Convergence Friday night. Belly full. Cold beer. Girlfriend prepping Notting Hill on second TV. Mind shifting into first gear. A text causes my phone to fall off the coffee table. It’s Mum: –Sitting on a tram on the way to the G. So many Melbourne supporters on board. [Sibling 1] has a serious case of [Read more]
My best ever Geelong team – part 2
May 29, 2011 by 6 Comments
THE FORWARD LINE I have chosen Paul Couch for the half-forward flank. Couch played in the high-scoring Geelong teams of the Blight era, mainly in the centre, but at times as a creative half-forward. Couch had great vision, wonderful evasive skills and a deadly accurate left foot kick. He played 259 games for Geelong and [Read more]
Rotunda In The West- ‘Talking Footy’
May 29, 2011 by 6 Comments
‘Talking Footy’ down at the Whitten Oval Foyer was a wonderful event and one in which I encourage fellow Almanackers to attend to next time. Guests included the Footy Almanac’s own John Harms, Western Bulldogs star Daniel Giansiracusa and respected footy poet Tom Petsinis, in which all three provided a enthralling conservation about footy. And [Read more]
A religious experience amongst the football faithful
May 29, 2011 by 4 Comments
by David Brewster I was never much of a churchgoer, but I can pretty much pin the last vestige of my belief in prayer down to 1981. After my ‘Pies had lost their fourth grand final in five years, it was quite clear that the bloke upstairs either didn’t exist or wasn’t a Collingwood supporter. [Read more]
Magpie Fans are LOUDer and PROUDer than the rest
May 29, 2011 by 14 Comments
Collingwood Football Club is proud. The staff (of which I am proud to be one), the players – both past and present, the coaches, the football Department, the volunteers, the CEO, the President and more clear-cut: the many, many exuberant, colourful and loyal supporters, all share one common denominator. They would give up anything for [Read more]
‘Comment Wally May’
May 29, 2011 by 6 Comments
by Bernard Whimpress Wally May has died, aged 84. The man with the concise comment became an Adelaide television hero on a Sunday sports show of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and inspired a phrase which passed into popular idiom whenever authoritative comment was sought. I interviewed May when I was editor of the [Read more]
Losing Away
May 29, 2011 by 4 Comments
After being in front heading into the last, both seniors and reserves got rolled by good, tough rural teams. We’ll be pushing to make the five, damn it. If we were over-achieving, it would be fine, but it’s just not fun when we’re better than this. Or maybe we’re not. I’ve never met a scoreboard [Read more]
Knowing
May 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
by Rory Cahill Jamie. The MCG. 1996. Jamie just stood there and held it. Belly passed it to him, stepped away, and he grabbed it, just stood there, holding it. He didn’t really even know what it was. All he saw was the light, the green of the grass and the yawning stands that encircled [Read more]
Careful what you wish for…
May 28, 2011 by 2 Comments
For too long, many suitors have leveraged against the Geelong Football Club. Off of its people and off of its proud heritage. The supporters have indeed been blessed with good fortune over these past years; Brownlows, All-Australians by the dozen, Grand Finals, even the elusive Premiership or two. We’ve much to be glad about.
Racing around the world, and at Doomben and Caulfield
May 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Saturday 28 May and beyond After Rocket Man annihilated all-comers in the Group One KrisFlyer in Singapore on Sunday night, his supporters claimed the mantle of “World’s Best Sprinter”. It is not an idle boast as this remarkable horse has dominated the top tier in Dubai, Hong Kong and now in the Far East. Racing [Read more]
I trained them hard
May 27, 2011 by 2 Comments
Jesus, I trained those Juniors hard. They were a dead-set chance. At something that would affect them and their community and stay with them forever, like a tattoo for your heart. Sometimes, while training them hard, I’d tell them. I had never won a flag. Not in all those years. Then, my team made the [Read more]
My Best Ever Geelong team – part 1
May 27, 2011 by 17 Comments
Something I do in my head from time to time is pick my best ever Geelong team, that is, the best team I can put together from all the players I’ve seen play during my life time, both live and on television. I did this again quite recently; last week in fact while I was [Read more]
Round 10 Blog
May 27, 2011 by 21 Comments
Round 10 already! Proceedings kick off at the ‘G where the Blues will be keen to atone for a lost opportunity last Friday night. Dean Bailey’s Demons are copping criticism, but a win would see them just outside the eight. North host the Swans, both coming off losses. North always seem to need a win [Read more]
Jesaulenko You Beeeuuuttyy!!!!
May 26, 2011 by 23 Comments
A different view of one of football’s most famous marks. Jezza climbs over Jerker Jenkins in the 1970 Grand Final. Serge looks impressed. This photo came to us some time ago, and we have been unable to locate its source. If anyone can help in this regard, please comment below. Or just enjoy the photo.
Floreat Pica Heritage Round
May 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment
When roster vacancies arose for the Weagles game, I not only put my own hand up, but also cajoled TAFKATBM (The Artist Formerly Known As The Big Man for those relatively new to the Floreat Pica Society) to write the DR for old times’ sake. FPS began in 2005 and in the early years I [Read more]
Empty crowd has a silver lining
May 26, 2011 by 6 Comments
by Jamie Simmons The burdens of my beloved Lions 0-7 season status are as obvious as they are many. Not least of all the whimsical barbs I’m obliged to endure from my wife who insists that I, patriotically adorned in club colours, would invite less derision by exiting the premises in a kaftan and slippers. [Read more]
One Phrase At A Time
May 26, 2011 by 24 Comments
Football players and coaches are being coached on and off the field to within an inch of their lives. Their language used to be colourful, but the only colour in football these days is in the jumpers. Media training off the field is killing spontaneity and the thrill of seeing a footballer mangle players on [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Queensland, just.
May 26, 2011 by 4 Comments
Yet another fine, fine example of the State of Origin genre last night: Queensland come out powerfully with their two props creaming New South up the guts, and with the defence back-pedalling, Cam Smith, JT and Locky going nuts and throwing the ball around beautifully. They score and it looks like the same thing is [Read more]
So, what footy will we be going to this week?
May 26, 2011 by 13 Comments
Once again, no MCG Saturday game gives us an excuse to check out other options. Out my way, the big drawcard this Saturday will be at Aberfeldie, where Jason Akermanis will join new recruit Mal Michael and former Essendon players Hayden Skipworth, Damien Peverill and Courtney Johns as they “welcome” Chris Johnson’s Avondale Heights. This [Read more]
Adelaide vs Collingwood – Sunday 23rd May
May 26, 2011 by 4 Comments
They’re the two words that strike fear into even the hardened footy fan – ‘Family Function’. There is nothing worse than the prospect of missing a fixture due to a Family Function (yes, it deserves capitals), particularly when said Function is with Family you wouldn’t normally choose to share company with. I will refrain from [Read more]
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