This will hurt me...

New South Wales require another 568 runs with 10 wickets remaining. In one day. I don't think that Tassie can lose from here. With Lambert promoted to, NSW may have an early slog and chase hard. The risk for them (obviously) is losing a few wickets. If this happens Tassie could easily roll their soft middle order. If they do, NSW will officially become our bitch. Either way, I’m confident that Tasmania will win the Shield for the first time ever. Whatever, worst case scenario and they lose, I’ll just stress that the final is a load of rubbish and Tassie finished on top, and that was enough to win the shield for 75 years so everyone else can get fucked and we’re still the champions. And looking closer at the side only makes me happier. Michael Di Venuto; Tim Paine; George Bailey; Sean Clingeleffer; Luke Butterworth; Adam Griffith; and Ben Hilfenhaus are all Tasmanians born and bred. Travis Birt and Damien Wright are from elsewhere, but have only played first class cricket in Austral...

At 3/139 chasing Tassie's total of 340, I'm a bit worried. Hopefully we can get the next load of wickets for just a few runs. Riddled with the flu here, and with work all Thursday it's looking increasingly unlikely that I'll get to the game. My only hope is for rain, and the snot and fever to clear up on Friday!. C'MON THE TIGERS! C'MON THE STUD!

From Peter Roebuck's SMH column today: “To a greater and lesser degree all sportsmen die in hotels. That night Woolmer went to his room with its silences and accusing walls, an isolated figure trying to come to terms with futility. Britain's Daily Mirror said his death was caused by an overdose of prescription medicine and alcohol, but his family pointed to stress.” If that is the case, how depressing. He shouldn't have expected any more of the Pakistan cricket team, it's what the do! For all of the shit heaped upon him to drive him to that! He could have quit, walked away and no-one would have thought any less of him.

Peter Walsh on ABC radio reported that Cousins was told to come in for a random drug test prior to training. He then did a Rio Ferdinand and pissed off over the back fence, went missing, phone off, rendered himself uncontactable et cetera. He has form for this (remember the running away from the Breath Test? For mine, that should have seen him sacked, as it wasn't his first offence). I'd imagine that the AFL has broader rules on this. If it is true, he'd be facing at least 18-month ban, I'd reckon. What a dickhead.

I'm just gutted that the scrag lost all that weight. It literally has ruined my week. I shall speak no more of it!

Is it terrible of me to suggest that we check to bank accounts of Pakistan and Indian cricket players tomorrow? Losing to Ireland? Bangledesh? Come on, surely they're not that ordinary. Corruption would be the only solice for the Pakistan supporters now. If only their two bowlers had have passed their pre-World Cup "fitness" *wink, wink* *nudge nudge* tests.

Setting up the tipping comp this year has forced me into a few predictions: In another bold, and probably stupid move, I'm tipping Geelong to end years of heartbreak with a win over West Coast in the Grand Final. Not so bold is my prediction that Matthew Lloyd will be a runaway winner of the Coleman medal. Again, a safe bet that Chris Judd will win the Brownlow. More boldly, I predict that post-celebration he will announce his intention to sign for Essendon. In a stab in the dark, I'm going with Alwyn Davey will be awarded the Rising Star award. I'm sick of top picks getting it, so here's hoping Bryce Gibbs does his knee by round three. The surprise packet this year? The Catters. Both Abletts will run amock, and I reckon that they'll kick a few more goals this year with a more direct game plan. Sydney must be due a few injuries, if they get even three of four to leading players, I don't think they have any depth to cover them. There's no way they'd cope ...