Three Cheers For Spam Man And The Boneheads At Seven

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday February 18, 2006

OH JOY. Canadian-turned-Australian Dale Begg-Smith wins Australia's third ever winter Olympic gold. Oh woe. He defected from Canada only because that country wouldn't allow him enough time off his sport to pursue his highly remunerative business interests. Which are, apparently, pop-up advertisements, the second-most annoying feature of the internet after malicious viruses. Please, Dale, defy the conventional wisdom - DO give up your day job.

Steve Cornelius, Fairlight

The Channel Seven coverage of the Winter Olympics is wonderful. Faster, cheaper and more effective than Mogadon.

Colin Hubbard, Kyle Bay

Is there anyone else out there who is outraged by Seven's handling of their broadcasting rights to the Winter Olympics? Is anyone else out there furious they can't watch blue-riband events like the men's downhill, featuring Australian Craig Branch, live? Is anyone else annoyed that we have to watch a repackaged, 24-hour-old coverage of what Seven want to show us when it suits them? Does it irritate any viewers that for the two weeks of the Winter Olympics, Seven gives precedence to shows like Desperate Housewives, holding back on the Olympics until 9.40pm? The Seven Network's attitude to this great sporting spectacle is a disgrace.

Charles Morton-Stewart, Crows Nest

I was bored after watching 5.2 seconds of the figure skating. Is this a new Olympic record?

Claire Lubczyk, North Sydney

Dud decision, that

Mitchell Johnson's selection in the Australian one-day side is an absolute joke and an insult to such quality, proven bowlers as Matthew Nicholson, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz. Johnson does not have the figures nor the ability to play in a state side, let alone the national team. If Trevor Hohns and the Australian selectors want to continue picking youngsters, at least choose quality.

Tom Watson, Concord

Despite his outstanding form, Phil Jaques was not selected in the one-day squad to go to South Africa. I wonder if Don Bradman would have been selected to play for Australia in 1928-29 if these four wise men had been the selectors then? I think it's is time they were "rotated out".

Ron Jarvis, Kings Langley

Divided on Bunnies

There are two givens regarding the proposed sale of the Rabbitohs to Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court: firstly, George Piggins isn't a pretend gladiator; and Henry Morris isn't a trainee administrator, having made Souths Juniors one of the most successful registered clubs in NSW.

P Miles, TelopeaWhy are George Piggins and his mates so determined to stop the Crowe-Holmes a Court offer? George, the favourable publicity you are so scared of should tell you that Souths members and fans want a real, stable, secure future for the club, not more arguments and grandstanding. You saved us from extinction when we were booted out of the competition, but you're dragging us back with your refusal to allow anyone to disagree with what you want. Be careful, George. If you want to operate by "if I can't have it, no one will" you will lose. Souths has always been bigger than one man, and for it to ever be viable again - on and off the field - everyone involved with the club must remember this and consider carefully how to proceed.

Pip Denton, Guildford

I'm not a Souths supporter, but the proposal to sell 75 per cent of the club for a mere $3 million just doesn't add up. The Rabbitohs brand itself would be worth much more. Also, since when are our footy teams for sale? Who are they paying the money to? A bank? For my two bob's worth, our footy teams are public property and are not for sale.

Stephen Power, Sutherland

I went to the Souths fan day at Telstra Stadium last Sunday. What a great day. Noticed that George Piggins wasn't there. Also noticed George was threatening legal action if Souths fans approved the proposal. Is George actually a fan of Souths, its fans and its future or is he just a fan of himself?

Jed Pride, Cronulla

Punter's prima donnas

Can the real Australian cricketers please stand up? When they are trying to flog their cook books, diaries, and all manner of crap, they love the image of the knockabout Aussie who likes nothing more than a few beers with Joe Punter. However, when having to walk too close to the same paying fans on the way to the crease it suddenly becomes all too hard for our precious darlings and they want centuries of tradition abandoned. If a player doesn't want to walk through the Members', maybe they should go via the Hill.

Steve Kaless, Doha, Qatar

The great unwashed in the rest of the SCG quaff light beer. The members still enjoy the full-strength stuff. Could that explain their desire to cuddle sweaty men as they leave the field?

Damian Purins, Wyong

Andrew Symonds pushes a fan with his bat and the excuse is that he was tired? But of course, Symonds had just made a big score, so all is forgiven. Cricket Australia's response: review player safety. Last year, Symonds turned up to a match too drunk to play. CA's response: token suspension. And of course, on AB Medal night, everyone saw the funny side of it. And we wonder why some think they're a law unto themselves?

Garry Smith, Tuckombil

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