IN a team sport it goes without saying that the team which plays better together generally wins. 

While we can get caught up the whirlwind performances of each sport’s superstars, it’s the teams that play together that are the most enjoyable to watch.

The defensive display the Dragons have put on over the past few works has been superb. 

The teamwork on their own try line is fuelling their success.

After a woeful start they can make it five in a row if they beat Brisbane tonight.  

Similarly the Sydney Swans team defence and pressure wreaked havoc against fellow premiership contenders Port Adelaide.

The cohesiveness of a well-drilled team playing together is great to watch, unless you’re a fan of the team being smothered.

The best example of a team across any sport is the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA.

The regular season finished yesterday and the Hawks, which have the second best record at the end of 82 games, have no players score more than 30 points this season.

What a rarity! In a league of offensively gifted superstars the Hawks have put together a memorable season without any players being leaned on; it’s a five-man unit and each player is a threat.

Off the back of the San Antonio Spurs’ performances in the past two seasons and the Hawks this year, along with the increased reliance on a three-point shooting, we might be seeing the best professional basketball league change its style.

What the Hawks have done this season defied most pundits and early-season predictions and an Eastern Conference Finals match up against the Cleveland Cavaliers looks likely.

The Cavs have the star power in LeBron James and Kyrie Irving that can take over a game when playoff defences tighten up and refs swallow their whistles, but the Hawks are out to prove that a champion team can beat a team of champions. 

One too many?

ADAM Goodes has been a favourite of mine for years and it would have been fairytale ending for the two-time Brownlow medallist if the Swans had won last year. 

But that was not to be and he we are, in round three of the AFL season and Goodes has asked to be dropped to the Swans’ reserves rather than wear the substitute jersey against Greater Western Sydney this weekend. 

Jude Bolton questioned his decision through the media this week and I think he’s right.

Ryan O’Keefe tried to stick around but was swallowed up by the Swans’ young guns that were itching for a regular spot, and Sydney’s coaching staff has no problems dropping a veteran despite their resume. 

The desire of a third premiership would fuel Goodes’ fire, however, it would be heartbreaking for him if he was overtaken mid-season and the Swans marched on to the final Saturday in September.

He’s a champion and respects the club and his team mates tremendously but as a fan, I’d rather see him retire after the grand final loss, than sitting in the stands watching the Swans chase finals glory. 

Vale Richie Benaud 

IT’S fair to say Richie Benaud ranks next to Sir Donald Bradman as Australia’s favourite cricketer.

Despite Bradman’s extraordinary record, Richie will go down just as loved.

Just as there will never be another Bradman, there will never be another Benaud.

His commentary was superb and his ego was never heard nor seen on a broadcast.  

If only the new breed of Channel Nine’s commentary team could take a leaf, or two, out of his book.

Fyfe takes the crown

NATHAN Fyfe has taken the mantle from Gary Ablett Junior as the AFL’s best player.

Yes, it’s only round three, but I’m calling it early. 

Fyfe is at a similar age, 23, where Ablett set himself apart from the competition by becoming one of the best midfielders the game has ever seen.

It’s only taken eight seasons for a player to overtake Ablett, and in some circles fans might still argue that Ablett is the top dog, but Fyfe is the lone player on a trajectory to match the output of Chris Judd and Ablett over the past 14 seasons. 

I think he’s already there, too.

He has the skills with foot and hand, can take an overhead pack mark, can evade tackles, gather contested or uncontested possessions, kick goals and to top it off, he’s bigger than Judd or Ablett. 

However, with great expectations comes great responsibility and Fyfe will have to lift the ageing Fremantle roster to another level to make the grand final.