Chelsea came away from a win at Sunderland comfortably on Saturday at the Stadium of Light. Even with key strikers Didier Drogba out with concussion and Fernando Torres not getting a run until the 75th minute, the Blues showed some brilliance in attack. More pleasing for the team was their style of play. Relaxed and [Read more]
POISE AND OTTENS
September 12, 2011 by 6 Comments
Poise versus flashes of brilliance. Geelong versus Hawthorn. The weather gods have no concept of timing. They sent the wintery blast up from the Antarctic and into the MCG just in time for Friday night. Cold, hard rain hit the players’ faces and ran down the backs of supporters whose resilience was tested in [Read more]
Geelong are no underdogs
September 12, 2011 by 20 Comments
One of the more curious aspects of our time is that while no one wants to be an actual underdog, it’s helpful in many ways to be perceived as one. This produces some odd disconnects between spin and reality. Billionaires accuse artists and academics of being elites. CEO’s bemoan the dominance of workers as they [Read more]
VFL: Port v Scorpions
September 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I’m back at North Port Oval for the 1st Qualifying VFL Final between Port Melbourne and Casey Scorpions. The crowd is significantly boosted today by the appearance of Brendan Fevola with the Scorpions. I’ve been joined by some mates who I play veterans cricket with out atAinsliePark in Croydon. Chris and I have somewhat [Read more]
2nd Test Sri Lanka v Australia Day 4
September 12, 2011 by 6 Comments
For those not au fait with cricket’s more obscure global locations, the neutral observer might better associate the “City of Kandy” with say, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, or one of Heath Ledger’s more low-budget arthouse productions. As nightclub names go, it wouldn’t look out of place on King Street either. Kandy is located [Read more]
What a bloody relief
September 11, 2011 by 3 Comments
This was a game we just had to win. Inexplicably a team with a 20-1 record had dropped the last round of the season by 96 points and now found themselves in a final facing a team with a 17-5 record, only half a game inferior to what got us top spot last year. Round [Read more]
Grand Finals Part I
September 11, 2011 by 1 Comment
When my season finished in a deficit of four bitter goals and biffo, a big map of the country, with about 20,000 pinheads marking football ovals opened up. So, thanks to Sammy Harriott, I went home to the Otways. The tough, leathery bush champion had pulled his battered body together and come out of [Read more]
To the Pub for Cats vs Hawks!
September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The bittersweet month is upon us. I love September. But it comes with the knowledge that it will be followed by the long, bleak months of the off-season. This year comes with an extra bonus; the Rugby World Cup. The broadcast schedule for this weekend will give you some idea why I’m so happy. Friday [Read more]
GONE: It’s all Over, Including the Shouting
September 11, 2011 by 8 Comments
It’s 6.30am Sunday morning and my mind is buzzing. It’s over, finito, Sydney Swans bundled St.Kilda out of the finals with a decisive, confident win. They did it well from the beginning, pressure, pressure, pressure and we never had it in us to respond with success. Perhaps the year from hell finally took its toll [Read more]
A Day With Jim
September 11, 2011 by Leave a Comment
DAY 3 AT KANDY A DAY WITH JIM Many, many of us have listened to the voice of Jim Maxwell from all around the world describing cricket to Australian aficionados. I sat next to him on day three at the second test in Kandy. The day starts with Jim saying that he will be having [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Irrepressible Tigers too good for dour Dragon
September 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I arrived home in time for the dressing room shots. Hate missing them. ‘The Tigers have definitely got the best uniform.’ The legendary big red V cuts no ice with Sweetheart. Coach Tim Sheens, more statesmanlike every week as his beard thickens, and the Saints’ mentor, Wayne Bennett, are rock solid and calm. ‘Who’s the [Read more]
Great Scott, Scotty and Marsh too
September 10, 2011 by 1 Comment
Today was just a little too much for me. What with day 2 of the Test, the Cats v Hawks and Adelaide (B&F) all live. It was a dilemma Fortunately the test did not provide too many highlights from a spectator’s point of view with the exception of the Marsh and Hussey partnership. The [Read more]
Cats/Hawks Discussion
September 9, 2011 by 20 Comments
Geelong 14.14.98 Hawthorn 9.13.57 Geelong into the Preliminary final. Hawks have to regroup, most likely without Buddy. Big injuries. A tough game. Cats fans are presumed happy. Hawks may feel the need to vent. What did you make of it folks?
Blues Warrior reaches 200 games
September 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
University Blues has an extraordinary turnover of players. Every year huge numbers of students enrol and are drawn toward the picturesque oval. This is a double-edged sword for the club. It is a boon for recruiting but university students tend to travel or move when they complete their degree meaning many players only remain at [Read more]
THE PRE WRAP – FINALS ROUND I
September 9, 2011 by 5 Comments
FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie. Dean Wallis turned out to be the ratbag Hirdy remembered him as, and seeing as he is probably the only lowly paid coach out at Whingy Hill, his penalty has been relatively light. But Angry Adrian has said that the Appalling Football [Read more]
Most Valuable Finals Players of the Past 40 Years
September 9, 2011 by 17 Comments
My ideal full-time job would be picking teams like this. With the finals starting tonight, I thought about what players I’d seen make the biggest impact in September. These are the blokes I’d like to run out against Geelong or Hawthorn tonight if my family’s life were on the line. Chances are I’ve overlooked another [Read more]
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