Answers to the Australia v West Indies 2nd Test Quiz

Another in the Jeff Dowsing quiz series.

Milo Cricket: Is There Value Beyond The Kit?

Jeff Dowsing, father of two, questions the merit of Milo Cricket and other children’s sporting programs. Plastic stump bases as a fielding cradle? What happened to net practice??

Answers to the Aus v NZ 3rd Test Quiz

Wondering what to do with the spare couple of days now that the Pink Ball Test is over? Here’s Jeff Dowsing’s quiz answers.

Era, era on the wall; 2011 –

The final installment of what has been a fantastic series on the history and evolution of the VFL/AFL. Jeff Dowsing looks at the challenges now facing the game and concludes that less is more (you’ll get no arguments there Jeff)

Era, era on the wall; 2000-2010

Ahh the noughties. The game as we knew changed significantly as footy got as roof over its’ head and the era where totally professional football created some unwanted distractions for those easily led astray. Dynasties were created while other clubs went far and wide looking for salvation. Clubs or Regimes? Corporates or Fans? Jeff Dowsing gives us his review of footy in a new millennium in what has been a fantastic series.

Answers to the Aus v NZ 2nd Test Quiz

The WACA Test was a puzzling affair. But Jeff Dowsing has found all the answers.

Era, era on the wall; 1987-1999

Jeff Dowsing continues his series on the eras of VFL/AFL footy with a look a 1987-99.

Era, era on the wall; 1977-1986

Jeff Dowsing continues with his fantastic look at bygone football eras. Many think the 70s and 80s where the greatest in footy. Actually they nearly killed but ultimately saved football. A must read for students of the game.

Era, era on the wall; 1967-1976

The late 60s and early 70s are the Golden Years of footy for many VFL fans. In Jeff Dowsing’s latest look at Grand Final eras, the years 1967 to 1976 would see a revolution in how the game was played after Barassi’s Blues and their use handball engineered possibly the greatest comeback in VFL Grand Final history. Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn and North fans; this is your era.

Era, era on the wall; 1960-1966

The VFL in the 1960’s saw football still as a tough yet sometimes brutal sport, as players were happy to play the game for the joy of it. This period also saw the introduction of television, football replays and shows such as Football Inquest, World of Sport and League Teams. It was also the period that saw Ron Barassi leave the Dees for the Blues and the sacking of Norm Smith.

Era, era on the wall: 1949-1959

The VFL in the 1950s are synonymous with the dominance of the Demons under Norm Smith and their epic rivalry with Collingwood. But the 50s are remembered fondly out at Barkly Street and are notable also for the emergence of a kid from the Mornington Peninsula, who would dominate the goal square at Windy Hill…

Almanac Poetry: Time, the toughest opponent of all

Time and football. Verse from the pen of Jeff Dowsing.

Era, era on the wall: 1939 – 1948

Jeff Dowsing’s look back at VFL Grand Final eras continues. Today: The World War Two years. Bluey Truscott, The Bloodbath of ’45, ‘King’ Dick and Captain Blood.

Era, era on the wall, which was the greatest of them all?

Wondering how to get your footy fix until next April? In the first of a nine-part series, Jeff Dowsing has scoured the history books looking at Footy ‘then’ to understand footy ‘now’. While this series has a distinctly VFL focus, the question remains: has much really changed in footy?

An arrow for Caro

Jeff Dowsing takes a moment to point Caro back towards the bigger issues in the AFL…

Carlton Drought; a brew for the ages

As we prepare to get the 2015 finals series off to a fly tonight at Subi, Jeff Dowsing takes a look at the AFL’s wheel of fortune. It might turn slowly, but when it does, it turns with some pretty hefty force – viz: Carlton, Essendon, Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood (in the wake of 1990). [Shouldn’t have too much trouble getting on the course on GF Day if the need should arise old mate! – Ed]

Welcome to football’s industrial age

Does money buy happiness? Is the game better for the wads of broadcasting cash being thrown around? Jeff Dowsing looks at the transition of the AFL from a sport to an ‘industry’.

Remembering Hafey’s Heroes

Collingwood under Tom Hafey produced some of the most memorable footy – and players – in the club’s illustrious history. While the ultimate prize eluded Hafey’s Heroes, Jeff Dowsing revisits his childhood and recalls some fond memories of the late 70s when’T-shirt Tommy’ was at the helm of his beloved Woodsmen.

Round 10 – Melbourne v Collingwood: Nac Feed’s 19 things you won’t believe actually happened on Bizarro Cloke Day

Jeff Dowsing and his 19 things that incredibly happened in the match between Collingwood v Melbourne. (Clue: one has something to do with Travis Cloke)

Round 9 – Collingwood v North Melbourne: Pies redesign their brain to avert pain in the rain

As Pies supporter Jeff Dowsing watches his Pies pull of a remarkable comeback against the Roos he draws comparison with the TV show ‘Redesign my Brain.’