The Bard of Ballarat, John Butler, chronicles a WACA Day 2 where New Zealand regained pride but not ascendancy.
Australia v New Zealand – WACA Day 2: Kiwis salvage pride, but could still end up junked
November 15, 2015 by 12 Comments
The Ashes 2015: The Odd Couple’s Big Test
August 5, 2015 by 11 Comments
John Butler runs the ruler over the Australian team’s leadership, the Mates Club and the Sheffield Shield, as the Fourth Test looms.
Round 15- Hawthorn v Fremantle: Message received loud and clear
July 14, 2015 by 15 Comments
John Butler saw Hawthorn dispatch 2015 premiership rival, Fremantle, with jaw-dropping ease in Launceston on Sunday.
England v Australia – First Test, Day 3: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
July 11, 2015 by 12 Comments
Has Boof gone to the well one too many times. John Butler thinks the selection of Dad’s Army may have turned an Indian summer into a final autumn for a few Australian cricketers
Round 6 – Carlton v Brisbane Lions: Doom and Gloom after the Blooms
May 12, 2015 by 12 Comments
John Butler reflects on two teams struggling to recover form the mistakes of the past and they paths to ‘recovery’ they’re presently treading. How are those KPI’s looking?
Round 5 – Carlton v Collingwood: Stuck in the middle with Mick
May 5, 2015 by 9 Comments
Another tough week for John Butler as the Blues fail to give a yelp against arch-rival, Collingwood. How, asks John, can a club that couldn’t see the negative ‘optics’ of sitting a disgraced former doctor behind Mick Malthouse on Friday, possibly be trusted to sell – and deliver – hope to its rank and file?
The PowerPoint Revolution
April 22, 2015 by 18 Comments
Calling to mind the apocryphal comment of “it’s de ja vous all over again,” when its comes to ‘New Carlton’ and ‘Key Drivers of Success’ John Butler’s seen it all before. Actions, results and not mad skills on PowerPoint is all that matters to Bluebaggers like JB.
AFL Round 3 – Carlton v Essendon: An Evening with Big Nick
April 20, 2015 by 2 Comments
John Butler was there as the powerbrokers at Carlton try to reconnect with the faithful…
I’m with Stupid: A Modern History of the Carlton Board
April 13, 2015 by 34 Comments
John Butler, passionate Blue, argues the case for good governance. This is a calmly explained, clearly thought-out piece of analysis that all Carlton fans should read. [And then you might consider getting behind the Elbow Ticket for Carlton presidency – Ed]
Round 1 – Carlton v Richmond: No way forward for Carlton
April 7, 2015 by 2 Comments
John Butler saw the same old, same old Navy Blues on display on Thursday night. Brother can you spare a forward?
2015 ICC world Cup: “Two Drunks Walk Onto a pitch…”
March 4, 2015 by 4 Comments
Amidst the Kiwi’s huge sigh of relief and the Australians left to ponder what could have been after Saturday’s cracking ICC World Cup match at Eden Park, John Butler argues that there’s little to come out of this match that would have the South African’s or the Indian losing much sleep.
MCG Test, Australia v India – Day One: A balance of inconsistencies
December 27, 2014 by 9 Comments
John Butler tells of contests within contests, moments within movements on Boxing Day. “Test cricket can often be decided as much by the accumulation of small details as any great acts of brilliance.”
AFL Round 5 – Carlton v Western Bulldogs: Buffalo Girls take a break
April 23, 2014 by 8 Comments
John Butler watches his Blues take on the Doggies. Its the Globetrotters vs the Generals with “Sweet” Robbie Warnock leading the charge.
AFL Round 4 – Carlton v Melbourne: Apocalypse Now Re-Redux – Kurtz was an optimist
April 16, 2014 by 25 Comments
While all around him are losing their heads, John Butler is keeping his. A calm, objective analysis of Carlton’s performance on Saturday and what led to it.
The Craig Simmons Conundrum and the Singapore Sling
March 26, 2014 by 16 Comments
John Butler remembers the Test Cricket heroics in South Africa, and dissects the Indian takeover of world cricket decision making.
An off-Broadway opening
March 19, 2014 by 11 Comments
Veni, Vidi, Vici. “I paid, I saw, I didn’t like” writes Carlton diehard John Butler. Beware the Ides of March?
The Mitch-Lotto jackpot
January 27, 2014 by 13 Comments
In a sea of CA self-congratulation, John Butler offers some welcome wit, grace and perspective about the state of Australian cricket. (Brilliant stuff – Ed.)
Sydney Test – Day 2 : Different day, same England
January 5, 2014 by 11 Comments
John Butler, the bard of Ballarat, returns to stick his boots into the enfeebled poms. He predicts Brett Ratten will replace Andy Flower.
It’s November, this must be Brisbane.
November 19, 2013 by 8 Comments
JB’s back with some of his trademark sensibly-considered doubt: “Australia’s current idea of digging in is to place ourselves in the hole.”
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