Bats and Balls Podcast

It's a 4 man weave this week with Erik and Mendy joining the show to preview the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

First up it's the NRL and Melbourne are clearly the class of the field at the moment. And they've been doing it without two of their best players.

The AFL is throwing up strange results every week. And this was no exception. Richmond beat Brisbane, but with Dusty Martin out for the season is their dynasty finally over? And the Melbourne Western Bulldogs clash this week should be a belter.

Supercars raced around Townsville again on the weekend. Where to now for a sport that doesn't have a lot of available tracks right now? Oran Park and Lakeside are no longer options. In the F1 Hamilton dive bombed Verstappen. We're not the British media so we won't defend Hamilton on this one.

And then it's the Olympic preview. We run through a few of the events we're really looking forward to. Race Climbing seems to have captured the imagination of the whole team. The Basketball should be one of the most competitive on record. And Pies has found a couple of events that could bring about a world record.

We finish off with some darts, NBA Finals and Tour de France talk.

It's a big show. But we had fun catching up.

0:00:00 - Preamble 0:13:00 - NRL 0:58:00 - AFL 1:21:00 - Motorsport 1:33:00 - Tokyo 2020 Preview 2:07:00 - Darts, NBA Finals, Tour de France

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com Twitter - @batsandballspod Brendan - @brendansmith05 Josh - @PiesJosh Colbee - @colbee6ref Hammer - @notbatting11 Mendy - @BigMendy180 Maybo - @maybo83 Erik - @ErikNielsen2759 No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork Email - [email protected] facebook.com/batsandballspodcast http://batsandballspodcast.com/

The Producer is dealing with some gremlins in the system . But we've managed to put together another lockdown show via the marvels of the NBN.

First up it was a short week in the NRL and the Blues came up agonisingly short in State of Origin.

In the AFL the upsets continue with the Kangaroos beating West Coast in Perth and St Kilda outplaying Brisbane.

Supercars were back in Townsville and Shane Van Gisbergen is dominating his rivals. F1 at Silverstone this weekend.

Italy beat England in the Euro Cup Final. And Pies and BS couldn't be happier after the English fans trashed the Italy fans before the game and Leicester Square afterwards. They really are the worst fans in world sport.

Milwaukee have tied the NBA Finals with the 4 games going to the home side. Phoenix head home for the weekend and Pies needs them to lift.

And in the Tour de France Tadej Pogacar is dominating in the mountains and Mark Cavendish has been flying in the sprints. After a few crashes in the first week. It's become a battle of attrition for the riders that are left. Pogacar looks unbeatable though.

0:00:00 - NRL / State of Origin 0:33:00 - AFL 0:51:00 - Motorsport 0:57:00 - Soccer 1:05:00 - NBA Finals 1:08:00 - Tour de France

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com Twitter - @batsandballspod Brendan - @brendansmith05 Josh - @PiesJosh Colbee - @colbee6ref Hammer - @notbatting11 Mendy - @BigMendy180 Maybo - @maybo83 Erik - @ErikNielsen2759 No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork Email - [email protected] facebook.com/batsandballspodcast http://batsandballspodcast.com/

With the Sydney Covid lockdown continuing, Pies and The Producer have organised a Zoom call to get their stories straight.

In the NRL the Dragons had a barbecue, and a bunch of teams got flogged.

In the AFL the Giants showed true grit to repel Melbourne while West Coast really don't like playing at GMHBA Stadium.

Max Verstappen won another F1 Grand Prix. Lando Norris got McLaren on the podium again. And Red Bull have the Mercedes measure.

The People's Team Denmark are into a Semi Final and have a chance at playing Italy in the Final. England stand in their way.

Led by Chris Paul Phoenix beat Milwaukee in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. 3 more to go!

Tadej Pogacar is toying with them in the Tour de France. While Mark Cavendish has won 3 stages as a 36 year old.

0:00:00 - NRL 0:58:00 - AFL 1:18:00 - Formula 1 1:26:00 - Euro Cup 1:35:00 - NBA Finals 1:38:40 - Tour de France

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com Twitter - @batsandballspod Brendan - @brendansmith05 Josh - @PiesJosh Colbee - @colbee6ref Hammer - @notbatting11 Mendy - @BigMendy180 Maybo - @maybo83 Erik - @ErikNielsen2759 No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork Email - [email protected] facebook.com/batsandballspodcast http://batsandballspodcast.com/

Pies was asleep so Erik and The Producer cover all the latest in the NRL including a wrap of Origin 2 and they look ahead to this week's NRL games.

Then we're back to the full compliment as Pies returns to talk AFL. Leon Cameron is on thin ice, Western Bulldogs are a strong team and the Saints must be the most frustrating team to follow after a dominant victory over Richmond.

Max Verstappen won the Styrian GP, Denmark are the People's Team, although BS stakes his claims for Switzerland. And among it all, Italy have just been the best team.

New Zealand won the ICC Test Championship Final the NBA Playoffs are reaching a culmination, Caleb Ewan crashed out of the Tour de France in a crash-laden first week, while Tampa look too good in the Stanley Cup Final.

0:00:00 - State of Origin and NRL 0:31:15 - AFL 0:57:00 - Formula 1 0:59:00 - Soccer 1:23:00 - Test Cricket 1:32:00 - NBA Playoffs 1:44:00 - Tour de France 1:47:00 - NHL

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com Twitter - @batsandballspod Brendan - @brendansmith05 Josh - @PiesJosh Colbee - @colbee6ref Hammer - @notbatting11 Mendy - @BigMendy180 Maybo - @maybo83 Erik - @ErikNielsen2759 No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork Email - [email protected] facebook.com/batsandballspodcast http://batsandballspodcast.com/

Colbee has been dropped back to reserves after scoring 2 tries and letting in 6 down his wing.

Pies and BS tackle all the drama surrounding the NRL. High shots take centre stage again. When should a player be sin binned? How low is low enough to be making a genuine attempt to miss the head? Can Trent Robinson make his mind up over when referees should take matters into their own hands? Plus we preview Origin 2. Not surprisingly, NSW will win comfortably again.

In the AFL Geelong beat Western Bulldogs after the siren. The Giants beat their twos and Jake Stringer had Launceston in a whirl as the Bombers beat Hawthorn.

Max Verstappen won in France and we cover all the other motorsport results.

The Euro Cup is down to the knockout stages, France and Italy are looking good. Denmark have bounced back also.

NBA Playoffs and we're down to an unlikely final 4. Phoenix have taken an early lead over the LA Clippers. While in the East Milwaukee outlasted Brooklyn and Atlanta finished off Ben Simmons and the Philadelphis 76ers.

0:00:00 - NRL 1:21:00 - AFL 1:38:00 - Motorsport 1:43:00 - Euro 2020 1:47:00 - Cricket 1:48:00 - NBA Playoffs

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com Twitter - @batsandballspod Brendan - @brendansmith05 Josh - @PiesJosh Colbee - @colbee6ref Hammer - @notbatting11 Mendy - @BigMendy180 Maybo - @maybo83 Erik - @ErikNielsen2759 No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork Email - [email protected] facebook.com/batsandballspodcast http://batsandballspodcast.com/

On the back of recording the NRL Mid-year report and run to the finals show, the boys are back for the regular episode.

The show starts with Pies off riding his push bike so we have to get Colbee in to cover the NRL. The Eels get another big win against the Tigers and Colbee and the a Producer then discuss if the send off in the Brisbane & Canberra game was the correct call.

In NRL Supercoach Colbee is fighting being the first team member relegated. Last years Bats and Balls Cup winner the DWS Fleshpuppets is in a battle to make the finals. Every player gets 5 trades after Round 15 so it is go time.

Pies then stops in to cover the AFL and NBA. In the AFL the guys discuss if the Swans bubble has burst after a bad loss to the Hawks. Did GWS let one slip after a tied game against the last place Kangaroos. The Producer is happy as his Eagles got the win against the Tigers.

While in the NBA the team Pies tipped the show earlier in the year is doing well. Can the Suns go all they way?

Colbee then returns to talk a little motorsport. Supercars and F1 have races this weekend while Nascar and Indy Car had great races over the past weekend. Colbee and the Producer also cover some Cricket with the ICC Test Final being played this week between NZ and India.

Lastly we get Erik on the phone to talk about Euro 2020. Denmark had a tough 1st game, can they bounce back and get to the next stage?

0:00:00 - NRL
1:07:00 - AFL
1:26:00 - NBA
1:30:00 - Motorsport
1:33:00 - Cricket
1:37:00 - Euro 2020

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com
Twitter - @batsandballspod
Brendan - @brendansmith05
Josh - @PiesJosh
Colbee - @colbee6ref
Hammer - @notbatting11
Mendy - @BigMendy180
Maybo - @maybo83
Erik - @ErikNielsen2759
No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork
Email - [email protected]
facebook.com/batsandballspodcast
http://batsandballspodcast.com/

The Producer and Pies run through the mid-year report card for every NRL team.

We look at how they've gone so far, and then predict the future using The Producer's own scientific method, Draw Difficulty Rating.

0:00:00 - Intro
0:07:52 - Melbourne Storm
0:11:53 - Penrith Panthers
0:19:58 - Parramatta Eels
0:26:06 - South Sydney Rabbitohs
0:29:41 - Sydney Roosters
0:35:58 - Manly Sea Eagles
0:42:16 - North Queensland Cowboys
0:46:35 - St George Illawarra Dragons
0:52:00 - Cronulla Sharks
0:57:46 - Canberra Raiders
1:00:04 - New Zealand Warriors
1:04:23 - Gold Coast Titans
1:07:53 - Wests Tigers
1:13:28 - Newcastle Knights
1:19:49 - Brisbane Broncos
1:23:36 - Canterbury Bulldogs
1:26:50 - Predictions

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com
Twitter - @batsandballspod
Brendan - @brendansmith05
Josh - @PiesJosh
Colbee - @colbee6ref
Hammer - @notbatting11
Mendy - @BigMendy180
Maybo - @maybo83
Erik - @ErikNielsen2759
No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork
Email - [email protected]
facebook.com/batsandballspodcast
http://batsandballspodcast.com/

The boys are back after a week off and the Antacrtic Blast has hit Sydney just in time for Origin 1. Thankfully the NRL moved it to balmy Townsville which should give us an entertaining game.

In the NRL the Panther Cubs suffered defeat for the first time in 2021. More on the horizon? The Titans blew it against the Storm and the Eels got revenge for the 2001 GF. Now we're all square.

In the AFL Melbourne keep rolling on, this time beating Brisbane at Giants Stadium. St Kilda continue to missfire in front of goal. And Richmond poured it on in the last quarter to finish all over the top of Essendon in Dreamtime at Optus.

In other sport the Azerbaijan GP gave us another great Formula 1 race. England keep on Englanding in cricket. The Suns disposed of the Lakers but we're just waiting to hand Brooklyn the trophy.

And with EURO Cup 2020 kicking off this week, we predict the winners of each group and the winners overall.
Pies likes France to beat Croatia in the Final.
BS is backing Hungary with Sweden and North Macedonia as his smokies.
While Erik thinks Denmark are primed to make a deep run at it.

0:00:00 - NRL
1:05:00 - AFL
1:15:00 - Motorsport
1:20:00 - EURO 2020
1:28:00 - Cricket
1:32:00 - NBA Playoffs

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com
Twitter - @batsandballspod
Brendan - @brendansmith05
Josh - @PiesJosh
Colbee - @colbee6ref
Hammer - @notbatting11
Mendy - @BigMendy180
Maybo - @maybo83
Erik - @ErikNielsen2759
No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork
Email - [email protected]
facebook.com/batsandballspodcast
http://batsandballspodcast.com/

Pies was placed on report last week for high contact. So while Pies is at the judiciary The Producer had to go to the bench again and Colbee joins the show.

The Producer and Colbee discuss the all the drama from Round 11. Players still have not learnt to tackle lower which saw 24 players on report, however how long is too long to penalise a player? Brad Arthur has selected Waqa Blake to start again and Colbee is not happy about it.

In AFL the GWS Giants had a great win agaist the West Coast Eagles in a tight game. The Lions got under Dusty's skin in their game and Colbee is happy with how his Bulldogs are going.

In Motorsport Max Verstappen won the Monaco GP in the F1, the Moto GP and Supercars return this weekend and Indy Cars saw former Supercar driver Scott McLaughlin has qualified well for the Indy 500.

The EPL season is now over and Man City are the Champions. This means #PiesKnows survives. Liverpool finished 3rd and Brighton 16th.

0:00:00 - NRL
1:06:00 - AFL
1:20:00 - Motorsport & EPL

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com
Twitter - @batsandballspod
Brendan - @brendansmith05
Josh - @PiesJosh
Colbee - @colbee6ref
Hammer - @notbatting11
Mendy - @BigMendy180
Maybo - @maybo83
Erik - @ErikNielsen2759
No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork
Email - [email protected]
facebook.com/batsandballspodcast
http://batsandballspodcast.com/

The Producer has a bee in his bonnet. And it's not because the NRL have had enough with high shots. For as long as this podcast has existed he's been advocating for refereeing the rules and you stamp out foul play. Finally the NRL have listened. But it seems the NRL media in general are a bit slow on the uptake. A few too many hits to the head?

We wrap up all the NRL games and give our tips for next week. Plus throw in a little Supercoach.

In the AFL GWS Giants let one slip against Richmond while Melbourne look like the real deal. Plus the West Coast forward line are firing.

We rattle home with some short shorts on Motorsport and NBA.

0:00:00 - NRL
1:04:00 - AFL
1:27:00 - Short Shorts - Motorsport, NBA

Part of the No Phony Podcast Network nophonynetwork.com
Twitter - @batsandballspod
Brendan - @brendansmith05
Josh - @PiesJosh
Colbee - @colbee6ref
Hammer - @notbatting11
Mendy - @BigMendy180
Maybo - @maybo83
Erik - @ErikNielsen2759
No Phony Network - @NoPhonyNetwork
Email - [email protected]
facebook.com/batsandballspodcast
http://batsandballspodcast.com/