On this episode of The Almanack Report, eligibility for state and international representation came into question once again this week, with Penrith and NSW winger Brian To'o declaring his intention to play for Samoa at the end of year rugby league festivities of the World Cup. It created some discussion between fans on whether or not a player could choose to play for their state in the Origin series, and yet still be allowed to play for a different country when it came to the International game.

Today we will take a look at To'o's case, and a number of others who are facing the same choice as he is, and discuss whether they have a right to two pieces of completely different pie, or whether they have to choose one pie or the other. And in doing this, we look at how times have changed in the way that representative teams are selected, and whether or not that plays into the current dilemma that some players are facing.

That's today's discussion on the Almanack Report, right here on podcast that is only eligible for one selection criteria, Thoughts From the Metal Cavern

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, coming out of the two years of Covid, cricket has managed to survive reasonably well, but it looks as though now the world bodies are looking for a way to recoup all of their monetary losses, and that revolves around the bastardised form of the game, T20 cricket. And the danger of over-proliferation of this less-cricket part of the sport is already well at hand, and is a threat to everything I love about the game. India has signalled its intention of asking for an extended window for its IPL tournament. England's The Hundred has already messed with the T20 format, and now we have the West Indies version of the 10 over a side game, The 6ixty. And in Australia, we are now going to have a draft introduced for international players wanting to play in the BBL.

Is any of this, and I do mean ANY, good for the sport as a whole? Is it what the spectator wants? And perhaps just as importantly, is there any room left in the annual calendar for anything but these shortened forms of the game?

That's today's agenda on The Almanack Report, right here on Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, can anyone understand how the Logies, Australia's so-called premier awards night for television, is still a thing? When Covid came along and made the whole thing disappear, there seemed to be not one iota of complaint from anyone in the industry or the viewing public. And yet, this week it has resurfaced, with all of the same problems. We'll have a run through of the most ridiculous parts of it right here.

Following this, Australia has risen to be champions of the world - in darts! Yes, the Australian duo of Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta have shocked the world in taking out the World Cup of Darts, something that needs to be celebrated by home darts experts everywhere.

That's today's agenda of The Almanack Report, right here on Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.

On today's episode of The Almanack Report, the US Open golf provided a brilliant final nine holes with a three man battle to win the right to lift the cup, and saw three of the sports brightest talents showcase their skills on one of the world's toughest courses. It provided an interesting backdrop to the battle that has opened up between the PGA and LIV Golf, and we'll take a look at the circumstances surrounding what is no doubt just the beginning of the war.

Beyond this, FINA has become the first world sporting body to change its rule regarding the future of transgender athletes in its sport, by announcing it will have strict protocols in place for for athletes to adhere to in order to be allowed to compete at their elite championships. FINA's decision has seen a number of other bodies follow suit and announce they will be reviewing their procedures as well. But is this a fair and inclusive set of circumstances? We'll carefully navigate through the storm to discuss both sides of the argument.

That's today's agenda of The Almanack Report, right here on Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.

On this episode of The Almanack Report, the NSW Blues have chosen their squad for the second State of Origin rugby league match of the season, and despite the coaches trying to play down why so many changes have been made, it smacks of a massive panic attack, or an admission that they completely stuffed up their selections for Game One. we take a look at the squad and try to come to grips with what has been done.

Australia has lost the third ODI in their series in Sri Lanka, but is it through a lack of first choice players, or has Sri Lanka just out-thought and outplayed their opponents? We take a look at the result, and make a suggestion or two about how the series has gone so far.

Those are today's talking points on The Almanack Report, on the podcast that is still trying to rediscover itself, Thoughts From the Metal Cavern.

On today's first exploratory episode of The Almanack Report, we discuss the Gold Coast Titans continuing fade into obscurity in 2022, and wonder if they have anything left in the tank for the remainder of the season. We've also seen the start of the northern Test summer, and after a first day that saw 17 wickets fall can either team take any positives from that opening position.

Sure, so maybe there's a lot of sport here, but I'm sure you knew that going in. Now let's see if any of it is of any interest whatsoever.

Australia's mens cricket schedule for the next 18 months has now been released, and it is one that is packed solid, such that the players will barely have time to take a breath. In amongst both the T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup, Australia also has marquee Test tours of India and England, as well as plenty of other bilateral series in all three formats of the game mixed in between.

On today's episode of The Casual Mankadder, we will have a look at that schedule, and how an ability to have three focused sections of the calendar may well enable Australia to wind their way through to the best chances of success. We will also discuss just how important it will be to have more one-format players in these squads in order for Australia have the greatest success in that period coming up.

Another round of footy is behind us, and with it an increasing injury toll that is beginning to affect some clubs as they look to push towards both the Origin period and their ability to play finals in 2022. We also came to learn that the obstruction rule is not as black-and-white as the NRL may have led us to believe, and that the sin-bin is having a much greater influence on matches now than it ever has before.

On today’s program we’ll go over the results of the eight matches played, and sort out the good from the average. Today’s Talking Point has a look at the fast approaching Origin series, and discusses whether it is as brilliant and world stopping as the NRL and Channel 9 would have us believe it is. Finally, after tipping 1 from 8 last week, I’ll offer you this week’s collection of thoughts on the next round so that you can ensure you steer as far clear of them as possible. That’s all coming up on this week’s episode of In League with the NRL, right here on Thoughts from the Metal Cavern.