Like a Nadal forehand from mid-court we just keep rattling off winners at Strathfield Sports Club. We’ll again be playing a great game off the court this weekend – actually we’ll be playing lots of them! Here’s our weekly look at what we’ll be serving up in the clubhouse to keep you entertained.
Friday night football will kick things off with the Rabbitohs hoping to continue their charge towards the finals against the Bulldogs. Both sides once again have top-four aspirations, so will be determined to keep their momentum going leading into September. Greg Inglis sparkled in his return for Souths last week while the Bulldog’s fullback Ben Barba continues to be sidelined by an ankle injury which could prove the difference. In the night’s other game Penrith play Brisbane in a crunch game both teams need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
Saturday night the Wallabies will be lining up for some redemption in the second Bledisloe Cup game after the shellacking they copped last weekend. Their task doesn’t get any easier – having to face the All Blacks in New Zealand but coach Ewen McKenzie remains confident his side can bounce back. He has named a largely unchanged team but they’ll have a huge challenge in front of them if they’re to stop New Zealand retaining the Cup for a tenth consecutive year.
Having crossed the Tasman, we’ll turn our attention to England later in the evening for matchday two in the EPL. Last weekend’s season launch was a huge event and we’re sure there’ll be plenty more spectacular goals when Arsenal and Fulham kick the round off in a London derby. The Gunners will be desperate to atone for their disappointing loss last weekend but will be buoyed by their performance in their Champions League play-off. Meanwhile Fulham will be looking to build on their win last week but will be ruing letting Mark Schwarzer go with new goalkeeper signing Maarten Stekelenburg already injured.
We haven’t forgotten about the cricket (which we’ll be screening across the weekend) and Sunday night will hopefully finally deliver an Australian victory on the final day of the last Test. Shane Watson has got the Aussies in a commanding position following his big hundred on Day 1 but they’ll need the inclement weather to subside if they’re to get through the England order twice. Hopefully luck will finally shine on Michael Clarke’s men but we’ll have to wait and see the result. At least we’ve got the return series down under to look forward to!
There’ll no doubt be plenty more happening across the weekend so make sure you hit us up if you love your sport as we’ll once again be serving up a winner.
Damien Bellemore