A terrifying nightmare of the Swans losing the Grand Final to Melbourne startled Chris Bracher.
Almanac Obituary: A Salute to Valerie Mildred Bracher
February 22, 2017 by 5 Comments
A touching tribute to Valerie Mildred Bracher, an Australian Defence Force Corporal, loving daughter, sister and aunty who lived a full life.
Almanac People: The Halloween Swan
October 31, 2016 by 5 Comments
Chris Bracher, aka The Emerald Hill Chronicle has taken Halloween to new depths!
Grand Final 2016: Protocols of the vanquished
October 5, 2016 by 3 Comments
The Emerald Hill Chronicler is sick of writing with an ache in his heart. But write he does. He wonders: what should the vanquished do on grand final night.
Finals Week 1 – Sydney v Greater Western Sydney: The hot house flowers
September 15, 2016 by 2 Comments
Bloodstainedangel writes about the difficulty in accepting the Swans miserable weekend as good for football in Sydney, especially when emotional bruising is involved.
Round 16 – Geelong v Sydney: The Brotherhood
July 11, 2016 by 2 Comments
Although absent from the Sydney Brotherhood at a hostile Kardinia Park, the bloodstainedangel enjoys the Swans’ victory from afar.
Finals Week 2 – Sydney v North Melbourne: Relief
September 22, 2015 by 2 Comments
Chris Bracher keeps his eyes on the bigger picture, despite the fog of a semi final defeat.
Round 20 – Sydney v Collingwood: I’m just wild about Harry
August 19, 2015 by 5 Comments
Road Trip. Family Bracher head up the Hume to see their Swans (and especially Harry Cunningham), and trudge with a win under their belt. [Super expose of the family car sojourn with references to many places you’ll know – JTH]
Stawell Gift: I won it for Dad
April 7, 2015 by 6 Comments
Chris Bracher, a regular visitor to the Stawell Gift, did not attend this year. He was a little underwhelmed generally – until 15 year old Grace O’Dwyer (from the famous O’Dwyer family) won the women’s Gift. Read why it was such a heartfelt moment for Chris.
AFL Grand Final – Sydney v Hawthorn: United in Despair
September 29, 2014 by 1 Comment
Swans tragic Chris Bracher revisits his family’s experience of sharing and caring on Grand Final day. For better; for worse; for richer; for poorer; in sickness and in health.
AFL Qualifying Final – Sydney v Fremantle: Captain Kirk’s homecoming
September 8, 2014 by 8 Comments
Chris Bracher journeyed to Homebush to see his Swans take on the Dockers in a Qualifying Final. He doesn’t think Brett Kirk looks right in purple – or glasses.
Merv
June 8, 2013 by 4 Comments
Chris Bracher’s classic memoir about the late Merv Neagle and a kid called Eldridge and his much-loved Sherrin.
Dizzy
April 3, 2013 by 5 Comments
Chris Bracher was rapt to spot Allan “Dizzy” Lynch; a legend of pro Aths and the mighty Geelong West Roosters.
Our land of plenty
July 17, 2012 by 3 Comments
Our land of plenty, a faraway zone That lodged in the mind of this schoolboy at home O’er the horizon and far from my gaze But a hot-bed of promise even in Bloods bad old days The Farrer League clubs carried names full of song There was Culcairn , Coolamon and Grong Grong Matong [Read more]
If this grandstand could talk……………
October 18, 2011 by 11 Comments
by Chris Bracher The guardian of the Western end of Albert Park Lake, she stands statuesque; the Lady of the Lake. A book-end mirrored at the lake’s Eastern end by the Blackie-Ironmonger stand at the Junction.. These bookends also marked “tribal” lines in a less sophisticated sporting era, when the “Battle of [Read more]
Fortress K.P.
August 29, 2011 by 15 Comments
By Chris Bracher I have been going there for forty years. I lived in Winchelsea and Kardinia Park was my “local” VFL ground. Once a year I would persuade my less than enthusiastic Dad to take me to see my beloved red and white play. South was never much good when I was a kid [Read more]
Through My Father’s Lens
Bloodstainedangel acknowledges the influence of his father in guiding him with acceptance and empathy for others and with the courage to challenge bigotry.