What does the world of sport have in store for us in 140 characters or less this week?
10. Ennis retires
Michael Ennis will retire at the end of the 2016 #NRL season.
"It's time to be a Dad." 😊
Congrats Mick! pic.twitter.com/7MGSR8uL0G
— NRL (@NRL) July 26, 2016
Mick “The Menace” Ennis, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the 2016 season.
Ennis has carved out quite an impressive career for himself, including 263 NRL games across five different clubs. On top of that, Ennis has played for his state, New South Wales, on eight separate occasions.
However, Ennis’ career isn’t really defined by his playing prowess. They call him “The Menace” because Ennis is widely considered to be the greatest sledger and niggler of the modern game.
The game will surely be a lot less colourful without Ennis’ antics.
WilliamHill.com.au has the Sharks, Ennis’ current club, at $4 to win the NRL Grand Final.
9. Waratahs don’t want a bar of Hayne
"First and foremost we’ve got to continue to look at how we grow our own", NSW Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore https://t.co/mwoolQZEIt @FOXRUGBY
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) July 26, 2016
Super Rugby’s NSW Waratahs have followed the recent trend in Union and told Jarryd Hayne they wouldn’t touch him with a 10-foot pole.
It was rumoured the Waratahs were deep in negotiations with the sporting prodigy before common sense prevailed and the Waratahs declared they had no interest in Hayne as a “quick fix”.
This is the second rugby team in two months to publicly brush Hayne like yesterday’s rubbish. The Fiji Seven’s Olympic squad also told Hayne they didn’t want a bar of him in their squad ahead of the Olympics.
Despite these two monumental set backs, apparently Hayne is still interested in a move to rugby. They say there is a fine line between determination and stupidity: Hayne may be flirting with that line.
Bet365.com has the Hurricanes ($1.44) as hot favourites against the Lions ($2.75) in the Super Rugby Grand Final this weekend.
8. Mark Hunt unleashes, UFC gives him a call
@UFC official finally reaches out to @markhunt1974 following @BrockLesnar’s Anti-Doping Policy violation.https://t.co/KVv3OPLB0K
— bjpenndotcom (@bjpenndotcom) July 26, 2016
In recent times, Mark Hunt has been howling like a stuck banshee, calling Brock Lesnar and the UFC in general all sorts of colourful names.
After his loss to Brock Lesnar, who was granted a three month amnesty from drug tests leading into their bout, Lesnar returned two positive drug tests. Hunt, who has fought against three proven drug cheats, spat the dummy and has been unleashing on Lesnar and the UFC ever since.
Now the UFC has finally replied to Hunt’s critiques by giving him a call. Apparently during the call the UFC spokesman played the deer in headlights routine, claiming the UFC had no idea of Lesnar’s positive drug results and claimed it was pure coincidence that the UFC granted Lesnar a three month indemnity from drug tests in the lead up to his bout with Hunt.
This story is sure to continue….
7. Reds finally appoint new coach
NEWS: Nick Stiles appointed Reds head coach for next 2 seasons. Full story: https://t.co/qUsFZ7uXqG#RedsRugby pic.twitter.com/NE3mvOJkQE
— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) July 26, 2016
The Queensland Reds have suffered through a string of bad years. Most of those bad years were spear-headed by former coach Richard Graham. But now Dick is gone and the Reds see a glimmer of hope at the end of that tunnel.
This week the Reds announced Nick Stiles as their head coach. The good thing for Stiles is that he can’t be any worse than Richard Graham, who caused the team to implode and any player with a sliver of talent to tuck tail and run like rats from a sinking ship.
6. McGregor most tested UFC athlete
The testing process in the lead to UFC 202. Grateful to these organisations that are cleaning our sport!#TheMacLife https://t.co/s0sO8Of7Sp
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 28, 2016
With all the furore and hubbub flying around the UFC about drug cheats, corporate flunkies, liars and charlatans, it is comforting to know that the pygmy-sized Irish pocket rocket, Conor McGregor, is as clean as a whistle.
McGregor has been a vocal advocate for clean athletes in the UFC and is proud to boast of the fact that USADA has tested him 14 times since the USADA’s inception.
The only other UFC fighter to come under as much scrutiny is Holly Holm, who has also been tested 14 times.
CrownBet.com.au has McGregor ($1.80) as slight favourite going into his UFC202 rematch with Nate Diaz ($2).
5. The Grub is a real tripper
Thoughts? #TripleMNRL https://t.co/ihELRlJn5T
— Triple M NRL (@TripleM_NRL) July 29, 2016
Everyone in the NRL openly calls Josh Reynolds “The Grub”. This is because he plays the game like a psychotic and will do anything to win.
In the Bulldogs 13-10 win over the Dragons on Friday night, “Grub” was back to his old tricks, blatantly tripping Joel Thompson, saving a certain try in the process.
This isn’t the first time “Grub” has been pinched for tripping. In fact “Grub” has done more trips than Tim Leary. This is his fourth tripping incident. In the past he has tripped Ben Barba, Jamie Soward and Tariq Sims: all in the last two years.
I think it’s fair to say the match review panel will come down on him like a tonne of bricks.
Despite “Grub’s” moment of madness, SportsBet.com.au has the Bulldogs at $8 to be this year’s Grand Final winner.
4. Ioane returns to Super Rugby
Digby Ioane signs on with Crusaders https://t.co/VeiWiXRg0k
— The First XV (@TheFirstXV) July 29, 2016
Since leaving the Queensland Reds and Super Rugby in 2013, Digby Ioane has played for France’s Stade Francais and Japan’s Honda Heat.
After three years away, Ioane, one of the most destructive wingers to ever play rugby, is returning to the Super Rugby, confirming a contract with the Crusaders for 2017.
It’s a shame Ioane didn’t return to his old club the Reds, but they’re a basket case at the moment, so it’s understandable.
3. Dangerfield for the Brownlow?
We've paid out early on Dangerfield to win the 2016 Brownlow Medal! https://t.co/zsnQ0T2WWk pic.twitter.com/k5GMbYeN5s
— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 30, 2016
SportsBet.com.au has taken the bold step of already paying out Brownlow medal bets, citing Patrick Dangerfield as the winner.
CrownBet.com.au has Dangerfield at $1.55 with his nearest rival Dustin Martin at $7.50.
WilliamHill.com.au has Dangerfield at $1.16 with Dustin Martin at $6.
PalmerBet.com.au has Dangerfield at $1.60 with Dustin Martin at $6.
Do you think Dangerfield has the Brownlow locked up?
2. Firebirds take the win
Champions! The Firebirds win the grand final in double extra time 69-67! #ANZCGF #PurpleSquad #BackToBack pic.twitter.com/hpbQSoZRVg
— Queensland Firebirds (@FirebirdsQld) July 31, 2016
The Queensland Firebirds have managed to pull off one of the most astounding wins of all time against the NSW Swifts in the ANZ Championship Grand Final today.
The Firebirds won the game 69-67 in double extra time in what can only be described as one of the most nail biting finishes to a Grand Final, ever.
This is the Firebirds third ANZ Championship Grand Final win, including back to back wins from last year.
The Firebirds are officially the ANZ Championships greatest team to date.
1. New UFC welterweight champ
WOODLEY!!!!! #UFC201 https://t.co/7Zao5AIp5S
— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2016
Tyron Woodley is now the UFC welterweight champion after flooring former champ, Robbie Lawler, in the first round of their title fight.
Woodley’s hands were quicker than grease lightning: Lawler didn’t stand a chance.
