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tuart Pyke is a UK sports broadcaster who likes his darts but has a passion for rugby league.The Bulldogs looking dejected last weekend. Photo: NRL Images.

being beaten 54-10 and last placed Wests Tigers tumbling to a 10th straight loss.

This will be the Bulldogs’ seventh straight season without Finals footy. And in that run, they haven’t finished higher than 11th. The Eels are famously still chasing their first Premiership since 1986. The poor Tigers are about to miss Finals for a 12th consecutive season and will underline that by taking consecutive wooden spoons.

“Lucky western Sydney has Penrith,” mused my English mate.

The Panthers look better each time they play and will take some stopping in their quest for a third straight title. Still, Stuart Pyke is right, western Sydney is big enough – and only getting bigger - to have more NRL success than it’s had over the last decade.

Pykey lives in St Helens and supports its Super League team with fervour.

(Ask him about the hotel television smashed by a flying remote when a contentious call went against his Saints… and the darts’ executive who had to pick up the tab!)

He can rattle off all their stars, run through their classic games, and talk about their multiple titles all day. In Pykey’s mind the win against Penrith earlier this year is akin with the moon landing!

“And all from a City of 180,000,” he beams. (I can hear the voice of darts Russ Bray screeching 180!)

So, from Pykey to the Eels, Bulldogs and Tigers – pull your finger out! Give the population what you should! Oh, and be glad you don’t live near a beach!

When I invited my broadcast buddy for a Wollongong swim on a warm, sunny, still day, I should have known the response.

“The sand is too soft, the water is too cold and there’s too many sharks. Plus it’s bad for my ears.” Whinging bloody Poms.

1. I had two stints at the Panthers in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

2. I’m a Queenslander.

3. I was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2020.

4. I once coached the Brisbane Broncos.

5. I had a job on radio at 2KA in Penrith.