The Commonwealth Games

G.Wood wrote:

JGK wrote:Netball's fine.  All the movement is off the ball. That's the point.

It made poms cry so that has to be a good thing too.

Seeing them tear up at the hockey not much later was even more hellafunny.

Any knighthoods coming out of these games?

I'm a bit biased, but I'm with Petey. Having a wife and 2 daughters who were all good netties that I watched play for years has made my "passion" for the sport wane just a little. And they had/have a 6th sense whenever netball was on the telly, meaning that the remote was commandeered on such occasions.

Interesting to see the comments on netball v basketball ... I'll stick my head up above the parapet to say that I see very little difference between the two, really, except as someone has already pointed out, the fast movements occur 'off the ball' with netball and 'on the ball' with basketball. In both sports the majority of scoring seems to be done with very deliberate and uncontested shooting ... in netball, from under or close to the post; in basketball, from the free throw line after some technical infringement.

Neither game interests me greatly. Under peer pressure from some school mates I did play basketball briefly in my early school years, but was too small and clumsy at the time to really enjoy it, and I just never got that into it. Half a season was enough and then I decided cricket, hockey, and athletics was plenty. Many years later when resident in Cairns I went to watch a Taipans match - just the once - and found I couldn't sustain interest through the match. There was altogether too much hotdogging, mascots, and manufactured interest; with short segments of actual play constantly interrupted by fouls, timeouts, and 'faffing about' whilst winding down the shot clock. Dreadful game.

If we are talking attractive young female athletes - the runner Bianca Williams is bloomin' fantastic. Smile, personalty and generosity to others, too. ANd steely, which is equally good to see. Hope she goes from strength to strength.

And a (non-nationalistic) word for Jo Pavey. 40 years old and a medal in the 5000 metres. Okay, so the chorus begins - "Shows how crap the CG are!!!"

But her time was good, her determination to come back, and even to compete, and hold out in the race, were sensational. Inspiring to anyone of marginally generous spirit, too.

Was surprised at the stat that this was the first Comm Games in 20 years where Aus didn't win the medal count. Really?? I'll have to check that. Always thought it was always a tight battle for medal supremacy between Aus and England.

Anywho, well done to England on blitzing the count.

Sure enough, Aus had not lost the medal count before these Games since England won the count in Edinburgh in 1986.

Is that true? Bullshit? It's surprising that such a 'jingoistic mob' hadn't made more of this.

Do you mean total medals or gold medals?

@Lardy:

True - a proliferation of technical infringements can mar and slow any game (sport). In hockey, for example, it's the repeated accidental hitting of a foot/leg with the ball that is a problem for fluency. (This is not about deliberate blocking.)

And timeouts.

But what you really seem to be beefing about is the "over-Americanisation" of sport: additional (and worst, when artificial) timeouts, the overpacking of the sandwich with merchandise, the scary amounts of fastfood, the blur of franchise paraphernalia .... I am getting a bit too nauseous to continue the list, so will stop.

The "Gilesclarkeisation", to put it another way.

And that's also a problem in many pro sports these days. A necessary evil, most would argue to one extent or another.

Sometimes the extent seems massively overstepped, not only to purists. (Even before you get to Sirallenstamfordisation.)


So was it the basketball as such that was the problem? Or what was clustered on it, like a set of rashes and carbuncles?

PeterCS wrote:@Lardy:

True - a proliferation of technical infringements can mar and slow any game (sport). In hockey, for example, it's the repeated accidental hitting of a foot/leg with the ball that is a problem for fluency. (This is not about deliberate blocking.)

And timeouts.

But what you really seem to be beefing about is the "over-Americanisation" of sport: additional (and worst, when artificial) timeouts, the overpacking of the sandwich with merchandise, the scary amounts of fastfood, the blur of franchise paraphernalia .... I am getting a bit too nauseous to continue the list, so will stop.

The "Gilesclarkeisation", to put it another way.

And that's also a problem in many pro sports these days. A necessary evil, most would argue to one extent or another.

Sometimes the extent seems massively overstepped, not only to purists. (Even before you get to Sirallenstamfordisation.)


So was it the basketball as such that was the problem? Or what was clustered on it, like a set of rashes and carbuncles?

Mostly the warts, wens, and cankers.

Re hockey ... most foot penalties at high level are professional fouls, sought or conceded, rather than accidents.

lardbucket wrote:Interesting to see the comments on netball v basketball ... I'll stick my head up above the parapet to say that I see very little difference between the two, really, except as someone has already pointed out, the fast movements occur 'off the ball' with netball and 'on the ball' with basketball. In both sports the majority of scoring seems to be done with very deliberate and uncontested shooting ... in netball, from under or close to the post; in basketball, from the free throw line after some technical infringement.

Neither game interests me greatly. Under peer pressure from some school mates I did play basketball briefly in my early school years, but was too small and clumsy at the time to really enjoy it, and I just never got that into it. Half a season was enough and then I decided cricket, hockey, and athletics was plenty. Many years later when resident in Cairns I went to watch a Taipans match - just the once - and found I couldn't sustain interest through the match. There was altogether too much hotdogging, mascots, and manufactured interest; with short segments of actual play constantly interrupted by fouls, timeouts, and 'faffing about' whilst winding down the shot clock. Dreadful game.

I agree with you pieman that they are similar and also find them tedious to watch. For me the problem is that (in even matches anyway) sides just take in turns to score and there is never much of a margin. You only really to watch the last five minutes.

PeterCS wrote:If we are talking attractive young female athletes - the runner Bianca Williams is bloomin' fantastic. Smile, personalty and generosity to others, too. And steely, which is equally good to see. Hope she goes from strength to strength.

And a (non-nationalistic) word for Jo Pavey. 40 years old and a medal in the 5000 metres. Okay, so the chorus begins - "Shows how crap the CG are!!!"

Where's the pictures?

lardbucket wrote:Is that true? Bullshit? It's surprising that such a 'jingoistic mob' hadn't made more of this.

Wait till Merls hears of this .... might even posthumously enthuse him for the Commonwealth Games.


FWIW: Well done to all who competed, gave of their best, put on a show, entertained and in some cases inspired.


But I have to repeat : I am in awe of Bolt. He's like a god of sport.

Built like a cheetah with antelope shoulders. And an amazing guy. He's not actually even a bighead, which is also amazing, given his reputation (and talent).

Usain Bolt loves cricket - that's enough for me.

lardbucket wrote:

PeterCS wrote:If we are talking attractive young female athletes - the runner Bianca Williams is bloomin' fantastic. Smile, personalty and generosity to others, too. And steely, which is equally good to see. Hope she goes from strength to strength.

And a (non-nationalistic) word for Jo Pavey. 40 years old and a medal in the 5000 metres. Okay, so the chorus begins - "Shows how crap the CG are!!!"

Where's the pictures?

I will confidently assume you mean in running garb.

BW:



(Jodie on the right is not her sister!)

JP:

lardbucket wrote:Usain Bolt loves cricket - that's enough for me.

Well, I never forget that bit either!

skully wrote:Sure enough, Aus had not lost the medal count before these Games since England won the count in Edinburgh in 1986.

lardbucket wrote:Is that true? Bullshit? It's surprising that such a 'jingoistic mob' hadn't made more of this.

Do you mean total medals or gold medals?

Gold and Total.

See here

So Petey, do I detect an implied accusation of racism there? You see this is my problem that you never seem to have the balls to say anything directly, it is always the backstabbing route for you, and when the proverbial hits, you jump back, hold up your hands and say not me.

Of course I support SA players, I am the only Saffie left left standing, and salute their achievements. One thing I don't so is indulge in breast beating when we win a match or series. But on the other hand I don't moan or groan when we lose, or indulge in the weird reverse woofing which seems to have the become the forum norm.

Let's take one specific, Amla. When he was picked, I did have concerns, his technique was all over the place and was rightfully dropped. However when he went back to FC and sorted out his problems, and returned I congratulated him on his hard work. My further criticism when I saw signs of backsliding were a genuine concern that he was undoing his hard work, but you viewed that as racism as you do. Oddly enough 12 months later everyone else suddenly noticed his "looseness" , you included. But of course according to you I have no insight into sport.

I see that you claim to have participated in various sports, but I note you slid out of mentioning which.

The basic thing is that you have never liked me, because I have a tendency to prick your bubble. I admit I am brash and upfront and say what I feel, sometimes I am right and sometimes I am wrong, but that is life. You on the other hand have this need to feel loved and respond to any criticism with mounds of meaningless verbiage. You really do love the sound of your own write, don't you?

Anyway let's just carry on as we have for the past ten years or so, I for one,am not going anywhere. I could go on here and debate snide with you but you wouldn't understand. I suspect that, as in life, there will be some that loves me and some that hates me, but I do realise this is only the net after all, and that you should also realise that.

Cheers.

Silver in the hockey.... nothing else to say. We'll probably get beaten 8-0 tonight, but silver in the hockey.

There are clearly different value medals. How many women's boxing golds is a hockey silver worth?

42

lardbucket wrote:Is that true? Bullshit? It's surprising that such a 'jingoistic mob' hadn't made more of this.

I think the two 5-0s within 7 years of each other have silenced any pom jingoism for a good 50 years.

You misunderstand me vilks.

I was referring to the common English perception of Aussies being a 'jingoistic mob' ... in reality, at least two of us had absolutely no idea that (apparently) Australia had previously led the CG medal count. My own recollection was that we usually vied with Canada for swimming honours! For what that's worth.

I was not making a comment on English folk being jingoistic at all.

Ahhhh.

I think in summation, the Commonwealth Games: WGAF?

Indeed. They are competitive; but they're akin to the European Championships, or the Pan Pacs ... but none of those are the Olympics or the World Championships.

FWIW there was some good viewing. You get to see some sports that are not normally televised. I agree it is not the Olympics as certain countries are missing.

Whether it is worth the cost is another debate.

Terrible conditions for the road races. The mens only has about 40 left out of 140.