Search Results for: ironmike

Almanac Cricket: Muschy – the left-handed adjudicator

In his enlightening article about the life and times of a cricket umpire, Matt Watson pays tribute to Queenslander Lawrie Musch, a dedicated and popular former member of the umpiring fraternity.

Almanac Footy Tipping (AFLM): And the winners are…

The results are finalised. Here are all the winners for the Almanac’s AFLM Tipping comp for 2022.

Almanac Footy: First Game

Taking his boys, Angus and Jim, to their first North Melbourne game, Matt Watson also reflects on the time his dad took him to his first match.

Almanac Footy – The 2021 AFL Grand Final revisited: Hump that coffin up round one more bend

Ironmike revisits the AFL Grand Final after sorting his way through the wreckage of a 19-point lead that turned into a 74-point disaster in just 45 minutes. (A first rate analysis – Ed.)

Almanac Footy: Jim Krakouer – the magic

Matt Watson looks back at the career of Jim Krakouer, who with his brother Phil was a trailblazer for indigenous footballers in the VFL of the 1980’s.

The Jehabake Legacy – 53 consecutive years

Ironmike has words of advice for AFL clubs looking for a new coach – ‘research the Jehabake legacy’ – as he traces the origins of premiership success over the past five decades.

Racing: Horses get sick, don’t they? – Part 5

“The industry just didn’t get it.” Matt Watson’s series on the 2007 equine influenza crisis continues. Despite the belated efforts of the authorities, the equine flu rages on.

Racing: Horses get sick, don’t they? – Part 4

Matt Watson’s series on the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza is continued, as the Queensland government struggle to find vaccinations for the vulnerable horses.

Almanac (Australian) Cricket: Beset by crisis because the system is spoiled

This is the regression we had to have.  In ironmike20’s life, Australian cricket has suffered three great crises and rebounded.  This crisis is self-inflicted, but a setback is an opportunity for a comeback.  The Aussies have done it before and can do it again a passionate Mike claims.

Almanac Lunch: Matt Watson and the Sons of Guns

Another terrific Almanac lunch last Friday at The North Fitzroy Arms. Author and Almanacker Matt Watson discussed his book Sons of Guns, about famous footballing families. Check out some pictures from the day, and treat yourself to a copy.

Almanac Cricket: Vaseline and cricket

Smith, Warner and Bancroft broke a nation’s heart when they broke the spirit of the game. Why cheat?  Why destroy everything Test cricket stands for?  Why destroy a nation’s psyche?  Why try to ruin Test cricket? Ironmike tries to understand why.

Almanac Motor Racing – Bathurst (Part 5): The road trip Home

The big race is over and IronMike20 makes his way home…

Almanac Motor Racing – Bathurst (Part 4): The road trip Sunday

On a cold and wet Sunday, Ironmike20 continues his Bathurst report about the trials and tribulations of the great race.

Journalists have the right to resist compulsion to intrude

Ironmike provides plenty of food for thought about the dilemma facing journalists when preparing an item for publication, particularly the ethical considerations and the implications that may result from that story.

North Melbourne v Carlton: Round 9 ancient history

Remembering Round 9 1978, Ironmike feels a sense of history repeating itself as the Kangas prepare for the Blues.

The history of Essendon and North Melbourne

North Melbourne man Ironmike20, has felt the slings and arrows. Check out his memories of a classic rivalry (“I like beating Essendon a lot.”)

Almanac Boxing – Mayweather v Pacquiao: Trying to hit smoke

Almanac Boxing correspondent Ironmike Matt Watson wants this much-promoted fight to be compelling. We all do. Here’s his preview.

The Bloody Brutality of Boxing – Brayden Smith

Matt Watson’s passion for the sweet science comes to the fore in this considered piece on what the future holds for Boxing in the wake of Queensland boxer Brayden Smith’s untimely – and shocking – death earlier this month.

What were you doing when Stynes ran across the mark?

The IronMike Matt Watson reflects on his memory of ‘that Stynes mistake’ and wants to know, where were you when it happened?

Hopeless on the punt

Is the footy better with a bet on? Ironmike reflects on a fairly middling punting career.