The Repeat Set - Sydney FC, Blake Ferguson, Adam Scott

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Sydney FC should have killed off Frank Farina speculation
Two weeks ago, The Repeat Set spoke to a well-connected A-League source who said word was thick on the ground that Frank Farina was gone if Sydney FC lost the derby to the Western Sydney Wanderers. He survived the guillotine on that occasion but then the same rumour surfaced heading into the Perth Glory encounter in Round 5. Again Sydney FC lost and again Farina survived the cut. Our man's mail about Farina wasn't necessarily wrong because the coach's future was definitely being discussed in the not always rock-solid corridors of power at Sydney FC. Thankfully, this time the knees didn't jerk and they stuck with their man. A public show of support from ADP didn't hurt Frank's cause, just quietly, but the club should have killed off the speculation right from the get-go. Saturday night's win over Melbourne Victory gives Farina some much deserved breathing space – for about six days.

No religion should be treated as a convenience stop
Let's hope Blake Ferguson has embraced Islam for more reasons than his stated intention of getting off the grog. No religion should be treated as a convenience stop, especially one as devoutly followed and cherished as the Islamic faith.        

Are A-League referees in awe of Alessandro Del Piero?
Kevin Muscat may have been a firebrand on the field, but he is fast learning the art of self-control off it as coach of Melbourne Victory. Muscat was ropeable at what he perceived as favourable treatment afforded Alessandro Del Piero in Saturday night's Big Blue and let anyone within earshot, including the Italian, know about it from the sideline. But in the after-match press conference he disappointingly (for the press troops, anyway) bit his tongue and asked the media to report what they saw. So here's what we saw: Del Piero gets more free kicks than any other player because of the tricks he's picked up from playing at the top level for 20 years. He sucks players into fouling him and makes a theatrical display of it when touched. It's been happening for ever and a day in Europe and it's up to A-League referees to take a stance if they feel they're being conned. Are they in awe of his presence? Only they can answer that but from the outside it looks that way. Back to you, Kevin.

Fancy a hit in the Sheffield Shield or a tour match against England?
Now might be a good time to put your hand up if you fancy a hit with a representative cricket side. Take your pick – the Sheffield Shield or a tour match against England? Callum Ferguson has been removed from the South Australia side to play for the Invitational XI (which started life as the NSW Shield side) against England this week because he didn't get much of a go for Australia A in last week's rain-affected tour match in Hobart. Phillip Hughes, who was down to play for the Invitational XI in what would have been a great opportunity, drops back to the Shield to replace Ferguson. And Usman Khawaja, also originally named in the Invitational XI, has now been told to play Shield for Queensland instead. Confused? Not as much as the players.

Adam Scott a true champion in every sense of the word
What a great ambassador Adam Scott is for Australian golf. The Masters winner could have cashed in at any number of big money end-of-year tournaments but decided to return home to put something back into the local game. No wonder his win at the Australian PGA Championship was so well received. A true champion in every sense of the word.

Save the Wallabies assessments for the end of the month
Yes, the Wallabies are still playing. And, yes, they had a good win over Italy on the weekend. But it doesn't mean they've seen the corner, let alone turned it. Let's save the assessments for the end of the month after they've played Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Win all three and maybe we'll have something worth talking about.

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