Watch those Cowboys
THE 2015 NRL rugby league competition starts next Thursday when defending premiers and reigning World Club champions Souths tackle Brisbane Broncos in the season opener on Thursday, March 5, at Suncorp Stadium.
The Bunnies have started this year off as they finished the 2014 season with their stirring grand final win over the Bulldogs.
They have had victories in the Auckland Nines and then in the World Club Challenge, 39-0, over British Super League winners St Helens, last weekend in Britain.
Winning consecutive titles is harder than getting the truth from a politician. Like my dad says, politicians promise you the world and give you an atlas.
Souths will still be hard to beat in the 2015 race, even though champion forward Sam Burgess has defected to English rugby union and power-running backrower Ben Teo has headed to French rugby.
North Queensland, Roosters and Bulldogs will pose the biggest threat to the Bunnies. I am tipping North Queensland Cowboys to win the title.
They have a good coach in Paul Green, a well-balanced team and the game's best player, Jonathan Thurston.
The Sharks and Dragons carry the hopes of the region's supporter base.
The Sharks have had more publicity than when Cook arrived at Kurnell.
Conversely, the Dragons have flown under the radar. But the departure of Brett Morris to the Bulldogs and the loss of Trent Merrin (where he goes is yet to be announced) has annoyed the red and white faithful.
Though forward Jack de Belin insists the departure of club favourite Trent Merrin will not derail the Dragons plan to return to NRL finals this year.
Let the NRL season begin.
How do you think the Dragons and Sharks will go this season?
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Swift action way to go on cruelty
THE greyhound racing industry has been skinned this month with revelations of cruelty and the use of live rabbits and piglets to train the canines for racing.
The ABC Four Corners program that aired footage of trainers and certain people associated in the sport has sent shockwaves through the industry.
The hidden-camera footage at training tracks and greyhound breeding properties was disturbing.
As in many walks of life, we need to rid the bad apples from the fruit cart. And any people, if convicted after an RSPCA prosecution, should be banned from the sport, and jailed — simple as that.
And it's also wrong to say that all greyhound trainers treat their racing dogs poorly or use the disgusting methods to educate and teach their greyhounds to learn how to chase the lure with the use of live animals.
The state government had no other alternative but to act and get the resignations of people on the Greyhound NSW board and shake up the industry.
Racing Minister Troy Grant had no other choice but to act — and quickly.
What do you think about the recent investigations into the greyhound racing industry?
