The autographs are faded, but they’re still a vivid and enduring reminder of the heroes of my youth. They appear on a white Yakka branded Tommy Sherrin that I “marked” in the maddening MCG crowd at the 1978 Collingwood v Hawthorn Qualifying Final. On the eve of another high-stakes Collingwood-Hawthorn final, my memory bypasses last [Read more]
Look what they’ve done to my club, ma!
September 4, 2012 by 2 Comments
Open letter to the Western Bulldogs hierarchy…if there’s anyone still running the asylum. Bulldogs you’ve finally broken me. After 60years as a supporter and twenty years as a member, I saw the Bulldogs play one of the worst games ever at the Gabba on the weekend. No wonder David Smorgon has gone missing. About the [Read more]
AFL Round 23: The Wrap
September 3, 2012 by 16 Comments
What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. On Friday night, the much awaited clash between Ladder Leaders Hawthorn and The West Coast Eagles was over by the 1st Huddle. The Weagles fought their way back into the contest, but couldn’t put any real scoreboard pressure on The Flag Favourites.
What’s that smell in the air? Must be finals
September 3, 2012 by 7 Comments
It’s finals time and fans of at least four teams are soaking up the fever in case they are eliminated in the first week. Any idea how North Melbourne can pull off what would be a remarkable victory in the west? Are Collingwood any chance of knocking off Hawthorn? And what would that do to [Read more]
Tanking is no way to the top
September 3, 2012 by 1 Comment
Tanking – the term given to suspected ‘game throwing’ by teams looking to improve their position in end of season drafts – has been a staple topic of conversation towards the end of recent home and away seasons. The general consensus is that tanking does happen, and the premise as to why it happens is [Read more]
Carlton, you bastard
September 3, 2012 by 27 Comments
I don’t know how I feel, heading off soon to the last game of Carlton’s season, and the last game with Brett Ratten as coach. A lot of people have condemned the club for their treatment of him, and I think the media needs to take a fair bit of blame for his demise. It [Read more]
People and Memories: John Raleigh
September 3, 2012 by 1 Comment
For John Raleigh, lifelong North Melbourne supporter, the mid-1990s were strange times. He developed an attitude he’d rarely shown in his football life. An attitude usually associated with followers of larger, more successful clubs. Arrogance. ‘The ’90s were great,’ he says in the front room of his St. Helena home. ‘From ’94 onwards, for the [Read more]
AFL Round 23 – GWS Giants v North Melbourne: A result most unexpected
September 3, 2012 by 2 Comments
A beautiful day begins with a trip to the library and the grower’s markets. My wife has to work so will miss the last game of the year. Wayne is moving house, I should be helping, but the footy, gotta take the little fella to the footy (and besides – I hate moving house), so [Read more]
AFL Round 23 – Essendon v Collingwood: This is it
September 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This is it, my last report for the year and what a match to finish the season. Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG Saturday night BLOCKBUSTER! Unfortunately we have had contrasting seasons. Essendon were ten wins and three losses until we versed St Kilda and we have only won one match since. Collingwood on the [Read more]
Flying in to play country footy with Thommo and Simmo
September 3, 2012 by 1 Comment
This year I played five games as a fly-in, fly-out player for Kyneton Football Club in the Bendigo Football League. It definitely got a bit tedious due to spending over 10 hours of my weekend either on a plane or at the airport but generally it was an awesome experience and I got to meet [Read more]
Queensland footy: Adding to the past 30 years
September 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As far as local football in Central Queensland is concerned, there are just 8 days remaining in the season. Disappointingly the only involvement Brothers will be having is hosting the Preliminary Final on Saturday September 1 at our Kele Park ground. Even more disappointing was the manner in which the reserves season ended and the [Read more]
Fitzroy Reds: What’s the score at Marcellin?
September 2, 2012 by 2 Comments
Margins, margins, margins; that was the topic that was on all lips out at the Brunswick Street Oval today. What’s the score at Marcellin; what’s the score at Marcellin; what’s the score at Marcellin; was the question posed ad nauseum. Now as a dentist I know something about margins. The margins of my crowns (these [Read more]
Off Season Odyssey Part 6: Excaliball
September 2, 2012 by 7 Comments
Footyhead of the Cove… Devil’s Kitchen, Moonlight Head, Victoria. I hope all the Knackers have a corker of a season on and off the oval next year. Matt Zurbo.
Sunday Morning Coming Down
September 2, 2012 by 3 Comments
2012 was total football The modern coach doesn’t flirt with form, they answer journalists’ questions truthfully or not at all, they control what can be controlled, they enact a strategy. The media don’t like this. They can’t acknowledge that for players, the contest is just a relentlessly, moment by moment battle. A zazen state where [Read more]
VFL: Willy nearly did a Bully
September 1, 2012 by 3 Comments
Got very excited to see my seconds team were on the telly this afternoon. No I don’t mean Richmond or Fremantle (after a recent trip to WA and looking at their ground in Freo and noticing it was the home of The Bulldogs [South Fremantle]) . Yes I was desperate to see a link to [Read more]
Brett’s Last Hurrah
September 1, 2012 by 2 Comments
Hello? Yes, Brett. What? You don’t want me to call you Brett today? Oh. Mr. Ratten? No? Um… Rats? Yes, yes, I can hear you… Oh, I thought you were cursing. Serious? Jesus on a cross? What, as if it’s a name? I know, yes I know you still have three hours to go [Read more]
Stars align for Australian cricket
August 31, 2012 by 2 Comments
The stars are aligning nicely for Australian cricket. The English empire is crumbling and Australia is motoring along nicely in the UAE. It’s been a big week, and the resignation of Andrew Strauss was by far the biggest part of it. His decision came as no surprise. He has been in ordinary form for two [Read more]
AFL Round 23: More thoughts from Harms
August 31, 2012 by 18 Comments
Harms has many queries on Round 23 – and he wants answers.
Gold Coast gold
August 31, 2012 by 6 Comments
By Rick Kane
Ratten was sacked by Carlton this week and this story is not about that. This story is about the team that would win the premiership, if awarded based on the team with the most exotic names.
The Pre-Wrap – Round 23: What a year
August 31, 2012 by 3 Comments
And what week it’s been in Footy Eddie. And what a year. It’s about to end for some this weekend. No need to name names; they know who they are. Some hang up the nikes till next season; some for good. But let’s not get maudlin; there’s the finals to come.
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