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A few quickfire sports items this week Thursday, 7th May 2025: Moana and Hurricanes stay on course Top 6 while Waratahs struggle again, great weekend from NSW in Super Netball, NRL finally has a WA team & more Soccer with the English

by Sports Benches May 7, 2025

Here’s some quickfire sports items this week:

1️⃣ Moana Pasifika and Hurricanes take wins that kept their Top 6 alive with Reds unlucky to Drua and Waratahs lose again away where they were so out of depth v Brumbies after half-time – they better pull those strings tomorrow v the Reds again.

2️⃣ Top weekend from NSW Netball – Giants finally crush champs Adelaide Thunderbirds by one goal (64-63) while Swifts still so unbeatable v Firebirds.

3️⃣ Lots of recognised NZers at the second from Grace Nweke to Kiri Wills along with Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua & the ANZ Premiership is back this weekend.

4️⃣ NRL now officially welcomes back the Bears as a WA team. Fun fact: Reds & future Wallabies coach Les Kiss used to play there back in his day.

5️⃣ More Football in the form of soccer, Leeds won the Championship at the last minute while Arsenal won’t be in the CL Final with PSG v Inter – and now we’ll see if Tottenham along with Man Utd will be up for the Europa Cup 2nd leg semi tomorrow.

May 7, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports

2025 Super Netball, Round 4 of 15: NSW Swifts stay unbeaten on top of the table over Queensland Firebirds by 71-63

by Sports Benches May 4, 2025

Swifts stay unbeaten over the Firebirds as of Round 4 of 15 thanks to their comfortable 71-63 win earlier this afternoon on the home front at Ken Rosewall Arena. What a weekend also that rocks this place for NSW Netball with the Giants finally got away with their first win of 2025 following the one-goal win last night over the current champions Adelaide Thunderbirds by 64-63 – fantastic stuff.

Gotta say it was a tight first 30 minute distance with two decent goal shooters wanting goals so badly at each circle end.

However, it seems the Swifts’ use of subs where they’ve put on Maddy Turner for Teigan O’Shannessy along with Allie Smith at Centre, and pushing Paige Hadley to WA by hauling off Verity Simmons proved to be a game changer that Firebirds did not see coming.

Yes, goals were there from Firebirds too but the way they go back and forth jn and out of the circle with a touch of ill-discipline does little to help alienate Swifts, as if they were illusionists going up against a well-experienced back two.

Top 3 players of the afternoon

NSW Swifts

A keen fisherwoman, Sharni Lambden has been capturing those brilliant moments that makes the Firebirds so hard to unpack in the long game at Wing Defense for the Swifts. She has clearly set the benchmark between a tight first half-hour to an almighty unbeaten home win in the end in the same way Sharni throws at her other attacking end as always every time.

A few other Swifts players did so well with praise to Briony Akle on using her subs right that slowed the Firebirds’ momentum after half-time but England’s Helen Housby & also longtime stalwart here did the hard yards. Not only her class is permanent every time the ball is front of her to shoot inside the circle or within it at Super Shots, Helen also provided an excellent pass structure that resonates with her mid-courters where Swifts were unmatched in one area unlike Firebirds.

Plus, shoutout to the Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua helping Briony out once again along with Grace as her player too but in the Swifts camp.

Here’s hoping that exception can be accepted by Netball New Zealand so Nweke can still play for them later this year. And yeah, Kiri Wills lost to Nweke yet again (Auckland-based rivalry) with another one to still play but on Kiri’s home side at Nissan Arena for Round 14 in mid-July.

Queensland Firebirds

And another England International also did well but with the Firebirds, Imogen Allison knows how to make things click at centre where restarts & inside crosses were made every time she has the Gilbert ball.

It’s damning their attacking plan with the tall Mary Chlohok showed cracks of hesitancy & miscommunication and that’s where the Swifts were right on the money as Firebirds better be on the same page next time.

May 4, 2025 0 comment

Football Other Sports

2024-25 EFL Championship Round 46 Finale: Burnley win but so does Leeds following a late Manor Solomon strike that was enough to win them the top trophy

by Sports Benches May 3, 2025

Well, congrats to Leeds with the 2024-25 EFL Championship title following a long 46 rounds & 9 months over the course between August to May.

They can count themselves championship champs thanks to Manor Solomon’s 90th minute goal and there’s no way Plymouth were toothless all along other than the Sam Bryam own goal, especially when there’s little time remaining and that’s all Plymouth could do to Burnley in the end.

Final score: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Leeds United

For Burnley, glad they ended the season with the win 3-1 at Turf Moor, even without Zian Flemming because they were up against Millwall and Millwall still owns him at least until the end of next month.

Their 2nd half run was much better likewise with Leeds than the first 45, having witnessed Josh Coburn hit the woodwork that turned out to be an unfortunate hit & miss just in front of goal.

What’s next?

While Leeds can celebrate and party hard all weekend long now, the end goal is all about being successful in the PL (at least mid-table) and maintaining it along the way.

Yes, it all depends how strategic both clubs can be with the budget they’ve been given to spend this northern summer.

But maybe it’s going to be a slight advantage for Parker over Farke on that one regardless if he will be staying at Burnley to try be successful in the PL or even replace Australia’s own Ange Postecoglou at his old playing club Tottenham Hotspur by the start of August.

Take note of that and speaking of Leeds, I see a fellow fan right there in Tristan McManus from Ireland.

He’s known to be a professional dancer in the past on USA’s Dancing with the Stars but calls Australia home nowadays where he’s been on TV for quite a few years.

Not only he has co-hosted the former Studio 10 in the AM but he’s also good at sideline reporting with the A League which is also his current calling too.

The Play-Offs including the moneybags Final

For now, we will turn our attention to the upcoming Play-Offs as four will become one to secure the third and final promotion ticket to the top flight. Especially when there’s the richest match around the corner with that Final over in Wembley.

As we know, early title contenders Sheffield United and Sunderland are in for a second chance. They will be joined by Frank Lampard’s Coventry City who won against Middlesbrough 2-0 and now 6th-placed Bristol City following a 2-2 draw with Preston when Blackburn were held stranded by the Blades 1-1 and Millwall from earlier have lost to Burnley by 3-1.

Play-Off winner

First of all, Coventry made huge strides from their difficult decision to get rid of Mark Robins to having another crack to hopefully get that last PL promotion berth as sure they will be up for the fight.

Sunderland meanwhile based on their huge effort and investment with their rebuilding efforts over the last recent years are not to be underestimated.

Plus, Bristol City may have a smaller chance but their playing style and the way they recruit players are similar to Brentford – so they won’t back down either.

And Sheffield United is no stranger to escaping the 2nd tier and go straight back up right away despite some issues with their current ownership, etc.

If one was to make the biggest stage then it would be Sheffield United v Sunderland but with Sheffield too good to resist a la Leeds but in a Play-Offs race storyline out of the other best four after Wembley.

May 3, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Rugby

A few Quickfire sports news items of the week of 30th April 2025: Les Kiss to Wallabies, Max Purcell’s doping ban, Grace Nweke & Kiri Wills reunion at Super Netball level plus many more

by Sports Benches April 29, 2025

Congratulations to Les Kiss with the Wallabies job who has done big things with the Reds past two years and sure his setup & influence on players can help them flow from dominating Super Rugby to being a Top 3 side on the global stage like the glorious Springboks at present.

Felt sorry for Max Purcell having accepted a year-and-a-half ban on doping.

Won’t be the same without him especially being a strong contributor to our Aussie doubles team both grand slams and team tournaments but we gotta put a fine line with our standards of professional sport.

After a very long Round 3 of Super Netball, we’re back again with a full weekend log with one match I’m looking to forward to is Swifts v Firebirds.

Grace Nweke will playing against Kiri Wills’ team once again and it’s not at ANZP level like it was with Mystics v Stars but in Super Netball – so yeah, bring it on.

Formula 1 is back this weekend in Miami along with the second sprint race of the year as yes happy for Oscar Piastri who is currently leading the drivers’ championship after he collected the Saudi win last time round. But here’s hoping Jack Doohan will be able to step up to the plate when there’s a short and long race opportunity, so onto the engineers here to help map out the best strategy and tire management. Not only that, he needs to turn up every post-race in order to not just be consistent but also finish races strong.

And can’t wait for final round Championship Saturday at 9.30pm AEST where Plymouth do need Burnley’s help along as long as Burnley v Millwall but can’t ignore all day from free-scoring Leeds.

April 29, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football

2024-25 EFL Championship Round 45 of 46: Leeds win over Bristol City to stay within touching distance of the title after a mighty 4-0 win going into final round Saturday

by Sports Benches April 29, 2025

Looks like there’s no stopping Leeds now unless 23rd placed Plymouth Argyle can rise up to the chance to help out Burnley following their 4-0 win over Bristol City this morning at Elland Road. There were plenty of goals being scored for fun by the whole team but what stood out towards the end was a double brace by Largie Ramazani straight off the bench warmers area – all while Bristol couldn’t grasp a goal of their own across the whole 90-95 odd mins.

Speaking of Ramazani, he’s more than just a Footballer having looked back at his sensational backflips much like Carl Edwards back in the day every time he wins a race and in victory lane in NASCAR.

I mean, with Daniel Farke, he likes to see his teams keep on scoring for fun and yeah, no one else in this division can match his credibility other than himself.

Not even a defensive minded Scott Parker would able to do that when it’s all about the other way round by strengthening a rock-solid backline on top of a national-class goalkeeper of their own except Burnley’s attack can be insipid at times.

Millwall would want to better take advantage of this that could see them jump inside the playoffs bubble. So Burnley gotta make sure they cannot afford to let it slip while going all in as if it’s a Cup Final and they’ll have do it without the Millwall-owned Zian Flemming as it’s such bummer but that’s EFL rules.

Farke won two Championship titles all with Norwich and now he’s set for a third this time for the Lilywhites as long as it doesn’t turn out to be a shock defeat in which they have the best goal difference also ahead of everyone. Nothing much else to say other than bring on final round Saturday where all twelve matches will be held at the same time of 9.30pm AEST.

You never know for sure when both teams Burnley and Leeds would want to finish off the term with 100 points but a third wheel in Plymouth gotta be the one to ultimately decide this Super Bowl of EFL Championship Final race for the title despite having to go back to League One.

All in all, Burnley yes so badly but to be real, no one could stop Leeds from finishing first themselves based on today’s mighty win at home turf v Bristol City.

Also nice to see Leeds unveiling their Elland Road renovation plans too that could finally see them expand into a greater seating capacity off the back of their PL promotion berth last Monday.

April 29, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports

Super Netball 2025, Round 3: Jhaniele Fowler’s return to the West Coast Fever secures their first win of the season over Melbourne Vixens by 57-67 at John Cain Arena

by Sports Benches April 27, 2025

First of all, Jhaniele Fowler back on-court at the right time knowing what she does best – shooting goals inside the net and here goes the Fever’s first win of 2025.

Still long way to go of course having lost the first two when Jhaniele was closing in towards full fitness following a tough last few months with the miscarriage of her unborn child. But now as a whole Fever unit together, Jhaniele wants unfinished business closing into Top 4 at some point and play Finals with the hope of going one better past Prelims & go all in for the GF.

Then England International Fran Williams kept a great eye on the Vixens’ dangerous front two alongside GK Kadie-Ann Dehaney at Goal Defense. She’s also an excellent pivot at rebounds to her middies engine room such as the long bombs at the other end and that is key to playing Jhaniele’s best strengths up front.

On that note, Kiera Austin did the best she could in and out of the circle after 60 odd minutes at Goal Attack for the Vixens – don’t know what went wrong other than some good late game momentum, particularly with super shots. It’s unfortunate they weren’t on the same page along with some misuse of their players & that’s by being on the back foot.

Other than Giants still winless as of a long weekend split Round 3, lots to play for from others with the Swifts on an unbeaten winning streak ahead of Round 4 next weekend.

Could we see Fever with Jhaniele now back in the field continue making up lost time v the Sunshine Coast Lightning?

There’s a Melbourne derby too at the same time next Sunday arvo at 2pm where Vixens could either bounce back as long as they get their structure right or else it’s the Mavericks turn this time?

There’s going to be lots more other big questions if you’re a Giants or Firebirds fan with their respective next opponents Thunderbirds and Swifts currently flying Top 2. But at the end of the day, fingers crossed – we’ll see when all players are being tested at the highest level of National League competition in Australia and this is going to be good as it gets.

Oh going to be a nice Auckland reunion between Grace Nweke (Swifts, ex-Mystics) and coach Kiri Wills (Firebirds, ex-Stars) for that next Swifts v Firebirds contest albeit in Super Netball colours.

For now, Vixens not bad at playing catch-up including super shots time but Fever have the overall on-court dominance that Vixens couldn’t have in the end by 57-67.

April 27, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football

EFL Championship 2024/25: Thoughts on Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle relegated with Wrexham ready to chase their PL dream after a 3-0 win over Charlton in League One

by Sports Benches April 26, 2025

Don’t know what to say about Cardiff to begin with but a 0-0 draw v West Brom not enough unfortunately to stay in the 2nd tier a bit longer as League One awaits to try and get back there starting August.

Even if they did win then it would still be a long shot anyway when it’s not just about winning another one but they better need a superior goal difference than others, which is something they don’t have much like Plymouth Argyle despite their 2-1 win last night against Preston North End.

It remains to be seen which head coach Cardiff want going forward as Aaron Ramsey should’ve been there or even bringing Neil Warnock back for a short spell & got rid of Omer Riza sooner as time will tell about their owner Vincent Tan.

Bummer for Plymouth also who did the best they can in the thick of it right from mid-season following another change of head coach in Milon Musric when Wayne Rooney didn’t do well yet again as next game v Leeds might not be for the survival to escape the bottom three but at least they can do any favours for Burnley.

For now, which last team between 22nd and 23rd will stay or go?

Hull City would have to go I’m afraid since they also had some issues both on and off field all along this season so no surprise there if they have to start all over again with mid-table side Portsmouth next up.

Luton, meanwhile, will do enough to earn another year in the 2nd tier since the next match v West Brom ain’t that hard where they have no permanent coach for the minute and Luton has got a astute young manager they prized away mid-season from Wycombe Matt Bloomfield.

And great to hear Wrexham going one step further just outside the biggest stage of English Football from the PL. Their 3-0 win v Charlton Athletic now enough to join Birmingham City as the next promoted League 1 side to play in the Championship next season. Even if it’s a runner-up finish, they’re all here for the journey with the help of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – both Alpine minority shareholders too and Rob’s wife Kaitlin is currently playing Morgan on ABC’s High Potential as they’re back for fun crime-solving Season 2 this Fall following a breakout first season in the network’s record books.

Other than that, going to be an exciting Play-Off knockout race from here with Stockport, Wycombe, Charlton and either one of Leyton Orient or Reading with the final round to spare.

They all play some good attacking football but as long as Leyton don’t lose to Huddersfield, they could have their own Wrexham-like journey in front of the queue ahead of any other 2-3 teams as mentioned in this Play-Offs fight. If not, could see Stockport v Charlton instead.

April 26, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Football

2024-25 EFL Championship Round 45 of 46: Burnley too good over QPR 5-0 as they now keep an eye on Leeds v Bristol City going into next week before the regular finale

by Sports Benches April 26, 2025

And last but not least, Burnley were absolutely too good over QPR just now by 5-0 thanks to two goals from half 10/half nine Zian Flemming + super sub forward Jeremy Sarmiento and CM Josh Cullen.

Looks like they can breathe a bit more better now Burnley have already confirmed their promotion back to the PL ahead of the next season starting August.

All in all, they’ve simply attacked and attacked at its finest all afternoon while maintaining its solid defensive standing.

But there’s still one more hurdle left and they got Millwall to finish off as the home team now at Turf Moor at the same time next Saturday 9.30pm AEST.

As said, Burnley were able to get away with things as a PL-elect qualify team now against a side sitting below mid-table in QPR who left their home ground in West London at Loftus Road empty handed.

For Millwall though, they’re doing great things particularly as of late in their push to join the Playoffs bubble between 3rd-6th and they just def. Swansea City 1-0. Thinking of Cardiff too just now who not only couldn’t find a way to get past West Brom but leaving five points off the required three ahead of the final round game next Saturday is just a bit too late to ask unfortunately and they will be in League 1 next term.

Although it’s likely there will be two Welsh teams in the Championship joining Swansea as a straight swap for Cardiff with Wrexham set to realise their road to the PL should they defeat Charlton Athletic for the win soon.

What Burnley don’t have hand in hand going into this final tough game of the season even if the stronghold home front helps is that Zian Flemming will have to sit out since he is owned by them a bit longer – despite the fact that loan-to-obligation deal they’ve reached in the last days of the August summer window last year does not sign off until this season is fully over and then he’s yours on a permanent basis after that.

Who could replace him instead? It’s either a returning Lyle Foster from injury, Sarimiento getting an extended crack to prove he can play a valuable contribution next term or even asking Marcus Edwards to play up front. Tough call but they better keep on scoring like they did today v QPR.

And now we will have to wait until Tuesday morning when Leeds host Bristol City with Burnley fans hoping to see Bristol hold back the Lilywhites.

If so, maybe Scott Parker could finally get his hands to take home that top-placed Championship trophy on top of his runner-up and Play-Off achievements from the same level that he did with Bournemouth and Fulham in the past.

Also from the other day too, just a reminder that Leeds are even considering sacking Farke having also achieved PL promotion at the same time on Easter Monday – who doesn’t look so confident when it comes to his dire PL record – as again, advantage Parker’s Burnley over Farke’s Leeds for the best of 1st place.

April 26, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports

Super Netball 2025 as of a long Round 3: NSW Swifts unstoppable while lots more catch-up from the Giants

by Sports Benches April 24, 2025

There may not be any two NSW/Sydney Super Netball teams in action this weekend but it’s still a split Round 3 that takes place across two long weekend windows in-between Easter and ANZAC Day.

So far, so good from the Swifts who are unbeaten 3 from 3 with thanks to their International powered goal shooting combo in England’s Helen Housby (Goal Attack) and Grace Nweke (Goal Shooter) from New Zealand that sends the message to the other seven teams in this competition.

But with the GWS Giants, not so much and they’re currently sitting second last that could turn out to be 8th and last spot if the West Coast Fever shockingly beat the Melbourne Vixens this Sunday afternoon.

They’ve got a good group of players with a mix of homegrown and experienced talent although Gina Crampton (also from NZ) is out only for this season due to maternity leave – sometimes they lack cohesion when it comes to their tactics and even selection.

Don’t know what to say when their head coach Julie Fitzgerald is still the only one out there since its inception back in 2017 having previously coached the Magic back in Waikato, NZ that included a young Jamie Lee-Price at the time before they’ve moved back to Sydney since then – not questioning their loyalty. But safe to say that Giants haven’t been firing for so long where solutions needs to be actioned sooner than later or else Giants might as well would want a whole new direction if they want to be like the Super Swifts again.

While it’s still early as it can be possible for the Giants to pick up the odd win here and there, every game will have to be traded as a big game with the champs Adelaide Thunderbirds next up first thing at home next Saturday from 5pm AEST.

April 24, 2025 0 comment

Other Sports Motorsport Rugby

Top 5 sports items this week 24/4/25: Rodney Childers’ shock departure at Spire, Scott Parker’s links with Tottenham after PL promotion with Burnley, Super Rugby Round 11/16, Max Verstappen and Western Bears in NRL

by Sports Benches April 24, 2025

Bummer Rodney Childers won’t be back in the No.7 pit box but Spire ain’t backing down nonetheless with all three cars in & out of Top 16 to 20 drivers’ points.

There’s always time with the win and Playoffs still a possibility as long as it’s before September where Spire has the full backing of three talented and experienced drivers in McDowell, Haley and Hocevar.

Parker back to Tottenham?

While Burnley now back to the PL, Scott Parker might not be there because of Tottenham who could get rid of Aussie Ange even if he wins the Europa final.

Maybe it’s best if Scott helps Burnley win it all and see Leeds bottle it at the same time, then he can go considering he hasn’t been successful so far at this top level.

There’s even talk about Leeds wanting to sack Farke in order to avoid his curse record at PL level – looks like it will be advantage Parker for the title then.

Super Rugby: another golden week from the Aussie sides v NZ?

Super Rugby back for another week going the Australian teams away we hope after a few brilliant games including one that ended in a draw, although not so much for the Waratahs unfortunately v Fijian Drua away in Suva.

Yet, things could get even better if Reds, Brumbies and Force all beat their respective NZ teams in Blues, Hurricanes and Chiefs this weekend.

Perfect timing (mark that down) and as of Week 11 out of 16, still no NZ side win recorded yet at least on Australian soil.

Max Verstappen wants out of Red Bull?

Also, Max frustrated behind the scenes being the cut lone figure at Red Bull when McLaren in a Mercedes customer engine are leading the way via Oscar and Lando.

Would love to see him end up at Aston Martin with Honda engines + Adrian Newey again & Franco C. be the ideal one when RB have no other choice post-Max.

NRL finally has a Perth team with assistance of the North Sydney Bears

And last but not least, Perth will finally get a NRL team in a long time with credit to the North Sydney Bears.

That means, the Bears will be expected to play top-level Rugby League once again but looks like half of the games will be played at in Perth with other still going to be at the spiritual North Sydney Oval.

National footprint is important for all of our Aussie sports including rugby despite losing a team in Melbourne but gotta accept it’s the best fight right now in the bid for championships and series trophies.

The big weekend other than the off-weekend of F1 starts tomorrow on ANZAC day Friday before the second last round’s matches is on a bright Saturday night at 9pm and we round it off with the shuffling decks of Talladega come Monday AM.

April 24, 2025 0 comment