WITH all the focus on St Kilda and Geelong this week, In the Sheds combed through last weekend’s results to see if any portents could be gleaned from the clubs that wore Saints and Cats jumpers in local footy grand finals. Of the clubs that wore Saints jumpers, Koroit (Hampden league) and St Kilda City [Read more]
In the Sheds: Saints and Cats jumpers fail to offer a guide to AFL fortunes
September 23, 2009 by 3 Comments
General Footy Writing: Wayward kicking provides just one of several twists in dramatic 1948 Grand Final
September 23, 2009 by 4 Comments
Most footy fans are familiar with the epic VFL drawn grand final of 1977. It was televised live into millions of loungerooms and has been replayed constantly since. Television has allowed us to relive the drama of that sun-drenched afternoon at the MCG, and fans too young to remember can still experience the historic moments [Read more]
Local Footy: Oopy’s oration stirs players and supporters to score win for the ages
September 23, 2009 by 4 Comments
By Darren Dawson Almost two weeks on from my old club’s stunning grand final victory, it is only now that the hairs on the back of my neck have begun to settle down. Having been comprehensively defeated by D1-section rivals Peninsula Old Boys in the second semi, Willy CYs had fought back through the preliminary [Read more]
Gigs’ Stats: Cold reception suits Saints and Cats just fine
September 23, 2009 by 6 Comments
Andrew Gigacz’s Finals Week 3 Stat. Declaration SAINTS CAUSE FAINTS WHILE CATS PILE UP STATS Now that it’s all over bar the shouting, it remains only to be seen who’ll be shouting the bar – Saints supporters or Cats clappers. Let’s see what could be gleaned from the two games. LAKE, BLAKE AND DOGGY HEARTACHE [Read more]
General Footy Writing: My night of waiting in line to buy Grand Final tickets
September 23, 2009 by 11 Comments
It’s Sunday night. Tomorrow at 9 am Grand Final tickets will be released to AFL full members of non-competing clubs. Dad and a few other AFL member mates have been planning for a few weeks now and tonight we put the plan into action. There are two ticket locations near us: Chirnside Park and Ringwood. [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Black and White through shades of Blue
September 23, 2009 by 6 Comments
Warning: the following will contain biases which are impossible to conceal. Another Magpie campaign has come-a-gutsa at the hands of the formidable Cats. Once again the black and white army is left to its disgruntled contemplation of what might have been … My heart beats Old Dark Navy Blue, and seldom will I be seen [Read more]
General Footy Writing: I love the Brownlow Medal
September 23, 2009 by 5 Comments
It’s one of my favourite nights of the year, the speculation, the over-achievers, the under-achievers, and the night where heroes are made. It’s Brownlow medal night. I can remember every Brownlow medal from 2000 onwards, mainly because Wowoedin won that year. That was the good old days when my whole family loved footy. At the [Read more]
AFL Prelim Finals: Pies are simply not good enough
September 23, 2009 by 100 Comments
It’s 6pm. I’m sitting in my room and the rain starts to belt down on to the roof, making that familiar and comforting sound. I’m watching a replay of Carlton v Adelaide in my room, just for the sake of watching a high-scoring game. I realise it’s an hour and a half before the bounce, [Read more]
Haiku Bob: AFL Finals – week 3 – oceans of torment
September 23, 2009 by 3 Comments
heavy rain – beyond the old picket fence oceans of torment swirling sky beneath dark clouds and umbrellas Harry spears the first downpour – one Cat then another bobs up rain stops – our defence leaks Ablett sky clears Leon has left us too wanting the scores to be different I drink more moon spills [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Tales of Krakouer brothers and Cockatoo-Collins confirm rich contribution of indigenous players to Australian football
September 23, 2009 by 3 Comments
A keen audience gathered at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra , to attend the recent FORCE FOR GOOD seminar. Presented by the museum in conjunction with with Manning Clark House and hosted by John Harms, the seminar focused on how indigenous Australians have enriched football. Dr Sean Gorman (an Almanacker) spoke about his book Brotherboys, which [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Full points for my mate the goal umpire
September 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment
by Darren Dawson The Saints v Bulldogs prelim final was a cracker of a game. It was impossible even for the impartial viewer not to get caught up in the romance of two historically unsuccessful clubs battling it out for a spot in the grand final. The game itself did not disappoint. However, for me [Read more]
AFL Prelim Finals: Pies’ loss hurts like hell
September 22, 2009 by 2 Comments
By Paul Fahey Well … I have sat down a few times to write the report but until this morning I could not really muster the energy or enthusiasm to really revisit the match! On Sunday, as I have done following previous finals losses, I chose to not really communicate with the outside world – [Read more]
Ireland Correspondent: Kennelly a very happy man after earning unique double through Kerry triumph
September 22, 2009 by 4 Comments
By Peter Lenaghan The son returned to the Kingdom. He was welcomed home. He gathered up the strands of a life he’d put on hold a decade earlier. He joined the famous county football team in which his father had made the family’s name. He battled for recognition and form in an ageing and divided [Read more]
View From Shepparton: Good on you, Gazza, and thank goodness Judd fell short
September 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Well Gazza got up and good on him. I recently became aware that some commentators have criticised him for standing clear of the play to receive easy handballs or kicks but I must say that this has never been obvious to me. I would just go to a game to see him play. The other [Read more]
State Footy: VFA memories flood back as Preston attack overpowers Port in Preliminary Final
September 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Off to North Port Oval for the Preliminary Final between Preston, now known as Northern Bullants, and Port Melbourne, always known as The Borough. I missed the first 10 minutes because of my partner’s very important birthday lunch/celebrations at a very swish Melbourne hotel. I could barely wobble my way out of the hotel because [Read more]
General Footy Writing: No flies on Carlton’s Bulldog Gilbert; he just loves his footy club
September 21, 2009 by 3 Comments
By Pia Abrahams I didn’t expect to be sharing laundry tips with a footy club legend and a pesky lorikeet on a frosty winter morning. But construction at the Carlton Football Club’s elite training facility has landed my meeting with its property steward in the shadow of a gum tree on a Princes Park bench. [Read more]
The Wrap: Now for the big one
September 21, 2009 by 10 Comments
THE WRAP Where Life Imitates Sport What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Feeling Faints toughed out an absolute thriller as The Dogs get boned once again at the last hurdle. The Saturday night event was a fizzer, with Carringbush doing most of the fizzing. Forget Derby Day and Cup Week. Don’t you [Read more]
Footy Book: Saints and Cats fans among those who reveal deep connections in ‘Footy Passions’
September 21, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By John Cash, co-author of Footy Passions Footy Passions is a ‘footy book’, but it is different from most. Instead of focusing on certain players, clubs or matches, it looks closely at some devoted supporters of AFL clubs. It explores their passion for their team. It enters the personal world of keen [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Alas I’ll have to rely on my sister again for a Brownlow update
September 21, 2009 by 5 Comments
A national game it’s supposed to be But alas the Brownlow count I’ll again not see It’s that time of year again, when all thoughts head south. The Brownlow Medal count isn’t screened into the states that the AFL can’t get to quickly enough. Hmmm….? Not screened live that is. Past bed time screening doesn’t [Read more]
AFL Prelim Finals: Cats turn Pies inside out to storm into Grand Final
September 21, 2009 by 17 Comments
After not attending either semi-final, Dad and I decided to lift our game and attend both prelim finals. As we walk through the Fitzroy Gardens it becomes obvious that Collingwood’s playing. We’re surrounded by beer, cigarettes, Collingwood chants and very few teeth. We pass a herd of Collingwood fans at a barbecue in the car [Read more]
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