The race for the Choc- Wedge begins...

For some years now the Hunt - Fitzgerald clan have participated in an annual summer-time competition for the virtual perpetual trophy of the Choc-Wedge - awarded for the most swims undertaken in the sea or River Derwent for that summer.

It has been going on for so long that no body remembers how it started.  Some years the competition has been fierce and the winner has had to take more than 20 dips. In other years, in between wage slavery and drizzle, the winner has cracked the chocolate coating with less than double figures.

This year competitors have been given starting orders.  While Will has been practicing winterlong, Rosie has returned to the pool to perfect her stroke. Lynne has arranged her career so that she can win this year while modesty prevents me revealing my preparation routine ... Being a cooperative non-competitive soul I remain quietly confident - and ready to argue that other's dippings cant be counted.

Cricket - played in the mind, and a bit on the ground!

What this series demonstrates is where cricket is played. Yes, there are expensive stadiums but in truth the game at the highest level is played in the mind.

Day one of the series demonstrated the power of the collective South African mind. Amal and Smith showed fierce concentration to get their team to a great position - only two down for quite a few runs. The washout might have robbed us of a series winning total.

The rest of the first test showed the Australians could turn it on above shoulder level too. Three down for very few, a determined Ed Cowan (determined to get that century that would cement him in the team) and Michael Clarke put their heads down and then accelerated, putting the South Africans on the back foot. So successful were they in building a mental advantage that there was a chance that the Australians could have won on the last day - if they could have bowled South Africa out. (Ominous signs of a lack of win-power to come)

The temporary mental advantage the Aussies developed in Brisbane continued to the second test - Clarke was at his best again - putting the Australians in a winning position. Michael Hussey scored another century - he'd shown he could do it in the first test and so he did it again. Then the power of decision kicked in. The South African team was in all sorts of trouble before Faff De Plessis decided he wasn't going to get out before the game was saved. The Australian bowlers - despite their grit and stamina - could not break his mind. As a result the game was saved and the South Africans won back the mental deficit they lost in Brisbane - the teams went into the Perth Test with the South Africans holding some momentum - comprised of relief, achievement and old fashioned determination. Meanwhile the Australians were disappointed - this was a winnable game not won. They knew how John Hewson felt in 1993.

The Third Test again showed the power of decision Both teams were in similar positions in the first innings although the Proteas held a reasonable advantage. Then Hashim Amla decided he would win the game, the series and top spot. His batting was remarkable. An attack that had looked reasonable if raw on day 1 looked amateur. Smith and De Villiers also looked terrific. The Aussies were beaten once the score to win exceeded 418. The mental power pendulum with the South Africans and it wasn't swinging back.

Ed Cowan batted like he had in the first test but appeared satisfied with 50. He has to find the next mental level if he wants to be more than a player who has shown he can do well. Ponting was already mentally retired after Adelaide. Hussey had done enough in the first two tests to stay in the team. Then, all pressure off Mitchell Starc plays a beauty - but a pointless exercise.

South Africa deserved to win the series - the Australians couldn't close it out despite two chances to do so.

The Australian batting - Clarke and Hussey apart - still looks vulnerable. They either do well or collapse. A lot more consistency is needed. More of them need to make more powerful decisions.

The bowlers have to frustrate if they can't break though.

The next series against Sri Lanka will be a mental let down for the Australians - after wasting chances to become number 1 - a series against erratic but sometimes brilliant opponents starting at Bellerive, may just lack the temperature needed to steel the Aussies for the tour of England. If the other batsmen don't follow the de Plessis and Amla meditation, and the bowlers don't learn how to frustrate, (and they mightn't get the chance to do so) the Ashes are staying in England.

Eve of the first Test

How good is anticipating the first Test of the season? Remember when Michael Slater stroked the first ball of the Ashes series at the Gabba to the boundary. Then when many years later Harmison bowled the first ball wide to second slip. All the expectation of a good series - this time for top of the table. Again we have the ridiculous Australian sporting media building the Australians up as if they are the invincibles - when they are a team yet to prove themselves. Cowan and Warner are yet to cement their spots - especially Cowan who is under real pressure to make a big score in the first innings of this Test. Having the right temperament isn't enough - he needs the right runs - three figures with a least a 1 at the beginning. Quiney is a ready made replacement - especially if Mr Injury (a team mate of Mr Cricket) returns some time this summer. Clarke has a chance to prove his captaincy against real opposition - in Australia. What a pity its only three Tests and in the Spring. Many of the Australian public don't accept Clarke as a legitimate captain - as if he was one of the faceless men who toppled the loved national leader. He's a very good bat - and an innovative captain. More power to him. Its some years now since I called for an out of form Hussey to be axed. I renew that call tonight. He has been in much better form since but his dotage blights the prospect of a long career for a younger player. Ponting will face a real test after his regeneration last year. I have my doubts but would be very pleased to see him flourish. Pattinson if he stays fit should do well but he faces the difficult second album phase. Starc looks in good form to me and two years ago Siddle took a magnificent hat-trick on day one of the series. He's honest but could struggle against class bats in form and "in" on the wicket. I think Lyon will keep the best bricklayer playing cricket out of the game. I am looking forward to seeing Smith niggle the super confident Australians and would love to see Amla grind out a triple ton in Australia. And how good will it be to see their fast bowlers. Amazingly we will be playing them on some fast wickets - somebody got something wrong in the scheduling department. It doesn't get much better than looking forward. Sometimes the reality is a lot less satisfying! One thing we can rely on is the appalling commentary - ridiculous aggressive loving stuff on channel 9 and faux nostalgia and "the spirit of the game" on the Home of cricket ABC who still don't broadcast all tests when we play offshore. Like anticipation - some things don't change.

Product Review: The AFL

Let's not pretend the AFL is an authentic sporting competition. It isn't. It's a tightly controlled stage managed product.

For the AFL to be a true sporting league the roster would have to be such that each team played each team twice. Currently it is "equalized" over a number of years. Yeah, sure.

The weekend long scheduling doesn't work. Yes we can see nearly every minute of every game if we like - with only the odd quarter overlap (except on Saturday afternoon). Round the grounds reporters are out of a job. No longer the excitement of hearing of a possible upset somewhere else while you watch your team. Now it's the only thing you can watch because it's the only game on. The advent of Fox Footy makes this even worse. It's not only on all weekend. It's on all week! Saturation can be sweet - when it it can be measured against paucity. Now it can't. It's a loss.

Richmond's coaches box has an almost uncountable number of coaches today. Ex players don't play in level two leagues anymore and boost lower level
Footy. They stay in the competition as Assistant coaches. It is over coached and over strategised. In short it is getting boring. Lower level competitions, younger players and supporters miss out.

This year has seen Hawthorn start slowly, crash to Richmond, yet finish on top. They aren't a good team to watch. Franklin and Rioli aside they aren't very interesting. The pundits predicted their triumph early - they had it right because it is so predictable.

Collingwood have ploughed on under Buckley. On and on - and on. And they finished in the top 4. Thankfully they must play Hawthorn. I'll watch Scott and Bailey while that's on as it won't be a spectacle.

Geelong might have a chance to defend their flag and at least they have the interesting Tom Hawkins in their side. Fremantle will go out in round 1 of the finals. North Melbourne will play West Coast and given their tendency to play above themselves - who knows.

Of the others we've had the Ratten sacking torture. St Kilda have disappointed their fans. Richmond have shown themselves not to be good enough. The Gold Coast justified their existence by beating Carlton. The GWS have justified their existence by keeping Kevin Sheedy on the scene.

So, let's have a 17 week season (we can't because of TV rights contracts). Let's play 6 games all at once - in the same time slot. Let's do away with the forward pocket ( do they have that position anymore) coach. Send ex AFL players to Level two competitions. And let's hope Fremantle eventually win a flag.

A series of frustrations

Australia won but what a frustrating series it was! Firstly the ABC, the home of cricket (played in Australia) gave us very little - occasional references to the scores. This echoed their appalling coverage of the series in Sri Lanka last year. The Tests in South Africa were covered but not those in Sri Lanka or the West Indies. The cricket - what sort of wickets were those tests played on? Sponge rubber? The scoring was slow, totals were low and generally it was pretty unattractive. Mike Hussey's career was prolonged while Ed Cowan still hasnt cemented his place. He needs some big hundreds to do so - even though the opening partnership works well at times. Why do we play a confected team? The West indies is a group of countries and should play as individual nations. In the 1980s I called for Australia to pick from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to even things up. It is like an IPL team in the Test roster. The public still hasnt taken to Michael Clarke - despite his innovative captaincy - Michael Beer opening the bowling for example - and his results. I'm not sure what he has to do? Next a one day series in England. I suspect the ABC might cover that!

One last season

This tree has one last season to perform or it is out!

It doesn't look too flash at the moment but it has received excellent care for many years.

When Grand Final Day comes a decision will be made on its future!

The same old issues

State Parliament resumes tomorrow.

The pundits are tipping the Forestry issue will be the dominant issue. There is so much more that we could be discussing.

It seems likely that at some point over the next two years there will be a successful move to expand the parliament to 35 seats - a return to 7 members for each of our 5 electorates. The Hare-Clark system, which by entrenching personal politics and intra-party rivalry, encourages conservative policies, wont be changed.

At the moment a lobby group is also pushing for changes in our local government - suggesting amalgamations and therefore rationalisation is badly needed. But there are bigger issues than this.

In the last week former Premier Jeff Kennett has suggested Tasmania and South Australia should merge with Victoria to form a super unit that would rival Queensland and Western Australia. The reaction to this has been predictable. Only Greg Barns has taken the call up with any enthusiasm - and he has made this call previously.

So it seems most people - or at least those that the Tasmanian media identify as spokespeople - are willing to discuss some types of changes but not wholesale change that would see Tasmania renegotiate its place in the Federation. We have a chance to sort out what sort of political and administrative structures are appropriate now - rather than what was appropriate prior to air travel, instant communication and on-line communities. The local government (municipal) question takes on a different complexion if we consider it in the context of renegotiating our state structures.

Typically communities only consider changes like these at the time of crisis - whether they be economic, natural disaster or military. Leadership - placing the issue on the agenda for serious discussion without resorting to emotional calls to "Save Our State" - could see us considering these questions over the next few years. What role do State Governments have? What services should they provide? What models would see efficient and effective service provision? Where does local government fit in this? How much are we prepared to pay for this?

I think Forestry will dominate again.

These guys have it

I have been lucky enough to see Schwerpunkt at two recent appearances at the Damage Nightclub at the Brisbane Hotel - the home of independent original music in Hobart.

I have included video of the November performance - two opening songs - from a set which I have described as heavy metal/rap/punk. Perhaps there is even some surf music in there - more of the Shipstern Bluff type than Waikiki though.

I haven't described their music very well. They write their own and they do it well.

November saw the launch of the Schwerpunkt Demo EP - each copy had a specially made personalised cover. The band were tight, nervous and serious.

January showed the benefit of experience - the band were not only there for the crowd - they were also having a great time themselves. They were also prepared to push the crowd - the new vignette - "punk is boring cos it is" drew gasps from some who clearly didnt agree. One attendee advised the under 18s to "drink your water".

While there I heard someone call out "Occupy". Not "Occupy Hobart" or any other real or imagined location. Curious I thought.

Still I am owed two drink tokens as they did never give me my two tokens which were apparently included in the admission price.

This video is from November.

Next chance to see the band is at the Ben Wells and the Middle Names EP Launch on March 30

Incredible India

What a great win last night at a cold and lonely Bellerive.

This was the India we all wanted to see this summer - they have been late in arriving - and I'll avoid the obvious reference to late summers.

Here's hoping they can go on - but if not Sri Lanka will still be formidable - 320 should have been enough.

What it all means is that the Tri- Series - I still refer to it as the World Series Cup - is alive and well. Cricket Australia have made a good decision to play the finals in Brisbane and Adelaide - smaller grounds should mean runs aplenty.

Virat Kohli is the ascending star of the Indian team now - while the others begin to disappear behind the horizon.

What a pity Harbajahn is not here to annoy and niggle - any chance that he could be rushed out for the finals?

Bring on Friday.

Why is the Indian team so disappointing?

I was looking forward to a good series between Australia and India - I expected close matches. Perhaps some long draws.

But instead the series - apart from the obvious individual highlights - has been very disappointing.

A good test match is close - the momentum shifts - usually more than once.

These tests have been a bit tedious really. Teams collapsing doesn't grab my interest - unless it comes after a good start.

Ed Cowans innings in Melbourne is a highlight - reminding other batsman how to leave. He's been unlucky with decisions so far twice out of three innings.

The return of Hilfenhaus has also been memorable - as has Pattinson's bowling and Siddle's ability to take crucial wickets.

Ponting and Hussey are certainly back in form - but renewal must come some time. While Australia are winning though renewal is delayed.

Michael Clarke's innings is the highlight of the summer so far. It is the type of sporting event that brings new followers to the game. His captaincy has been good - he will try something new and won't let the game drift. Perhaps he deserves a better go from the fans.

But what about India?

Gambir did nothing until his second innings in Sydney. Sehwag continues to bat like he doesn't care. Dravid has looked solid but not not gone on with it.

Tendulkar has looked to be in sublime form but can't crack that 100th ton. Laxman should have done more - he didn't do much before the second innings in Sydney. Dhoni has played one good innings. Kohli has not performed. At times all the Indian bowlers have looked terrific - especially Sharma.

However, the Indian team has not lived up to the hype that accompanied them.

Still the Indians did well in Perth last time. They could still retain the trophy.

However I foresee a collapse or two and a four - nil series result.