The Emirate of Abu Dhabi now virtually owns Dubai Inc. The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, is now named after the ruler of Abu Dhabi. However, the one piece of reality that Abu Dhabi does not own is the Middle East AFL crown. Competition leaders Dubai Heat are still unbeaten after two seasons of [Read more]
Footy: A blue and white trail to new grandeur
March 2, 2010 by 5 Comments
I marvel at the crisp, clean lines of North Melbourne’s new Arden Street edifice each time I pass. It is a truly impressive, and long overdue, development in the evolution of the club. Not having yet been inside the facility, I also wonder at the magical qualities which must surely lie within. For I have [Read more]
Film Review: Bullock’s Blind Side is well-meaning but misses mark
March 2, 2010 by 3 Comments
Film: The Blind Side Release: 2010 Director: John Lee Hancock Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Kathy Bates Reviewer: John Butler Anyone with an interest in the USA – and largely thanks to Hollywood, that would be many of us – would probably agree that part of the fascination lies in the many paradoxes and contradictions [Read more]
Footy/Soccer: Geelong stadium suggestion fuels my anger over World Cup
March 2, 2010 by 44 Comments
By Susie Giese The recent bid to upgrade Skilled Stadium to a 44,000-seater square pitch by no means solves the issue of a stymied AFL season. After State Government announced plans late last year to upgrade the MCG for its appeal to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, newspapers Australia-wide received an influx of [Read more]
You can never go back: Football returns to Princes Park
March 2, 2010 by 2 Comments
by John Butler It seemed like a good time to revisit the old girl. Admittedly, a stinking hot February afternoon doesn’t exactly scream footy, and it was only another edition of the pre-season Hit and Giggle Cup (sorry, Challenge), but you never know when opportunity will next present. Besides, whispers had it that a certain [Read more]
NAB Cup, Round 2: It’s hard to find a score in the bathroom
March 1, 2010 by 72 Comments
It has been one of the worst days of my life. After hearing the bad news that I couldn’t make the trip down to Melbourne for a second consecutive week to the footy, I confide myself to listening and watching the game on the internet. As I log onto the computer to check the latest [Read more]
Footy: Hawthorn’s left footers v right footers
March 1, 2010 by 489 Comments
Left B: Brent Guerra, Josh Gibson, Matthew Suckling HB: Grant Birchall, Ryan Schoenmakers, Jarrod Kayler-Thomson
Cricket: Weighing up the harmless and dangerous aspects of twenty20
March 1, 2010 by 1 Comment
I’ve been pretty negative about truncated cricket. It’s surprisingly fun to play, but I can’t say I get much out of watching it, and even less out of thinking about it. Those animated conversations about great games from last year just don’t seem to happen. Even half-watching what’s left of the West Indies trying to [Read more]
Cricket: Winners are grinners, especially against Victoria
March 1, 2010 by 10 Comments
When fluid-enhanced social intercourse among this nation’s sporting experts tackles the subject of great sporting rivalries, the punters often fall for the trap of blinkered vision. ‘Poms and Australia at Cricket’. ‘Waddabout Kiwis and Australia at Rugby’ ‘Naaar, Collingwood and Carlton,’ and on and on and on. Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish and more rubbish.
NAB Cup, Round 2: Top last quarter helps get ordinary rice taste out of my mouth
March 1, 2010 by 11 Comments
After getting woken up at 8.30am due to some enormous thunder I didn’t do much all day. I had my usual Strawberry Yoplait yoghurt first thing and had a read of the Herald Sun, filled out my papers for work experience then I did some odd chores around the house for mum. Today I got [Read more]
NAB Challenge: Demons’ loss not as bad as it seems
March 1, 2010 by 106 Comments
By Steve Healy The NAB challenge. Far from the ultimate challenge in football, but it certainly pays off when you get to spend quality time at the footy at a ground like Princes Park (or Visy, or Optus). My younger brother Brendan finally agreed to come to the game with me, which is a first, [Read more]
Footy: A Magpie childhood
March 1, 2010 by 6 Comments
Bu Sue Currie I have always been an outsider. It started when I was three months old and my parents bought our house in Chadstone. We were a nest of Magpies in a suburb of Tigerland. I’ve remedied this now as a Magpie living in black and white Northcote! That was a long time ago. [Read more]
NAB Cup Round 2: Big Bad Barry Back In Town
February 28, 2010 by 2 Comments
By Damian Watson This particular Friday is filled with high anticipation as two star forwards, who after departing from their previous respective clubs following undisciplined actions last year, begin to pull on a different guernsey in 2010. Carlton’s summer of turmoil may have stemmed from Brendan Fevola’s Brownlow antics and I am delighted as the Blues prevail over Brisbane in a Visy Park practice match in [Read more]
NAB Cup, Round 1: This competition doesn’t mean anything, does it?
February 27, 2010 by 27 Comments
By Steve Healy After an exciting day at the footy with my Almanac Friends (Josh, Damo, Michael and Adam) there is nothing better than coming home to hear the Dees play Freo on the radio. Well, there might be, but on Sunday night it was the best option. I get off the train at Darling [Read more]
NAB Cup, Round 2: Dogs deserve to be pre-season favourites
February 27, 2010 by 78 Comments
Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs Gee, this week has gone quick. After surviving Monday and Tuesday, the final few days flew. Soon enough, I’m sitting in my chair, with the TV on, footy on, and Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life is playing? Right, weird choice Seven. Barry Hall runs out for the tri-colours [Read more]
NAB Cup, Round 1: The day I met Josh, Steve, Michael, Damo and Majak
February 27, 2010 by 14 Comments
NAB CUP ROUND 1 – NORTH MELBOURNE vs GEELONG When I announced my plans during the week to go to the footy with some people I’d never met, the responses from my parents were mixed. Mum was strongly disapproving of the whole idea. “You say you’re 100% sure they are who they say they are, [Read more]
Poetry: Black and White
February 27, 2010 by 11 Comments
By Andrew Gigacz – It used to seem very easy To “footy fan” categorise You barracked for us, or barracked for them Or (GASP!) maybe even the Pies! –
Odd Spot: Oldie but a goodie
February 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment
US 13-year-old gelding Cool N Collective “will try again to become what is believed to be the oldest horse ever to win a race in New York when he faces 6 others in the 1st race at Aqueduct (over 8 furlongs) later today,” reported bloodhorse.com. This will be his 81st lifetime start; at his previous [Read more]
Racing: Typhoon Tracy the pick on a day of little depth
February 26, 2010 by 2 Comments
Amongst a congested sporting landscape, the once prestigious Futurity Stakes meeting at Caulfield is in danger of being overlooked by sportslovers and punters, many of whom are already casting their wayward staking towards footy betting, which on the NAB Cup is foolhardy. Friday night’s meeting at the Valley is actually very good but it will [Read more]
Book Review: When dreams come true
February 25, 2010 by 5 Comments
Book: Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the bad old days of Australian cricket Writer: Christian Ryan Publisher: Allen and Unwin, Melbourne, 2009 Price: $35 Reviewer: Les Everett WESTERN AUSTRALIA is a big State but it’s a small place. In 1974, when I left Kalgoorlie-Boulder to attend Graylands Teachers’ College, 600 kilometres away in Perth, I [Read more]
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