"Why don't they like me?"
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Michael Clarke asked me this on a handful of occasions throughout his stormy career, but most notably in the weeks following his much-publicised break-up with former fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010.
He was referring to the public and the media, both of which had been scathing about the Australian captain-in-waiting.
Until this point in his career, I always considered Clarke to be misunderstood.
He hadn't connected with the public or press because the boy from the western suburbs drove a Ferrari, had peroxided hair, had a diamond stud in his ear, had wanky tattoos, dated a model … He was the exfoliated pin-up for metro-sexuality.
Abandoning the tour of New Zealand to call off his relationship with Bingle had also hurt him immeasurably. For some reason, this made him a bad person, when privately it was clear he wasn't at all.
Since then, Clarke has carefully rebuilt his image, leaving behind several people who have helped him along the way, collecting new friends in high places.
His question that day was probably best answered with another question: "Mate, who cares?" Would Allan Border? Or Mark Taylor? Or Steve Waugh?
Stand tall, f--- them all. Test cricketers are supposed to be made of sterner stuff, are they not?
Clarke's insatiable appetite for runs – he's scored 13,811 of them at first-class level – is matched by his desire to be loved.
Of all the sportspeople I've dealt with over the years, none have been as obsessed about perception and image as much as Clarke, who announced his retirement from international cricket in the wake of the Ashes massacre.
Clarke has been dignified in his exit, although the fact that he afforded himself one last Test at The Oval, despite his dearth of runs, shows much hubris. Giving Steve Smith the captaincy for the dead rubber was surely the more gracious option.
Former players Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds, and former coach John Buchanan, have all put the boot in.
But most tellingly is what hasn't been said. Apart from his good mate and mentor Shane Warne, the lack of tribute from most of Clarke's former teammates tells the score.
Clarke has always been sensitive to the slightest hint of criticism.
The News Corp tabloids had been particularly ruthless in the first half of his career. In order to end the hate, his management hatched a deal and he became an exclusive columnist.
Days before last week's Test at Trent Bridge, Clarke used that same exclusive column to slam all and sundry who had dared to suggest he wasn't the batsman he once was and that retirement was nigh.
He took the criticism as a personal attack on his work ethic, which has never been questioned. Clarke retired before the Test was over.
Surrendering the urn so meekly has sparked all the same finger pointing and navel gazing that happens every time Australia doesn't win in England.
The most vicious piece came from within his News Corp family.
The so-called division between certain wives and girlfriends was illuminated. Fact is, there was a fallout between the partners of two senior players during the South Africa tour last year. Old news.
The so-called division between Clarke and the rest of the team has also been highlighted. Fact is, Clarke has been distant from the rest of the playing group for years. There are dozens of former teammates – at Test level – who will attest to this.
Are these really the reasons why Australia's batsmen failed to play a moving, swinging Dukes? To blame the Ashes defeat on these peripheral issues is a cop out. No wonder the players rubbished them.
Nevertheless, the tension between Clarke and those above him – from coach Darren Lehmann to chairman of selectors Rod Marsh to high-performance manager Pat Howard – has been there for some time.
All concerned vehemently denied it when Fairfax Media reported as much in January as Clarke raced the clock – and stringent fitness benchmarks – in order to be fit for the World Cup.
Winning the tournament in March prompted an assumption that the stories were bogus, when all it did was paper over the cracks. Some of the denials and spin doctoring around that period was something straight out of House of Cards.
Only 18 months ago, Australia defeated South Africa away from home. With chest puffed out, they were the kings of the cricketing world again.
Clarke's retirement provides clear air again. In Smith, there is a chance to start anew.
Clarke set for commentary box
Still on Clarke, Channel Nine is tight-lipped about whether he will slip seamlessly into the commentary box this summer – but expect him to be there.
Clarke was a revelation when he called the Boxing Day and New Year's Tests for Nine as he nursed his hamstring injuries.
He provided great insight and honesty, although his presence angered some teammates and administrators because he was still an active player.
Burgess wedded to rugby bid
Sam Burgess will return to Australia in December to marry Phoebe Hooke – but he won't be back for good.
The former Souths superstar makes his rugby debut for England in a friendly against France at Twickenham this weekend ahead of the Rugby World Cup. He will line up at inside centre.
There's plenty of talk linking Sammy to an NRL return, but it won't happen any time soon, if at all.
We're told Burgess is in it for the long haul, and has recently bought property in England.
Mbye in Dragons' sights
Expect the Dragons to go hard at Bulldogs whiz Moses Mbye for 2016.
He is considered a logical replacement for Benji Marshall, who comes off contract at the end of next year - as does Mbye.
It was Dragons recruitment guru Peter Mulholland who identified Mbye and gave him his start at the Bulldogs.
Perrett's swansong
And finally, here's hoping the rugby gods smile upon Eastwood captain Hugh Perrett at Concord Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The former Rebels, Waratahs and Sale Sharks flanker will retire after the grand final against Manly, having completed 13 seasons in first grade, and the last nine as captain.
Loved by all at his club, let's hope he goes out a winner.
The Week
THE QUOTE
"Congratulations on 200 games, thanks for giving us the game." – Said Tigers prop Aaron Woods to Raiders counterpart David Shillington, who responded with two attempted headbutts. This, friends, is why rugby league remains the greatest game of all.
THUMBS UP
On an adjusted table of Olympic events, Australia finished ahead of the US at the swimming world champs in Kazan, Russia. Bronte Campbell won the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle, while Emily Seebohm and Mitch Larkin smashed it in the backstroke. Bring on Rio de Janerio. If it's ready.
THUMBS DOWN
Nick Kyrgios has trash talked Swiss opponent Stan Wawrinka during a match in Montreal, telling him: "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that mate." Wawrinka had a difficult break-up with his ex-wife Ilham earlier this year. He has also won two grand slam titles. Kyrgios has won?
It's a big weekend for … Jason Day, who is knocking on the door of a major championship. The US PGA at the daunting Whistling Straits – no relation to Dire Straits – course is his last chance to walk through said door this year.
It's an even bigger weekend for … Quade Cooper, who has been named at No.10 for the Wallabies' showdown with the All Blacks at Eden Park – the place where in 2012 he limped from the field with a blown ACL as the New Zealand faithful sang, "Sweet Caroline … Good times never felt so good."