Giga Bites 6 – Director’s Cut

Below is an extended version of Giga Bites, which appeared in the Saturday Age on 12th March, 2011.

Giga Bites

Andrew Gigacz

AN ELUSIVE MATCH-UP

It may surprise some footy fans that, despite being two powerhouses of the AFL, last night’s NAB Cup Grand Final was only the second time in a hundred years that Essendon and Collingwood have met in a Grand Final of any sort. Having faced off in the ultimate game of the 1901, 1902 and 1911 seasons, the Bombers and Magpies have met in Grand Final just once more since – until last night. That match was Collingwood’s 1990 drought-breaking premiership win.

WIN OR LOSE, IT’S ALL GOOD NEWS

 

Regardless of the result of last night’s Essendon-Collingwood NAB Cup Grand Final, recent history suggests that the portents are good for both clubs. The participants of the NAB Cup Grand Finals of the last three years have all gone on to be part of the action in September. In 2008 Adelaide and St Kilda played a thrilling pre-season final before the Saints fell in by 5 points. The Saints went on to play in a Preliminary Final that year, while the Crows made an Elimination Final. The following year Geelong trounced Collingwood in the NAB Cup Final before repeating the dose in the Preliminary Final six months later and going on to win the flag. And last year Barry Hall led the Bulldogs to NAB-Cup glory against St Kilda, before the Saints reversed the result in the Preliminary Final.

LIFE IMITATES SPORT

After Ricky Nixon’s return to Melbourne from the UK on Sunday night, there was anticipation of a media circus at the offices of Nixon’s Flying Start management company on Monday. But Nixon was a no–show at Docklands, and had no public comment to make until the following day.

So it should have come as no surprise to punters that on the same Monday, in the first race at Geraldton, a horse named “Let The Show Begin” finished well back in the field and the winner of the race was “Can’t Say Too Much”.

SUNS BY NAME, NOT BY NATURE

Giving themselves the moniker of the Suns might be an indication of the future outlook of the AFL’s newest side but, if recent records are anything to go by, it’s certainly not a reflection of Gold Coast’s weather. Since March 1st, rain has been recorded on the Gold Coast every day, including over 100 mm over the 3rd and 4th of the month.

YEAR OF THE WEEK

 

In Super Rugby last weekend the Cheetahs were the victims of a 15-21 defeat against the STORMERS. That scoreline proved to be somewhat serendipitous as 1521 was the year that the war known as The Four Years War was sparked by the French STORMING the Spanish region of Navarre.

POSTCODE OF THE WEEK

It was only a practice match but Geelong’s 84-point thumping at the hands of Port Adelaide last weekend was reminiscent, not so much of a team that has one two of the last four premierships, but more of a team that has been down and out for decades. Which is probably not all that surprising, when you consider that the Cats’ quarter-by-quarter goal tally against the Power was 3-1-2-1. 3121? That’s the postcode of… Richmond.

SPORTING ANAGRAM OF THE WEEK

Surfing legend Kelly Slater racked up another title during the week, winning the Quiksilver Pro event on the Gold Coast. Slater is also expected to compete at Bells Beach in this year’s Rip Curl Pro in April, an event he has already won four times. Slater has been a regular visitor to the world-famous Torquay beach since first winning the event in 1994, which makes it somewhat ironic that his full name, ROBERT KELLY SLATER, is an anagram of RARELY TREK TO BELLS.

For more of Andrew Gigacz’s weird facts and figures from the world of sport and beyond, visit www.footyalmanac.com.au

About Andrew Gigacz

Well, here we are. The Bulldogs have won a flag. What do I do now?

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