Bulldog’s Bite: Football term must be erased, plus weekend highlights and lowlights
Can someone in authority please erase this word from football’s vocabulary? It completely goes against what sport should be about, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
Football
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I see the Matilda’s played two friendlies over the past week against Canada.
The Socceroos played two home friendlies against Ecuador in March before away friendlies against Mexico, Argentina, England and New Zealand.
Can someone in authority please erase the word ‘friendly’ from soccer’s vocabulary?
When two teams play each other from rival countries, they are called Test matches.
They are tough, ferocious and willing. There shouldn’t be anything friendly about international games so why call them friendlies?
Imagine telling Tommy Raudonikis that a game where he was representing Australia was a friendly?
Tell Allan Border, Dennis Lillee and Steve Waugh that a match between the Aussies, while wearing the Baggy Green, and England was friendly.
Or ask Wallaby veteran James Slipper what is friendly about a Bledisloe Cup game against All Blacks.
When you represent your country in sport, it’s war.
If you want to be friendly, go play park footy with your mates.
HIGHLIGHT
James Fisher-Harris winning the Golden Boot award. It’s comforting to know that an old-school hardhead, with a 1980s throwback mentality, who is prepared to spill blood, still has a place in rugby league.
LOWLIGHT
The seemingly untouchable Matildas can be a touchy mob so any criticism can be met with rancour. The Tillies rightly attracted national praise throughout the World Cup but they should also be called out for losing by an embarrassing total of 6-0 against Canada in two friendlies.
SPOTTED
Rugby union-bound Joseph Suaalii appearing on the front cover of the official Sydney Roosters calendar for 2024. It has become a collector’s item.
SPOTTED
Former players Andrew Johns, Paul Langmack and Greg Mullane enjoying a beer at Maroubra Junction Hotel with ex-premiership-winning coach Warren Ryan and former Warrington coach Paul Cullen.
SPOTTED
Former NSWRL chief executive John Quayle on a train from Newcastle to Sydney for lunch with some old mates, including Nick Politis and Mark Bouris.
SPOTTED
The great Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal is back in rugby league after being named vice president of group 3 club Wauchope Blues. “I’m just giving a bit back to bush footy,” Cleal said.
SPOTTED
Gold Coast coach Des Hasler has just shaved off the 1970’s moustache he grew in support of Movember.
SPOTTED
Rising Bulldogs star Jacob Preston tucking into a 500 gram steak – with vegetables – at the Forest Hotel with dad Mark, his biggest fan.
SPOTTED
Former Sea Eagles and North Sydney Bears legend Bill Hamilton being elected the 64th life member of Manly Warringah RLFC. Big ‘Herman’ played in four Manly grand finals.
SPOTTED
Former players Curtis Scott and Gareth Widdop having a beer at Northies.
SPOTTED
Recently retired former NSW player Will Hopoate shopping at Warringah Mall, as was ex-ironman Guy Leech.
SPOTTED
A dog relieving itself in the background during a Ricky Ponting television cross on Channel 7.
SPOTTED
Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo and Bulldogs football staff at the Foo Fighters concert at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
SHOOSH
Which high-profile former premiership-winning CEO has been strongly linked to the vacant general manager of football position at Wests Tigers?
SHOOSH
Which international sports star was so thrilled at being invited to the SCG life membership dinner on Wednesday night that he mistakenly turned up 24 hours early to find an empty stadium.
SHOOSH
Which event organisers recently invited guests to the ‘Winks’ Grandstand at Royal Randwick. Given her history-making career, surely someone knew the horse’s name was spelt Winx.
SHOOSH
Which two former star rugby league players have relocated from Sydney to the Gold Coast?
Originally published as Bulldog’s Bite: Football term must be erased, plus weekend highlights and lowlights
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