Malcolm Turnbull's tips ahead of a big weekend of sport

NOT known for his sporting prowess, PM Malcolm Turnbull has taken another stab at the world of sport with these questionable footy tips.

Assistant Minister for Health Ken Wyatt and PM Malcolm Turnbull after the swearing in ceremony at Government House in Canberra.

AHEAD of the country’s biggest weekend in sport, newly appointment Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has answered the calls of a nation and delivered his predictions for footy’s biggest games.

While Turnbull is not well known for his sporting prowess, the incumbent leader of the Liberal Party did not hesitate in his attempt to feign an interest in sport.

Putting an unsurprising political twist on the weekend’s schedule, Turnbull remained loyal to his cabinet in siding with former West Coast Eagles board member and current Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, tipping the Perth side to take out the AFL’s big dance.

Did they really ask Malcolm?

“In the AFL, I’ll be stressing the importance of Cabinet solidarity with Julie Bishop MP by tipping the West Coast Eagles by 8,” he said.

Turnbull’s earmarking of the Cowboys as one-point victors over the Broncos also appears to have its roots ingrained in Parliament, taking the side of newly appointed whip Ewen Jones MP.

“In the NRL, my hot tip is to never get between two passionate groups of Queenslanders. But Ewen Jones MP has been appointed as a whip recently and so to avoid any dangerous future whip-cracking incidents, I am picking the North Queensland Cowboys by a point.”

The nation’s leader gave steady advice for the Wallabies ahead of their match against England, anticipating they would need a “huge effort” to beat the Poms at Twickenham — while not the most analytically groundbreaking statement, he has got a point.

Comments on the PM’s predictions showed a mixed opinion on Facebook, as some praised the politician for taking an interest, while others called for Turnbull to focus more on his leadership duties.

“Nice work Malcolm, pretending you watch sport to relate to the average man,” one comment said.

“Well done Malcolm. Truly a man of the people,” a fan wrote.

While a slightly disgruntled reader advised the PM to “concentrate on the issues your public are concerned about. Not interested in your sporting opinions, wouldn’t think others would care either.”

This week’s predications are not the first time the PM has taken it upon himself to provide analysis of our top sporting teams, with his speech at the recent Dally M Awards cringe-worthy affair to say the least.

To credit the political leader, his sporting education has come leaps and bounds since his days as Coalition Leader.

When asked on radio ahead of the 2008 AFL grand final which team he supported, Turnbull made a rather embarrassing blunder.

“Well, I have to confess I support in Australian Rules the Roosters, who of course aren’t in the grand final,” he said.

Unfortunately the Sydney Roosters have never made the AFL grand final, largely due to the fact that they play in the NRL.

Aligning the correct teams with their respective sports is a start for the Liberal head, but at least he is having a crack.