Sport

KIERSTEN DUKE: These are the fresh-faced rookies and returning superstars who could be the difference between victory and defeat.

Jack Robinson’s hopes of winning a third Margaret River Pro in four years came unstuck on a day of carnage for the championship tour’s top seeds at Main Break.

CRAIG O’DONOGHUE: The suggestion that James Hird is still the answer to all of Essendon’s problems shows how out of touch too many influential figures at the Bombers are with modern footy.

GEORGIE PARKER: There is more drama off the field than on so far this season as supporters cry out for strong leadership.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: His last stint as Blues coach turned into a nightmare, so Laurie Daley has to make sure he does this one thing differently this time around.

JUSTIN LANGER: The fear and confusion as we were rushed out of a war zone made clear to me how an escalating crisis should be dealt with.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: He is one of the smartest minds in rugby league, but I have to disagree with The Dogfather on the player he says NSW should NOT pick.

RICHO’S TOP 10: St Kilda don’t need another big tall, they need a gun midfielder and this is the AFL star they should target.

MITCHELL JOHNSON: Every player must do what is right for them, but there is no way I’d be heading back to India if I still played in the IPL.

KIERSTEN DUKE: The latest ‘Watergate’ scandal has all the hallmarks of its famous predecessor and cricket’s Sandpapergate - arrogance and stupidity.

BEN MCCLELLAN: The decision to continue the tournament - and to do so in harm’s way - could play a role in which Australian players return to India.

MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: The ARL Commission boss loves a challenge, so will taking on the AFL in their backyard pay off for the NRL?

GEORGIE PARKER: Plenty of fans are asking why two under-performing Victorian clubs get to play the first match, but they should be angry about a more worrying issue.

There’s a fire in Jack Della Maddalena that drives him to not just succeed, but to do so in a spectacular fashion. Winning the title by knockout would validate his hard work and showcase his skill and power.

JUSTIN LANGER: Being ‘dropped’ by the nation would be incredibly hurtful, but politics like sport is not for the faint of heart.