NBA finals: Merciless Beasts

In the dying moments of the NBA finals, Archie Butterfly witnesses the cruelty of the sports gods in Tim Duncan’s ‘Sarajevo moment’.

Grand Final day 2010: London

What happens when you have to watch the Grand Final from half a world away? Grown men in sheep costumes, apparently. Brenton Shaughnessy braved the 3am start, the Fosters cans and the expat Collingwood fans to experience a beloved ritual from foreign turf.

AFL Round 12 – Collingwood v Western Bulldogs: cold comfort

Haiku Bob on round 12.

The Five-day Racing Blog: Keeping an eye on Royal Ascot

This time last year Black Caviar was the talk of the racing world. How quickly life moves on! At least she will be remembered, unlike some of the reprobates at the local Trans-Australian who have more interest in the next to jump at Maitland than they do in immortality. Royal Ascot is always worth a look [Read more]

Great to get back to the footy again

Haje Halabi looks at his return to the footy spectrum and the enjoyment of being back involved in the greatest sport in the world.

Wallabies gamble on pace over power

Tim Ladhams looks at the lead-up form of the British and Irish Lions and the tactics which have been successful against them as they prepare for the first of three Tests against the Wallabies in Brisbane tomorrow night.

AFL Round 13 – Preview: Yawn

JTH with some thoughts on the final stanza in the dirge that is the bye period. And he can’t find an upset – unless, of course, the gods really are toying with North.

AFL Round 13 – Preview: Vlad, we have a problem!

Holding up the bottom of your tipping competition? Then let Sal Ciardulli be your guide with his foolproof (?) selections.

Application for coach of Melbourne

Morayfield Might coach (and club legend) Linday Guinn has thrown his hat into the Melbourne coaching ring with this impressive letter to Peter Jackson. His resume speaks for itself.

Crio’s Racing: Mid-winter Flemington (aka VFL Park)

A typical mid-winter Flemington meeting confronts Melbourne’s punters this Saturday.

AFL Round 12: Winners and Losers

The stars run riot, Carlton squanders another opportunity, and the case against priority picks for Melbourne. And then there was Adelaide, again. Adam Ritchie sums up another thumping round.

AFL Round 12 – Hawthorn v Carlton: There’s no victory in a brave defeat

On a big night out, Callum O’Connor hits the ground with an assortment of mates, and someone’s going to be unhappy. Even the luxury of premiership seats can’t protect you from the harsh reality of injury and a loss. [We have seen the future, and it’s looking good. Terrific piece from one of our young stars. Ed]

Almanac Rugby League – Mal’s Speech to the Boys on Game Two Eve

Inspirational!

Milne

There is no separation of Church and State on this one. Matt Zurbo says that there are a few factors at work in the Milne case, and at times the wrong considerations are driving understanding and decision-making.

AFL Round 12 – Essendon v Gold Coast: Hey Joe

Jake Norton is sewing the number 6 to his duffel coat but not just for his second-game heroics. Word is the young man can hold his own with the sledging, too.

AFL Round 12 – Carlton v Hawthorn: Shambolic frolic

Peter Blenkinsop kept one eye on his son training with the Under 10s and the other on the big screen on the club room wall. The game plans and some skills were not dissimilar.

AFL Round 12 – GWS v Port Adelaide: Confessions of a secret Port Supporter

Daria Hansen fell in love with a passionate Port supporter. (How passionate? He likens President Koch to Nelson Mandela.) She survived the 2007 Grand Final, but can she survive a visit to the scene of last year’s disaster?

Tiger cubs cruise under Subiaco lightsI

Loyalroyal is chuffed to see former teammates running around on the big stage in Perth.

The F Word.

Sainter Tom Greenaway reflects on the state of affairs (yearns?) and considers the future of the Saints and the Tigers, the state of play in 2013, and the caution with which the F word should be employed.

Local footy – maple flavoured

How did Ontario, of all places, come to field one of the strongest regular leagues outside Australia? Rob Chanter takes advantage of the bye to check out what’s on offer in his local Canadian Aussie rules league. And it’s quite the mix.