David Wilson and the buds are at the MCG to see what he describes as an “open savanna of a match” and “a 1500 metre race of a match”. But it’s Jeremy Howe’s moment that is the focus of his poetic prose. What a moment! What a mark!
Second Semi Final – Collingwood v GWS: When Jeremy Howe defies physicists and mystics
Finals Week 1 – West Coast v Collingwood: Pies make an omelette
“It’s a rare night that sees us step into the bar wearing full-body white chemical-spill jumpsuits.” It’s a September Saturday night and David Wilson gives into Collingwood temptation.
Collingwood dreaming 2018: new coat of paint
Is Tom Waits a Collingwood supporter? David Wilson dreams of people, of places, of Collingwood and of this team of 2018. “Let’s put on a new coat of paint…”
Almanac Satire – Please explain: Desmond interviews an AFL Executive
David Wilson’s character, interviewer extraordinaire, Des Troyer is again joined by our anonymous up-and-coming AFL Executive to discuss equality and fairness in the AFL.
A Portrait of the Supporter as a Young Woman – part 2
ER continues his deep and thoughtful, poignant tale of a Portrait of the Supporter as a Young Woman.
Respect for women – the conversation we shouldn’t be having
Violence against women needs urgent addressing. We are sadly reminded of its daily prevalence following the tragic murder of Eurydice Dixon last week. Here is reposted from 2016 – a series of web excerpts and videos around “respect” from Eddie McGuire, James Brayshaw, Danny Frawley, Wayne Carey, the Commonwealth of Australia’s “Respect” program, the Royal Commission into Family Violence, Erin Riley, Alan Jones and Clementine Ford.
Almanac Teams – “Writers, from the backline…”
E.regnans goes all literary to come up with his best team ‘This Side of Paradise’.
Almanac Fiction – Daz Cooper Chapter 6: Rivers of suggestion
Daz Cooper returns – and he’s in class. His story is changing direction.
Aesop’s AFL: The footy competition that laid golden eggs
Who’d have thought old Aesop was across AFL footy. [First published March 2014, with June 2018 addendum]
Round 8 – Collingwood v Geelong: None the wiser
It was cold in the breezy shade of M51 at the MCG and there wasn’t enough excitement in the first half to warm the crowd. But there were things to observe and food to eat. E.Regnans and the Buds were there, with some Geelong friends.
State of the game, state of mind (time moves a little slower here)
When sport is just another entertainment option, it’s no surprise when it’s criticised as being less compelling than, say, Game of Thrones.
Almanac Satire – AFL announcement: Twilight Grand Final
Scene: A plush new room with plush new carpet and extremely clean windows, Perth. Media has buzzed all day with rumours of an impending AFL announcement that the 2018 Grand Final will be played at twilight. Unexpectedly, the League boss awkwardly comes face-to-face with a member of the public. An idle microphone overhears their conversation…
A New Love
‘When Dane Swan retired, my footy-supporting stocks reached a low ebb. Things were bleak; dark. They say the darkest hour is right before the dawn.’
Find out which player has now claimed E.regnans’ Collingwood heart.
Cheating at cricket: acceptable standards; forgiveness and the false equivalence of #MeToo
Australia’s ball tampering fiasco in South Africa has David Wilson wondering why he bothers to follow sport. Here he navigates ideas of failure, forgiveness and acceptable standards. The sun will rise again.
Before Round 1: “The billion shards of light…”
For little Jimmy, little Ezgi, for little all of us – now is the time to be swept up in the possible. Cusp-of-season meanderings from David Wilson.
Women’s Footy – Bud Breakfasts and the Shifting Horizons of Girls
Saturday morning breakfast at the Wilson’s. In 2014 and 2018. The newspaper is a constant. The conversation, and the back page, have changed. E.regnans with a poignant piece on the growing stature of Women’s footy. Especially in the eyes of his two daughters.
State of the game?
Our favourite gum-tree themed writer waddles back into the debate around “The State of the Game.”