by J.J. Leahy The new selection panel and coach should take some bold steps to plot the future Assuming all are fit, here is my team – 1. Shane Watson – still needed to open, but should go down to six so that he can contribute with the ball in the longer term 2. [Read more]
Regrets and Odysseys
November 23, 2011 by 11 Comments
Gianpi and Sergio were two of my best mates. When they were about 20 they hopped in a car and headed north because it was facing north. Just drove and drove. By the time they reached the Northern Territory they had $20 dollars between them. The caravan park operator saw their Victorian license-plates. “Can [Read more]
War and Peace
November 23, 2011 by 22 Comments
by Damian O’Donnell A reflection should be just that; a careful consideration of previous events, actions or decisions. It should not be a reaction. I feel that a respectable period of time has elapsed for this to be considered a true reflection. The Bloody Sock Era (1964 – 1975) The boys’ toilet was [Read more]
Pre-season
November 23, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Peter Edwards Pre-season training in full swing. The boys are back and all sweating. Running hard and doing weights, Speed and strength they elevate. Blues got brown in Middle East, In regal grounds, they trained in peace. And from the cave the Hawks emerge, September demons have been purged. Bored with schoolies, surf [Read more]
The blanket
November 23, 2011 by 2 Comments
The photo below is of Clint ‘Captain SAPSASA’ Rule. Here’s an explanation from The Captain: “It’s been pretty cold here in SA (in August) and knowing I would be on the bench, I brought an extension cord and an electric blanket. Slow cooking the aged-hammys before wandering out into the playing arena to further embarrass [Read more]
In A-League of its Own 6 (2011/12)
November 23, 2011 by 5 Comments
Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League Here’s the situation. Melbourne Victory is up 2 goals against a 10-man Perth Glory at their usual fortress that is Etihad Stadium 65 minutes in. But the following 25 minutes could turn out to be the 25 minutes that change the club forever. Andrezinho and Shane Smeltz managed [Read more]
From deserts the…
November 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Australia’s fantastic victory overnight had many of the ingredients of Edgbaston 2005, but thankfully a better result for the visitors. The Aussie cause seemed to be lost for most of the abbreviated day’s play, yet in the end a bit of old-fashioned spirit got us through. It’s a bit weird to have the stomach [Read more]
Crio’s Q: The Next Wave
November 22, 2011 by 12 Comments
Let’s not let the great win at The Bullring hide the need for Australian cricket to embrace a transitional phase. This should be exciting – a far cry from the “unchanged” lineups when teams were so predictable. It also should place increased emphasis on Shield and Futures performances as players strive to thrust their names [Read more]
The Presidents Men Come to Town
November 22, 2011 by 6 Comments
If, like me, you have played a lot of (bad) golf, but don’t follow the PGA tour that closely outside of the majors, then a local Presidents Cup is about as good an opportunity as you’ll get to put faces to some unfamiliar names. The team match play style of the event also exposes [Read more]
SA v Aus – Day 5: St Cummins Day
November 22, 2011 by 14 Comments
Australia has won the second Test at The Wanderers in Johannesburg by two wickets. In a tense finish, Pat Cummins secured the victory. He played with a freedom of spirit and nonchalance that made any old dog feel even more battered and confused as we watched in our own muck in the middle of the [Read more]
Melbourne Racing Club Election
November 21, 2011 by 1 Comment
Alistair Ewart, who strikes the Malarkey Medal each year, is running for the MRC committee.
South Africa V Australia – Johannesburg – Second test – Sunday
November 21, 2011 by 6 Comments
20 November 2011 – Day 4 South Africa 266 & 339 Australia 296 and 143/3 First Session South Africa resumed with an overnight lead of 199 and seven second wickets in hand. It was to be an extended two and a half hour session with an early start due to time lost on the [Read more]
Day 4: what’s not to like about Test cricket
November 21, 2011 by 31 Comments
I was in the car when play resumed on the morning of the fourth day at The Wanderers, my mind strongly of the view that the Australians would struggle to contain the South African batting line-up, and certainly were unlikely to dismiss them unless they attacked early. It has been an unusual Test wicket in [Read more]
Music and Melbourne Venues
November 21, 2011 by 7 Comments
The Tote goes on. This iconic music venue in Collingwood, previously closed and now re-opened, is celebrating thirty years of live music. On the other hand, the Prince of Wales Hotel in St Kilda was sold and so another live venue has a future under threat. But as former Age journalist and now Executive Officer [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Four Nations Final
November 21, 2011 by 3 Comments
When the final whistle blew for Australia to defeat England 30 – 8 in the Four Nations final this morning, two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, Will Evans is a prophet – a week ago he said that the Poms would stay with the Australians for an hour before the Australians got away. Score one [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Farewell Fit for a Legend
November 21, 2011 by 4 Comments
Darren Lockyer’s farewell cavalcade finally came to a triumphant end at the fitting venue of Elland Road. The hallowed Leeds ground was the scene of arguably Lockyer’s greatest performance – Australia’s 44-4 thrashing of Great Britain in the 2004 Tri-Nations final. Lockyer laid on five tries, scored one himself and kicked six goals as Australia [Read more]
Perfect media
November 20, 2011 by 8 Comments
JOHN KINGSMILL The best thing about radio cricket is that you know that it is on and that you don’t have to watch each delivery, each ponderous over. Radio lets you get on with your life. When life pauses, you flick a switch and it’s usually just at the right moment. The game is poised [Read more]
Lessons from Other Codes
November 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
My fellow Almanackers. I urged you to join me in launching the Football Improvement Federation of Australia (FIFA). We share a common love of Australian football. But I have become concerned about the decline and stagnation of the code. Games have become predictable, repetitive and defensive. There is not enough variety to keep fans [Read more]
Second Test Day 3
November 20, 2011 by 5 Comments
When the bowler most likely to snare you a wicket is an eighteen year old Test debutant with less than five first-class games to his credit, it is a reasonable assumption that some serious soul-searching regarding the make-up of your bowling attack would be occurring. It is also fair to say that half-way through a [Read more]
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