By Neil Anderson How do you begin to describe what it’s like being a Bulldog supporter 58 years after their one and only premiership? The answer is you don’t. Not if you’re talking to fans of other clubs who have gorged on Dunstall-led premierships for example, or to Carlton supporters who want a return to [Read more]
I Introduce the Father – Daughter Rule
July 25, 2012 by 1 Comment
I introduce the Father – Daughter Rule In this day and age where there are at least two, three or four rule changes every year I have been thinking about something that maybe even the AFL have never considered (and probably never will consider) to help even up the game and probably change the game [Read more]
The 2012 ‘Mopsy’ Fraser Cup – Round Seventeen
July 24, 2012 by 3 Comments
Greetings Tipsters And then there were three. No, there are still four but the 4&20s are looking a bit wobbly. The Buck blames Trav for denaturing the brand but it runs a bit deeper than that. For the shiniest exemplar of the brand, beyond all the T-shirts and stickers and kids in schoolyards, is the [Read more]
Say it ain’t so
July 24, 2012 by 10 Comments
One thing I have learned about being a parent is that kids have to grow up and as much as you want to protect them from the world and what comes with maturity and age, you can’t always do that. One thing I have learned about junior football coaching is that you want to set [Read more]
1980 A Personal Footy Almanac – Round 17, Saturday 26 July, v Geelong, MCG
July 24, 2012 by 8 Comments
This feels more like it. After a topsy-turvey fortnight, walking into a packed MCG for another huge home game has a comforting but invigorating feel. The pressure’s been on me this week with midyear exams in full swing, so it’s great to get outdoors and see the heat turned onto my team instead. After losing [Read more]
The Wrap – Round XVII
July 23, 2012 by 4 Comments
THE WRAP – ROUND XVI WHERE LIFE IMITATES FOOTBALL And what a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Handbags were loaded with house bricks on Friday night as The Guccis consolidated their place in September, while at the same time questioning The Bombers’ September credentials. On Saturday it was Collingwood’s turn to have their [Read more]
Too sad. Just too sad.
July 22, 2012 by 4 Comments
Jackson Marsh, captain of the Pembroke first eleven, backman for the first eighteen, is doing what many seventeen year old lads would during the school holidays. He is having a kick of the footy with his mates. He loves his cricket, he loves his footy, he loves his mates. It is an overcast July day [Read more]
Fix the fixture – stop the season-rigging
July 22, 2012 by 5 Comments
Sunday Morning Coming Down An even competition needs a fair fixture – not season rigging. In the past decade or so the fact that the fixture has been hopelessly unfair hasn’t mattered that much. The best teams have finished in pretty much the correct order anyway. This season it is all different. Who has played [Read more]
The Pre-Wrap – Round XVII
July 20, 2012 by 2 Comments
THE PRE WRAP – ROUND XVI FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie. There sure has been a plague of this Repute going around. Melbourne nightclub proprietor & poky baron, Chris Judd, is unable to play for his Beloved Bluebaggers for four weeks because he’s become ill with it. [Read more]
I am Mum and Dad
July 20, 2012 by 3 Comments
Recently, I have been both Mum and Dad. Dad was off creating a show to launch the London 2012 Festival, the centrepiece of the Cultural Olympiad associated with the imminent Games. Which meant, that the Cygnet and I passed eight varied weeks in each other’s company. We are a fairly reconstructed home. The division of [Read more]
The Year of the Bird
July 20, 2012 by 14 Comments
In another thread this week PeterB suggested that the premiership will be won by “The Big Birds”. Personally I am still pretty confident about the small black and white birds’ chances. Many commentators are promoting the predator birds that are a little smaller than PeterB’s big birds. In the Emerald City they point out that [Read more]
The Footygods: Aniketos and Alexiares
July 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Aniketos and Alexiares were the sons of Heracles and Hebe. Some called them gatekeepers. Some gave them responsibility for defence. There wasn’t much difference in those days. And on a footy field, there still isn’t. The crowd always love the flash things up forward. They marvel at the skill of the midfield. But they know [Read more]
Silver Buttons, Brass Bands and Hypocrisy
July 20, 2012 by 16 Comments
I’ve pretty much had a gutful of the hoopla that the brass band and silver button brigade of Chris Scott, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Selwood taking a joyride to the city of churches to speak to Travis Boak has brought about this week. Caro’s article in the wheezing broadsheet today just about made me vomit [Read more]
Anyone for Buffalo Wings?
July 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Shalom one and all, Not much news on the footy front this week – at least for a Carlton supporter. Ahhh the “Brian” Judd case, I have espoused my views to many of you so won’t regurgitate that except to say that “he’s not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy!”. The circus around the [Read more]
Video replay: Dream team
July 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Does the current US Olympic men’s basketball squad compare with the 1992 Dream Team? While I am not a huge basketball fan, witnessing names such as Jordan, Bird and Johnson convey their prowess in this clip would set the bar high for the stars of today. You be the judge.
A weekend of ups and downs
July 19, 2012 by 2 Comments
Last weekend never seemed to even out. Either I was feeling an inner happiness or raging with annoyance and anger. The footy was only partly to blame for this roller coaster couple of days. Another sport and a family event made significant contributions to the swirl of emotional turmoil. Everyone’s mother used to say “never [Read more]
Father Time
July 19, 2012 by 5 Comments
Paul Chapman was and always will be great. Three premierships, one Norm Smith, one Carji Greeves, two all-Australian teams, countless crunch-time goals and a booty of hard-man qualities. Not bad for a 31st draft pick. Indeed, to watch Chappy rise this year above premature forecasts of his demise is a credit to the man, his [Read more]
For Dad…Always Hawthorn
July 19, 2012 by 25 Comments
Two weeks ago today it was with great sadness and the happiest of memories that I said goodbye to my Dad for the last time. Born Edward Michael Lennon in Dublin in 1941, to all of us, he was known simply as Eddie or, as many liked to call him, Big Ed. This said more [Read more]
The view from base camp
July 19, 2012 by 12 Comments
Is it possible to fully enjoy watching a game of football involving your team? Apart from the three seconds between Leo Barry’s mark and the siren in 2005 I don’t think I have been able to watch a game of football involving the Swans with pure joy. Am I unique or do others share my [Read more]
Off with the wildebeests
July 19, 2012 by 8 Comments
By Paul “Porka” Stephens It is essential I write a bit about a man who made me, not the re-producing way but in the a way of initiating me into the world of coaching. I didn’t have a clue when I coached my first game at a new club out the middle of nowhere. I [Read more]
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