Where was I when they were sh*t?

Hello world!

As bopman mentioned, he's gone off on holiday for the weekend, leaving Tobz and I in charge of the blog. This is the first thing he's ever trusted us with, so we are going to try our best not to break it.

I thought I would make my first ever blog regarding the upcoming weekend and all the good stuff bopman is missing while on holiday. On Saturday I might do a wee Premiership preview, if I have time.

Now, I'm the kind of guy who despises the sporting phenomenon that is the 'bandwagon jumper'. As a massive supporter of teams like the Phoenix and Warriors, people that jump on board when things are good, and when they're rubbish don't want to know, irritate me. I realise they are good for a team because when things are good they buy tickets, merchandise etc, but it still grinds me. However. There is one sport that I am guilty of being a bandwagoner myself (and I've done it more than once!).

That sport is basketball. I can't help it. I actually really like basketball, but if the Tall Blacks or Breakers are going rubbish, I really can't be bothered. Right now though, I am well and truly on the Breakers bandwagon. They are going great guns. They lost their first game in Perth last weekend, but are still on top of the standings with a 5 -1 record. They kick off the weekend's sport with a match Friday night against Wollongong Hawks, at the NSEC. The Hawks are also 5-1, so this should be a ripper - and the Breakers have their best player (and the best player in the league) Kirk Penney back in the fold tomorrow. For that reason, I am picking the Breakers to continue their high tempo game with pressure defence, while incorporating Penney back into the fold seamlessly. And if they lose? Well, maybe I won't worry about watching them next week.

The Phoenix play on Saturday night, in Newcastle. After the week off the field they've had, with all this drama about Terry and his financial issues, it will be good for the boys to get on the field and actually play some football. And this will be a tough test. We were rubbish against the Central Coast on Saturday, and Newcastle are experiencing a renaissance. New owner, a game against Beckham in a couple of weeks, and some new signings have meant they have lifted themselves off the foot of the table. I watched them last night against Brisbane, and they bossed the game for large parts. We will be well and truly tested. I would like to see all five guys that signed new Phoenix contracts today start (apart from Brown who's suspended - there's something about proving your worth the money). So that means Pavlovic starts up front with Greenacre, leaving Lia in the middle with Elliot. Milicevic is suspended for Newcastle, so hopefully we can be physical and get at least a point, if not steal all three.

Finally, the third test starts in Nagpur on Saturday night. I'm not sure how the pitch generally plays there, but something that tests the batsmen a bit more might force a result in this one. I have been so impressed with the boys application so far, but it only takes one poor batting performance and the series is gone. I'm hoping they can dig in once more, and really take it to the Indians. Oh, and we actually manage to get Harbajan Singh out for once.

Have a great night, and enjoy the weekend. Will post again soon.

Chief