magpies darting here and there the moon at every turn beneath exploding pinks and blues Harry’s bursting run bitter night Ball bundles his catch full moon – we have their forwards surrounded Toovey arrives at a moment unafraid of his limitations brief eclipse – Didak shakes his shadow loose full moon Beams in space winter [Read more]
Umpire, please!
June 30, 2010 by 2 Comments
In the American summer of 1989 an unknown policy wonk from the US State Department, Francis Fukuyama, foretold of the ‘End of History’; an era which would follow the imminent collapse of the Soviet Union and therewith the last ideological challenger to liberal-democracy. The end of history, opined Fukuyama ruefully, would displace the ‘daring, courage, imagination and idealism’ which attended [Read more]
The Albatross Rules: Chapter 17- Brothers In Arms
June 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment
17. Round 8, Dwights Mill-Barcaroo Demons (home): Brothers in Arms After a glimmer of promise in the early rounds Dwights Mill-Barcaroo had once again taken their place at the bottom of the ladder. They were too proud to be dispirited and suffered a series of thrashings with stoic resolve. By comparison Albertville went into the [Read more]
The Perry Meka Roadshow
June 29, 2010 by 7 Comments
By Paul Branagan I was obviously out of my inner-suburban comfort zone when I buggered up the take-a-number system at the Nagambie bakery. It was 11.30am and I was on my way to the Shepparton United / Shepparton Swans clash at Princess Park by the Goulburn River. Innocently I picked up what I thought was [Read more]
Cats Machine Rusty on a Wet Night
June 29, 2010 by 11 Comments
The rain poured, making a mess of my blazer in minutes. The train was delayed, so consequentially it was packed. I had to run in school shoes for fifty metres to get out of the freezing June rain. And I did it all with a smile. School was over. The Friday afternoon rain just made [Read more]
Sport Talk Points To Julia
June 29, 2010 by 7 Comments
We live in interesting times: Julia Gillard is the national leader. She was born in Wales, the home of Bread of Heaven, which is what we’re all looking for really. They say rugby is the game played in heaven. It is certainly the game of the Gryffs and Myfs, but the Gillards immigrated to Australia, [Read more]
Growing another leg
June 28, 2010 by 20 Comments
Uncharacteristically, the Almanac racing preview threw up a winner on Saturday… “I’ll just be taking a little Quadrella at Flemington, coming home with Mt Gambier’s 9 y.o. evergreen, Riceman. His Slow form is only “middling”, but he’s won 6 on the Heavy and, in his backyard, they know what a real gluepot is!” Riceman, formerly [Read more]
The AFL Wants YOU!
June 28, 2010 by 14 Comments
With the AFL conquering new territories like the Romans of yore, changes are afoot to the shape of our season. However in an outstanding example of stakeholder management, we the fans are being given the chance to put forward our opinions as to how we would like to see the season shaped. http://www.afl.com.au/AFLHQ/MyAFLSeason/tabid/16355/Default.aspx lists the [Read more]
Demons sing the Adelaide blues
June 28, 2010 by 6 Comments
We beat Adelaide in Round 3 at the MCG. But I still don’t forgive them for what they did to us in the NAB challenge match at Hamra Holmes Oval. It was a tight game in which the Dees lost in the final seconds due to a Kurt Tippett goal, who kicked five for the [Read more]
The View From Shepparton- Round 13
June 28, 2010 by 3 Comments
How I hate split rounds, there is no cadence, no rhythm to life. 8 matches, a million days between the first and last game of the round. I can’t even remember half the time what happened 5 minutes ago let alone what may have transpired over the last fortnight or so. Besides, my game preparation [Read more]
For Fremantle, it never rains, but it pours.
June 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By Josh Barnstable There’s never a dull moment when these two sides play. 2005, we saw the ‘Whispers In The Sky’ incident, where an umpire was allegedly heard saying “Now I know what it feels like to have a win” on the way back to Melbourne from Perth after Fremantle’s five point win after Justin [Read more]
A day at Woodfull-Miller
June 27, 2010 by 4 Comments
The Dons are having a week off, so what better to do than go to one of the prettiest grounds in Melbourne, the home of MHSOB. High on Forest Hill stands the imposing castle like building of the school overlooking the football oval, The football ground is called the Woodfull-Miller Oval, named after two exceptional [Read more]
Geoff Sinclair’s Home and Away Games- Rd 13 cont.
June 27, 2010 by Leave a Comment
ROUND 13 (continued) Hawthorn versus Essendon June 18th., M.C.G. The week disappears faster than the smile on Mrs Averling’s face when I tell her she can’t have the swimming pool hotter than 34 degrees. I keep the lid on my immediate thought, which is, then go and have a bath, darling. At Wednesday’s morning tea [Read more]
Bloody noses for Swans and me
June 27, 2010 by 3 Comments
On the 20th of June 2009, I was in the middle of the Shepparton East ground late in the day, running water in a high-scoring match between Waaia and Shepp East in the seniors. The heavens had opened, and the rain was pelting down. I loved it though. Waaia sadly lost by seven goals in [Read more]
A romantic Black and White win in Sydney
June 27, 2010 by 17 Comments
I normally watch ‘Before the Game’ every week, but I never thought I’d run into a panel member. On my way out from the last Almanac Lunch I was walking out through the main bar where I spotted Mick Malloy. At first I was a bit confused, I thought I had was mistaken, but when [Read more]
Slippery Saints Subdue Cranky Cats
June 26, 2010 by 34 Comments
In some ways this was going to be a Grand Final replay; just some. Certainly, a lot of the usual suspects were there; but a lot weren’t. It was wet just like last Grand Final day; but the lights were on, and it was Friday. Most importantly, it was Round 13, not Grand Final day. [Read more]
A Game of Two Halves, Both of Them Dour
June 26, 2010 by 8 Comments
Footy is more a game of four quarters than it is a game of two halves. But tonight, it was much a game of two halves, keeping in theme with the World Cup that is currently taking place. In the wet, dour struggle that was tonight’s game, Geelong owned the first half while a spirited [Read more]
Crio’s Racing- Flemington 26-6-10
June 25, 2010 by 19 Comments
Here’s the first certainty of the weekend, though I doubt you’d get set. Today’s “current bun” rates the Flemington track (Rail Out 12m) as a SLOW6. We’ve had a stack of rain here this afternoon and, to be honest, I’d say they are more likely to be called off than rated slow. Mick Goodie’s had [Read more]
Wimbledon 2010 Forum
June 25, 2010 by 6 Comments
70-68. That’s a basketball score right? Or a Saints v Sydney game? Vital statistics Match duration: 11 hours, five minutes Fifth set duration: Eight hours, 11 minutes Total number of games: 183 Fifth set number of games: 138 Total number of points: 980 Isner aces: 112 Mahut aces: 103 Combined aces: 215 Isner winners: 246 [Read more]
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