Thommo not the only one left with a headache

North Melbourne versus Western Bulldogs 2.10pm, Saturday, May 22 Etihad Stadium I shouldn’t be here.  I’m crook; lethargic and headachy.  I should be home, resting, listening to the radio.  But I can’t help myself.  Missing a North game is like piking on a family gathering. I’m sitting alone in the top tier, southern end.  My [Read more]

North: Fade Outs a Speciality

North Melbourne versus Adelaide 7.10pm, Saturday, May 15 Etihad Stadium During three-quarter time I was almost through a banana, and this thought: ‘We can’t lose this game, we cannot poss…’ when I stopped myself, turned to the big bear of a bloke behind and said, ‘You’re still in this, mate.  We never put teams away.’ [Read more]

AFL Round 7 – Collingwood v North Melbourne: The pain of being bullied

Collingwood versus North Melbourne 7.10pm, Saturday, May 8 Melbourne Cricket Ground  by Andrew Starkie Good teams bully North Melbourne.  Intimidate and beat up on us.  Chew us up; spit us out.  Against a team with similar or less ability, we usually get the job done.  Not so against the top teams.  We’ve suffered demoralizing defeats [Read more]

AFL Round 6 – North Melbourne v Melbourne: Roos are in the mix

by Andrew Starkie North Melbourne versus Melbourne 2.10pm, Saturday, May 1 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne It’s amazing what a few wins can do.  I’m standing on the platform at Reservoir station and for once I’m not the lone Kangaroo.  There are three family groups in royal blue and white.  A mother is shoving a scarf into [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – Anzac Day: From Reservoir to the ‘G’, to the eye of the Storm

The national anthem brings the dawn service at the Reservoir cenotaph to a close and a greying man wrapped in black and white trumpets, Carna Pies! Some giggle into their winter coats while a few women puff on heartstarters.  Children hang from parents’ arms.  A craggy digger approaches another standing at the rear of the [Read more]

Two Kings

by Andrew Starkie Down the phone from his home in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, Jack Rennie has a softly scoured, Brando like voice.  He is welcoming, patient and as he speaks, his memory opens and he joyously recounts one of our great sporting moments. ‘He was king of Australia at the time,’ recalls Jack, former trainer [Read more]

AFL Round 1 – Port Adelaide v North Melbourne: Kangaroos on the right path

By Andrew Starkie   12.40pm, Sunday, March 28 AAMI Stadium I’m at the Rose Hotel, Fitzroy.  The magnificent 1899 Fitzroy team photo hangs on the wall while a few regulars sit at the bar.  I’m chatting to Sean, a fellow Roo, who I often see at games and exchange a ‘G’day’ with.  We shared a [Read more]

AFL Season Preview: North heading in the right direction

by Andrew Starkie I’m lying in the shade on the hill in the Uncle Allan Pocket (named after the great man who first took me as a child to Arden Street).  The sparkling new facilities are opposite and young players are jogging slow laps and slotting through banana goals with bright, new balls.  A sausage [Read more]

Life: Vale Uncle Ado, butcher, battler, family man, Australian

By Andrew Starkie My dad, Joe, is like the You Yangs: back from the road, strong, always there.  He looked like Tom Jones before Tom had the work done.  Joe turned 67 on Thursday, the day we buried his elder brother, Adrian. Uncle Ado was a few years older, but had been an old man [Read more]

The Rumble in the Jungle

Champion of the World by Andrew Starkie Ali told everyone he was going to dance.  Foreman trained for this.  In sparring, he practised cutting off the ring.  Closing in and cornering his opponents like prey to be devoured. You can’t dance without a dance floor. Everyone was frightened for Ali – his people, Foreman’s people, [Read more]

AFL Round 22: Bend it like Blighty

Port Adelaide versus North Melbourne 7.10pm, Saturday, August 29 AAMI Stadium I don’t like watching footy on TV.  I feel disengaged, not part of the action.  I can’t smell the air, feel the atmosphere or become emotionally involved with the game.  The screen is too small to capture all the action on our large, oval [Read more]

AFL Round 21: One victory lights up a dark season

St. Kilda versus North Melbourne 1.10pm, Sunday, August 23 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Andrew Starkie Even the darkest season produces a glimmer of triumph.  Light that makes the heartache worthwhile.  Hope that keeps you coming back.  It can be a mere moment: an unforgettable mark, a sublime passage of play, the emergence of a young star.  [Read more]

AFL Round 19: Time with my nephew is well-spent — even at a shocking game like this one

North Melbourne versus Melbourne 1.10pm, Sunday, August 9 Etihad Stadium Like most footy fans, I look forward to some games more than others.  I love playing the Cats – the brilliant and whacky are guaranteed.  I relish trips to the Cattery for its suburban feel, big sky and deep outer.  You can watch the sun [Read more]

AFL Round 16: Bucks even more confused now

Richmond versus North Melbourne 2.10pm, Sunday, July 19 Melbourne Cricket Ground by Andrew Starkie I couldn’t help think of Bucks as nephew Lukey and I, and a group of friends took our seats in the Ponsford Stand, city end.  Apparently, both clubs playing today are chasing the media commentator and junior coach for next season. [Read more]

Second Test–Day 3: Punter’s tactics work on me as well

By Andrew Starkie It seemed like a good idea at the time. When Daff made the pre-series call for volunteers to write daily Ashes reports, I thought, yup, sounds easy.  I put my hand up for Saturday at Lord’s, marked the date on the calendar and looked forward to a relaxing evening in front of [Read more]

AFL Round 15: North should not have lost this one

Hawthorn versus North Melbourne 1.10pm, Sunday, 12 July Aurora Stadium, Launceston Andrew Starkie My mate Dom and I are at the Walk for Harmony at the Carlton Gardens, an event organised in response to recent attacks against Indians in Melbourne.  Its goals are to recognise Victoria’s cultural diversity and promote racial harmony. We are immersed [Read more]

AFL Round 13: North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: I like Roos’ approach but Dogs do enough to win

North Melbourne versus Western Bulldogs 2.10pm, Sunday, June 28 Melbourne Cricket Ground By Andrew Starkie It’s funny what the mid-season break, a new coach, Boomer’s return and school holidays can do.  I’m looking forward to today’s game.  There’s a freshness in the air, like the start of a new season. I have another reason to [Read more]

AFL Round 12: Adelaide v North Melbourne: Of Simmo and a Sunday night in Fitzroy

By Andrew Starkie The only distinctive features on the front exterior of an otherwise unremarkable Fitzroy terrace house are the image of the Virgin Mary and the handwritten sign advertising meal times.  This is the Missionaries of Charity Men’s Refuge and Soup Kitchen.  It’s off Gertrude Street. Most pass by without noticing it on their [Read more]

AFL Round 10: North squander chances while Simon Black takes his

North Melbourne 12.9.81 lost to Brisbane 15.9.99 2.10pm, Saturday, May 30 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne by Andrew Starkie The Preston Market is my late Friday afternoon ritual. Ham and Cheese from the Greek deli. Salmon from the Vietnamese fish shop. Piped James Taylor floating above the friendly din. Looking down proudly like a portrait of the [Read more]

AFL Round 8: Geelong v North Melbourne: The Cattery’s just fine by this Roos fan

Geelong versus North Melbourne 2.10pm, Saturday, 16 May Skilled Stadium, Geelong By Andrew Starkie I love The Cattery.  I love it for its friendliness, deep standing room, big sky and cold winds. I’m old school.  The Cattery is a reminder of the VFL.  It’s as close to country or suburban footy we have in the [Read more]