AFL Round 21: Walk across half-back upholds the Magpie name

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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]

VAFA: Aquinas the biggest winner in relegation battles

All sections from C to D4 completed their home-and-away rounds on Saturday. The only section to feature a dramatic relegation escape was D1, where the bottom four teams played each other. Prahran (seventh) was playing at South Melbourne Districts (eighth) while Aquinas (ninth) hosted Emmaus-St Leo’s (tenth).

Fifth Test, Day 3: There you have it — all preconceptions blown out the window

It’s a sad reflection of my life that I offered to write this Saturday night for the cricket report.  The once youthful, bundle of energy that I was has fallen the ways of the domestic silent majority and was happily watching SBS (not the usual late night programs) through the night to see if Australia [Read more]

AFL Round 21: Hawks keep finals hopes alive with win over Tigers

It’s Saturday night. The game’s only on Ten. There are no changes to either team. Graham Polak runs out for the Tigers in the protective head gear. Max Bailey runs out, for the first time in three years and two knee reconstructions. Riley Milne is debuting for the Hawks. There were plenty of stories in [Read more]

Local Footy: Bigger things beckon for Barmera-Monash

By Nick Kossatch Barmera-Monash easily defeated non-finalists Berri by 43 points in the final minor round in the RFL A-grade at Barmera Oval. The Roos produced a scintillating eight-goal first quarter with ruck-rover Dillon Millard in rare form and Robert Price booting three goals.

Local Footy: Portland show Power how it’s really done

By Nick Kossatch The Riverland Superdogs were rolled by visiting side Portland, from Adelaide, by a huge 55 points in the over-35’s Super-rules football at Berri Oval on Sunday. Portland, whose jumper is that of hapless Port Adelaide Power, dominated from go to woe with their Aboriginal midfielders dazzling with their skills.

AFL Round 21: Pies score another win as I dread the end of the season

The footy season is nearly over and the big questions I’m asking are: * What am I supposed to do now? * How will I spend my weekends? * And more importantly, how will I survive? The seriousness of this matter is epic! Footy is the only reason to get out of bed on the [Read more]

Women’s Footy: Darebin take VWFL flag

By Leesa Catto Darebin were too good, too strong and too experienced as they outmuscled the Creekers yesterday at Box Hill city Oval. It was  Darebin’s day, winning both the VWFL reserves and seniors Grand Finals. The seniors took home the Susan Alberti cup after beating a gallant Diamond Creek team by 44 points in front of a record crowd at Box [Read more]

Crio’s Question: Got any sports book recommendations? Maybe feature doubles ideas?

By Chris Riordan The success of England and Collingwood require some diversions to happier times. Father’s Day looms and it is time for Dads to be proactive and thus avoid the cursed socks and bad after-shave. When I was young Dad would get the new Miller’s Guide, but it comes out too late these days. [Read more]