AFL Finals — Week 1: Essendon need to pull socks up after Adelaide demolition

By Josh Barnstable It’s that time of the year again. It feels like only yesterday when Buddy Franklin toyed with the Bulldogs’ defence, when Collingwood came from the clouds to pip Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, when the Swans ended Shannon Grant, Nathan Thompson and Jess Sinclair’s careers, when Geelong saw off one of their main [Read more]

AFL Finals — Week 1: Top End memories take edge off a Bomber fan’s pain

I made a great discovery some 12 weeks ago: the best way to meet your indigenous brothers in the Top End is to wear an Essendon cap. I reckon I had at least 4 conversations a day in Darwin and its surrounds by people calling out, “GO BOMBERS!”. I really enjoyed the chance to chat [Read more]

AFL Finals — Week 1: Crows crush Bombers and I pocket small sum

Yes! The finals have arrived. After a long week at school (that old cliché) I am jumping around my house in celebration. The finals, for me, means momentarily forgetting about your team and concentrating on the best eight teams of the comp.