My old mate Rooster always chuckled when recalling an exasperated coach’s ¾ time “team talk”. “I’ve got only one thing to say to youse blokes”, he barked at the Alexandra Reserves, “and that’s nuthin’”. Its much more fun when coaches avoid the “one week at a time” drivel and offer something from the heart. Last [Read more]
Magpie win causes outbreak of Bieber Fever
May 2, 2010 by 16 Comments
Before the game even begins my dad manages to drown my hopes. Pendles had just kicked his first when dad walked in shook his head and let out a defeated sigh. Because of channel seven the game isn’t shown live. I REFUSE to check the scores or listen on the radio because I need to [Read more]
Saints Steal the Points in the Big Let-down
May 2, 2010 by 6 Comments
Once again a long week is over, and a weekend of pulsating footy has finally arrived. What can get more pulsating than the Preliminary Final rematch from 2009? I thought this match could of, maybe it did, but in my eyes, it failed. Big time. The contest started and Daniel Giansiracusa snapped the first goal [Read more]
KEN PIESSE’S 10 FAVORITE FOOTBALLERS FROM … BALLARAT
May 2, 2010 by 1 Comment
How can you have 35 goals kicked against you, in one game and yet be a Hall of Famer at both the Redan and the North Melbourne Football Clubs? Fun-loving extrovert Barry Cheatley has never been one to allow the facts to spoil a good story so yes… he did have the misfortune to run [Read more]
Soccer: A peek into grass-roots soccer in South Africa
May 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The Guardian website often runs wonderful picture essays. Here’s one, in the lead-up to next month’s World Cup, on grass-roots soccer in South Africa. http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2010/may/01/photography-worldcup2010?picture=362016914
Round and Round They Go. Where They Stop, Nobody Knows.
May 1, 2010 by 9 Comments
Those lucky enough to attend the Almanac lunch on Friday afternoon were entertained by the many reminiscences of 1960 Brownlow Medallist John Schultz. The very gentlemanly Mr Schultz spoke at length about John Kennedy’s famous “Commandoes” of 1961, who set new standards for the day in fitness and endurance. This team was famous for putting [Read more]
BLOODS TAKE ON ST KILDA IN 1904 MIDWEEK CLASH
May 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment
SOUTH Bendigo played matches against a number of Melbourne-based teams in the early part of last century achieving more success at home on the Upper Reserve than in the city. At the end of August 1904, the Bloods travelled to Melbourne for a full-scale match against VFL cub St Kilda. The Saints posted 13 goals [Read more]
ALMANAC RACING
April 30, 2010 by 7 Comments
Anyone who has sought my advice over Autumn racing will understand why I’m saying that the punting purse is very low. Since I am not in a tipster’s club or Quaddy team, there is every possibility that they could “go around” without me at Caulfield this Saturday. The only “early mail” I have thus far [Read more]
Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase
April 30, 2010 by 5 Comments
By Mark Freeman Mid-afternoon on the first Thursday of May through the 80s and 90s was always an important fixture on my sporting calendar. Slip down the tote, chuck on a 50c box trifecta and settle in for the fascinating spectacle that is Warrnambool’s Grand Annual Steeplechase. Such a gruelling test … up the hill [Read more]
Footy Talk: Clarko gets some couch time
April 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Jennifer Melfi- Respected psychiatrist, specialising in anger management issues. Best known for her work with a Mr Tony Soprano. Alastair Clarkson- Hawthorn premiership coach. 2010 was meant to be the rebound year for the Hawks. But once again, it’s turning pear-shaped. They needed a ruckman, but drafted Burgoyne- then he couldn’t get on the field. [Read more]
KEN PIESSE’S 10 FAVORITE FOOTBALLERS FROM … THE OVENS & MURRAY
April 29, 2010 by 6 Comments
Each week prominent football author and commentator Ken Piesse will feature 10 of his personal favorites from the major country Leagues. Buffalo Creek has surely not had a more famous drifter. The tiny Myrtleford township was home for Gary Ablett snr. during his devastating six month assault on Ovens and Murray football, the launching pad [Read more]
AFL Teams: Go the Tricolours!
April 29, 2010 by 19 Comments
In the lead-up to the Footy Almanac lunch at the Clyde Hotel on Friday 30 April, a lunch with a Saints v Bulldogs theme, Michael Rees has selected a team of players to have played for both clubs. Go the Tricolours! B: Dean Chiron, Alby Smedts, Michael Ford HB: Mick Frost, Mark Kellett, Anthony Darcy [Read more]
Cuba provides early omen for the Saints’ night.
April 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment
By David Downer Ancient Chinese military general Sun Tzu once remarked: “choose your battles wisely”. Indeed mate. When supporters size up the fixture release in October, there is a general pecking order of matches to consider as “interstate dirty weekend away” material. Who is most worthy of your hard-earned $39 discounted Tiger/Virgin/Jetstar fare? Not high [Read more]
AFL stat site anomalies
April 29, 2010 by 22 Comments
This (AFL owned) site has me perplexed. It seems to suggest, for example, that in the 1910 home and away season Collingwood’s average crowd was only 488. This is obviously incorrect. So why is the site still up (I first noticed it this time last year)? Have a look at the attendances of all clubs in [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Anzac Day: From Reservoir to the ‘G’, to the eye of the Storm
April 29, 2010 by 2 Comments
The national anthem brings the dawn service at the Reservoir cenotaph to a close and a greying man wrapped in black and white trumpets, Carna Pies! Some giggle into their winter coats while a few women puff on heartstarters. Children hang from parents’ arms. A craggy digger approaches another standing at the rear of the [Read more]
Almanac Rugby League – Real Storm surprise is that people are surprised
April 29, 2010 by 18 Comments
It has been a most tumultuous week in Australian sport. Well, in Australian professional sport. You have to be specific because I reckon professional sport and normal, everyday, garden-variety sport are actually quite different. One is about commerce, the other is about the game. The tumult comes from the exposure of the flagrant salary cap [Read more]
Round 5: Fremantle v Richmond – Defeat’s not as bad from home
April 29, 2010 by 1 Comment
It’s looking like another grim football season for the Allan household. I decide this as my “other” side of the family watch their under performing Hawks remarkably lose to the predicted cellar dwellars North Melbourne. I can’t help but think back to 2008, when the season ended with my Tigers, finishing just outside the eight, [Read more]
Upset Round
April 29, 2010 by 4 Comments
Now that the annual ‘upset Round’ has been completed with football scholars’ throughout the land and possibly beyond, predictions being turned upside down and my geriatric Cats morphed from roosters to feather dusters as quick as you can say Podsiadliwho, I reflect, perhaps because I am upset. Some comment on Anzac Day footy, as the [Read more]
end of sorrow
April 29, 2010 by 3 Comments
Anzac Day – the sun settles on every medal Anzac Day crowd – the amplification of silence end of sorrow Cloke kicks the first bright autumn sun flashes through the goals Cloke’s banana Toovey goals there must be something in this beer Anzac Day – Didak finds a gap between bodies watching the rain beer [Read more]
More than one punt in modern footy
April 28, 2010 by 2 Comments
I haven’t lived in Melbourne for a few years now, but still love getting back home and catching the odd game. Having spent years overseas watching football (soccer) and now living in a rugby state, I can still safely say that footy, the Australian variety, is clearly the greatest of them all. But there is [Read more]
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