NO PLACE LIKE HOME
STEVE JOHNSON FOUND TIME TO SIGN A FEW AUTOGRAPHS YESTERDAY AT GIANTS TRAINING BEFORE WHAT MAY BE HIS LAST RUN AT KARDINIA PARK IN A SATURDAY SIZZLER.
IN recent history, we have been fortunate to witness some of the great athletes and sporting teams dominate their competition, illustrating how we are in a special era of sporting royalty.
Earlier this year, at Melbourne Park, we saw Roger Federer triumph for his fifth Australian Open and 18th tennis grand slam title.
In the NBA, the finals were unquestionably one-sided by the rampaging Golden State Warriors who look like creating a dynasty for years to come.
We saw one of the greatest clutch performers of all time in Tom Brady guide his Patriots back from a 28-3 deficit to win the Superbowl 51.
And just last week, although he didn’t win, we witnessed Usain Bolt’s last professional run in the World Championships in London.
Sport in 2017 is in a great place.
We have seen some incredible athletes plying their trade, but who would be your favourite?
One event that would have been a stretch by anyone’s imagination is taking place tomorrow, a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor, who usually fights for the UFC in mixed martial arts.
This has been built up and will be an incredible spectacle, but just how would it compare to seeing Brady lead the Patriots to victory in the Superbowl? Or Roger Federer take control at Wimbledon? Which of these would be a greater spectacle to watch?
Imagine if you could be a part of one of these sports at the elite level and dominate like these guys do — what sport would you choose?
I ran these three questions by my teammates during the week to find out what they’d like to experience, who they appreciate most and what they’d like to be.
THE QUESTIONS A) Sporting event you would like to attend? B) Favourite athlete? C) One sport you could be elite at?
1. ChampionsRhys Stanley League soccer final,2. Zach Mike Tuohy Tyson, surfer Liverpoolfinal, Steven ChampionsGerrard, golfer League 3. Brandan Parfitt NBA finals, Cristiano Ronaldo, NBA player 4. Andrew Mackie Masters golf final round, Usain Bolt, NFL quarterback 5. Nakia Cockatoo NBA finals, Lebron James, NBA Player 6. Lincoln McCarthy NFL Superbowl, Cristiano Ronaldo, surfer 7. Harry Taylor Masters, final round, Wayne “Buck” Shelford (NZ rugby captain), NFL cornerback 8. Jake Kolodjasnij NBA finals, The Rock, NBA player 9. Zac Smith World Cup soccer final, Usain Bolt, soccer player 10. Daniel Menzel NFL Superbowl, Lebron James, NFL quarterback 11. Darcy Lang Ashes at Lords, Tiger Woods, wicketkeeper batsman for Australia 12. Wylie Buzza Wimbledon final, Roger Federer, golfer 13. Tom Lonergan NBA finals, Tom Brady, weightlifter in squatting 14. Joel Selwood NFL Superbowl, Michael Jordan, Olympic 100m sprinter 15. Matthew Hayball NFL Superbowl, Aaron Rodgers, NFL quarterback 16. Scott Selwood NFL Superbowl, Kawhi Leonard, NFL cornerback 17. Esava Ratugolea MLB world series, Usain Bolt, NBA player 18. Josh Cowan Champions League soccer final, Cristiano Ronaldo, Soccer player 19. Quinton Narkle Connor McGregor v Floyd Mayweather, Kyrie Irving, NBA player 20. Ryan Gardner Connor McGregor v Floyd Mayweather, Connor McGregor, NBA player 21. Jordan Murdoch World Professional Darts Championship, Phil Taylor, darts player 22. Mitch Duncan NFL Superbowl, Roger Federer, golfer 23. Aaron Black NBA finals, Lebron James, NBA player 24. Jed Bews NFL Superbowl, Roger Federer, NBA player 25. Lachie Henderson NFL Superbowl, Tom Brady, surfer 26. Tom Hawkins NBA finals, Phil Taylor, golfer 27. Sam Menegola Tour Down Under, Richie Porte, cycling 28. Cory Gregson WWE Royal Rumble, Luan Oliveira, skateboarder/ snowboarder 29. Cameron Guthrie NFL Superbowl, Lebron James, surfer 30. Timm House Wimbledon, Roger Federer, NFL quarterback 31. Jordan Cunico NBA Finals, John Daly, golfer 32. Steven Motlop World Cup soccer final, Floyd Mayweather, golfer 33. George Horlin-Smith Ashes Test cricket at Lords, Ricky Ponting, snowskier 34. James Parsons Floyd Mayweather v Connor McGregor, Usain Bolt, surfer 35. Patrick Dangerfield Wimbledon final, Roger Federer, NFL quarterback 36. Tom Ruggles NBA Finals, Lebron James, golfer 37. Sam Simpson Pipeline surfing, Roger Federer, tennis player 38. Jack Henry Soccer Champions League final, Usain Bolt, soccer player in the EPL 39. Zach Guthrie NFL Superbowl, Kyrie Irving NBA player 40. Jackson Thurlow NFL Superbowl, Roger Federer, golfer 41. Jamaine Jones NBA finals, Allen Iverson, NBA player 42. Mark O’connor Floyd Mayweather v Connor McGregor, Connor McGregor, soccer player 44. Tom Stewart NBA finals, Michael Jordan, golfer 45. Ryan Abbott Tour de France, Jon Bones Jones, NBA player 46. Mark Blicavs Soccer Champions League final, Roger Federer, soccer goalkeeper Most popular sporting event to attend NFL Superbowl (11), NBA finals (10), Soccer Champions League final (5), Floyd Mayweather v Connor McGregor (4) Most popular athletes in the world Roger Federer (8), Lebron James (5), Usain Bolt (5), Cristiano Ronaldo (3) Most popular sport to play at the highest level and be successful NBA player (11), golfer (9), NFL Quarterback (5), surfer (5), soccer player (5)