FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL MARNGROOK FAN What a fortnight it’s been in Footy Eddie. We’re not boastful by nature around here in The Wrapcave, but let us take you back to our pre-season call for the Coach most likely: This year the Deathly Dirge of the Coaches’ Carousel will be wafting down from Mt Lofty and [Read more]
round 19: haiku bob – slipstreaming
August 5, 2011 by 1 Comment
This week’s match report comes from Budapest in Hungary where I attended the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Fascinating city. Wonderful race. And another Magpie victory. practice session — every one of Cloke’s kicks is a goal safety car — Prismall’s knee collapses at the first turn slipstreaming – Pendlebury moves [Read more]
One Hundred Years Ago: Round 14, 22nd July, 1911
August 4, 2011 by 6 Comments
Even before the VFL era had begun, the Australasian newspaper had formed the following opinion of the St Kilda football club: “There are 2 classes of men who play football. With one the pleasure of participating is more than sufficient recompense for defeat: the other class thinks that a win is above everything else. [Read more]
Almanac Footy Teams: Kelly Country
August 4, 2011 by 22 Comments
Glen! picks a side of Kelly-related footy names.
Grand Final Day Infirmity
August 4, 2011 by 6 Comments
By Manning Clark (circa 1981) On the last Saturday of September every year many of the inhabitants of Melbourne, and indeed of the whole of Australia and even in foreign lands, are stricken with a strange infirmity. Over 100,000 gather in an enclosed space mistakenly known as the Melbourne Cricket Ground. There for two [Read more]
Rotunda in the West 20th August 2011
August 4, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Sat’dy Arvo Footy August 6th 2011
August 4, 2011 by 15 Comments
Some teams must be well over it. Glenorden, for example, whose seniors (WRFL Div1) lost by 277 points to Spotswood on Saturday. No mention on their site about the fate of coach Jay Fantusca, though there is notice that cricket will soon be underway! What makes it hard for clubs like the Hawks is that [Read more]
A Lovely Bullet
August 3, 2011 by 1 Comment
I met her up in the mountains, which was rare. She was tour guiding while I rebuilt the forest floor, in the middle of winter. Head-to-toe in mud. She didn’t care. Come autumn, the girls from down in the Bay had arranged a female footy match to raise money for something. You [Read more]
Roller coaster, Dees style
August 3, 2011 by 1 Comment
by Simon Dobbie All right. As everyone’s favourite Melbourne supporter, I’m sure you’ve all been waiting with baited breath for my take on the Geelong game and Bailey sacking. (deep breath) Where do I start then? OK, the game. I am still speechless about it to be honest. The thought of it just prompts an [Read more]
Driven up the Walls
August 3, 2011 by 39 Comments
It can’t be far away now, perhaps only a matter of a week or two. I wander what the banner line to the article might be? “Ablett and Suns a Good Fit” Or “Suns Shine on Gazza.” Or “Walls has Surgery to Remove Stale Egg from Face” Earlier this year (April 1st in fact), [Read more]
DA’s Clue of the Round (20)
August 3, 2011 by 6 Comments
by David Astle (always only a click away at http://davidastle.com!) I am an AFL star currently on target.My first name is a footy term.My surname when scrambled reveals what a solid hit-out achieves – or perhaps identifies gear stewards preparing boots for battle.Who am I? Solution to DA’s Clue of the Round (19): No [Read more]
Tired India bullied by England
August 3, 2011 by 7 Comments
by Brendan McArdle England’s second successive victory over India at Nottingham on Monday was another example of the impressive cricket it has been playing in recent times. It contained all the elements we have come to expect from the very good international teams of the past – potent bowling, resilient batting with depth, and [Read more]
Passing the Man U Baton
August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
What is passing the Man U Baton? It works like this. A Man U fan (in fact you don’t even have to be a fan) writes a report of the opening fixture of the EPL season: Man U away to West Bromwich Albion. Then they tee up a mate anywhere in the world to [Read more]
Castigate – the AFL scandal
August 2, 2011 by 31 Comments
From an uncannily innocuous inception similar to the matter of fact break in that incited the Watergate Scandal (Nixon and “Deep Throat’; what an unfortunate coincidence) the Castigate scandal is about to blow the AFL open. No doubt there are plans being identified and executed at this very moment to make the whole [Read more]
Football’s Messiah Complex Lives On
August 2, 2011 by 4 Comments
The modern football ‘industry’ tries very hard to portray itself as a serious business run on serious business lines. The jargon of the boardroom has long since infiltrated the change room. No club CEO would be caught dead without his full complement of KPI’s , spreadsheets and mission statements. Sports administration is taught alongside MBA’s [Read more]
Local Footy: Finals around the corner (over a bridge, down a highway, past the pub….)
August 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
For a lot of leagues around the country, the month of September (once known as Septopia around 2007 according to the AFL) represents the opportunity for the best of the best to go after the silverware, pennants and copious amounts of celebratory beverages that are associated with ultimate glory. It does vary a little though [Read more]
For the record(s)…the ones created at Kardinia Park on Saturday
August 2, 2011 by 1 Comment
If you didn’t view the carnage at KP on Saturday, you can view each goal – blow by blow – here. For the more statistically orientated amongst us, read on… 1. The only match where a team scored 50 points or more each quarter.Hawthorn in round 20, 1992 v Essendon scored 55,55,57 and 49. Fitzroy [Read more]
Crio’s question: the world’s great shellackings
August 2, 2011 by 22 Comments
This week’s question has to be about shellackings after the Cats stunning win on Saturday. Mind you, the Crows the week before were not much better, losing by over 100 points to a side that didn’t even kick 20 goals. Trouncings have a macabre place in sporting folklore and, as we’ve seen, the fallout can be [Read more]
Phlegmatic Flegg Reaches Milestone
August 1, 2011 by 6 Comments
This week, another AFL games record will be broken. And could there be a more deserving man to take over the mantle? I think not. * * * The casual football observer would be unaware of the preparation and dedication required to be an umpire in this era of professionalism. Long gone are the days [Read more]
It’s time to take the Australian cricket team back
It’s time, says Gerard Whateley. Time for cricket fans everywhere to take back ownership of the Australian cricket team in the face of management that runs beyond negilgence. Read Gerard’s article at the link below, then add your thoughts here. LINK: It’s time to take the Australian cricket team back.