Happy Monday Peeps and welcome to another edition of Mercer’s Mondayitis. Before I launch into a few topics from the world of sport I just want to say how good was the weekend? A few of the bottom teams in both the AFL and NRL really put it all on the line and there were a few upsets from the weekend, which was nice to see.
Anyway, Let’s get into it shall we.
Dylan Napa To Miss Three Weeks
Starting off with a bit of Rugby League and Dylan Napa has accepted a three-week ban for his hit on Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough on Saturday night. Charged with a grade three dangerous contact, Napa will be out for three weeks and depending on how the Roosters go in the finals it may just end the front rowers season. This is the second time Napa tackling technique has come under scrutiny when he did a similar hit on another Broncos forward Korbin Sims, a hit he was not charged for. Fans and media have been split on the hit, though I think Phil ‘Gus’ Gould probably summed it up best.
(Credit:Facebook-WIde World Of Sports)
To Boo or Not To Boo?
Fans of St-George Illawarra booed their team off the field after the Dragons dismal effort against the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs ran in 6 tries and leaving the Dragons in all sorts. The big question here but is it ok to boo your own team? Make sure to add you vote below.
Hats off to Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield
I want to tip my hat off to veteran rugby league journalist Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield with the way he handles himself and gets on with his job when athletes and fans give shit. Last week ‘Buzz’ came under fire from Josh Dugan and Andrew Fifita, two stars of his beloved Cronulla Sharks. The duo were guests on UFC fighters Tai Tuivasa and Tyson Pedro’s Podcast, calling him a ‘fuckwit’ and ‘weathered’. He then showed his class on Twitter by saying thank you when one user said that the description was true.
Onya Max, thank you https://t.co/UDiT92DRb9
— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) August 23, 2018
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Brumbies Star Ben Alexander Retires
The Brumbies most capped player Ben Alexander has announce his retirement today, 10 years after making his debut in 2008 for the Canberra Super Rugby franchise. Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson described the 154 game veteran as a wonderful man and very popular with the players. Alexander hasn’t stated what his next move will be but he does have a degree in Sports Media from The University of Canberra so maybe we will see him on Fox Sports Super Rugby programming in the future.
Plus500 Brumbies record cap holder Ben Alexander has retired from professional rugby following a long and glittering career. https://t.co/9V57Vap0Mi#BrumbiesTogether pic.twitter.com/aguOsDJd5o
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) August 27, 2018
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All Blacks Retain Bledisloe Cup
The Beldisloe cup is staying in New Zealand as the All Blacks continued their dominance over the Wallabies with a 40-12 victory in Auckland on Saturday evening. It’s been 16 long years since The Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup and if the Kiwi’s keep this up it maybe another 16 years before we hold the trophy again. All Blacks Fly Half Beauden Barrett had an absolute field day scoring four tries and kicked five goals in a 30-point haul.
(Credit:YouTube/All Blacks
Justin Gaethje Wins at UFC Fight Night 135
UFC Lightweight Justin Gaethje broke a two fight-losing streak when knocked out James Vick at UFC Lincoln at the weekend. The exciting Gaethje was coming off losses to former champion Eddie Alvarez and Dustin Poirier heading into the event and needed the win to get back on track, while this is Vick’s second professional loss in MMA.
(Credit:YouTube/MMA Reels)
Bec Rawlings Wins at Bare Knuckle FC 2
Former UFC fighter and current National Police Gazette women’s bare knuckle-boxing champion ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings retained her title at the weekend when she defeated Britain Hart by split decision. After her run in the UFC ended, Rawlings was signed by the new fight promotion and has quickly become the face the company.
(Credit:Instagram/@rowdybec)
RIP Lance Thompson
I normally like to end with a play of the weekend, however I’m going to end paying tribute to former St-George Illawarra and Cronulla Sharks back rower Lance Thompson. Thompson, aged 40, was found by his 17-year-old daughter on Thursday night, cause of death is unknown at this time. The veteran back rower was still in high school when he made his debut for the Dragons and would go on to play 239 first grade games; In an interview with Macquarie Radio Thompson said that he had struggled with life after football. The Sharks retired the number 12 jersey in Thompson’s honour.
(Credit:Instagram/@cronullasharks)
That ends another Mercer’s Mondayitis for another, hope you enjoyed the read and if there is anything you want me to talk about or anything I can improve let me know in the comments.
Until next time.
Merce.