THE PRE WRAP – ROUND XXIII

THE PRE WRAP – ROUND XXIII FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie.  The ghosts are stirring at the Yarra Falls End as the tension continues at Victoria Park.  This time it’s Neon Leon who wants to jump ship.  Is it to be free to go with Lovable Mick [Read more]

Crio’s Racing: Memsie Stakes Day

It’s not a vintage Memsie Stakes – a time honoured campaign launcher – but, nevertheless, this Gr2 feature race and several others here and at Rosehill this Saturday will be subjected to close scrutiny, especially as the Doubles Bookies have now got their teasers well and truly posted. The next time we are at the [Read more]

Cleaning the boots: A father’s story

It was the night before the big game against Phillip Island. Our eldest son Sasha  (9) wanted to clean his soccer boots, he was totally excited. Sasha and cleaning don’t go that well together. I quickly reflected. This could be a time for father and son sharing- and a chance to teach him how to [Read more]

Sal’s Tips: Round 23

A notable retirement this week of Cameron Mooney.  Not many opposition fans thought much of Cam, but his value to the Cats was huge.  He will go out of the game with at least 3 premierships, not many players do that and has always done the jobs for the Cats that someone needed to do.  [Read more]

Third time unlucky

The air-raid siren blares through the oval, signalling the end of the game. The players in navy blue scream ‘yes!’ in a state of euphoria, pumping their arms and sprinting to their fellow players to celebrate with them. The 2011 Northern Football League Under-12’s Grand Final has just been won. On this side, jubilation is [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – We all have beginnings

A rugby league version of The Footy Almanac? “About bloody time” is all I can say – for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the literature of rugby league is modest, to say the least – a reality and a paucity that needs addressing; secondly, “the greatest game of all” deserves that its story be told, [Read more]

MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

A second-half master class from Manchester United insured they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-0 win over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Monday night.   Coming off a hard fought 2-1 win at the Hawthorns last week, Ferguson opted for the centre-back pairing of Jonny Evans and Phil Jones after both [Read more]

One Hundred Years Ago: Round 17, 26th August, 1911

  Fitzroy players would have woken on the day of Round 17 aware of the task ahead of them. Whilst most would still have jobs to attend to in the morning,  their minds would have been contemplating how they might defeat top side Essendon to keep their finals hopes alive. That Collingwood, their bitter local [Read more]

round 22 – haiku bob – nearing spring

  warmer nights — the kick-out reaches the centre square       our latest back six concedes the first goal in under a minute       the old world connects to the new — Fasolo curls one back       late winter — gaps in our desire filled by Ball     [Read more]

Spirits High, Goal Achieved

As part of our unit 2 of Outdoor and Environmental Studies, we are forced to travel up to the high country, hike with ridiculous snow gear on, pitch a tent and freeze our asses off. But don’t get me wrong, I love the outdoors and challenging myself to an adventure, but does it have to [Read more]

DA’s Clue of the Round (23)

Solution to DA’s Clue of the Round (22): The numbers linked to the chronological order of Australian PMs, and their namesakes in AFL: Tim/Jobe WATSON, Sam FISHER, Dave HUGHES, Cameron BRUCE, Scott MCMAHON, Josh FRASER and (ruck coach) Clark KEATING and Christian HOWARD, a Western Bulldogs rookie. Round (23) clue: 3-D football may only be [Read more]

I spy with my little eye – Round 22 2011 – Collingwood versus Brisbane

After living in Queensland for the four footy seasons of 2007 – 2010, I guess it’s only fitting that I do the match report for the Pies and Lions game. And after the ground-breaking controversial news of the Queensland footy official leaking highly sensitive reserves team selection information to Collingwood, and my recent scandal at [Read more]

Almanac Rugby League – Sloppy Knights give Broncos an easy Monday night

When I hear the words Brisbane and rugby league together my mind first turns to the great BRL competition of the 1970s. That was another time. A decade later, many Queenslanders fell instantly in love with the Brisbane Broncos, marketed brilliantly as an incarnation of all things Queensland. But many didn’t. The dissenters could see [Read more]

Exposed as a fraud

  by Brendan McArdle It’s been a big week in Australian cricket. The much-awaited Argus report has been well received by most in the cricket community, and it was a hard-hitting document which, although two years late in its inception, should have beneficial effects for the future of our game provided the right people are put in [Read more]

Helping the Blues to a 17th flag?

  by Damien Little I do not consider myself a superstitious person. It wouldn’t phase me to cross a black cat under a ladder on Friday the 13th. However, in 1994, as Carlton was regaining its powerhouse status, I began to become superstitious about football and my contribution to the team’s performance. Should I be [Read more]

Worth the risk of heartbreak

  by Stephen Cooke My heart is racing. I have goose bumps. My mouth is dry. I have just watched the final moments of the 2009 grand final on YouTube and the emotions of the day have flooded back. I am desperate for Geelong to make this year’s Grand Final.

Waikerie charge into finals

  LOXTON V WAIKERIE RFL – ROUND 16 2011, Sat August 20th 2011 By Nick Kossatch at Loxton Oval Waikerie easily accounted for bottom side Loxton by 40 points in the final minor round RFL match at Loxton Oval. The Magpies, who meet Berri in Sunday’s 1st semi-final, stamped its authority from midway through the [Read more]

“Buckets”

  by Peter Argent His body maybe failing him but the football brain of Jason “Buckets” Mackenzie is still brilliant After six premierships with the Bulldogs in the SANFL and the 2008 Jack Oatey medal Buckets decided to go back AND  have a season with little brother Adam (mongrel to his mates) It this contest [Read more]

Sat’dy Footy – 27th August

  by Chris Riordan Now here’s a great way to spend this footy Saturday, kicking off with a lunch and words from the great “Flea” Garry Wilson and continuing with an afternoon’s viewing at the magnificent Brunswick street ground. Check this invite… http://www.fitzroyfc.com.au/2011FFCAug27PresidentsLuncheonvsMHSOBookingSlip.doc Get a tram and plan to get home late as there are [Read more]

Father-son combo gets Pies over the line

  Collingwood v Brisbane Round 22 MCG by John Sandy First against fifteenth, on paper this looked like a one sided affair. Collingwood had a number of players out; with Maxwell and Wellingham joining Shaw and Dawes on the sidelines as well as Davis, Krakouer and Johnson all rested to recover from niggles. For Collingwood [Read more]