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. Damian WatsonHey,my name is Damian Watson and I am 14 years old. My [Read more]
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]
Bridgewater bog
July 18, 2012 by 7 Comments
Last week’s rain, plus the pressure of a number of earlier games, turned the Adelaide Hills Central Division match between Bridgewater and Mt Lofty into a mud wrestle. During its history, the Bridgewater Oval has earned itself a reputation for producing conditions that would have the average mud lark rejoicing. Read his yarn and see [Read more]
The Winning Edge: The Reverse Barometer
July 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
My tipping this year has been sub-standard. I’m the first to admit that the countless hours spent invested are not providing the expected results, and I’m not the force I was in my younger zenith. My tens of tipping competitions are in danger of being rendered as solely a week to week battle to grab [Read more]
1980 A Personal Footy Almanac – Round 16, Sunday 20 July, v St Kilda, SCG
July 18, 2012 by 7 Comments
The final of the VFL’s four exhibition games at the SCG this year was St Kilda’s home game against Richmond. All four games were played on Sunday afternoons as the League, to this point stymied by the State Government from playing Sunday matches in Melbourne, chose to use Sydney as the base for pitching this [Read more]
A Tiger in a nest of Magpies
July 17, 2012 by 3 Comments
By Phil Dimitriadis Alexander John Eastham is a different cat. In fact, he is a tiger. Yes, my grandnephew barracks for Richmond. The noteworthy feature of this highly unexpected phenomenon is that 99% of his immediate family are Pies fans. His paternal grandfather Jock is the president of the Gippsland Magpies and has [Read more]
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot”
July 17, 2012 by 5 Comments
June 30, MIT Fields Boston Australian Rules tournament As Melbourne sank into a slough of perfect footy weather – cold, wet, unpredictable – we were sheltering from the smarting sunshine and exhausting humidity of a Boston heatwave, elbow-deep in boxes and bags and bubblewrap, packing away a year-long expat adventure. We’d recently discovered that [Read more]
The 2012 ‘Mopsy’ Fraser Cup – Round Sixteen
July 17, 2012 by 2 Comments
Greetings Tipsters And then there were four. At this rate, I’ll run out of contenders before August but with his forward line taking part in a snooker tournament at Cottlesloe Beach SLSC on Sunday arvo against most of his midfield, Woosha won’t be spending too many weekends in September in a coach’s box. Fact is, [Read more]
The poncho ain’t pretty
July 17, 2012 by 3 Comments
You’re sitting ground level two rows from the front, on a cold Friday night at the MCG. The cold wind is blowing from the grey daunting skies and then it happens. It starts to rain. Rain is a beautiful thing especially when you are rugged up indoors wearing multiple layers and Ugg Boots watching the [Read more]
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