The wrap
Punter fires, but it's all about the Proteas … Steven Gerrard: a true Scouser on the pitch and an even truer one off it … Dumped Maitua suddenly in demand … Finally some positive cricket news: Kevin Pietersen falls out with England coach Peter Moores … Mariners show local rivals how it's done … Bollinger and McDonald in, is Matthew Hayden the luckiest man in Australia? Revelations
In a sign that our favourite red-tops are perhaps losing their edge, they've resorted to screaming headlines such as: "Ronaldo gets on his bike!" That should elicit a mental image of the Man-yoo star speeding away from an altercation with Sir Alex Ferguson on his vespa en route to a move to Inter Milan or Real Madrid. But no: "I'm lacking a bicycle-kick goal," he's quoted as saying in The Sun . "I scored one once but the referee disallowed it. Also, I need to get one where I dribble past 11 opponents and score." Maybe if he was playing against Sydney FC … Premonition
On Christmas Eve, reigning AFL premiers Hawthorn signed their 30,000th member for season 2009. Will the entire NRL competition even get that many members next year? Brother, can you spare a sledge?
"I simply said to Griff 'clear the ball out' and he was very rude and disrespectful," - Believe it or not, that's Ricardo Fuller's effort at making peace with Andy Griffin after the Stoke City striker bitch-slapped the captain last weekend. Somewhat graciously, Fuller, who was red-carded, concedes: "What he said was bad, but what I did was worse." You reckon? Professional's tip for the weekend
"We have one message to antisocial and drunken louts - they should simply stay away from the SCG." So says NSW Police Minister Tony Kelly. Is he aware the ground's trust recently honoured the original lout himself, Yabba, with his own statue? We respectfully disagree
Stephanie Rice's coach Michael Bohl reckons his star pupil has returned to training in a "pretty unfit" state. Steph - we know you're reading - there's at least 10 million Australians (and probably a few more) who actually think you're quite fit. Get me my cab money
Despite Reign Over Me's easy victory last week, the final event at Wentworth Park tonight is a lottery so a change of venue is in order. Smashing (No.5) reserves his best form when fresh and with seven weeks since his last run has conditions to suit in the final event at Randwick today. It's not porn but you'll like it
We suspect a keen YouTuber has been paying close attention to On The Box, thus giving rise to this little homage between Sydney FC coach John Kosmina and everyone's favourite alien life form. To find it, search for "Alf as John Kosmina". Get off the couch
The SCG has always been a magnificent venue to enjoy a game of leather and willow, but with the opening of the new Victor Trumper Stand, why not watch on from the newest stand in Test cricket? If you're not watching sport, you should be listening to …
Dub Gone Crazy. King Tubby and Friends. Syncopated, never outdated and celebrated. Recordings by of one of the innovators of dub all taken from its nascent start between 1975 and '79. The Champion Version, Satta Dread Dub, Peace And Love In The Dub - spark it up.
- Ears McEvoy Useless trivia
Only six Major League baseballers have been caught using a corked bat. The first was Graig Nettles in 1974. The most recent was Sammy Sosa, who was handed a seven-game suspension in 2003.