by Peter Baulderstone 10) – The Wisdom of Harms. In his prescient introduction to the 2009 Almanac Nostradamus Harms sagely observed “West Coast reminded me of Kaiser’s Germany, stockpiling and building and about to be launched”. Well spotted JTH. The blitzkrieg is about to be launched, and Geelong’s Maginot Line will be breached [Read more]
Other coaching upheavals
September 21, 2011 by 2 Comments
by Rick Newbery Actually, it’s hard to justify calling the removal of Tim Nielsen an upheaval, esp in comparison with the ongoing Ross Lyon saga – seeing as the only heaving up from most cricket followers would have happened if Timbo had NOT been given the bum’s rush straight after Hilditch. But who should [Read more]
A Soliloquy On Injury
September 21, 2011 by 9 Comments
by Liam Quin Each time you enter the field of play, there is always that nagging thought at the back of your mind. The one that reminds you that there is a real chance of you being seriously injured. Riding my bike through the streets in peak hour, that thought is there as well. [Read more]
DA’s Clue of the Round (27)
September 21, 2011 by 2 Comments
Do you sometimes get the feeling that you just don’t have a clue? Well then, here’s one from David Astle to help you through the day. (David can also be found at http://davidastle.com/) Despite being very much active in this weekend’s finals, our mystery player opens with a notable AFL retiree of 2007, [Read more]
On the road for the Footy Almanac
September 21, 2011 by 15 Comments
by Richard Naco Cometh the September school holidays, cometh the family holiday in September. Always the wrong time of the year, always taking me away at Grand Final time. (Last year it was as far away as New Zealand, which is a lovely bit of countryside but hardly AFL heartland.) Except this year. [Read more]
Hussey avoids the finger of blame
September 20, 2011 by 3 Comments
by Darren Dawson The finger of blame could be pointed at Sri Lanka, Australia and the wicket. All were culpable in allowing the Third Test in this hitherto interesting series to peter out into the tamest of draws. In what seemed a reaction to the raging turner produced for the First Test, the home [Read more]
The Footygods: the Phoenix
September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
by Ian Latham The phoenix was an eagle like bird with golden feathers. It would build its nest from twigs and die when it burned only for a new bird to rise in its place. It was a great story of triumph over our inevitable decline. I was quietly hopeful of the triumph of [Read more]
The spectrum of turnovers
September 20, 2011 by 20 Comments
I am in the process of editing this year’s Footy Almanac. This is a truly joyous role. I am always struck by the originality of the writing (there are well-worn cliches as well, don’t worry). In Brian Matthews review of Freo v St Kilda (which so reminds me of his lovely footy essays in [Read more]
2 sausages, 1 barbie
September 20, 2011 by 3 Comments
by Rina Reiss Last Sunday (18th Sept 2011) a Muslim-Jewish harmony footy match with two mixed teams of Jewish and Muslim teenagers playing side by side at the Whitten Oval. I first heard about the footy match while sitting with a group of Almanackers in the audience of the live-to-air ABC 2 Aboriginal [Read more]
Sandover to Blackwell
September 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
Les Everett reports at the link below that ex-Blue Luke Blackwell, from Claremont, has taken this year’s Sandover Medal. Check the details and your thoughts. It’s worth noting that last year’s winner, Andrew Krakouer, is having a stellar season with reigning premiers Collingwood. Luke is not yet 25 years-old. Could his AFL career also be resurrected? http://australianrules.com.au/news/927/78/Sandover-to-Blackwell [Read more]
Rudd, Lyon, Freo and the Value of Nothing
September 20, 2011 by 14 Comments
by Peter Baulderstone I don’t like the Harvey assassination (Mark not Lee Harvey) and Lyon ascension (Ross not Gary). Trying to put aside the surprise, emotion and unfairness of the event, I want to put it in the context of our society and our politics in particular. As the old saw goes ‘art [Read more]
Dawdling Sri Lankans still a chance
September 20, 2011 by 7 Comments
I have played in cricket teams which lacked direction. Ones where you sat around the dressing room comparing hangovers, and talking about Friday’s play in the Test match. Then wandered out to bat. Or sauntered out to field. No chat. No plans. No sense of where we were on the ladder. But not many of [Read more]
North Melbourne: season in review
September 20, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Josh Barnstable Another season has gone and passed, and again it is a September perfectly suited for a three week break for North Melbourne supporters. We missed the finals, by six points, finishing in ninth position. The same as last year. The year before we ended up in 13th spot. We are slowly improving. [Read more]
Coaching Solutions
September 19, 2011 by 14 Comments
Okay, already! Alright, alright, I’ll do it. Somebody has to. I’ll coach an AFL team, damn it. Anyone see Mark Harvey being interviewed on Friday night? Died black hair, sunnies, faded grey t-shirt. He looked like another mug who hangs out at the TAB a bit too much. I mean, take away the [Read more]
Visigoths ransack Tigerland
September 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
IF THE footy gods do pen the story of every season, they have started this one brilliantly. You can have your “Best of times, worst of times”. Dickens reads like a Funniest Home Videos auto-cue by comparison. Richmond’s performance last Thursday night has provided the perfect opening. We have started with a complication, a question, yet again [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – The Old Boys Can Bar corner and the 50 cent doubles
September 19, 2011 by 3 Comments
The Preliminary Finals of the Queensland Cup were both played at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Oval this weekend with two clear-cut results setting up an intriguing Grand Final next Sunday at Lang Park. Full credit to ABC-TV for telecasting both games live throughout the State. Memo to ABC-TV bean counters: In your drive to cut costs in [Read more]
Crio’s Q: Timing Your Departure
September 19, 2011 by 9 Comments
Way to go! It seems Darren Lockyer has been blessed with a fairytale farewell up in Broncoland. Others, however, have not left with such grace and glory. How to call time? Fortune has not always looked fairly upon those making a “last stand”. Who’s had the luck or judgement to finish “on song” – or [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – The fairytale continues
September 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
For someone who appears not to particularly enjoy the attention of the public spotlight , Darren Lockyer gets plenty of it. Don’t get me wrong, Lockyer is entirely accommodating with the media, public and corporate demands. He is pure sporting hero. But I can’t help think sometimes the demands of attention must be tiring and [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Justice
September 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I was watching a program on SBS last week (insert obligatory “not that sort of show” comment here) on the problems involved with online gambling and it got me thinking how the changes in gambling had affected our day to day lives. Now, in my mind, if you can find your way through all the Senator [Read more]
Manchest United v Chelsea at Old Trafford by Basil Naimet
September 19, 2011 by 1 Comment
The much anticipated clash between two of the Premier league heavyweights didn’t disappoint on Monday morning (AEST) at Old Trafford. Manchester United looked set for a big score when Smalling scored in the eighth minute. Smalling was offside and missed by the sideline assistant referee. The goal though would set the pace for the Red Devils.
Recent Comments