So it all comes down to this. We must beat last year’s premiers to make the eight. Them or us. Desperation is the name of today’s game. The Bombers have made hard work of trying to make the finals. Winning thrillers against top teams but failing to consolidate against lower placed teams has placed us [Read more]
Local Footy: Loxton win through to Riverland Grand Final
August 31, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Nick Kossatch The Loxton Tigers are through to the RFL A grade Grand Final after their fighting 14-point win against the Waikerie Magpies in the 2nd Semi-Final at Loxton North oval.
AFL Round 22: We are Collingwood
August 31, 2009 by 3 Comments
The equation for this game was incredibly simple, even for Collingwood. All we had to do was not lose by more than twenty-two points. A loss by less than this amount would give us a game against the Cats next week (possibly minus Chapman and S. Johnson) and would also mean that we avoided Adelaide’s [Read more]
AFL Round 22: Eagles end season with a walk in the park
August 30, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The last round of the season has come upon us, which is always sad for supporters, especially the ones who barrack for bottom eight sides. This game is one that means nothing: 12th v 15th.
Racing: Review for Caulfield and Rosehill on 29 August
August 30, 2009 by 20 Comments
Mark “Makybe” Freeman writes: Victory was ours punters – and stick with the footyalmanac tipsters: we’re fit and in form. It started with your correspondent wagering Daff’s Monopoly money firmly on Mic Mac’s nose, who duly saluted in the Memsie in a display showing he’s more than capable of mixing with the topliners in stakes [Read more]
The Pre-Wrap, Round XXII: Buddy appeal a strange one for family club
August 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment
For the Philosophical Marngrook Follower What a week it’s been in Footy Eddie. The Hawks’ appeal against the one week suspension of Big Buddy (Fast becoming Bad Boy Buddy – Ed) was always doomed. And one can only surmise why they wrote out the cheque. Reminiscent of Black Jack’s war of attrition on the Artful [Read more]
Racing: Now’s the time to place your cups double bets
August 28, 2009 by 3 Comments
By Chris Riordan Doubles bookies always promote their dire liabilities, neglecting to mention the stream of lost bets that line their coffers. They, and we, queue up each year in the battle- them for a consistent earn and us, not just for the riches, but the bragging rights that accompany a long-range plonk.
Racing: Preview for Caulfield and Sandown on 29 and 30 August
August 28, 2009 by 11 Comments
Mark “Makybe” Freeman writes: Punters, it’s all on again with a huge card at the Heath , while at Rosehill it’s the first Group 1 of the season, the Golden Rose for the three-year-olds. If you’re having a punt this spring, make sure you have a squizz online (bigpond is free) or on TVN at [Read more]
General Footy Writing: A gap in the script
August 28, 2009 by 1 Comment
By John Kingsmill 5.20pm, Monday 24 August 2009 5AA drivetime sport radio -o- Graham Cornes: An email from John Kingsmill: “Every night, now, you two have a domestic squabble on air.” Stephen Rowe: Yeah? What about? GC: Oh, because you said something off air about Port Adelaide and I said… SR: Because I said it [Read more]
Jones Files: Golden nuggets found in 1949 Football Record
August 28, 2009 by Leave a Comment
IN LATE winter 1949 I watched Geelong play Footscray at Kardinia Park. Other matches on the VFL schedule that weekend were all played at suburban venues: Princes Park, Windy Hill, Punt Road, Victoria Park and the Junction Oval. The competition had 12 teams, a number that had stayed intact from 1925 right through the Depression [Read more]
General Footy Writing: Ungarie junior premiership ushers in next generation of Danihers
August 27, 2009 by Leave a Comment
On the eve of the Footy Almanac lunch on Friday 28 August, at which Anthony Daniher and Adam McNicol will talk about Adam’s recently released biography of The Danihers, comes the news out of the Riverina that there are some more Danihers on the way to the AFL! What would you expect when the Daniher [Read more]
Fifth Test: A good night spoiled as Punter’s exit sums up series
August 27, 2009 by 4 Comments
by John Harms I’m feeling really ripped off. About the cricket. Even more ripped off than I felt in 1975 when those activists dug up the pitch at Headingley and McCosker and Walters didn’t get the chance to chase the huge total England had set for them. They would have got `em. My 13-year-old mind [Read more]
Round 21: Doggies fans are real
August 27, 2009 by 1 Comment
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]
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