Greater Western Sydney's premiership dream is over

Sitting at 1-5 and the prospect of playing finals highly unlikely, coach Leon Cameron's chance of winning a flag with this group has slipped away. The Giants are not playing as a cohesive unit, rather as individuals, who appear bereft of a clear strategy and game plan.

The absence of Jacob Hopper has been a blow to their midfield, but co-captain Stephen Coniglio is a shadow of his former self and others such as All-Australian Lachie Whitfield and Tim Taranto are not having the impact of previous seasons.

In defence, another All-Australian, Nick Haynes, is not as assured with his intercept marking and rebound.

Coleman medallist Jeremy Cameron's defection to Geelong at the end of 2020 has left a massive hole.

There is an unhealthy reliance on star forward Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan has struggled at his third club and Harry Himmelberg's output has diminished dramatically.

The Giants' 2021 campaign started disastrously, yet they were able to resurrect their season and eventually win a final, but that is unlikely this year.

Under Cameron, the Giants have made the finals in five of the past six seasons. In 2016, his third season at the helm, the Giants blew their best opportunity for a flag, narrowly losing a home preliminary final to eventual premiers Western Bulldogs. Three years later, they were embarrassed by Richmond in their only Grand Final appearance.

Their 2022 draw has been tough, with four of their defeats to teams in the top eight, putting Cameron under enormous pressure to hold on as coach as his contract runs out at the end of this season.

While the loss to the Saints was disappointing, the healthy crowd at Manuka Oval sent a strong message to the AFL and the Giants - they should play all their home games against Victorian teams in Canberra. The ACT public understands and supports football, far more than in Sydney's western suburbs, and deserves more matches.

The raging debate over what constitutes player dissent against umpires continued over the weekend, leaving most people confused about the consistency of the new interpretation.

In his media conference last week, football operations chief Brad Scott hardly clarified the situation and his crusade comes across as gross hypocrisy and a massive over-correction. The irony of Scott being the torchbearer for outlawing player dissent should not be lost amid the controversy and outrage over the new interpretation.

As players and coaches, he and twin brother Chris have never shied away from demonstrative actions to show their displeasure with umpiring decisions that have gone against their teams. Let's hope common sense prevails and umpires fade into the background where they belong.

Scott would be better advised to concentrate on enforcing other adjudications, such as the rule designed to prevent knee injuries in centre-bounce ruck contests.

Early in the Fremantle-Carlton game, Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy took his eyes off the ball and his left knee collided with his opponent Marc Pittonet, forcing the key Blue to be subbed out with a left knee injury. The outer centre circle was introduced in 2005 to limit these risks for ruckmen.

Age has not wearied Taylor Walker, who turned 32 on Anzac Day.

Two days short of his birthday, the Adelaide veteran celebrated early at the expense of the Bulldogs at Ballarat's Mars Stadium.

After missing the opening three rounds because of suspension, big 'Tex' almost steered the Crows to victory in his first game in 2022, booting four goals as they fell agonisingly short against Essendon.

Walker followed up with five goals in the win over Richmond before sealing the thrilling victory over the Bulldogs with a superb set shot from a tough angle in the dying minutes. The goal was his 501st for the Crows, having reached the 500-goal milestone with his second goal earlier in the game.

The former captain lifted when Adelaide needed him and his vast experience and leadership will be crucial in the absence of injured skipper Rory Sloane, imparting his knowledge to the Crows' impressive group of youngsters as they continue their resurgence under coach Matthew Nicks.

The All-England Lawn Tennis Club runs the world's greatest tennis tournament, but it has overstepped the mark with the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing this year.

The club's major task is to run an elite sports event and not engage in a futile attempt to "limit Russia's global influence" as a reaction to that nation's invasion of Ukraine. In another example of sport and politics becoming needlessly intertwined, the decision means Russia's Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, as well as Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka, will not play at Wimbledon. These stars should not suffer because of the ruthless actions of maverick Russian president Vladimir Putin.

They also risk severe repercussions, including long-term imprisonment for them and their families, if they dare to speak out against government actions and policies.

The key players' bodies, the ATP and WTA, have been right in strongly condemning the AELTC's unfair, discriminatory decision.

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