Link: The secret life of strappers

From ABC Radio National’s 360 Degree program, delve into the secret life of horse strappers. Click on the link below. Comments welcome. www.abc.net.au/rn/360/stories/2010/2830043.htm

Racing: Almanac on the money on Sequel Saturday

by Chris Riordan It was a wonderful day’s racing at Flemington and Randwick and, I must add, Almanackers were once again well directed if they looked to our site for guidance. I warned to avoid the early races and the first “shortie” got rolled with the winner, Master Harry (Moody/Nolen) very impressive.

1 out of 4 quarters won; enough for the Cats, but not the Tigers

By Domenic Favata Premiers Geelong have not been at there usual peak during the pre-season. The talk of the ‘premiers’ tag was beginning to sway to the more favourable dogs and saints. Geelong came up against a young Fremantle outfit, knowing that they still have what it takes to win another premiership and that this [Read more]

Tough pre-season continues for the Dees

NAB Challenge: Melbourne V West Coast I ventured out to Casey Fields alone on this glorious Saturday afternoon, to witness the Dees play their final practice game against the up and coming West Coast. When I heard my Mum and Dad (and two younger sisters) were going to visit my Granny, I thought they could [Read more]

Easter at Stawell

Some things just ARE. There is no preamble, no surge of anticipation. It’s a bit like sitting around the dinner table with your family. You just do it. You do it because that’s what happens at night when the day’s activities and tasks are mostly done. You sit, eat and talk. You also do it [Read more]

THE SWEET, SWEET TASTE OF PREMIERSHIP GLORY

The ball arched up, up, up into the air, the hopes of Geelong riding on this one kick. The game had been tight all day, but now the Cats were humming, dominating the last quarter of a see-saw battle. As it swung straight through the big sticks it plummeted right towards me. Beer in one [Read more]

The Albatross Rules- Chapter 2: Duck The Fish

The Albatross Rules (a football chronicle) (The story so far) Club President, Barry (the Professor) Massey, is determined to turn around the fortunes of his beloved Albertville Football Club. If they can’t improve on the field they’ll never turn their ailing finances around. If they can’t do that the league will force a merger with [Read more]

Bulldogs end the 40 Year Drought

NAB CUP Final: Western Bulldogs v St Kilda In 1970, Footscray defeated Melbourne by two points at Lake Oval in the night series, giving the Bulldogs their second premiership cup of any sort. Fast forward 14,411 days, and the Western Bulldogs are competing against St Kilda for their first piece of silverware since that night. [Read more]

Footy Almanac March Lunch Sponsor: Don McLardy

Don McLardy of McLardy McShane Insurance & Financial Services is proud to be associated with the Footy Almanac. McLardy McShane Insurance & Financial Services are specialists in servicing the needs of small to medium sized enterprises. Their long standing relationships with leading insurers and other suppliers enables them provide you with a comprehensive range of [Read more]

Racing: Looking for a change of script on Sequel Saturday

by Chris Riordan Flemington gets a bonus Sequel Saturday this week with the dual Group Ones, Australian Cup and Guineas, icing an already interesting Blamey Stakes card. The VRC has done the right thing in offering free admission and hopefully a bumper crowd will witness the last really good meeting before focus shifts to Sydney [Read more]

A-League: Sydneycentric?

by Stephen George I have never been sure that what I am about to declare was in fact happening before my eyes (and ears) but after sitting through almost another year of A-League, I am almost convinced there is not just jealousy but rather a conspiracy bubbling away up north towards our poor old Melbourne [Read more]

Country Footy: Coaches who stamped their mark on the BFL

By Richard Jones JOURNALISTS and senior coaches often form prickly relationships, but it doesn’t mean that there’s no dialogue between the two parties. Here in the Bendigo league there’s been some remarkable figures. Clearly success is measured by the number of premierships a senior coach garners for his club yet I have found some mentors, [Read more]

The House that Jack…Is Building

By Stephen George Whilst the incidence of Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees merchandise appears to increase each year, I often wonder how many of those stem from the generosity of relatives or friends that visit the north east of the United States in the northern summer leading up to our Christmas.

Narrandera Sportsground: A Mecca in a heathen state

by Rod Gillet The Narrandera Sportsground will light up on Friday night for the Sydney Swans v North Melbourne AFL Challenge match. A crowd of about 10,000 spectators is expected to attend the third game the Swans have played in the heart of the Riverina in four years. Previous games have drawn crowds of between [Read more]

The Albatross Rules. Chapter 1: Barry’s Dream

The Albatross Rules (a football chronicle) by Richard Holt 1. Barry’s Dream Boof McKenzie was cleaning glasses as usual, wondering if anyone would be in for lunch. For the moment he was his only customer. He wandered over to the jukebox with coins from the till. A doleful cowgirl voice crackled from the speakers, singing [Read more]

Major League Baseball – NL West Preview: Bring on Rocktober

by Tim Ivins With spring training underway it is time to turn our minds to the upcoming MLB season. Over the coming weeks I will preview each division for the coming season. We start with the division the National League West.

Crio’s Question: Got any wild weather sports memories?

EXTREME SPORTS (fans) by Chris Riordan As recounted in the “Soppy Saturday” review for this site, Flemington’s incredible hailstorm provoked widespread discussion on other awful conditions we’ve endured at the races. Sports goers often recall extreme conditions as a badge of honour. I’ll never forget the numbing rain and wind that seemed appropriate on the [Read more]

Short story: A bird of white and black by Ian Latham

by Ian Latham I woke from the cold to the blue of the sky and sea, the creaking of the rigging, the white light before the sun rose. The sea was flat and comforting as it stretched to the edge of the isthmus. It seemed so large that our small boat was as a splinter [Read more]

Racing: All hail the brave punters

by Chris Riordan When you have been round the traps, as I have, there’s a tendency to greet most occasions with a …”but I remember…”. Cowering under the inadequate cover of Flemington’s main betting ring yesterday, I proposed to the nearest fogey – “Were you here for Van der Hum?” “Yes”, he panted,” but that [Read more]

Practice Match: Healy heartbreak at Hamra Holmes

By Steve Healy I have never been so excited about a practice match. Maybe it’s the fact that I can listen on FiveAA covering the game over the internet. I’m really hoping for a Demons victory today at an unfamiliar venue, Hamra Homes Oval in Elizabeth (Northern Adelaide). With three other challenge matches on in [Read more]