Elimination Final: North Melbourne versus Essendon: Memories Worth Bottling

September 11, 2014 by 6 Comments

For Kangaroo fan Andrew Starkie, one particular passage of play in last week’s Elimination Final instantly became a memory worth bottling.

AFL Round 21 – North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: September dance

August 19, 2014 by 5 Comments

Look out; Andrew Starkie is polishing up his dance shoes at Coburg City Oval. No lurking around the edges of the dance floor this year.

RIP Brendan Keilar: Selfless Courage

June 15, 2014 by 4 Comments

Andrew Starkie hears the name of a childhood friend on the 7th anniversary of his senseless death. “May their selfless courage in going to the aid of a stranger inspire in us all a greater sense of community and concern for others.” Amen.

AFL Round 12 – North Melbourne v Richmond: Predictably Unpredictable

June 13, 2014 by Leave a Comment

At half time, Andrew Starkie had them written off. But his Kangaroos – led by Goldy – had other ideas.

AFL Round 10 – Geelong v North Melbourne: No Carey, no North.

May 27, 2014 by 4 Comments

Only in the Almanac: “After the game, we dried our clothes in front of Aunty Helen’s fire in Bannockburn, before heading to cousin Moose’s local pub for a feed.”

Super account of another home and away match, from Andrew Starkie.

Business as Usual

May 6, 2014 by 18 Comments

Andrew Starkie says “It’s time for putting football and fans first, not business as usual.” Over to you Gillon.

AFL Round 5- Collingwood v North Melbourne: Easter Back at the ‘Bool

April 24, 2014 by 7 Comments

An Easter trip back to his hometown of Warrnambool sees Andrew Starkie reminiscing about past Old Collegian glory whilst watching North Melbourne go down to the Pies at Mac’s Hotel. He still loves home and the smell of the hot cross buns.

AFL Round 2 – Bulldogs v Kangaroos : The Pain of Winning

April 1, 2014 by 10 Comments

Andrew Starkie lives through the agony of an excruciating game of footy. He’ll take the 4 points (just).

Footy With the Sound Turned Down

March 26, 2014 by 26 Comments

It’s time for the AFL to stop building its empire and to return a bit of soul to the game, writes Andrew Starkie.

This train is bound for Glory

January 29, 2014 by 8 Comments

Andrew Starkie is at Tamworth again. He finds a place which drips with the authentic and the original.

Ashes Diary 2013-14, entry no.4: The passion of Chris Rogers

January 14, 2014 by 11 Comments

School reports read: ‘Chris is a lovely, polite boy, but the rest of the class doesn’t always need to know pitch conditions in Wellington’. Andrew Starkie evokes beautifully the world of Chris Rogers.

Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary 2013/14 (entry 3)

December 22, 2013 by 23 Comments

Andrew Starkie’s got 53 minutes to evaluate the performances of the Poms and Aussies so far, with a quick time-out for nappies and discussing the Holiday Greetings Police.

Ashes Diary 2013-14 – Entry No.2: Is sledging worth it?

December 11, 2013 by 8 Comments

Even if Australia win the Ashes, how will this series be remembered? And is Cricket Australia trying a new strategy by appealing to our inner-bogan?

Ashes Diary 2013-14, Entry no.1

November 27, 2013 by 7 Comments

Andrew Starkie offers a calm, sensible, thorough analysis of both teams in the first Ashes Test. Despite this we have decided to publish it.

The Huddle (where footy’s soul lives)

September 4, 2013 by 12 Comments

Instinctively, we’re drawn towards the centre circle, pock-marked with studs. I love the centre of footy or cricket grounds for their vastness, quiet, freedom and possibility. I love wide wings and deep pockets that allow our player to roam, sweep and show their skills.

Ashes Diary 2013, entry no.6

August 28, 2013 by 13 Comments

I may be getting ahead of myself – and not for the first time – but The Oval may have thrown together a batting line-up Australia can work with this summer.

Ashes Diary 2013, entry no.5

August 20, 2013 by 4 Comments

Australia has led on the first innings in three of the four Tests, yet trails 3-0. The beauty and bear of Test cricket is the five day bit. Australia need to last the journey.

Ashes Diary 2013, entry no.4

August 9, 2013 by 3 Comments

England have retained the Ashes by playing one good Test out of three, writes Andrew Starkie. The series moves to Durham, barely pausing to catch breath.

Ashes Diary 2013, entry no. 3

August 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Andrew Starkie continues the conversation that seems to have gone on forever: who should be picked in the Australian team for Old Trafford?

AFL Round 17 – North Melbourne v Carlton: Too many demons

July 24, 2013 by 5 Comments

North’s 2013 fade-outs have usually come late in games. They didn’t wait that long this time. When Carlton challenged halfway through the first term, North sighed and meekly retreated, carrying the look of a team with too many demons.