PETE’S PUNCHLINE

The National Sports

  • How come the NSL’s management have not allowed games to be played in other centres outside Lae and NCD and yet the Digicel Cup fixtures were played in Minj, Goroka and Kokopo? Are soccer players at a higher risk of catching Covid-19?
  • I don’t get it. Lae City defender Nigel Malagian suffered a stroke a couple of months ago but is apparently considering a comeback to the NSL, albeit in some capacity. Why? Would it not be prudent to give up playing for an extended period and get back to full fitness and 100% health, and then consider one’s options? He’s only 24, and yes his club has covered his medical bills but still, that’s no reason to risk your life, is it? It might make sense if he was leaving a lot of money on the table but that’s not the case here, I don’t think. Either he loves the game that much or he feels indebted to the club.
  • I may have been a little harsh on recently retired Broncos legend Darius Boyd, mostly because of his general form and apparent lack of intent over the last few seasons but I’m going to dial it back a bit to honour a great player. He played 337 games for three NRL clubs over a 14-year career, 28 Origins for Qld and 23 Tests for Australia, not to mention winning an NRL title. Here’s to you Darbs.
  • And while I’m at it, Corey Allan also deserves props for how he’s essentially come of age as a genuine NRL first grader. If he keeps this form up for Souths, Latrell Mitchell might find himself back in the centres next season. Not that that would be such a bad thing.
  • Jimmy Butler and the Heat could pull off a ‘Raptors’ miracle and win the NBA from nowhere. It’s admittedly a tall task (no pun intended) taking on a Lakers side with LeBron and AD firing on all cylinders but Miami’s already shocked everyone by making it this far. And none of their series wins over the Pacers, Bucks and Celtics had a hint of streakiness about them. The Heat are up for the grind and Butler isn’t the only cat bringing it, Bam and Herro (off the pine) are putting their hands up big time, too.
  • It’s good to know the Enga Mioks are pleased with their 2020 effort (top 6 finish) and are using it as a launch pad for next season. Good talk, less thuggery, more skill, should also do it for them in 2021.
  • Can the Tumbe now re-hire Francis Ray as coach for 2021? And pay him double whatever he was getting the last time. I mean after a disasterous 2020 you’d think the penny has dropped for the Jiwaka team.
  • Perhaps the most intriguing match up for the opening week of the NRL finals is Friday night’s qualifying final between the Panthers and the Roosters in Penrith. Something tells me to beware of the wounded Chooks. The Panthers better come ready for war. – PGTP ([email protected])