The Warriors have flown under the radar very effectively in the lead-up to this year’s finals series. They managed to get into Brisbane this week with barely a mention. Instead, it was all about the Broncos, the loss of Hoffmann and Thaiday, finding someone to protect Lockyer in the defensive line, and Hodges’ gammy hammy. [Read more]
Humble Pie not the preferred Dons menu
September 12, 2011 by 3 Comments
Never a sympathetic word was spoken about the Carlton Football Club whilst growing up in my Don household. Of course there were a few other clubs that weren’t loved too, but somehow Carlton was always top of the heap. One incident that sparks the memory in particular, was the Harry Casper/John Coleman ” event” just [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Dragons/Tigers: The link between footy and the dishes
September 12, 2011 by 3 Comments
There has been precious little written about the link between the NRL finals and washing dishes. Perhaps because I’m the only evidence of this link. At half-time in last year’s grand final, with the Roosters leading 8-6 in a tight game I was a ball of nervous energy. With more than three decades of waiting [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Shaken but not stirred
September 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
It was 9.20pm on Saturday 24 September 2005 and I was shaken to the core as the siren at the Sydney Football Stadium rang out. Not that I could actually hear it above the din of thousands of West Tigers fanatics writhing with ecstasy across the concourse and grandstand of the Sydney home of rugby [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Restarting the tackle count of hope
September 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The life of a North Queensland Cowboys fan is not an easy one. Having just completed our 17th home and away season across the ARL/ Super League/ NRL competitions and reaching the finals series for only the fourth time is an underwhelming return. If the Cowboys were an investment stock, there wouldn’t have been too [Read more]
Sunderland v Chelsea at the Stadium of Light by Basil Naimet
September 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment
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]
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