WHERE LIFE IMITATES SPORT What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Pies came back from the death to shatter the dreams of Little Hawkers all over the World and book themselves into The Granny for the 2nd successive year. The Moggies joined them with an equally impressive victory over a gallant but outgunned [Read more]
Brownlow Blog 2011
September 26, 2011 by 157 Comments
The buzz over Chris Judd threatens to dwarf the Dane Swan hype of last year. The dream scenario for many is the two double Medalists sharing a 3rd. But Brownlow history suggests you should never count your chickens. If your invite to the big night is still in the mail, join us from 7.30 as our fashion [Read more]
The 1993 waiting room
September 25, 2011 by 7 Comments
For Vin Maskell, Grand Finals meant something different after 1993 I haven’t missed the start of the big game since 1977, when the Grand Final was first televised direct. For a few years it was a time for old school mates to get together. Then it became a time for old school mates [Read more]
These are the days of our lives
September 24, 2011 by 1 Comment
Days of Our Lives Episode 1 – Two weeks ago – An Auto Repair shop on Moorabin Road “Geez Ross you’ve really run this one into the ground. The front end’s stuffed and needs a complete new suspension. Why didn’t you bring it in for a service every 10,000K’s like I told you?” [Read more]
Football and Music Part II (Finals Music)
September 24, 2011 by 7 Comments
Music is a funny thing when laced with footy. When we won the flag two years ago and they finally shut the club rooms, most of us broke into the old weatherboard hall we use as changing rooms. An oil drum fire out front, five utes backed into a circle, the same [Read more]
A shotgun would scare a seagull
September 23, 2011 by 4 Comments
By Andy Bellairs So the MCC are turning to carnivorous eagles to fix their ever-increasing problem with seagulls. It is about time they did something, but surely there are other options. The boys at the Rich Avon cricket club had the solution years ago – and it didn’t include wearing chain-mail gloves and feeding [Read more]
Footy Couples
September 23, 2011 by 14 Comments
Ever thought about the women behind the men who play the game?…yes I’m talking about our beloved AFL players and their WAGS. There are so many lovely couples to choose from. Some, glamorous and others who just seem very loved up and make you go “awww!” when you see twitter pictures they post. These important [Read more]
THE PRE WRAP – FINALS ROUND III
September 23, 2011 by 3 Comments
FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Coaches Carousel has nearly spun itself to Ayres Rock and back. The Charddies have gone for Brenton Sanderson. Or as The City of Churches’ Addy put it – The Sandman Cometh. (Ernie Siggley still on on Thursday nights over there Wrap? [Read more]
Sal’s Tips: Penultimate Preliminary Round
September 23, 2011 by 3 Comments
Greetings to all! The finals charade is over and once again the top 4 teams fight for their place in the Grand Final, whilst I lament the Blues defeat it is right that only rarely do we see one of the 5th to 8th ranked sides get through to the incorrectly monikered Preliminary Finals (Surely [Read more]
One Hundred Years Ago: Grand Final, 23rd September, 1911
September 22, 2011 by 31 Comments
Essendon had been the outstanding team of the year. They’d had the better of Collingwood in both previous encounters this season, including an historic 85 point thrashing of the Magpies in round 4. They were firm favourites to wrap the flag up in this game. But Collingwood coach George Angus had reason to suspect [Read more]
A Soliloquy On Injury
September 21, 2011 by 9 Comments
by Liam Quin Each time you enter the field of play, there is always that nagging thought at the back of your mind. The one that reminds you that there is a real chance of you being seriously injured. Riding my bike through the streets in peak hour, that thought is there as well. [Read more]
On the road for the Footy Almanac
September 21, 2011 by 15 Comments
by Richard Naco Cometh the September school holidays, cometh the family holiday in September. Always the wrong time of the year, always taking me away at Grand Final time. (Last year it was as far away as New Zealand, which is a lovely bit of countryside but hardly AFL heartland.) Except this year. [Read more]
The Footygods: the Phoenix
September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
by Ian Latham The phoenix was an eagle like bird with golden feathers. It would build its nest from twigs and die when it burned only for a new bird to rise in its place. It was a great story of triumph over our inevitable decline. I was quietly hopeful of the triumph of [Read more]
The spectrum of turnovers
September 20, 2011 by 20 Comments
I am in the process of editing this year’s Footy Almanac. This is a truly joyous role. I am always struck by the originality of the writing (there are well-worn cliches as well, don’t worry). In Brian Matthews review of Freo v St Kilda (which so reminds me of his lovely footy essays in [Read more]
2 sausages, 1 barbie
September 20, 2011 by 3 Comments
by Rina Reiss Last Sunday (18th Sept 2011) a Muslim-Jewish harmony footy match with two mixed teams of Jewish and Muslim teenagers playing side by side at the Whitten Oval. I first heard about the footy match while sitting with a group of Almanackers in the audience of the live-to-air ABC 2 Aboriginal [Read more]
Sandover to Blackwell
September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
Les Everett reports at the link below that ex-Blue Luke Blackwell, from Claremont, has taken this year’s Sandover Medal. Check the details and your thoughts. It’s worth noting that last year’s winner, Andrew Krakouer, is having a stellar season with reigning premiers Collingwood. Luke is not yet 25 years-old. Could his AFL career also be resurrected? http://australianrules.com.au/news/927/78/Sandover-to-Blackwell [Read more]
Rudd, Lyon, Freo and the Value of Nothing
September 20, 2011 by 14 Comments
by Peter Baulderstone I don’t like the Harvey assassination (Mark not Lee Harvey) and Lyon ascension (Ross not Gary). Trying to put aside the surprise, emotion and unfairness of the event, I want to put it in the context of our society and our politics in particular. As the old saw goes ‘art [Read more]
North Melbourne: season in review
September 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Josh Barnstable Another season has gone and passed, and again it is a September perfectly suited for a three week break for North Melbourne supporters. We missed the finals, by six points, finishing in ninth position. The same as last year. The year before we ended up in 13th spot. We are slowly improving. [Read more]
Coaching Solutions
September 19, 2011 by 14 Comments
Okay, already! Alright, alright, I’ll do it. Somebody has to. I’ll coach an AFL team, damn it. Anyone see Mark Harvey being interviewed on Friday night? Died black hair, sunnies, faded grey t-shirt. He looked like another mug who hangs out at the TAB a bit too much. I mean, take away the [Read more]
THE WRAP – FINALS ROUND II
September 19, 2011 by 5 Comments
WHERE LIFE IMITATES SPORT What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. Rumours of the demise of the Hawthorn Football Team for 2011 have been greatly exaggerated. They weathered all The Thunder The Bloods could Pull Down From The Sky to move on to Carringbush next Friday. Meanwhile, over in Perth The Miseries, after coming [Read more]
Recent Comments