by Sam Steele Caroline Wilson beat me to the jump yesterday with her article about the growing gap between the haves and have-nots. But my concern about this issue was sparked about a month ago by the massive contrast in the approach taken by the Melbourne and Collingwood in the lead-up to the [Read more]
Family and Footy Allegiances
July 13, 2011 by 20 Comments
By rights I should be a Lion’s follower. My grandfather was Keith Parlon, from whom I take my second name. He was a tailor in Best Street Fitzroy. A fine man with a strong sense of civic duty, he was Mayor of Fitzroy, Vice President of Fitzroy Football Club and a Justice of the [Read more]
Origins of inter-league footy?
July 12, 2011 by 1 Comment
Neil Barter asks: Inter-league footy had to begin somewhere. So does anyone know the earliest year when recorded inter-league footy ever took place? Can anyone go back further than 1954 when the Tallangatta League played the Ovens and King League to raise money for the family of a player who had drownned in the Murray [Read more]
I don’t like the scarf, Luke…
July 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
by Joseph Walker Remember 2004? The year that Port won? Well, it was the first time two teams that weren’t Victoria-based went head-to-head in a Grand Final. Brisbane were set to win four in a row, an equal record, when Port, the minor Premiers of the past 2 seasons but the crumblers in September, [Read more]
Daisy Cutter
July 12, 2011 by 5 Comments
By Phil Dimitriadis DAISY CUTTER This term denotes a sense of speed and precision that is both metaphorical and absurd because daisies aren’t allowed to grow on football fields. If they did the studded boots of the forty-four competing players would soon tread on them. Nevertheless, the ‘daisy cutter’ evokes a feeling that a [Read more]
16 Makes Bad Maths
July 12, 2011 by 2 Comments
Last week I ran out for my 500th, under the mountains, which felt right. They wore the rain like a goddamn hat. My home was buried in black clouds, as if there was a ceiling above our match. But, down in the valley, from the east, the weather wasn’t that bad. It’s great [Read more]
THE WRAP – ROUND XVI
July 11, 2011 by 10 Comments
WHERE LIFE IMITATES SPORT What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Sleepy Hollow Millionaires blew Top Spot when they let The Eagles jump them in the 1st Half on Friday night. The Hawks did what they had to do against The No Brown No Brisbane Bears, Sydney squandered many chances but still [Read more]
ADVICE FOR THE PILGRIM
July 11, 2011 by 18 Comments
I have a confession to make. I’ve never actually been to Geelong. I live in the far southern Sydney suburbs, and the closest I have been to the Holy Town is Avalon, en route to games at the G or Etihad. That is about to change.
My response to losing – a thought
July 10, 2011 by 6 Comments
Two weeks. Two losses. A rare experience Does not compute. I get all whimsical and agreeable Send text messages to my mates who barrack for the Eagles, Dons. “Well done.” I say. “Your boys played better.” “Good sport.” you might think Nah. I’m just trying to keep the Footy Gods happy.
Otway
July 9, 2011 by 8 Comments
History is a (not always pretty) Beautiful Thing. Rory Harrington was a part of a Juniors team I coached eleven years ago. He was always going to be a dairy farmer like his dad, and his dad’s dad before that. School was just killing time. While the other kids dicked around during study periods, [Read more]
THE PRE WRAP – ROUND XVI
July 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie. In the Ayatollah’s absence Angry Adrian has grown another leg. (Or at least a foot – Ed) He’s flagged the banning of the Slam Dunk. And when you see Melbourne’s Trengove applying it you can see the merit in the move. [Read more]
One Hundred Years Ago: Round 10, 22 & 24 June, 1911
July 7, 2011 by 9 Comments
Though King George V had ascended the throne after his father’s death the previous year, his official coronation was held on Thursday 22nd of June in 1911. The VFL took advantage of the public holiday to stage two games to commence the second half of the season. The Argus believed that ‘altogether the idea of [Read more]
First Game Denied
July 7, 2011 by 5 Comments
All dressed up and nowhere to go. I’m a much grottier and far less elegant embodiment of that well worn phrase. I can’t remember the date or even the year. I’m guessing mid-1980s and by the look of that dishevelled bunny on the wall behind me it must have been sometime after Easter. All I [Read more]
A Dud Bet
July 7, 2011 by 20 Comments
For once, I’m doing pretty well in my footy tipping competition this year. Equal 6th out of 246 in fact. It’s a bit of fun and there’s the prospect of turning $20 into several hundred at season’s end. But last weekend my tips suddenly went pear-shaped and I found myself, late on Sunday, urging on [Read more]
The Australasian Sketcher with Pen and Pencil June 12, 1875
July 6, 2011 by 7 Comments
I thought there’d be some interest in this piece I just unearthed in the archive. It tells of football’s popularity at the time but it also speaks of the difference between then and now. The writer seems only to have a passing connection with the game (so at least nothing’s changed in that regard — [Read more]
(regretfully) Reminiscing as a Saints fan
July 6, 2011 by 2 Comments
by Joseph Walker Carlton. I’ve always kind of respected them. Not warmed to them, but respected them. Maybe I feel sorry for them. Since they’ve had such a bad last decade. Let me take you back to 2006. I was a 7 year old confident of my team, St Kilda. The weekend before we’d [Read more]
In the shadows
July 6, 2011 by 11 Comments
by Matt Zurbo Four anti-inflams, three pain killers and some good padding on the ribs and I run out in town for my 499th game. The oval is strange. Wide enough, but an outline of a thing. The ground either side of it is railway-yard-flat. There are no slopes, no trees, no back fences or [Read more]
THE WRAP – ROUND XV
July 4, 2011 by 5 Comments
WHERE LIFE IMITATES SPORT What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Suffering continued in the Longroom as once more The High Flying Flag was lowered to halfmast as The Sons of Lazarus Came Out Snarling & Biting on Friday night. TLSPRF watched their season flash before their eyes as The Silvertails ran [Read more]
We will fight them on the beaches
July 2, 2011 by 20 Comments
The pre-match address of Darien O’Reilly, coach of the Adelaide Uni Chardonnay Socialists, before their (victorious) match against Gepps Cross: “I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able [Read more]
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