By John Green I have a cousin who spent most of his adult life in gaol. Try as he might, he simply couldn’t escape the culture. It all started when he was 17 and things pretty much went downhill from there. He was unable to make a fist of things outside the prison walls, invariably [Read more]
The Wrap: Come Sunday and the boilovers continued
August 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The Penultimate Home & Away Round What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Doggies chewed up The Pradas which is sure to lift spirits around at The Kennel and have The Handbags thinking about changing their brand name (Maybe to the wet paper bags – Ed). Carlton win comfortably without looking convincing. The [Read more]
Gigs’ Stats: Make-up of the eight is not as clear-cut as you think
August 25, 2009 by 7 Comments
Andrew Gigacz’s Round 21 Stat. Declaration FINALS PERMUTATIONS ABOUND IN FINAL SENSATIONAL ROUND As the man who inspired Ben Cousin’s torso markings once said, “so it’s come to this”. The Pies will finish third, the Bulldogs will finish fourth and Essendon and Hawthorn will play off in a virtual elimination final.
AFL Round 21: Hawks beat Tigers in another game that vindicates my childhood choice
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
When I was five years old it was 1977 and I was in my first year of primary school. It was the year I discovered footy. Duffle coats decorated with footy badges and football heroes’ numbers on the back were the fashion, and footy cards were exchanged like local currency. That year, more than most [Read more]
Local Footy: Waaia win tops off a perfect day
August 24, 2009 by 42 Comments
By Josh Barnstable I wake up early on a Sunday morning and find the sun is shining brightly. I get up, get dressed and prepare for a day of watching footy. Not AFL, though. Country footy. Finals. Yesterday I’d gone to Numurkah with Dad to see Numurkah play Congupna. Ron Barassi was making an appearance [Read more]
AFL Round 21: Cats joins Dogs on second tier, behind Pies and Saints
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Josh Barnstable The big battle between the animals. Dog v Cat. The last time these animals clashed, it was the Cats in the best game of the year. Brad Johnson, who missed after the siren, lost the game for the Doggies. Everyone is looking forward to the rematch. The Dogs have the stumbles but [Read more]
VAFA: Aquinas the biggest winner in relegation battles
August 24, 2009 by 6 Comments
All sections from C to D4 completed their home-and-away rounds on Saturday. The only section to feature a dramatic relegation escape was D1, where the bottom four teams played each other. Prahran (seventh) was playing at South Melbourne Districts (eighth) while Aquinas (ninth) hosted Emmaus-St Leo’s (tenth).
Fifth Test, Day 3: There you have it — all preconceptions blown out the window
August 24, 2009 by 1 Comment
It’s a sad reflection of my life that I offered to write this Saturday night for the cricket report. The once youthful, bundle of energy that I was has fallen the ways of the domestic silent majority and was happily watching SBS (not the usual late night programs) through the night to see if Australia [Read more]
AFL Round 21: Hawks keep finals hopes alive with win over Tigers
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
It’s Saturday night. The game’s only on Ten. There are no changes to either team. Graham Polak runs out for the Tigers in the protective head gear. Max Bailey runs out, for the first time in three years and two knee reconstructions. Riley Milne is debuting for the Hawks. There were plenty of stories in [Read more]
Local Footy: Bigger things beckon for Barmera-Monash
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Nick Kossatch Barmera-Monash easily defeated non-finalists Berri by 43 points in the final minor round in the RFL A-grade at Barmera Oval. The Roos produced a scintillating eight-goal first quarter with ruck-rover Dillon Millard in rare form and Robert Price booting three goals.
Local Footy: Portland show Power how it’s really done
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Nick Kossatch The Riverland Superdogs were rolled by visiting side Portland, from Adelaide, by a huge 55 points in the over-35’s Super-rules football at Berri Oval on Sunday. Portland, whose jumper is that of hapless Port Adelaide Power, dominated from go to woe with their Aboriginal midfielders dazzling with their skills.
AFL Round 21: Pies score another win as I dread the end of the season
August 24, 2009 by 512 Comments
The footy season is nearly over and the big questions I’m asking are: * What am I supposed to do now? * How will I spend my weekends? * And more importantly, how will I survive? The seriousness of this matter is epic! Footy is the only reason to get out of bed on the [Read more]
Women’s Footy: Darebin take VWFL flag
August 24, 2009 by 1 Comment
By Leesa Catto Darebin were too good, too strong and too experienced as they outmuscled the Creekers yesterday at Box Hill city Oval. It was Darebin’s day, winning both the VWFL reserves and seniors Grand Finals. The seniors took home the Susan Alberti cup after beating a gallant Diamond Creek team by 44 points in front of a record crowd at Box [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Got any sports book recommendations? Maybe feature doubles ideas?
August 24, 2009 by 24 Comments
By Chris Riordan The success of England and Collingwood require some diversions to happier times. Father’s Day looms and it is time for Dads to be proactive and thus avoid the cursed socks and bad after-shave. When I was young Dad would get the new Miller’s Guide, but it comes out too late these days. [Read more]
AFL Round 21: What, me worry? Seems we have nothing to fear
August 24, 2009 by 5 Comments
By Suzy Lewis PESSIMISM: 1 : an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome 2 a : the doctrine that reality is essentially evil; b : the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life It was a blustery Melbourne day as I walked to the MCG through [Read more]
Local Footy: CYs work hard to secure double chance
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
SENIORS OLD WESTBOURNE 2.6 3.6 9.6 10.8-68 WILLIAMSTOWN 2.7 4.12 4.20 11.24-90 OLD WESTBOURNE Goal Kickers: D. Sidwell 3, P. Hudson 2, R. Taylor 2, D. Lockwood, B. Connors, C. Hunter Best Players: D. Lockwood, P. Hudson, B. Connors, O. Hickey, M. Aquilina, F. Pavez WILLIAMSTOWN Goal Kickers: B. Gray 3, C. Elliott 2, Z. [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Cats resemble a champion fighter on the ropes
August 24, 2009 by 9 Comments
By Damian O’Donnell Sporting greatness comes and goes, but when it is in full flight we see no end. Indeed, we don’t want to see an end. I remember when Marvellous Marvin Hagler was stopped by an irrepressible Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987 it took me some time to realise what had just happened. An [Read more]
Fifth Test, Day 4: We’ve been stitched up
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The denouement to this topsy-turvy and at times indecipherable series came at 5.48 pm on Day 4 with the dismissal of Mike Hussey for 121. Australia were bowled all out for 348 and lost the deciding fifth Test by 197 runs. England’s crew of battlers and journeymen (Strauss and Flintoff excluded) prevailed 2-1 to regain [Read more]
Local Footy: Australian footy looking very healthy on NSW north coast
August 24, 2009 by 1 Comment
Australian football is now firmly established on the north coast of NSW. The game, which had humble beginnings but grand ambitions when it was started just over 30 years ago, continues to make headway and has now cemented its place on the sporting landscape.
Fifth Test, Day 3: We’re in Big Trouble
August 23, 2009 by 2 Comments
Australia went into the third day of the Fifth Test looking down the barrel. The Poms, who cling to the weapon that can blow us away, are as surprised as anybody that they indeed hold the upper hand. As the third day begins England is 3/58 with a 230-run lead. Before this Test got under [Read more]
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