by John Harms It’s Friday night. I am a little concerned. The Cats are wobbly, and the Dogs have a top four spot to play for. But the result doesn’t matter too much anyway (I tell myself). I do a lap of Etihad Stadium, wandering slowly along the concourse on the first level. Red, white [Read more]
Local Footy: Heidelberg reveal size of task for Northern league rivals
August 27, 2009 by 4 Comments
By Paul Daffey In 2000 I went to the Eastern Football League grand final between East Burwood and Vermont. It was the last match held at Waverley Park before that ground was closed down as a venue for footy matches. I remember a cold, crisp night and a match of ill-humour. The sprinkling of spectators [Read more]
General Footy Writing: The top ten finals according to Stainless
August 27, 2009 by 26 Comments
One of the few joys of being a Richmond supporter is that you can regularly attend finals matches without emotional involvement. The football purist takes over and you can sit back, relax with a quiet, reflective beer and enjoy the best of what the rest of the competition has to offer. A ripper 2009 finals [Read more]
Local Footy: Falcons threaten to swoop on flag
August 27, 2009 by 314 Comments
It’s a Sunday lunchtime and I’m preparing for my first and what might be my final Grand Final, and I’m excited. I have certainly enjoyed this season, participating in an older age group after our previous team folded. For the Knox under-16 side it has proven to be a successful finals series as we have [Read more]
AFL Round 21: One victory lights up a dark season
August 26, 2009 by 3 Comments
St. Kilda versus North Melbourne 1.10pm, Sunday, August 23 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Andrew Starkie Even the darkest season produces a glimmer of triumph. Light that makes the heartache worthwhile. Hope that keeps you coming back. It can be a mere moment: an unforgettable mark, a sublime passage of play, the emergence of a young star. [Read more]
Ireland Correspondent: Race for cherished title nears full bloom
August 26, 2009 by 4 Comments
By Peter Lenaghan It is an important time for the Irish community. Its fabled, passionately followed competition, celebrating a milestone this year, is reaching its annual climax. Months of hard work and preparation have been devoted to a shot at glory. Weaker challengers have fallen by the wayside. Bookmakers are setting odds and holding vast [Read more]
In the Sheds: Saints’ kicking is sinful
August 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Paul Daffey HORSHAM Saints president Peter Daffy might have been on to something when he bumped into his counterpart from Warrack Eagles, David Stewart, at the Wimmera league’s elimination final on Sunday. The previous day, at Central Park in Stawell, the Eagles defeated the Saints in the qualifying final by two points, 11.11 (77) [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Please, Damien, make me care about the Tigers again
August 26, 2009 by 2 Comments
By Jason Feldman Being in love with Richmond is akin to being the victim of an abusive relationship. You know you’ll end up a physical and emotional mess but you just can’t let go. The Tigers keep promising that change is around the corner, so you hang around from year to year praying for some [Read more]
AFL Round 21: Walk across half-back upholds the Magpie name
August 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
There have been many great football monikers down through the years, from the Flying Doormat to Plugger and the Galloping Gasometer. My favourite football name is fictional. It was the thinly veiled title given to the suburb of Collingwood by the writer Frank Hardy in his novel Pride Without Glory . . . Carringbush.
View From Shepparton: Lions’ comeback tops off an engrossing round
August 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Hate to be a St Kilda barracker when the siren sounds at the end of the Grand Final against Brisbane and Nick lines up for goal 45 metres out, having just taken a pack screamer. Actually as a keen sportsman, sorry, person, I would get no joy either way if this scenario eventuated. I guess [Read more]
Haiku Bob – AFL Round 21 – such and such
August 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Sunday football – players emerge head-bowed from their sermons blowing a gale – trees and forwards stripped of life for some the ball goes only where the wind wants it to two fumbles and suddenly Dick in the clear late winter squall – smooth passing gone with [Read more]
Local Footy: How Wynyard fans made Penguin squawk
August 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Bill Walker If you believe the catch cry, “A week is a long time in football”, then two weeks must be an eternity. George’s season was over. Payments from his parents and upgrades into “the private ’elf” got him to a specialist in quick time. Day surgery for a re-break and set and he [Read more]
Round 21: Richmond v Hawthorn — the game that divides a family
August 25, 2009 by 5 Comments
When marriage occurs in Victoria , negotiation is necessary on football teams. Some are fortunate enough to have met someone who supports the same team as they do, but the majority of couples have a dilemma. There are two paths that the couple can go down: 1. The less passionate footy follower agrees to give [Read more]
Cricket: No need to panic; Australians just need to take block and start again
August 25, 2009 by 2 Comments
In an age in which media inquisitions are compulsory and reflexive, the loss of the Ashes will inevitably prompt a torrent of opinion on the source of failure, closely aligned with a rousing chorus of “What is to be done?” In this environment I am (perhaps unwisely) tempted to add some thoughts to the hubbub.
Round 21: Tigers are still doing time
August 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By John Green I have a cousin who spent most of his adult life in gaol. Try as he might, he simply couldn’t escape the culture. It all started when he was 17 and things pretty much went downhill from there. He was unable to make a fist of things outside the prison walls, invariably [Read more]
The Wrap: Come Sunday and the boilovers continued
August 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The Penultimate Home & Away Round What a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Doggies chewed up The Pradas which is sure to lift spirits around at The Kennel and have The Handbags thinking about changing their brand name (Maybe to the wet paper bags – Ed). Carlton win comfortably without looking convincing. The [Read more]
Gigs’ Stats: Make-up of the eight is not as clear-cut as you think
August 25, 2009 by 7 Comments
Andrew Gigacz’s Round 21 Stat. Declaration FINALS PERMUTATIONS ABOUND IN FINAL SENSATIONAL ROUND As the man who inspired Ben Cousin’s torso markings once said, “so it’s come to this”. The Pies will finish third, the Bulldogs will finish fourth and Essendon and Hawthorn will play off in a virtual elimination final.
AFL Round 21: Hawks beat Tigers in another game that vindicates my childhood choice
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
When I was five years old it was 1977 and I was in my first year of primary school. It was the year I discovered footy. Duffle coats decorated with footy badges and football heroes’ numbers on the back were the fashion, and footy cards were exchanged like local currency. That year, more than most [Read more]
Local Footy: Waaia win tops off a perfect day
August 24, 2009 by 42 Comments
By Josh Barnstable I wake up early on a Sunday morning and find the sun is shining brightly. I get up, get dressed and prepare for a day of watching footy. Not AFL, though. Country footy. Finals. Yesterday I’d gone to Numurkah with Dad to see Numurkah play Congupna. Ron Barassi was making an appearance [Read more]
AFL Round 21: Cats joins Dogs on second tier, behind Pies and Saints
August 24, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Josh Barnstable The big battle between the animals. Dog v Cat. The last time these animals clashed, it was the Cats in the best game of the year. Brad Johnson, who missed after the siren, lost the game for the Doggies. Everyone is looking forward to the rematch. The Dogs have the stumbles but [Read more]
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