Is it just us, or is the 2016 WSL season suddenly more…good-er?

Maybe it’s down to the rookies. They come in all shapes and sizes, and they all – except maybe Alex Ribeiro – seem to be bringing something interesting to the table.

Man of the mo, as of halfway through the pointless Rd 4, is surely Stu Kennedy. Slayer of Slater, murderer of Medina, Kennedy tore Rd’s 2 and 3 new ones.

“The only thing a sports fan likes more than an underdog, is an underdog whose main sponsor is something called Carve eyewear”

With the demeanour of a double glazing salesman who hasn’t hit his monthly target, or if you prefer, imagine Adam Melling, only with slightly less street cred… that’s Stuey. But the lad can surely surf. He threw more variety of turn is his Rd3 heat vs Medina than some rookies do all year.

You had the feeling every single surfer in the world outside Brazil was cheering him on. Because the only thing a sports fan likes more than an underdog, is an underdog whose main sponsor is something called Carve eyewear.

Connor Coffin beat Italo in the battle of the vertically challenged. Connor is a non-guilty pleasure to observe in full flow. I just wish we could talk about Connor without talking about Gerr. It’s like when you weren’t allowed to say Dane without saying ‘and Jordy’, remember that? Now it’s like every time someone says something about an admirable rail turn by CC, an inevitable, pointless Gerr namecheck is sure to follow.

Other rookie triumphs in Rd 3 saw Kanoa beat Jeremy and Caio beat Kerrzy. Alas, my own personal fave rookie of all, Ryan Callinan, got obliterated by Toledo. Nevertheless, Ryan’s Rd2 victory over Jordy was a thing of beauty, demonstrating the seemingly lost art of goofyfoot not having poo stance on backhand.

Did you see him tuck his back knee in, rather than point it towards his tail??? Yes please.