Watched the Superbowl for 2008 on SBS in Australia yesterday. It was kinda annoying. The telecast was taken from the Fox coverage in the States but our public broadcaster stripped most of the cool Fox graphics and the colour of the commentary team away and replaced it with some dude who I have no idea what his association with American Football is other than he knew some of the rules, had apparently been to many of the bars in Arizona, and possessed an American accent. Bring back Don Lane… or someone with a bit of passion. And go back to holding the telecast in a pub with real fans in place like the ESPN Club telecasts. A bit of vibe and passion.

The unknown American was joined by two Aussies. One was a very animated Colin Scott who apparently played a defensive position with the Cardinals over a relatively uneventful five year pro career. His blueearth.org t-shirt was obvious but luckily he also had a chance to bang on about it towards the end of the telecast. Wooo – that was a close thing. Apparently we are all dying because we don’t move anymore. Probably true although the irony is not lost on me as I sat in my couch watching a game for four hours munching on corn chips, hot salsa, and soft drink. Mental note- must move more. And I did. Had a nap next door.

And the other was current punter for the Philadelphia Eagles, Sav Rocca. The former Aussie Rules ‘Roo player is the NFL’s oldest rookie. He was also the dude on his first game to be poleaxed by an at-speed brute of a man called Antwan Barnes of the Ravens. Smashed from behind so hard poor Sav’s helmet went flying. Welcome Sav to a new kinda game! Some vision of this nasty hit from behind can be found here – sav gets smacked.

For most of the first three quarters, the game was a bit of an arm wrestle and to be honest verging on the tedious. C’mon already! The Patriots, red hot fav’s to coast through the game with an airborne assault of touchdowns and claim an unheralded 19-0 win for the season appeared to be shell-shocked for the entire game. It seems someone in the Giants had guaranteed a win. Not just talk a win up or hope for a win… or even on a promise… but actually guaranteed a win. Well bugger me.

Tom Brady – the Pat’s superstar QB was sacked so hard and so often the scouts from the Wrestling Federation noted his name down. The two star wide receivers for the Pats had a strange day. Moss was outstanding and yet despite his heroics he left me a little disappointed. The other one, a strangely small looking Wes Welker looked the best of a sorry bunch. The SBS commentary team declared he was a great route runner. Arrr that must be it… although I thought most of the receivers ran routes… still what do I know. I do know he has a huge balding patch for such a young guy. Makes me smile.

The Giants defence played hard and Eli Manning, not the most elegant or sophisticated of QB’s ever to grace a football ground was on fire. I liked the fact that he won and that his much more famous brother Peyton had won with the Colts the previous year. So American. Sequential winning Superbowl QB’s… reminds me of Bush Senior and Knucklehead his son. Please American – give us a break, a woman or a black President – either is a winner, just for the love of God give the rest of the world a break from the Republicans. Event just one term and then feel free to arm up and have another go. But not Jeb Bush. That’s just be taking the ‘piss’ as we say in Australia.

In a nail biting finish – the last couple of minutes of Superbowl 22 was sensational. The Giants make some big plays, Eli refuses to be sacked, some dude catches an Aussie Rules inspired ‘mark’ and they…. Wwwwwwwiiiiin.

Which begs the question – who were the real winners? Well the game…. The Giants and special extended to the Patriot Cheerleaders. Your appreciated girls, more than I can ever hope to express up close and personal. God bless America…. spandex and nacho hats.