One could almost feel the seismic shift in the competition last week when North Old Boys – St. Patrick’s comprehensively defeated Peninsula Old Boys at Gillon Oval. That rumbling was not tectonic plates shifting beneath us; indeed, it was the sound of the Pirates being dislodged from their perch at the top of the table [Read more]
VAFA Div 1 – half-yearly report
June 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
V.A.F.A. DIVISION 1 “HALF-YEARLY REPORT” Something which has always stuck in my head was the approach an old coach of mine had toward the football season. He would divide it into four parts: pre-season, rounds 1 – 9, rounds 10 -18, and finals. I did not entirely agree with him because, more often than not, [Read more]
Are Old Geelong the real deal?
June 22, 2012 by 3 Comments
V.A.F.A. Division 1 – Round 8 review It was a win that made the rest of the competition sit up and take a bit more notice of the men from Como Park. A victory over the previously unbeaten Peninsula, who are notoriously difficult to overcome on their own patch down the coast. What also made [Read more]
Long may She reign
June 13, 2012 by 2 Comments
V.A.F.A: DIVISION ONE REPORT. RD 7 Although I am a staunch republican, there is one weekend each year when I make sure I raise my glass and toast Her Majesty, praising her generosity in granting her subjects a Monday morning sleep-in in mid-June. (I am told that this year is even more special, as there is [Read more]
What’s wrong with Willy?
May 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
V.A.F.A., DIVISION 1, Rd 6 Review After a sustained period of success, featuring back-to-back premierships in 2008 and 2009, the Williamstown CYMS Football Club has suddenly fallen on difficult times. Having last season missed the finals by percentage only, not even the most pessimistic of observers – inside or outside the club – would have [Read more]
Pirates keep plundering on
May 25, 2012 by 1 Comment
Amateurs: Round 5 It is all beginning to fall into place very nicely for Peninsula Old Boys. The Pirates, unbeaten through the first five rounds, are demonstrating a ruthless streak that was missing for much of last season. (Four of their victories have been by 75 points or greater). Instructively, it is not just down [Read more]
Defining moments in a basketball life
May 12, 2012 by 3 Comments
In life, there are what I like to call “defining moments”. Sometimes these defining moments pass you by, and at the time you don’t even notice. You may not ever notice. But there are many defining moments – some small, some large – which find you stopping for a moment, or even longer, to reflect. [Read more]
Starting to believe
April 16, 2012 by 20 Comments
It was instructive that, of all The Age’s expert tipsters, the “Village Idiot” was the only one brave enough to plump for the Kangaroos. This telling lack of confidence came on top of the SEN overnight boys who, in the early hours of Friday morning, predicted that North would be humbled. They generally know [Read more]
Sachin
March 7, 2012 by 9 Comments
by Darren Dawson And just like that, he is gone. But was he ever really here? Their season horribilis has finally come to end. But, I ask you, what was more disappointing? The Indians’ below-par on-field performances, or their surly off-field attitude? This Indian tour will not be fondly remembered for a number of reasons. [Read more]
4 – 0? WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?
January 17, 2012 by 4 Comments
Two and a half days! That was all the time it took for Australia to twice lay waste to the once-mighty Indian batting line-up. And doesn’t it all suddenly feel like such an anti-climax? The series started so promisingly, with a brilliant and closely-fought match in Melbourne. Immediately, Australia had the momentum, and with nostrils [Read more]
Why Not Have A Trundle?
January 7, 2012 by 5 Comments
2nd Test, Australia v India Day 4, January 5th, 2012 All the overnight talk was about Tendulkar. Would he finally get that 100th century? It had been proving elusive, even for the Little Master. He was 8 not out at stumps, and had not looked all that convincing in the final hour of play. [Read more]
Collapse, followed by Collapse
December 29, 2011 by 1 Comment
Boxing Day Test Match. Australia v India. Day 3, December 28, 2011. At 9-30 sharp, I am outside the Stag’s Head Hotel waiting for Holty and Elliott, two of our club’s Pommy cricketers who are over for the summer. I have decided to drive in today: I’ll get home more rapidly and I’ll be sober. [Read more]
Second Test Day 3
November 20, 2011 by 5 Comments
When the bowler most likely to snare you a wicket is an eighteen year old Test debutant with less than five first-class games to his credit, it is a reasonable assumption that some serious soul-searching regarding the make-up of your bowling attack would be occurring. It is also fair to say that half-way through a [Read more]
Day 2: Believe it if you saw it.
November 11, 2011 by 51 Comments
In normal circumstances, I would have started proceedings by talking about Michael Clarke’s wonderful batting performance: an innings which, hopefully, will not define his captaincy, but will be a portent of the maturity he is beginning to show. Upon coming to the crease with his team precariously positioned at 3-40, the new skipper played possibly [Read more]
Moshing with the Murphys (and my son)
October 28, 2011 by 9 Comments
Dropkick Murphys Venue: Forum Theatre Tuesday, October 25. Macca, his brother-in-law and I meet up with Graeme and John in the main bar of Young and Jackson’s. Jack has pulled the pin, so in a moment of generosity I offer the spare ticket to my son, and he accepts it gleefully. He will catch [Read more]
Another piece of Chocolate Cake
October 12, 2011 by 13 Comments
My Friend The Chocolate Cake Venue: Newport Substation Friday, October 7. Review by Darren Dawson Almost since their inception, My Friend The Chocolate Cake have been favourites of my wife and I. We first saw the Cake at the Universal in Fitzroy in the early 90’s, a memorable occasion during which Archie Roach and the late [Read more]
Hussey avoids the finger of blame
September 20, 2011 by 3 Comments
by Darren Dawson The finger of blame could be pointed at Sri Lanka, Australia and the wicket. All were culpable in allowing the Third Test in this hitherto interesting series to peter out into the tamest of draws. In what seemed a reaction to the raging turner produced for the First Test, the home [Read more]
HINDSIGHT VISION IS 20/20
August 30, 2011 by 5 Comments
It was with a great deal of confidence that I selected North Melbourne in the various tipping comps in which I am involved. I didn’t even stop to give a second thought to St. Kilda getting up. How could I have been so stupid? The signs were all there: Riewoldt being skewered by the commentators [Read more]
Phlegmatic Flegg Reaches Milestone
August 1, 2011 by 6 Comments
This week, another AFL games record will be broken. And could there be a more deserving man to take over the mantle? I think not. * * * The casual football observer would be unaware of the preparation and dedication required to be an umpire in this era of professionalism. Long gone are the days [Read more]
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