SImon Katich scores a century...

Give me the IPL any day. I have watched two overs but it's great to know it's on.

I was there - FIFA are here!

Saturday saw the Taroona boys continue their juggernaut-like ride to the top. A 7 -1 victory over the Huon Valley team - who had caused problems in previous years - was almost unremarkable. We are coming to expect it. Mind sets are shifting - even bending. Mastercoach Jeff Atkinson has worked his magic on his players and now turned the parents as well.

Of note were all seven goals - James Cherry the artist netted two, Liam O'Donovan grabbed two and could have had a hat trick, Matt Etherington started the deluge with a curler from way out, Jack O'Sullivan played an inspirational second half on 1 and 1/2 legs and topped it with a goal and Zac - always dangerous near goals - netted one. The Taroona boys dominate the major goalscorers in the League. Of course the defence was solid. Joey had little to do but did it well.

Unfortunately there will be a three week break now. This will give FIFA the chance to examine this phenomenon. And they just happen to meeting in Sydney this week.

Is this pure coincidence?

Matsercoach Jeff has announced he will be away next week. Will he be meeting Blatter?

Another triumph for Mastercoach!

One of the downsides of knocking off the top team is another team becomes top and you have to do it all again!  Well Mastercoach Jeff Atkinson has done it all again.

Picture the former home of the dish lickers, the site of the Inter Dominion, the proposed home of the AFL team we dreamt about in the 1990s - yes the Hobart Show Grounds - now a Caravan Park and Sunday Market Place.  Jeff took his charges north to Glenorchy for the match against the Glenorchy Knights who became top of the ladder following the demise of the Kingborough Lions. On arrival there were the Knights drilling on the pitch side - already kitted out and looking like mediaeval knights ready for action in a jousting that would see the Taroona boys skewered on poles.  

Taroona of course takes a more modern approach to the pre-match routine.  I am yet to figure it out but again it has worked.

Come game time, the fierce Knights started strongly.  Taroona broke that run of a goal to the opposition in the opening seconds and counter attacked vigorously.  The Taoona goal was a beautiful team effort - Liam finishing the job with another deft touch.

Taroona attacked constantly while Glenorchy repaid the favour with rapier thrusts only to meet the Imposing Joey - solid and flairsome in goal.  Come half time Taroona were one up.  The second half saw even more determined attacking from the jousters. At 10.52 Mastercoach Jeff in a Hiddink like ploy asked his attackers to stay back.  Only in the last ten seconds did he Knights look like scoring - they hadnt factored in the Imposing Joey who imposed himself yet again and secured the three points.

The FFA had recognized the  phenomenon that is the Taroona Under 14s by supplying - for the first time this season - a Ref and two linespersons plus a Refs coach.  Spectators quizzed Coach Jeff as to what his magic consisted of - of course none should try to dissect such artistry. It only leads to silly instructional videos and Dummies guides. You've either got it or you haven't!

Next week Ranelagh. Taroona on a roll. The Mastercoach still plotting and planning! Stay tuned.

As the Taroona boys left the site of many a Grand Parade there were the knights warming down.  Bemusing really!

Finally, someone has started looking out for "working families"!

Ignored or patronised by the "elites", who has represented the welfare of this minority? Nobody!

The H****d Government? Oh no! All they cared about was "Working Australians" - a motley collection of untrustworthy, shape-shifting, good-for-nothings who ate all the pork H****d could fit in the barrel and then voted for a bunch of "economic conservatives". 

Well, it turns out that these tight-arses have been champions of the welfare of a completely different constituency. And I'm not talking about those narrow-minded idiots from that wasteland called "Middle Australia". As a quick aside how many champion Rugby League players have come from "Middle Australia"? There's been plenty from Narromine, Tingha, Roma, Cunnamulla, and Bushy Park of course. Middle Australia? They might have had a couple of state champion butterflyers.

Well the future looks bright for "Working Families", at least until they get uppity and decide to become "Aspirational Australians".

Mastercoach Discovered!

I have been lucky enough to see the Taroona Under 14 Boys Soccer Team over the last two weeks.  What a revelation.  After a slow start to the year and an injury to key player Ben Wisby the future did not look all that bright for the Taroona team.  Then came the visit from New Norfolk.  While the Norfolk team had struggled they copped a hiding at Kelvedon park - going down 14 - 1.  The teamwork exhibited by the Taroona boys was beautiful to watch.  Behind this display was Mastercoach Jeff Atkinson -- a quiet, measured and strategic director - with a smouldering passion for the game - if ever there was one.

This Saturday saw Taroona front up to the previously undefeated Kingborough Lions.  Within seconds Kingborough was on the board. This led one of their players to call "Dont get cocky Kingborough".  Taroona then kicked 5 unanswered goals with precise teamwork that flummoxed the Kingborough boys. Again, Mastercoach Jeff, pacing quietly by the sidelines, had imposed a strategy that neutralised the Kingborough gun player and made space for the Taroona attacks.

He is already a legend and you may here more about him here - or elsewhere!

Why would I mess with such a beautiful sight?

Well because it is a little out of date.  While the Tigers have been trying they are not there yet.  

Anyway, I have recently read Andy Summers' "One Train Later" and Ronnie Wood's "Ronnie".  There is no comparison.  The former is a good read from start to finish - the latter is one name drop ramble from start to finish.  Yes there may be no comparison between their impact on music but if you want an intelligent read try Andy's book.  The State Library has a big hold waiting list for Ronnie but it was a major disappointment to me.

I visited the fine Taroona High School today - what a site for a school! I didnt see a "new wave of disengagement" there!

Gee I'm excited about the Dream Team versus the Vics. Of course I'm barracking for the Vics as Richmond is my franchise.  Yes, Richo is playing for the Dream Team but what a guernsey. Grant Allford could design better. It would be black with a yellow sash I suspect!

And the IPL - perfect product for our 5 second society.

And apparently there is a Rugby League Test on tonight. Let me nail my colours to the Kiwi mast.  The Test Players have to back up tomorrow for Club Games - now that is tough!

And Pete Doherty is in jail - any of you boys know who he is?