Racing

Ready to turn your mind to racing? Christopher Riordan is setting the pace. Who will relish the expanses of Flemington? What’s the go for the quaddy? What’s worth watching at Randwick? All this and more, tipsters.

AFL Round 23 – Gold Coast v GWS Giants: Sheeds and the sunset: mission accomplished.

GWS are the embodiment of a love child for Sheeds, but like a love child, their ownership of his legacy will need to be fought for. Until now, there was not much they could do wrong, but today, it’s the end of the romance and the start of the judgement. Bill Ellis wonders if Sheedy (and his baggy shorts) can really declare ‘mission accomplished’.

Save Locky’s Dad (This is serious)

Former Fitzroy Reds player Nick Auden is suffering from life-threatening melanoma. You can help.

AFL Round 23 – Western Bulldogs v Melbourne: Aaron’s farewell and farewell to a crap season that had been rolling negatives since Lord Jim’s death

David Bridie goes to the final Melbourne game of the year. His observations are as original, insightful and amusing as you will find. And there is a sad and disapopinting end to the footy year.

Season Review – Essendon: Taking our medicine

Rod Oaten says, as a Dons man, he has to take his medicine. (That’s funny from you Rod – Ed. And PS: Kerry says hello)

A Good Idea

Ged McMahon is one Essendon fan who isn’t missing September action – he’s playing in it. In the VAFA. It’s 9.15am on a Sunday morning, there’s a genuine crowd, and he’s running around like a kid lost in a shopping centre. Was stepping out of his comfort zone really a good idea?

Reversing the Batting Order

Peter Baulderstone can’t really enjoy a footy match without barracking for someone. And now it’s finals time and with his team out, whose colours will he nail to his mast? The mad relative; the scum; the overindulged pigs? Your comments welcome…

AFL Round 23 – Collingwood v North Melbourne (Haiku Bob): The softest of frees

Haiku Bob on Round 23.

Ghosts of Seasons Past

Just when you thought Kosi could become no more lovable than he already was, he comes across all honest and self-aware.

AFL Round 23: The View From Shepparton

Peter Schumacher says if Brisbane can almost beat Geelong then Freo must be a big chance. Here is his summary of the round.

The Huddle (where footy’s soul lives)

Instinctively, we’re drawn towards the centre circle, pock-marked with studs. I love the centre of footy or cricket grounds for their vastness, quiet, freedom and possibility. I love wide wings and deep pockets that allow our player to roam, sweep and show their skills.

AFL Round 23 – Western Bulldogs v Melbourne: what The Coodabeens once dubbed “Georges versus Forges”!

To most people this game meant very little. Retirements; the promise of what lies ahead. People knock both of these clubs as insignificant, but Christopher Riordan argues for a flourishing future.

Boy I am angry

Dianne Waddingham is a Freo supporter, and she’s angry. Really, really angry. There’s the backflip a politician would envy and the statistics that don’t add up, and that’s just the start of it. But she’ll have the last laugh.

AFL Round 23 – Essendon v Richmond: The Claytons’ match

The fans had paid their money to see an Essendon last stand for 2013 against a Traditional Rival or a Tiger mauling of The Team That Dare Not Speak Its Name. Neither was forthcoming. JDM was one of the Struggletown Faithful on the day and finds something to inspire in an uninspiring display.

More Memories of Kardinia Park: Too cold for footy

While Les is on a role, we reprise his story about another visit to Kardinia Park to see his Dockers play, on a day when the weather was inclement to say the least.

Memories of Kardinia

Fremantle have a bit of history at Kardinia Park. Les Everett was there for the last game of 1999, and finds it more of a trek than he bargained for.

Father’s Day

Another kind of season passed; a moving meditation from Peter Baulderstone.

AFL Round 23 – Fearless: X Files Round…cos the truth is out there…

Fearless gives his usual summary of a round that sees his Roos just miss out on the finals.

Round 23 and other anomalies (from a pumped Bluebagger)

For once Barb Smith is grateful for the Essendon Football Club. She spends no time thinking about James Hird – now that the Blues are in the finals.

WAFL: Sharks beat top team and it’s mothballs

Les Everett considers retiring on the back of some favourable results in the WAFL.