How does the modern player respond to a draw, or to any result? What is the nature of a three quarter time address? Has the club tribe become a single football tribe of players drawn from the same pond. Should players be more gutted at the result, or their own performance. Lots to consider in Old Dog’s piece – in which he is really thinking through matters out loud.
Round 15 – GWS v Geelong: Game End (Far from a match report – this raises a number of timely issues)
July 7, 2017 by 8 Comments
Round 12 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: Barracking for Towers
June 14, 2017 by 19 Comments
Sometimes the little things help you see bigger pictures. The Old Dog watches Sydney play Footscray (as he calls them) in Sin City, from an empty Tassie pub… for friendship and footy.
Way Down South
May 8, 2017 by 6 Comments
Matt Zurbo shares a conversation with his boss’s son about love, work, footy and life. All while heading to the training ground.
AFL v Aussie Rules – The Brand
May 5, 2017 by 16 Comments
Matt Zurbo takes a look at the effect television rights are having on the game of Aussie Rules and the far reaching name of ‘the Brand’
Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
April 21, 2017 by 7 Comments
Old Dog hasn’t seen much footy and when he does, after six months and four rounds, he’s blown away.
Local Footy and Mighty Wallpaper
December 17, 2016 by 6 Comments
Matt Zurbo is the subject of Martin Flanagan’s column in The Age today. Here is a piece he wrote in July 2012.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 42: South or West
December 17, 2016 by 13 Comments
The road is a hungry thing, calling, even when it’s made of nothing but sand.
[This piece was first published in late 2012. It was part of a series where Old Dog jumped in the ute and travelled from the south of Tasmania to far north Queensland and west to the Mallee in South Australia. Read more of Matt’s pieces by clicking on his name in the left sidebar.]
Local Footy: The club where Blunnies mattered
November 28, 2016 by 6 Comments
Matt Zurbo’s first footy club (many years ago) was a suburban club where the blokes worked hard and played hard. Young Matt Zurbo was made welcome because of his Blundstone boots. Not footy boots. His work boots.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – 1976 Grand Final
October 5, 2016 by 2 Comments
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt featuring the 1976 Grand Final.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – 1970 Grand Final
October 3, 2016 by 3 Comments
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt featuring the 1970 Grand Final.
Grand Final 2016 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: Let’s Talk About Love
October 3, 2016 by 24 Comments
Old Dog, with his brilliant analysis, the Grand Final and the Doggies win made the world seem like a better place.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – Ian Paton The Club Soldier
September 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt from the Chapter: The Club Soldier, Ian Paton, Hawthorn.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – Mick Martyn on what happened in Bali
September 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, leading up to the Grand Final. Mick Martyn on what happened at Bali.
Sound. (or This is still Australia: they’re utes not trucks)
September 7, 2016 by 11 Comments
Matt Zurbo thinks his way through some recent footy moments – life moments – and listens for the sounds, and observes the silences.
Almanac Local Footy: Small Time
August 20, 2016 by 4 Comments
With his book completed and footy season at a close, Matt Zurbo keeps his AFL watching to one game a week.
Round 13 – North Melbourne v Hawthorn: You open your mouth one week
June 20, 2016 by 14 Comments
Old Dog watches Friday night footy and has some observations about physicality, umpiring, electric energy and bar crowds.
Round 12 – Greater Western Sydney v Sydney: Giant Swan Dicks
June 14, 2016 by 8 Comments
Old Dog is in a Melbourne pub with his girlfriend. He’s impressed with the Giants but less impressed with how self-absorbed footy fans are in the city. [Interesting life and footy observations – Ed]
Almanac Umpiring: A Tough Gig
June 9, 2016 by 4 Comments
Matt Zurbo loves it when umpires come across as real and genuine. [And he’s inviting them to pop in for a beer – Ed]
Everyday Obits: Foundation Blokes
April 20, 2016 by 20 Comments
Bryan, a mate of Matt Zurbo’s, died in an accident the other day. He was a great fella as Old Dog explains in this tribute.
A Footy Season Greeting from The Old Dog
March 13, 2016 by 4 Comments
The Old Dog finds Christmas in March, with a pre-season message for everyone.
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