Is this Liverpool's year?

Ok, we've heard it all before, that this is the year Liverpool finally end their 26-year hunt for the title. Following the way in which they disposed of Watford over the weekend, there's cause for optimism on Merseyside. Can they sustain this level of play throughout the season? Is it too soon, just 11 games in, to be touting them as the favourites?

They do have some things working in their favour. The brilliantly charismatic, dashing German tracksuit model/manager Jurgen Klopp has experience guiding teams to the title, having transformed Borussia Dortmund. Robert Firimino and Coutinho are in dazzling form and if they can get a fully-fit Daniel Sturridge, they'll be one of, if not the, best attacking sides in the league. Dejan Lovren has turned into a good defender all of a sudden and their captain Jordan Henderson is having his best season in midfield since their last gasp title choke in 2014.

However, can they stay the pace? Following Leicester's miraculous title win and West Ham's surprisingly high finish last season, business seems to have returned to normal at the top end of the table. Chelsea have overcome a slow start to the season to find themselves in 2nd, while Manchester City have arguably the world's best manager (Pep Guardiola) at their disposal. And it would be folly to rule out Arsenal and Tottenham, who have produced some flawless displays already this season.

There's no doubt Liverpool have the talent to win the league. The question perhaps should be, do they have the mental fortitude to do so?

AFL needs to name and shame dopes

Amidst the fluury of attention over the US election, the AFL broke the news today seven clubs had been fined for breaking rules relating to the league's anti-doping code. The AFL alleged clubs had not supplied information regarding certain player's whereabouts, resulting in fines. The league requires clubs to supply the whereabouts for drug-testing purposes.

While the league itself admits the clubs (Hawthorn, West Coast, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and St. Kilda) most likely made a mistake rather than intentionally not supplying the information, it does relate to a long-standing view I've had about drug testing. For years I've taken issue with the league's policy, particularly their three-strikes rule. This rule means players who fail a drug test are only named and shamed on the third failed test.

What message is this sending to everyone? Apparently illict drug taking in the AFL is ok, as long as you're only caught twice. Three times is bad, but twice, eh, you'll be let off the hook.

Polota-Nau a boost for the Force

The Western Force have pulled off a coup for next year's Super Rugby season, signing veteran hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau. The Waratahs and Wallabies front-rower comes to Perth boasting 140 appearances at Super Rugby level and 68 games for the national side.

Following a shocking season, both on and off the park, the signing of Polota-Nau is a step in the right direction for the Force. He'll join what is shaping up to be an exciting forward pack, featuring Adam Coleman, Pek Cowan, Matt Hodgson, Angus Cottrell, Ben McCalman and Francois van Wyk.

With uncertainty over the club's future, it is vital the club turn their fortunes around on the park. Polota-Nau's arrival won't fix all the problems with the Force, but it adds some much-needed experience and quality to a side desperately lacking both.

The NFL sucks this year (well, some of it)

Ok, hear me out. I'm still loving the NFL, I still try to watch minimum one game a week and track down highlights for as many games as possible. I still watch RedZone on ESPN on Monday mornings so I can watch live action and scoring from around the league.

But let's be real, there are a lot of little-less-than-ordinary/below-average teams this year. If the season ended today, the Houston Texans would be the 3rd best team in the league.That's the Houston Texans missing their star defensive player and featuring arguably the most overpaid quarterback in league history (Hello, Brock Osweiller). The fact they've somehow managed a 5-3 record is morerepresentative of how bad everyone else is, rather than how good they are.

An inconsistent Baltimore Ravens are currently in a position to be hosting a home final, despite looking average on both sides of the ball. A New York Giants outfit who have suffered through the same issues as Baltimore are also in a playoff spot. Last year's Super Bowl losing Carolina Panthers lost five of their first six games, and are somehow still in contention for the playoffs.

The only teams who have looked like contenders are New England Patriots (surprise, surprise), Oakland Raiders (no, seriously, an actual surprise packet), Dallas Cowboys (despite Tony Romo still being on the sidelines), Atlanta Falcons (featuring a career-best season from Matt Ryan) and Denver Broncos (who are banged-up and should regain full health before the playoffs, but are yet to really impress on offense).

Here's to the second half of the season being better than the first.

Return of the W-League

It's superb to see the W-League return this weekend. Can't wait to see some of the world's best female footballers in Australia. Really hoping the W-League can kick on and capitalise on the success of The Matildas and give aspiring female footballers out there something to aim for. Kudos must go to Fox Sports and the ABC for announcing a TV rights partnership between the two, allowing them braodcast 14 matches this season (although I hope one day in the near future, viewers will be able to watch every game).

Once again, it's hard to go past Melbourne City as the favoruties after the way their superstar squad swept away everyone in their path last season. The signing of Matilda's goalkeeper Lydia Williams is a coup, strengthening an already imposing team. Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide will all be aiming for a finals spot, while don't cout out Canberra and Perth either.

D-Wade Lifting a Sail in The Windy City

There is something so satisfying about seeing Dwyane Wade in a Chicago Bulls jersey. Even as a non-Bulls fan, there is something fitting about it. Maybe it's the fact Chicago's colours of red and white are similar to his old ones of black, red and white. Perhaps its because for the first time since a certain M. Jordan, Chicago can boast a big name at shooting guard. And while Wade is winding down his career and approaching his last hurrah, it's nice to see the hometown hero finish his 13-year career in the city in which he was born and raised. Through his opening two games of the 16/17 NBA season, he's also been putting up good numbers too, avearaging 22 points a game and 66% from behind the 3-point line (although whether he sustains the latter is another question).

And yet, there is something so ugly about seeing Wade in a Chicago Bulls jersey. Even as a non-Bulls fan, there is something wrong about it. Maybe it's the fact Chicago's colours of red and white are too similar to the black, red and white he wore with gusto for the Miami Heat. Perhaps it's because of the messy divorce between him and the Heat in the off-season, which saw him leave a franchise he helped deliever their only three NBA titles to. Sure, it's nice to see him finish his career in Chicago, the city of his birth, but after 13 years as the face of Miami, it is weird to see him finish his career with another team.