I saw half a dozen media articles last week that suggested that Nathan Cleary is considering a possible future career jump to the Super League. Really? The Super League? I doubt it. He’s a talented bloke and, no doubt, money isn’t everything to the best Rugby league player in the world, but do the pundits seriously expect us to believe that Nathan would be willing to halve his … [Read more...]
Road Test – Cameron Smith versus Tom Brady (Socrates looks under the hood of second hand athletes)
Bloody hell. Just as I was about to launch the Smith versus Brady comparative road test to determine which used play-maker presents the best value, Smith pulls himself off the market (retires after no les than 430 games)! When one examines both athletes and the two sports they have excelled in it is still an interesting question. Which of the two old, beaten and battered vets … [Read more...]
What is a PUP list?
Could a PUP list be an assortment of baby doggies selected for a canine beauty pageant? Of course not. If the meaning of the word PUP was even remotely related to our furry friends, then it wouldn’t make it onto the Sportsocratic “What is it… ?” page. It's an acronym, of course As you might have guessed, PUP is an acronym. As we know, Americans love acronyms. American sports … [Read more...]
Is it okay for athletes to take a stand? Is protest okay in sport?
Why US sports stars are taking a knee against Trump NFL players from many teams have knelt or linked arms in protest during the playing of the national anthem. Reuters/Paul Childs Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University US President Donald Trump is continuing his public attacks on prominent black athletes. Late last week, he urged National Football League (NFL) team owners … [Read more...]
What does “hook and ladder” mean?
What on earth does "hook and ladder" mean. It conjures up all kinds of images in my mind. I can see a movie starlet like Elizabeth Taylor snagging her shapely stockinged leg on some kind of metallic object and a stocking ladder climbing purposefully up her glorious thigh as a result. I can see a fisherman trying to cast his line from a grimy old wharf but he continually spoils … [Read more...]