Hayden Meikle's The Last Word.
All Whites, all right
It is risky to use the term "golden generation" in any sport.
Just ask English football fans, whose Terry-Cole-Lampard-Gerrard-Rooney group has done no better than previous generations.
But seriously, how can we not get just a little excited about the future of New Zealand football?
This may be the most dynamic and exciting group of young footballers we have ever gathered in this country, and there are genuine signs the All Whites could have a sustained period of success.
Dramatic qualification for the 2010 World Cup, and the three draws at the tournament, provided a career peak for veterans such as Mark Paston, Ryan Nelsen, Simon Elliott and Chris Killen.
Now, Ricki Herbert is doing a super job building for the future. Tommy Smith (22) is Nelsen's long-term successor as captain, and will anchor the defence alongside Winston Reid (23) for the next decade.
Michael McGlinchey (25) is blossoming in midfield, and further forward are the thrilling talents of Marco Rojas (20), Kosta Barbarouses (22), Jeremy Brockie (24) and big Chris Wood (20).
Add in the two kids, Dunedin-born Cameron Howieson (17) and Blackburn's Tim Payne (18), and the future looks bright.
With semi-veterans such as ace finisher Shane Smeltz, Leo Bertos, Ben Sigmund and Glen Moss around for a while yet, there is every reason to hope - if not expect - the All Whites can qualify for the World Cup again.
Smaller is better
Interesting news out of England, where the Football Association has voted to embrace "small-sided" football.
This means young players will not play on full fields, or in full teams, until they are 13. All younger grades will have smaller pitches and play seven-a-side or nine-a-side football.
The theory, which seems sound, is this enables the youngsters to stay more involved and get more touches on the ball, setting them up better for the future.
It is a plan that has already been embraced by New Zealand Football.
Euro vision
The ODT sports pages will feature plenty of European Championship build-up next week, including predictions from some guest selectors.
We will also have details soon of an exciting Euro 2012 competition that I would encourage all football fans to enter.
Brothers and sisters
Is it just me or are there an unusually high number of sporting siblings scattered around Dunedin secondary schools at the moment?
Columba's English sisters (Sian, Hanna) are having a whale of an athletics season; the Kearney twins (Johannah, Caitlin) are top-class rowers out of St Kevin's; the Buttar boys (Dylan, Blake) are Otago Boys' cricketers to watch; and the McCombies (Josh, Dan) are mountain bike stars from King's.
The theme continues at higher levels in the province.
The Wells boys (Jossi, Byron, Beau-James, Jackson) on the slopes, the McCullums (Nathan, Brendon) and Brooms (Neil, Darren) on the cricket pitch, the Williamsons (James, Sophie) on two wheels, the Laughtons (Stephanie, Carla) in inflatable rescue boats, the Cunninghams (Mike, Aajay) in football, and the Bond boys (Hamish, Alistair) in rowing.
Any other sibling sports stars we should be watching?
Nostra-McMurranus I
My esteemed colleague, an eager young chap called Alistair McMurran, had a quiet smile of satisfaction on his face all week.
Ali loves nothing more than making bold predictions in his weekly club rugby previews.
This can be a risky business - still waiting for Chad Shepherd to make his All Black debut, Ali - but is great when you get it right.
Friday: McMurran talks up the importance of the drop goal, and indicates University first five Stephen Fenemor is the master of the drop.
Saturday: Fenemor kicks a last-minute drop goal to help Varsity hand Taieri its first loss.
Nostra-McMurranus II
But you have to go back a few years to get the best example of the club rugby guru hitting the nail on the head.
There was a kid, barely out of school, playing for Green Island.
Willowy type. A first five or second five. Name of Ben Smith.
Ali raved about his potential but had us all raising our eyebrows when he said Smith would be in the Wallabies if he was Australian, and would be renamed Ben Larkham-Smith.
(Similarity to Stephen Larkham, perhaps.)That's what you call talent spotting.
Regent prince of sales
Surprised: Popping in to the Regent Book Sale an hour before the finish to find (a) books down to 50c a pop, and (b) actually some room to move.
Pleased: Finding two more TP McLean rugby books to add to the collection.
Absolutely Staggered And Delighted: Finding an original copy of David Halberstam's The Breaks of the Game, the finest basketball book ever written.
Stag do
Happy birthday to Southland rugby, celebrating its 125th jubilee this weekend.
Though, I am a little disappointed my nemesis, Southland Times sports editor Nathan Burdon, has not marked the occasion with a new series, The 125 Greatest Moments in Southland Rugby.
All this recent success has made him complacent.
Birthday of the week I
Stephen Rodger Waugh is 46 today. He could bat a bit.
Birthday of the week II
Mark Edward Waugh is 46 today.
He wasn't bad, either.
