Let’s get this straight, Billy Williams is a champion. You think so the minute you meet him. Triple South Melbourne best and fairest, Bloods Team of the Century member, Australian Rules Hall of Fame. The only surviving Swan from the Bloodbath Grand Final. A ripper jag of titles, but there’s something more to [Read more]
Give me your tragic stories
January 16, 2013 by 10 Comments
Matt Zurbo can spot a footy-lover amid the ordinariness of routine life. He explains how. And he’s keen to hear other spottings.
Our Town is a Small Thing
January 2, 2013 by 21 Comments
Our town is a small thing. Three shops and an empty pub long. The centre of our rural community. Dairy, logging, and a sprinkling of vineyards. It has double the population most people think it has. But nobody sees the tree changers.
Imagination and Footy
January 1, 2013 by 4 Comments
Kids books are funny things. Sometimes I write a few on days I get rained out in the bush. It’s all stories. Footy, playing it, is full of experiences, stories. So is going to a game to support. You want to write. Do. Live life and stories will follow. Sometimes, even, the inspiration [Read more]
A Home of Passion
December 15, 2012 by 20 Comments
Matt Zurbo discovers the birthplace of Nick’s Collingwood page and a few things about Joffa, Bucks and Eddie.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 44: The Final and Opening Siren
December 3, 2012 by 11 Comments
It’s the last stop of our encore performance of Matt Zurbo’s Off Season Odyssey.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 43: Larry
November 30, 2012 by 8 Comments
Junior legends: If I had a drink in my hand, I’d raise it to all the former champions. To the places life takes them. To people already past their prime, which they reached as young teenagers.
Almanac Rugby League – Off Season Odyssey Part 41: Friday on Thursday
November 28, 2012 by 5 Comments
Rugby is tough, relentless. Teams run to patterns and plans. Weaknesses are exposed. It’s hard man’s chess, where players like the Storms’ Billy Slater are knights, able to cut at angles, and jump over you to find space.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 40: The Suns and Cruising As If In Commodores
November 24, 2012 by 8 Comments
We continue the encore series of Off Season Odyssey, with Matt Zurbo in the Islander community of Umagico, where language carries a culture.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 39: Cargo Barges Passing
November 23, 2012 by 10 Comments
There is no worse feeling in football. None. To be left on the woodwork. To be unspent. Even injury is better. Coaches who leave kids on the pine for all bar 15 minutes don’t understand the game. They aren’t coaches. It’s that simple.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 38: The Wet
November 22, 2012 by 5 Comments
In our encore performance of Off Season Odyssey, Matt Zurbo lobs in Port Douglas for footy training.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 36: Phil
November 20, 2012 by 3 Comments
Continuing our encore of Matt Zurbo’s Off-Season Odyssey, the old dog finds himself in Port Douglas, training with the Crocs.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 35: I’m Stuffed
November 19, 2012 by 11 Comments
Continuing our encore of Matt Zurbo’s Off-Season Odyssey, the old dog finds himself in the Daintree with six dollars to his name. What’s worse, there’s nobody to have a kick with.
A Beaut Old Ute
November 13, 2012 by 5 Comments
A Beaut Old Ute. Guy drives a faded cream WB Holden ute, with a motor that sounds like knuckles and oil. It’s been used, abused, for work, for fun, yet has a shiny steel skull for a gearshift, and little shiny skulls for door locks. He maintains the thing. Hard work and function, the [Read more]
Off Season Odyssey – Part 34: Punting on a punt
November 7, 2012 by 5 Comments
Eight solid hours of driving through 35degree heat and I hit the ferry well after dark. “Didn’t think I’d make it,” I say to the bloke who steers me on. “Last one for the night,” he smiles, and I cross the Daintree River into the tropics. The ute is still fizzing and popping [Read more]
Short story: Who farted?
November 1, 2012 by 4 Comments
Let your imaginations go, to become part of what happened at the Brownlow. (This is a short story)
A Corker Grand Final
October 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
How damn brilliant was Jetta taking on Rioli? Something for the ages.
It was like the fight everybody wanted. Everybody expected. As if the two of them had no say in it. As if it wasn’t just a piece of play, as if it wasn’t just a race. There was ownership involved.
Footy Short Story: The Test
October 23, 2012 by 7 Comments
by Matt Zurbo
A wedding is scheduled for Grand Final day.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 33: The Real Plugger
October 19, 2012 by 2 Comments
It’s belting down rain on the highway. On the everything. I have two days to get 1,600kms, which is going to take every cent I have. I’m over music, it’s all starting to sound the same. I love driving. Even when I’m hating it, or fighting it and sleep. An open road, a purpose. [Read more]
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