by Sean Curtain A recent Litza article on the way some members of the Channel 7 commentary team were described and the debate about the irritating overuse of certain words in football such as ‘elite’ has led me to want to challenge a word that in my mind is thrown around far too easily [Read more]
Bring on your wrecking ball
February 29, 2012 by 10 Comments
by Rick Kane I received a text from my sister’s daughter’s husband or as I like to call him, Glenn. They live up in the dry dusty heat of Port Headland. This is what he said. “How’s life in the big V? Wish I was there right now. I bet Melbourne is getting that [Read more]
Why Collingwood will win the premiership
February 28, 2012 by 19 Comments
THE OPTIMIST’S GUIDE TO SEASON 2012. By Alex Wadelton WHY COLLINGWOOD WILL WIN THE PREMIERSHIP As Eddie McGuire is fond of saying, Collingwood were thirty minutes short of being the best team last year. If only captain Nick Maxwell could have figured how to play to play on the wing instead of third man up [Read more]
Almanackers take on the Big Issue
February 28, 2012 by 2 Comments
by Vin Maskell It looks like there are two Almanackers in the current edition of The Big Issue. Andrew Starkie has a story set in Warrnambool in the mid 1980s called Pick Your Battles, about school-bullying and boxing lessons from Dad. Not sure if it’s already been published on the Almanac site. Here’s how [Read more]
Premier Cricket – Round 15 Review
February 28, 2012 by 8 Comments
by Mic Rees The second last round of the 2011/12 Premier Cricket home & away season was completed at the weekend and included six centuries, a record breaking opening partnership, career best bowling figures for the young & not so young and the end of an era. On Saturday three time Ryder Medallist Graeme [Read more]
In A-League of its Own 14 (2011/12)
February 28, 2012 by 4 Comments
Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League Melbourne Heart have moved a step closer to securing their finals position following a 1-0 win at home to ladder leaders Central Coast Mariners at the weekend. The second half was just 5 minutes old; when youngster Eli Babalj slid the ball past Matt Ryan after Fred’s shot [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Nine? Nein
February 27, 2012 by 1 Comment
Rugby league’s broadcast right are up for grabs next year and it may be the case that Channel Nine’s 22-year hold on free-to-air league will come to an end. Now, what’s the word I’m searching for here? Schadenfreude? Close, but that’s not quite it. Um, let’s see. Ah yes, I’ve got it. Yippee! As a [Read more]
Crio’s Q: Partisan or Purist?
February 26, 2012 by 10 Comments
What’s your idea of a good game? A “we flogged ‘em” or a “quality contest? University of Nottingham philosopher, Stephen Mumford, considered the journey from anguished barracker to peaceful, still passionate, observer in his “Watching Sport: Aesthetics, Ethics and Emotion” (Routledge, 2011), as explained in an interview aired on newbooksinsport.com. He also pondered the complications [Read more]
No Footy
February 26, 2012 by 3 Comments
No footy please! It’s summer. I’m old fashioned. I like my seasons- without the mixing or mangling thank you. The weather may be beyond control but the dates on the calendar are not.
Hot and Hotter, and Everybody Wins.
February 25, 2012 by 7 Comments
Hot and Hotter and Everybody Wins: So it’s started for St.Kilda (and Geelong and Sydney Swans). It started in a night of 100% humidity and 36 degree weather, with a good NAB Cup crowd of 18,000+ at the Etihad Stadium. I make a bet (in my head) that the players felt worse in the heat [Read more]
There is something simmering at Tigerland
February 25, 2012 by 4 Comments
Lunch with the boys is always something to look forward to. As with most groups there is much good natured ribbing and laughter. The “ribbing” is usually started by Nuf, a Tigers man. “The Cats will struggle this year,” he might say. “Don’t care,” Diesel might reply with a smirk. “I can die happy.” “What [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – NRL Punter’s Guide
February 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Nick Tedeschi has produced an e-book for NRL punters. Click on the image for details.
Premier Cricket Preview: Round 15
February 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Round 15, the penultimate home & away round of Premier Cricket for season 2011/12 will be played over both days of the upcoming weekend Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th of February. A preview follows, but prior to that a shameless plug. Footscray Edgewater Cricket Club is holding its annual past players function at the [Read more]
Olyroos get buried in the desert
February 24, 2012 by 2 Comments
We got word that morning about the Olyroos playing the UAE here in Abu Dhabi. Olympic qualifier and all. I was checking my emails and Mo from Aussies aboard had sent an email out to the group. I yelled out to Lynda over breakfast who was getting the boys ready for school- “time to dust [Read more]
Why Carlton Will Win The Premiership.
February 24, 2012 by 9 Comments
THE OPTIMIST’S GUIDE TO SEASON 2012. PART THREE. By Alex Wadelton WHY CARLTON WILL WIN THE PREMIERSHIP. After failing to secure a September victory since Brett Ratten took over as captain in 2002, it was a relieved nation that celebrated vigorously when the Blues overcame arch-rival Essendon in last year’s Elimination Final. At least that’s [Read more]
Autumn Group Racing at The Heath
February 23, 2012 by 12 Comments
The Oakleigh Plate. The Futurity Stakes. The Blue Diamond. All etched in to the Autumn “mindtables” of Australian racing people. Gratifyingly – despite a distance tinkering for a time with the Futurity – they’ve even managed to maintain their traditional titles as befits Gr Ones[1]. The honour boards boast great champions and vivid memories for [Read more]
Trumper Charge
February 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Photo by Peter Argent Do we see any resemblance? Photo by George Beldam
Why I hope my son plays Aussie Rules
February 23, 2012 by 18 Comments
As my wife is currently 35 weeks pregnant my thoughts have turned to the hope that my impending bundle of joy will don the boots and play Aussie Rules when the time comes, for mine here are the top ten experiences junior will experience: the post match cold saugsage role and can of coke – regardless [Read more]
Aireys Inlet reclaims the Ashes
February 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Aireys Inlet has reclaimed the Ashes after a rare win over Macedon in the 29th annual cricket game between the two bushfire towns. Aireys Inlet, on Victoria’s west coast, and Macedon, just an hour north of Melbourne, were both ravaged by the Ash Wednesday bushfires of February 16 1983. The fires killed 75 people [Read more]
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