The OutIn Ref calls the shots from the sidelines, with a look at local, national and international sport.
Raiders still on the Outside Looking in
Not much has changed since my last post the Raiders currently sit in 10th spot on the ladder, six points out of 8th place. In my view they should have won last week against the Sharks but were completely blindsided by the referees, but what do I know? See more HERE.
With only six rounds to go every game is a must win, I want to have faith that they’re going to make the eight, but six on the trot is a tough ask for any team.
Kawhi Leonard is now a Raptor
For those of you who don’t know Gregg Popavich, he’s the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs and possibly the pettiest person on the planet. I love this trade for many reasons. It could end up being a win for both teams. But, it’s just so darn petty. Kawhi Leonard asked for a trade and said that he wanted to go and play for the Lakers. So, what does Pop do? He trades him to the Toronto Raptors which is just about as far from Los Angeles as you can get. Thanks Gregg you’re the real MVP.
It Didn’t Come Home
I know I said during my last column that I’d lost all interest in the FIFA World Cup once Australia had been knocked out. However, once I caught wind of the English claiming that the world cup was ‘coming home’ I couldn’t help but start to barrack against them. Hey, England, the world cup hasn’t called your country home since 1966 better luck in four years. But, more importantly, huge congratulations to Croatia for making the final and France for keeping the cup out of England for at least the next four years.
Injury Scares for the Canberra Capitals
Over the last week, Kelsey Griffin and Keely Frolling have both picked up injuries playing for the Opals and Canberra Capitals Academy respectively. While neither is expected to miss the start of the season it could derail their pre-season preparations. Watch this space for updates.
John I Dent Cup Race for 4th Place
For the first time in 17 years, the Uni-Norths Owls have secured a finals birth. With one round to play the Owls have cemented their spot in 3rd place, with Royals and the Tuggeranong Vikings finishing 2nd and 1st respectively.
The race for fourth place has been hotly contested over the last few weeks and comes down to two teams on Saturday. Easts, who have been the giant killers all year, seem to have run out of puff and even with a win on Saturday they will finish only a few points short of making the four. Queanbeyan, who are currently in 4th, have the bye this week (an automatic 4 point) and sit two points ahead of Gungahlin, who will face Uni-Norths. Gungahlin will need all 5 points on offer to have a chance at a finals birth but will still need to rely on for and against to get them through.
Should be a great weekend of footy.
Reigning Champs Knocked Out of Netball ACT State League
The reigning champion Tuggeranong Netball Association have been knocked out in the semi-finals by the Belconnen Netball Association. Tuggeranong being the defending champs were slightly favoured in the matchup and in the end were convincingly outplayed losing by 14 points.
Belconnen will face the heavily favoured Canberra Netball Association on Sunday the 29th of July with the Winner of that game facing the top of the table Arawang Netball association in the Grand Final.
University of Canberra to Host a Leg of the Aon Uni 7s Series
The Aon Uni 7s series is coming to Canberra. The second leg of the tournament will be held at the University of Canberra’s campus. The tournament will feature the best up and coming 7s players in Australia. It will also host some of the best 7s players from the HSBC World Tour including Abby Gustaitis (Team USA), Stacey Flood (Ireland), Charlotte Caslick (Australia), Sharni Williams (Australia) Emilee Cherry and many more.
For more information about the series click HERE
