Sport
Sportsview with Murray Leeder
2016 will go down in history as the year when conventional wisdom was turned upside down and on its ear . It has proved to be a nightmare year for tipsters and pollsters . Relying heavily on statistically supported ‘ expert ’ opinions , the final washup had the academics scratching their collective heads and burying them in their hands !
Outcomes considered ‘ virtually impossible ’ were happening with monotonous regularity . Although monotonous is hardly the adjective most newspaper editors and pundits will be using in future . As the year unfolded sporting results confounded everyone , bar the faithful that is .
In AFL the ‘ Dogs ’ barked for the first time in |
decades and proved it is possible to win a flag |
from seventh position . The Cronulla Sharks |
finally found their teeth to nip The Melbourne |
Storm ’ s Premiership aspirations in the bud . |
The Sharks gave their long suffering supporters |
- even the kids ’ grandparents couldn ’ t remem- |
ber when they last won - something to chomp |
on over summer as their side finally triumphed |
in the NRL . |
Almandin , at one stage a $ 301 pop in early markets , came from last to snatch an amazing Melbourne Cup victory over the aptly named Heartbreak City in a desperate finish .
On the political side the Brexit referendum in Great Britain was given no hope of people power demanding GB abandon its European Union membership . A double dissolution in the Australian Federal Parliament was touted as a - certain to succeed strategy to reduce independent and special interest Senators from influencing government legislation . It produced an even greater mess !
Then there was Donald Trump ’ s ‘ impossible ’ victory in the US Presidential election ! How on earth did all the mathematical wizardry on modern technology get it all so awry ?
In the words of my first University of WA mathematics lecturer : “ There are lies , damn lies and statistics !” He further clarified the point he was making by adding : “ Statistics lie and liars use statistics !” How prophetic . But to quote my childhood brainwashing from my RSL father , “ Never give up !” is possibly more apt . In more modern times we have been constantly deluged with the popular adage : The opera aint over ‘ til the fat lady sings .” 2016 aint over yet either by the way !
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22 The MAG Vung Tau
To emphasise that last quote , the Palm Beach Rotary Club in Western Australia , received the official nod to stage the first beach race meeting in Aussie history in 2016 . The highlight of the six-race card will be The Challenger Ford Rockingham Beach Cup . Leading WATC jockey William Pike will be a star attraction and will be supported by other gun WA Jocks such as Jarrod Noske et al . Already 300 VIP attendees have subscribed to the super nosh up marquee and , no doubt , the beach and surrounds will be packed for the unique event .
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AFL CEO , Gillon McLachlan , the second administrator from South Australia to be elected to the AFL ’ s top position , not to be outdone by the unfolding events , wasted no time in tackling vexing issues that have long been festering in our national code . Almost immediately following the 2016 season finale , Mr McLachlan announced the successful ownership takeover of Etihad Stadium . He said , “ There were compelling reasons for the AFL Commission to sign off on the purchase of Etihad Stadium , once the agreement was acceptable for both parties .
• “ The AFL was already strongly invested in the stadium ’ s performance with the venue hosting 46 home and away matches during the 2016 Toyota AFL premiership season , representing more than 20 per cent of total AFL match-day attendances across the competition ;
• The purchase of the stadium would allow the AFL to improve home-tenant club arrangements with the competition now having the ability to manage all stadium assets and inventory at the ground ;
• The AFL now has the capacity to develop a long-term vision for the stadium and the precinct , to ensure the match-day experience for fans remains among the best in the competition ;