Rivalry moves from footy field to Bathurst

FOOTBALL finals have finished so this weekend is the time for all car enthusiasts to be glued to the TV with Bathurst 1000 taking centre stage.

Anthony "Bomber'' Breeze. Picture: Inga Williams

FOOTBALL finals have finished so this weekend is the time for all car enthusiasts to be glued to the TV with Bathurst 1000 taking centre stage.

Fans will be watching the whole 161 laps where their favourite drivers and cars will go through car breakdowns, crashes and driver errors.

The driver and car that avoids most of this will be crowned Bathurst champions.

But who will be celebrating on Sunday night?

Will the retiring champion and six-time winner Craig Lowndes taste glory again?

Will Kiwi champion Shane Van Gisbergen continue his great form?

Or will four-time winner Jamie Whincup make it Bathurst success number five?

The battle is also on between between manufacturers Holden and Ford.

The rivalry still stirs emotions between their respective supporters.

For the record I am tipping a Holden win with Van Gisbergen (car 97).

Final drama

THE AFL and NRL football grand finals last weekend were great games but both provided contrasting results.

The AFL battle between the Eagles and Magpies was fantastic viewing with one of the best finals for ages played out by both teams.

The game kept both teams supporters on the edge of their seats before the killer goal by Eagle Don Sheed with two minutes remaining swung the title to the Eagles.

The NRL clash was supposed to be a close affair between the two top teams from this year.

However that wasn't the way it was played out.

This year's best defensive team, the Roosters, started the game on fire and didn't give the Storm amy chance of getting through an unbreakable wall.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson threw all his eggs in the one basket with the decision to play a injured Cooper Cronk.

That decision was a master stroke.

Quick thoughts

HERO of the week: Brazilian surfer Maya Gabeira showed she has no fear after entering the Guinness Book of Records by riding a monster wave measuring 20.72 metres.

Villain of the week: Souths star Greg Inglis showed how easy it is to go from the pent-house to the outhouse. Drink driving and speeding charges have cost him the opportunity to lead his country into battle.

Did you know? With the Roosters winning the 2018 title, they are now only one premiership from second place for most wins, held by the Dragons. The Rabbits lead with 21 premierships.

Bomber's best: I was correct with the Roosters but unfortunately the Magpies were pipped at the post.

This week I will be on Chesson Hadley to finish in the top 10 of the Safeway Open at $6.00.

Originally published as Rivalry moves from footy field to Bathurst