The year of 1911 marked the completion of Australia’s first decade as a federated nation, and many of its not quite four million citizens may have been moved to reflect on their country’s distant role in a rapidly changing world. As autumn arrived in Melbourne, the more rarefied circles amongst its almost 600,000 residents may [Read more]
What about the fans?
May 4, 2011 by 17 Comments
Almanacker John Weldon has weighed in with his thoughts on the latest TV rights deal and he doesn’t believe the fans are getting much of a look in. Check out his piece at the link below and then add your thoughts here. http://theconversation.edu.au/articles/fans-pay-most-for-afl-broadcast-rights-1286
Suns thrashing reflects Power failure and a team in disarray
May 4, 2011 by 2 Comments
By Sasha Lennon There’s been a fair bit of talk since Sunday afternoon (mostly by Bombers fans) following Essendon’s record-breaking 139 point annihilation of the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium. Some will say it’s a sign of how undeveloped the new northern franchise is. Others will claim it’s a clear indication of just how [Read more]
Could the Swans have done better than Jetta?
May 3, 2011 by 11 Comments
by David Butler The Sydney Swans have had 3 first round draft picks in the last 10 years. Jarred McVeigh, Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan. The dearth of first round picks is directly attributable to the consistency shown by the Swannies under the management of Paul Roos. As a result the Swannies midfield over the [Read more]
Bombers feast on Suns
May 3, 2011 by 3 Comments
by Andrew Else “Och that’s a sin. They’re gunna thrash them” Trust my Mum to start feeling sorry for a team with a borrowed, un-original name that wears a glorified training jumper. How a person raised on the streets of Glasgow could have sympathy to such a conglomerate baffles me. “C’mon Mum, just think of all [Read more]
Admiral Byng-inspired Malthouse leads Pies to victory
May 3, 2011 by Leave a Comment
by John Ramsdale Game Report v’s Footscray Sunday May 1st 2011 I’ll get it out the way early. A ridiculous time to have a game, but clearly 55,754 others didn’t agree with me. At least it wasn’t at Docklands. I went to the game with some misgivings, no Jolly (he was very good last week), [Read more]
Something old, something new, something borrowed & something blue
May 3, 2011 by 8 Comments
by Mic Rees The old custom above shouldn’t have been confined to events 17,000 kilometres from Oz earlier this weekend. Merv Hughes Oval/Turner Reserve, located on the banks of the Maribyrnong River, played host to a Division 2 Western Region Football League (WRFL) game on Saturday that could have used the tradition reserved to instruct [Read more]
A full day of football
May 3, 2011 by 7 Comments
Last Friday, I had a full day of football. It started at 12 noon (well actually, it was about an hour later when host and guest turned up). It was the monthly Footy Almanac luncheon at the Clyde Hotel in Carlton, and Ted Hopkins was the Guest of Honour. Many years ago I was an [Read more]
Crio’s Q: What is ‘culture’?
May 3, 2011 by 9 Comments
by Chris Riordan Alex “the estranged” Fevola has reportedly (H/Sun, News section, p24, 02/05/2011) blamed the AFL culture for her “monster” ex-hubby’s infidelity, drinking and gambling – inferring that different tolerances apply to gifted sportsmen. It is easy to make light of the media/celebrity circus and, no doubt, her news grab will soon be buried [Read more]
Chris Judd v Football
May 2, 2011 by 1 Comment
Many players have pace. Even the AFL’s plodders are quick by any other league’s standards. Many of them can mark. Not just hold one, but squeeze that damn ball under hard physical pressure. Many of them can weave. Man, Brent Harvey can weave! Or get stats. Garry Jr, he can really rack ’em up. What [Read more]
Footy Rich and Poor
May 2, 2011 by 17 Comments
An American cousin of mine lives in Pittsburgh, and is an avid supporter of that city’s baseball team, the Pirates. On a trip to the USA some years ago, I asked my cousin Jim how he rated his team’s chances in the Major League Baseball season which had just commenced. He looked at me incredulously. [Read more]
QClash stunt enough to make you QEasy
May 2, 2011 by 22 Comments
The media alert was mysterious, intriguing and enticing. The CEOs and captains of the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns were going to make a joint ‘major announcement’ ahead of their NAB challenge match. Luckily, journalists had to endure only one sleepless night before they found out what this major announcement was. Could the [Read more]
Book Launch: Ted Hopkins
May 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Ted Hopkins shot to fame when he replaced Bert Thornley at half-time in the 1970 Grand Final, kicking four goals to lead Carlton to victory. Although Hopkins played just one more game, he was to come back to footy in years to come – in a significant way. The collection and analysis of statistics started as a [Read more]
The Five Stages of Death and Dying
May 2, 2011 by 4 Comments
Denial: I got my NAB Cup footy record so I’ve got my list of all the opposition players, as well as my TV recording as well as my comfortable armchair. So my feet are up after a day in my studio listening to North Melbourne get their first win for the season. I have been [Read more]
THE WRAP – ROUND VI
May 2, 2011 by 2 Comments
WHERE LIFE IMITATES FOOTBALL What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. Is The Competition a movable feast or what? First up – on the Thursday night over on the balmy Indian Ocean Shore – The Fuchsias fell in a screaming heap against The Weagles. For the Friday night we switch to the Harbour City [Read more]
Essendon V Gold Coast
May 2, 2011 by 2 Comments
By Steve Healy A game of football holds thousands of variables. But one known fact had already been set in stone- Essendon would win this match. As a result of that, it’d be a fantastic, fun and ambitious day with my favourite loyal, Essendon supporting friend James Rate. And what a pleasure this would be, [Read more]
True Blue Bloods Shine
May 1, 2011 by 17 Comments
Many seemed preoccupied on Friday with a certain royal to-do over in old Blighty (not Malcolm), but those of a more discerning palate would have been privileged to watch a pair of true Blue bloods in action: firstly at the Clyde Hotel for the Footy Almanac lunch, where Ted Hopkins entertained and illuminated as guest [Read more]
A new deal, a wedding, and the football
May 1, 2011 by 2 Comments
Yesterday the AFL signed away their television rights for 2012-2016. They will receive $1.25 billion from Foxtel for the rights to broadcast every AFL game live on Fox. It’s a win for the X% of the 30% of Australians who subscribe to Foxtel and are interested in the game. For everyone else, well there’s a [Read more]
Notes on Tom Wills Paintings
May 1, 2011 by 1 Comment
By Richard Webber *The Predestination of Tom Wills (Acrylic on canvas, 84 x 60 inch) *Tom Wills Death Scene (Acrylic on canvas, 84 x 60 inch) Thomas Wentworth (Tom) Wills has been popularized as the iconic (heroic?) personality behind the inception of Australian Rules Football. The AFL ‘Tom Wills’ Round, an MCG statue, Geoffrey Blainey’s [Read more]
Recent Comments