekend why not declare Round 9 a bye week and play the representative games over consecutive nights? This would give credence that a representative fixture is played at an elite level and should be treated as such by the league’s governing administrators - it’s fair to assume that fans of rugby league revel in seeing the leagues’ elite/fringe rep players perform on all representative stages. The daunting possibility of NSW losing a record fourth consecutive Origin series imbues the 2009 City V Country fixture as the most significant since its inception under origin selection rules in 1987, and imperative to NSW Rugby Leagues’ immediate and long standing credibility. Every year QLD Rugby League shakes its collective heads in disbelief as NSW trot out its Origin skeleton squad for all and sundry to see as QLD scouts start breaking down NSW player deficiencies and begin to formulate Origin game plans/tactics. 2009 is different - at the risk of contradicting myself and disrespecting New Zealand in the process, only four NSW players were picked to represent Australia in the international to be played on Friday night – realistically QLD will be using the test to solidifying combinations (especially the all Maroon backline) and to assess how its players react under the rigours of an international cap. It would be naive to suggest otherwise. NRL Administrators are doing itself and NSW Rugby League a major disservice by playing both fixtures on the same night. No one is arguing that an international cap overshadows that of a NSW possible, probable’s cap. But with the media fixated on the trans Tasman test, the necessary scrutiny required to assess the performances of the NSW possible/probable’s has been sparse, almost non-existent. This further complicates the NSW Rugby Leagues’ selection decisions who can now make in-house decisions with little or no media scrutiny and in turn fans of rugby league suffer as selection decisions become less transparent. NSW Rugby League needs the City V Country fixture in order to pit its best side in the upcoming origin series (one which could have historical consequences). QLD needs the international hit-out to try new combinations and tweak it’s already dominant side before Origin. Lets separate the two, allocate the weekend to representative duties and give each game the respect and coverage it deserves.

Look out for:
Raiders main-stay Alan Tongue (Country) to have a strong debut game despite recent niggling injuries;
the halfback duel will prove imperative with both Peter Wallace (City) and Jarrod Mullen’s (Country) kicking games to be deservedly scrutinised;
Braying lock-forward Luke O’Donnell (City) will be keen to rip in and force his way back into the NSW side after two injury and suspension plagued seasons;
Michael Ennis (Country) who has the edge on Robbie Farah (City) for a starting hooker spot (both should be a shoe in to be picked if not in their prominent role but as an impact utility player off the bench);
Versatile back-rowers Beau Scott ( Country) and Ryan Hoffman (City) to provide an energy boost for both sides once introduced into the game.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

NBA Playoffs Rd2

2009-05-05T17:36:00.000+10:00
Litres of Ink predictions:
Celtics v Magic - Magic in five.
Lakers v Rockets – Lakers in five.
Cavs v Hawks – Cavs to sweep.
Nuggets v Mavs – Mavs in six.

Litres of Ink is trying to track down copies of the recent first round NBA Playoffs series btw the Bulls and Celtics. If you have/know of anyone with such delights – please send us an email, we would be eternally grateful.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Super Best Friends - Ready Aim Fire!

2009-05-05T14:29:00.000+10:00
Super Best Friends – Ready Aim Fire!
Initiate Records

Join the firing squad, lock and load.
The latest record from the Brah’s finest quirk punks, Super Best Friends, fuses fastballs of intense melody with reserved adventure. Bleeding guitar tones and locked-in rhythms create sinister undertones through tracks Ready Aim Fire!, The Idiots and the capitalist/communist love in Red Stars & Dollar Signs. The song structures are succinct, instrumentation is tighter than a fishes butthole (drummer Adam Bridges takes home the most improved award hands down! ) and don’t let the Roger Ramjet inspired artwork deceive you into thinking SBF are style over substance. Each song is deftly crafted and replicates the energy of a SBF live show. Short, dense verses tease then trail out in anticipation of an anthemed chorus or an engaging variation - both satisfying the listeners desire. The trio aren’t afraid to chuck the old trombone in the mix, the Korg keyboard gets a run as do some youngsters who channel their inner ‘Sgt Peppers’ in the verses of Everything’s’ Fine. SBF have come into its own with this release.
http://www.myspace.com/superbestfriends
http://www.youtube.com/superbestfriendstv

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com.

Current listening: Doom – Born Like this; Low – Trust; Oxbow – Love that’s lost.

Brumbies’ emotional win

2009-04-12T19:09:00.000+10:00
Mark Gerrard and Patrick Phibbs speak after Brumbies 17-10 win over the Stormers in Canberra last night.

Tattletexting

2009-03-26T11:33:00.000+11:00
ESPN.com’s Rick Reilly has written a piece on the tattletexting movement in US sports. The concept is simple – you can anonymously alert stadium security to the loud obnoxious shirtless guy behind you who is beating his tomato-sauce smeared chest whilst spitting obscenities and the innards of his meat pie at the kids in your section. Security can remove the douche and you don’t have to fear retribution.The GABBA apparently introduced a similar initiative Dob in a Yob for the 2006 Ashes Tour. Lets hope some Australian security firms and National sporting organisations latch onto the idea and get into the market quick smart. You can read Reilly’s thoughts on the subject here.

The Professionals

2009-03-19T21:31:00.000+11:00
David Furner is a Lifer. Born in Queanbeyan, Raiders ball boy, 200 first grade games for the lime spiders, ’94 grand final Churchhill medallist – Furner is committed and so it seems is his team. The Raiders gallant performance in its round one loss to the Tighes served as the perfect transition for Furner - from steadfast player to steadfast coach.
Furner’s players were professionals. The individual stat lines of forward recruits David Shillington and Bronson Harrison had Litres of Ink all jittery at (im)possible scenarios for the ’09 season: Shillington - 24 hit ups for 154 metres gained, 20 tackles, 3 offloads; Harrison - eight off-loads, 22 tackles, one try assist and 11 hit ups for 65 metres. Harrison’s bust in the final minute of the half to put fullback David Milne over the line was a corker. Throw in Joshy Miller’s 23 tackles and 83 metres gained, Glen Turner’s 24 tackles, Daggs Thompson’s efficient return from a long injury layoff and The Almighty Tongue’s 28 tackles and the Raiders forwards/workhorses have the potential to devastate rival defences.
The game's 10-try 34-26 score line demonstrates how the introduction of an additional referee facilitates quick play the balls and free flowing play. This will serve the Raiders well throughout the ’09 season as shown through perfectly executed set plays from scrum bases and penalty restarts. The Architect Terry Campese (three try assists and five goals) came out strong committing to every cut out pass thrown, every run at the defensive line and surprised most with his slick goal kicking. Mr Fifth Tackle Option Joel Monaghan’s strength in defence is intimidating and every bomb he contests has the potential for points. The support play of Justin Carney, David Milne and Phil Graham will be infectious and bracing to watch once combinations are solidified.
Furner’s decision to include Marc Herbert in the side after struggling all week with a virus was questionable albeit a show of stability in his young half– the Tighes targeted Herbert (22 tackles) in defence nullifying his offensive presence.
Furner has installed a professional work ethic in his players – an ethic that the players have obviously taken ownership of. How The Lifer and his chargers adapt to the rigours of a long NRL season will be vital to the Raiders success this season. If Monday night’s performance is any indication fans can feel confident that every time their team runs out it will be with gusto, self-assurance and pride.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Manny meets Marsh

2009-03-19T13:44:00.000+11:00
To promote the up coming Indian Premier League season, Aussie cricketer Shaun Marsh has combined with eccentric Los Angeles Dodgers slugger, Manny Ramirez, during Dodgers training camp in Arizona. ESPN.com has video of the encounter here and The Australian has posted photos online. The quote of the event has to go to Marsh who gave the notoriously unpredictable and nonchalant Ramirez, a few pointers on the rules.

"It's pretty simple, mate," Marsh said. "You just make sure you're nice and relaxed. You keep your eyes on the ball, just like you do in baseball."
With Marsh standing nearby, Ramirez swung and missed at his first pitch before lining the second one past the bowler's ear as yellow-jerseyed members of the Arizona Cricket Club chased down the ball.
On the third delivery, Ramirez let the ball hit the wicket, which would have been an out in an actual game.
"That's an out?" Ramirez said. "Give me one more chance."
- ESPN.com
You can read more about Ramirez here.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Brumbies

2009-03-14T19:56:00.000+11:00
Friend proud of his team

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com

Monaghan return

2009-03-12T17:20:00.000+11:00
Fairfax is reporting that Raiders CEO, Don Furner, has had informal talks with former Raider Michael Monaghan about a return to the green machine in 2010. Monaghan is currently contracted to Warrington Wolves in the English Super League for a further two years. Opinion seems to be divided with some jumping at the chance to reunite Monaghan with his brother Joel while a few Wolves fans are scathing at the size of Monaghan’s contract and have even offered to pay for his airfare home. Litres of Ink is all for bringing back Monaghan. He’s a quality player and is a Canberra product. It’s not hard to get carried away at the thought of Canberra juniors Campese and the Monaghan brothers running amuck in ‘10 under the guise of Coach Furner. Monaghan would take on a mentorship role similar to that of Jason Smith in ’07-’08. Young dummy halves Stuart Flanaghan, Glenn Buttriss and pivots Marc Herbert and Josh Mcrone would no doubt benefit from the veterans leadership and work ethic. That said ─ the last thing the Raiders want is for development of these players to be hampered as they try to impress the powers that be that they will be worth hanging onto in ’10. While the return of Monaghan for the ’10 season would be of great benefit to the club and a move supported by its fanbase – the thought of Monaghan’s shadow hovering over the young player’s heads as they face pressure to perform throughout the ’09 season is a legitimate concern and one worth monitoring.

Did you attend the Canberra Capitals parade in Civic this afternoon - what did you think? email us your thoughts litresofink@gmail.com

In the spirit of ESPN's Bill Simmons I will be doing a running diary of the WNBL grand final tomorow night.

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Ten tidbits

2009-03-11T22:38:00.000+11:00
In anticipation of the 2009 NRL Rugby League season Litres of Ink has compiled ten morsels of fervour as the lime spiders prepare to kick off its season against the West Tigers in Campbelltown on Monday March 16.

1. The Furner legacy
The significance of the Furner family’s involvement with the Queanbeyan Blues and Canberra Raiders cannot be understated. David Furner’s appointment as coach follows on from his father’s defining spell as inaugural Raiders coach from 1982-1987 and as coach of the ‘Unbeatables’ on Australia’s English tour of 1986. As a fan it’s a privilege to watch any rookie coach develop his own identity, let alone a coach who was born into the club. It will also be fascinating to monitor the relationship between the 1994 Churchill medallist and his brother Don, as Raiders Chief Executive, over the coming years as the Furner legacy heads into its next phase.

2. Three internationals
The Raiders haven’t had a player debut for Australia since Jason Croker in 2000. With Joel Monaghan and Terry Campese making modest debuts for the Kangaroos in 2008 and the signing of NZ international Bronson Harrison the prospect of three internationals linking together in the midfield is like Dave Grohl and Mark Lanegan linking up with The Queens of the Stoneage to play on its Songs for the deaf record and subsequent tour. The pedigree and experience on show is certain to provide a shot of enthusiasm and deliver results in the short term.

3. Flanagan v Buttriss battle for the hooking spot
Competition for starting spots is vital in a game that relies heavily on player depth and managing inevitable injury tolls. After making his debut in Round Six of 2008, Cootamundra product Glenn Buttriss showed some solid skills around the ruck. Butters will be pushing for a consistent role in the first grade side but may be best utilised as an impact player coming off the bench. Stuck behind Robbie Farrer at the Tighes, Stuart Flanagan will be out to showcase his field vision and speed in a bid to make the hooking role his own.

4. Emergence of Marc Herbert & Joe Picker
Barring injury, Marc Herbert and Joe Picker are the foundations of the Raiders future. Picker established himself as a consistent first grade player in 2008 with a tireless work ethic on both defensive and offensive ends, culminating in a spot in the Australia ‘A’ side that took on Papua New Guinea at seasons end. Herbert showed glimmers of brilliance in his five first grade games, after stepping up to fill the void left by the player who shall not be named. Had his stint not been cut short by injury he would have played an integral role in the Raiders 2008 finals appearance.

5. Salary cap management
The Raiders have had to draw heavily on Toyota Cup and reserve grade sides over the past two seasons due to massive holes created through injury. Having exceeded the salary cap in both 2007 and ’08 the club were unable to blood any further players or bring free agents in to help bolster the ranks. This can no longer be an excuse for the club to fall back on. The club has to recognise this reoccurring blight and adapt its salary cap management in preparation of a season dilapidating injury toll.

6. Round Two match up w/ Cowboys
A convincing Raiders win over Neil Henry’s Cowboys in the first meeting with the club which gave Henry his first head coaching shot, might just repair some collateral damage. In 2008 Henry verbally committed to fulfilling his contract with the Raiders before coldly knifing his club, players and fans mid-season when agreeing to take over the North Queensland side for the 2009 season. The match up could develop into, dare I say it, a legitimate rivalry.

7. Return to form of Adrian Purtell , Phil Graham & Tom Leayroyd-Lars
Purtell, Graham and Leayroyd-Lars missed the majority of the 2008 season through injury. If Purtell and Graham can recapture the form of their debut seasons they will solidify a formidable backline alongside Milne and Monaghan. Meanwhile, if Leayroyd-Lars can stay healthy after a string of hamstring injuries and log some minutes on the paddock he may just reach the potential he has alluded to over the past three seasons. Who knows how high his ceiling will be.

8. Front row depth
The Raiders front row depth has already been called upon with Troy ‘Fred Daggs’ Thompson still recovering from niggling hamstring injury and not expected back until at least Round Four. With Dane Tilse and Scott Logan both injured during trial matches and out for six weeks, Joshy Miller and David Shillington have been given first crack against the Tighes on Sunday. It allows Shillington to rip in for his new club and establish his attacking style and the unintimidated Miller the chance to recapture his 2007 form which saw him named club player of the year. Having Tilse, Logan and Daggs Thompson injury free and fresh from mid season may prove to be a vital boost in the final rounds.

9. Adding to the Bald Brigade
With Michael Dobson and Mick Weyman opting for a change of scenery the Bald Brigade, headed up by Purtell, Campese and Daggs Thomspon, has lost two foundation members and will be seeking new nominations to bolster its ranks. Litres of Ink is happy to throw some names in the ring but will leave the initiation process up to existing members of the ageless BB.

10. Alan Tongue
Alan Tongue will restore faith in the code in a make or break year. Tongue epitomises the work ethics, sportsmanship and commitment which make supporting Rugby League and a regional club like the Raiders an honourable commitment. It’s the elite brethren of players like Tongue, Steve Price, Stacey Jones, Ruben Wiki, Steve Menzies, Roy Asatasi, Matty Geyer and Nathan Hindmarsh that are holding the league’s head above water and have done so for the past decade. Every time Litres of Ink gets another kick in the guts by a player who puts the game into disrepute, it’s players like Tongue and the elite brethren which has Litres of Ink bouncing of the walls in anticipation of another NRL season and counting down the working week for ‘Friday night footy in my hoodie’.

If you think it’s worthy or can spare the ink please email your thoughts, opinions to litresofink@gmail.com