I pondered long and hard about making today's column a Jets-free zone, largely because the storyline hasn't changed over the past seven games, but I figured that could be construed as taking the easy option, a head-in-the-sand, "nothing-to-see-here" approach favoured by many politicians.
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Cunningly I had borrowed the Sesame St approach, devoting the weekly news to the letter M, Mbappe, Matsuyama, the Matildas, and briefly Mo'unga, but it ran in the wrong race at Randwick on Saturday!
Of course, I could have added Melbourne Victory and mediocrity, if you want to be brutally honest, and her Majesty, if you have a semblance of empathy in your jaded sporting souls.
The Jets we will get to, but let's start with Mbappe, whose two-goal haul at Bayern Munich got me thinking: "Is the dominant decade plus of Messi or Ronaldo as the world's premier player at an end?"
Or did we perhaps blink and miss the transition? Would you pick either in front of the dynamic Frenchman today if selecting a hypothetical team? Throw in Lewindowski, if you like if picking a genuine No.9.
Hideki Matsuyama broke new ground for an Asian male player, winning a first major title, at the Masters no less, warming the hearts of many, and frustrating those of us who backed him to have the lowest score in round one (he finished second), and not to win the whole bloody tournament!
The Matildas were trounced by Germany in the first of two friendly matches in Europe this week. You could forgive them a touch of rustiness but they were comprehensively outclassed in every facet of the game.
They may well improve in the next game against the Netherlands, but I suspect that a fine generation of players peaked about 18 months ago, and there may be leaner times ahead.
As predicted, traditional footballing nations that were slow to embrace the female component of the game are now on board in terms of interest and resource allocation, and we plod forward with a 12-game W-League.
Make no mistake, a home World Cup in 2023 guarantees no easy ride for a team somewhat stagnant in their development right now, in a field of improving nations with rich footballing heritage, and rusted-on football DNA. If we hesitate we will get left behind.
Moving to the plight of the Jets, surely it reached a new low on Saturday, surrendering a half-time lead and complete control of the game to a virtual no-name Melbourne Victory side, losing by an all-too-familiar 2-1 scoreline.
Make no mistake, calling this Victory side far from vintage, is being kind in the extreme, the starting XI, with the exception of Mcmanaman, Ansell, Traore, Brimmer and Roux, anonymous to all but the most devoted A- League follower.
Certainly some tight calls had some influence on proceedings, but it was a hard game to lose from 1-0 up. The Jets found a way, however. Sloppy defending, poor concentration, and rash decision making have become comfortable bedfellows.
I don't have an inside read on the Steve Ugarkovic situation, but surely his omission from the team, particularly in the second half was costly and baffling.
In a team without any genuine holding midfielder, surely his contribution to protecting a result would have been invaluable?
If his heart is no longer in it, or there are issues, cut him loose.
If not, play him, and please don't tell me that an ironman, who played 107 games in a row, who covers more ground than any other player every week, suddenly can't play because he's missed two training sessions!
The team has a chance for redemption tonight in Coffs Harbour when they face an inconsistent but capable Perth Glory team.
It's a potential banana skin game for Perth's semi-final aspirations, and a desperate chance for the Jets to stop the rot.
And that's my pun for another week. Boom boom.