Last night I got my first "real" journalism gig: covering the Pulse (Wellington's ANZ Championship netball team).

I had my laptop, but I was the only journalist there without pen and a notebook, BUT I was the only one who was twittering!

I'm still writing up my account of the game (for Public Address) but until then here are my realtime thoughts on the game (you need to read them in reverse order).

In case you missed it, the Canterbury Tactix are now sponsored by Mercury Energy. It's a shrewd move by both - Mercury has just entered the Canterbury market and are trying to steal customers from Contact, while the Tactix, looking for a solid sponsor given the current GFC, can't have gone wrong with a power company.

But it appears that the clincher in the deal was that South American boom-boom powder, cocaine. Google sees all, guys.

Here is the Dropkicks commentary of the second netball test between New Zealand and England.

We had major technology problems with this one. First we forgot to turn on the damn mic until the second quarter and then the last part of the game just, well, disappeared. Anyway, enjoy:

Alternative Netball Commentary (Test 2 Q2 2008) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

Alternative Netball Commentary (test 2, halftime, 2008) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

Alternative Netball Commentary (test 2 q3, 2008) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

Alternative Netball Commentary (test 2 q4, 2008) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

We've been a bit slack on the old podcasts but as an apology please accept these alternate netball commentary videos we made.

They were recorded live on Monday and after many crazy video rendering accidents here it is. This is the first test between New Zealand and England.

The First Quarter (sorry for the picture quality of this one, the others are better)

Netball alternate commentary (test 1 quarter 1) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

The Second Quarter

Netball alternate commentary (test 1 quarter 2) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

The Third Quarter

netball alternative commentary (2008 test 1 quarter 3) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

The Fourth­ Quarter

Alternative netball commentary 2008 (test 1 quarter 4) from Hadyn Green on Vimeo.

We have a special surprise for you this week. Its the first official Dropkicks Alternative Netball Commentary. A bit of tester this first test but it should be a doozey. It'll all be up later this week.

UPDATE: Who would've thought that editting video would be so difficult or that crashing computers would be so annoying. Both netball tests will be coming soon!

Back in April we noted that there seemed to be a lot of "Thunderbirds are go" headlines for the Adelaide Thunderbirds (of the ANZ Cup).

Well it's been almost three months and the Thunderbirds will meet the Magic in the playoffs. Three months? No one will care if we use the same pun-headline, will they?

Thunderbirds are go for Magic clash [Stuff]

ps. yes in that photo they are about to smash heads together.

The Bay of Plenty/Waikato Magic are finally showing their skills. Having recovered from a terrible team-wide illness in the early weeks of the competition the Magic have stormed back and look like the contenders they are supposed to be. Just check out this photo:

Not only is Joelene Henry showing an alluring amount of leg, she's floating the ball above her fucking hand!

As you may know, the Dropkicks have a (hypocritical) hatred of poor puns in the media. Which is why I grimaced when I saw:

Thunderbirds were go against Steel

The reason for the grimace being that this is the fourth round of the ANZ Championship and we've had the following headlines for the Thunderbirds:

• Thunderbirds are go at home (a lead in to this weekend)
• Thunderbirds go as Fever fail to rise (a double entendre, so to speak, from Week 3)
• And yes, we used it too.

There were more on both TV and other media agencies but I couldn't be bothered looking.

Just quietly the Thunderbirds are 3-1 and have put away the Vixens and the Steel (losing to the Magic though).

The Magic kicked the Northern Mystics arse as they finally shook off an illness that had struck the whole team the last two weeks.

Irene van Dyk (New Zealand's favourite sportsperson) shot 82 percent (31/38) and her shooting partner, Maria Tutaia, 81 percent (25/31) against Vilimina Davu and Leana de Bruin. Which is pretty bloody impressive.

But the Magic's coach, Noeline Taurua, still thinks they can do more. Woah. Can you imagine if this was the Magic "just cruising"? Jeebus, look out Vixens! (especially with an injury to McMahon).

Also I think I should point out that I am completely against Dancing With The Stars in general, but especially when athletes are involved during their playing season!

The Melbourne Vixens

FAQs 

The Vixens, heh, so you're foxy ladies?

Listen pal, we're not putting up with your, or anybody else's shit so quit the sexist leering crap right now.

Um, but even the banner on your site says "alluring".

It also says "Elite", "Competitive" and "Victorious", so you better listen up chump when we say that we'll take all the other teams to the fucking cleaners!

­ 

Ah...

You were gonna ask why we will win

That's right, so why...

Have you seen this picture of Sharelle McMahon. She'll fuck you up! No to mention the fact that all of our squad are international level players and that we've been named tournament favourites!

Well, why might you lo...

I suggest you don't finish that sentence.

The Vixens opened up the competition with a clinic over the Central Pulse (except for the third quarter).