By Pete Cruttenden Two Eagles fans, Barnie and Berney, discuss the footy. Barnie: Good win over the Blues Bern! Berney: Yeah, did a number on the little smert-erses. Merk Marphy and Jeff Gerlett were sters for them, but it was our thard-quarter barst that won it. Barnie: Derling kicked a bag. And laid tharteen tackles. [Read more]
Higher than 58: A Brownlow medalist
May 25, 2012 by 3 Comments
Replacement jumper number 85 – Harry Taylor Dependable Geelong key defender Harry Taylor, who has worn the number 7 guernsey with distinction since his debut in round 2, 2008, wore a very unusual number 85 replacement jumper in Geelong’s big win over Melbourne at the MCG in round 19, 2008. Taylor was under heavy fire [Read more]
Mitch and Scooter the toast of snappy Uni win
May 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The tools were packed, the plans were in place and like US prospectors of the 19th century or semi-skilled Victorian tradies of the 21st century, the Blacks were headed west to seek their fortune. Whilst the prospect of catching the Bus of Destiny was a juicy one, your columnist prefers the rhythmic sounds of the [Read more]
Pirates keep plundering on
May 25, 2012 by 1 Comment
Amateurs: Round 5 It is all beginning to fall into place very nicely for Peninsula Old Boys. The Pirates, unbeaten through the first five rounds, are demonstrating a ruthless streak that was missing for much of last season. (Four of their victories have been by 75 points or greater). Instructively, it is not just down [Read more]
Saint Lenny of St Kilda
May 25, 2012 by 15 Comments
Are the planets realigning?
May 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Greetings All, Another week goes by and it becomes clearer that the world of football maybe spinning on another axis. The dominance of the interstate clubs is one thing, but on the other football front the Hammers are back in the EPL. Now where to get enough cash to spend more than Manchester City? A [Read more]
Round 9 – Adelaide v Collingwood Preview
May 25, 2012 by 1 Comment
When: Saturday 26th May, 2012 – 7:40PM Where: AAMI Stadium Last week Adelaide managed to pull off a shock win against a Carlton team who had been touted as premiership contenders and have also been favourites for the majority of the season so far. Patrick Dangerfield once again stood up for the Crows, showing his [Read more]
Collecting for the Salvos at the Footy
May 24, 2012 by 12 Comments
Footy is a game of rituals, for fans and players alike, whether it’s the routine of lining up for a set shot, wearing a pair of lucky undies to the game, avoiding the run through banner or saying three Hail Mary’s every time the gangly ruckman has the ball deep in defence. A ritual which [Read more]
The Roar of the Lion
May 24, 2012 by 10 Comments
By Shane Johnson, former football manager and player development manager with Brisbane 1992-2006 The merger of the Bears and the Fitzroy Lions was an emotional and interesting time. I remember going to a meeting of the players at the Fitzroy pub after the union had been consummated. There were many vacant faces. They looked [Read more]
Footy journalism gone to the dogs
May 24, 2012 by 24 Comments
By Simon Dobbie This is going to be a whinge. Maybe even a rant. I’m not entirely sure, but I think a rant is a whole level above a whinge. Yep, let’s call it a rant then. And the subject of my rant? Well, its footy journalism. AFL journalism to be precise. It’s a not [Read more]
Number 58: A premiership Bomber in Cats colours
May 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Number 58 – Sean Denham Recruited from Melton South, midfielder Sean Denham started out in senior company in number 58 in the last two home and away rounds of 1987. Col Hutchison, formerly the long-serving statistician at the AFL, found that Denham wore the highest guernsey number for Geelong at the top level, excluding replacement [Read more]
John Kingsmill’s Footy Diary: Round 9 preview
May 24, 2012 by 3 Comments
ROUND NINE – preview My wavering nerve In Adelaide’s rugged May, I’ve tipped the Crows to lose against Sydney, Geelong and Carlton. It’s been a successful ploy: I’ve lost my tips but we’ve won the games! That’s been small fish for such joy but I’ve become reluctant to change my bait. OK, this week I’m [Read more]
Crio’s racing: Early tips for Doomben
May 24, 2012 by 33 Comments
Someone’s going to have to provide “colour” for the Brissie Carnival. Remarkably, I’ve never made it to the races in Queensland, an omission that always strikes me at this time of the year as the “Winter Carnival” hits top gear with the running of the time-honoured Doomben 10,000.
Baulking the truth
May 23, 2012 by 1 Comment
There is no place for failure in football. I understand this. I’d make a terrible footballer, despite the fact I once kept Justin Murphy to 4.7 in an HDJFL game circa 1986….. However, I would like to know if the elite champion footballer ever hits a wall they can’t break through? Juddy, Browny, Hirdy, Buckley…you [Read more]
Number 57: The Battle of Britain
May 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Number 57 – Russell Mitchell Donning the rare number 57, mid-sized player Russell Mitchell was recruited from Geelong club Bell Post Hill and played two games for Geelong in 1985-1986. At the beginning of 1985, Mitchell was playing with Bell Post Hill and thought he would try out for Geelong at the end of the [Read more]
DA Puzzle of the Round (9)
May 23, 2012 by 2 Comments
Discover the world of David Astle here. But first, can you solve this week’s puzzle? As Leroy Jetta becomes the first player busted for staging, we look to other teams for prima donnas of repute. Greater Western Sydney, say, have Taylor (Amy) Adams and Callan (Rachel) Ward, while the Dees claim Troy (Judy) Davis, Jack [Read more]
Haiku Bob: nowhere left
May 23, 2012 by 9 Comments
autumn night Pendlebury shifts attention from the cold wind halves the moon a perfect pass intercepted misdirected kick the man-mountain brushed aside spring sun dusting the screen to watch Pendlebury leaves skip past Didak turns out of trouble Pendlebury gathers on the wing a leaf [Read more]
1980 A Personal Footy Almanac – Round 9, Saturday 24 May, v Melbourne, MCG
May 23, 2012 by 5 Comments
Last week’s epic victory over Carlton had all the electricity, tension, and dramatic emotional release that I imagine the connections of a winning Melbourne Cup horse would feel. Seven days on and back at the same venue, I wander casually into the cheer squad area, take my pick from rows of empty seats, sit back [Read more]
Throwing Rocks at Cats
May 23, 2012 by 11 Comments
I would like to call this speech “Throwing Rocks at Cats.” During the first launch of Tortured Tales I launched a few rocks at Carlton angry bitter hate filled missiles. It felt pretty good – but my therapist has since reminded me that this represents a kind of thinking called “negative regression” which is stopping [Read more]
Tin-arse Collingwood have the law on their side
May 22, 2012 by 42 Comments
Wednesday night and I’m at the Celtic Club in Melbourne. I love how Australian Irish Clubs, especially the Brisbane one, make you feel like you’re down the road from Bewley’s. I think it’s the crosses carved into the wooden staircases and the blokes in cardigans with soup stains on their ties. The drinkers all look [Read more]
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