Search Results for: john butler

Round 16 – Carlton v Sydney: Roller coasters can hold our beer

Though the Carlton journey through 2020 has had its queasy moments, John Butler is hanging on for the ride. Tuesday night was rough on the fingernails.

Round 3 – Geelong v Carlton: We’re taking it one citadel at a time

A turning point? Or just lucky? Or both? Whatever your call, John Butler is happy to celebrate Carlton’s first win down at Geelong in a very long time.

The Wisteria Diary – No breadcrumbs will mark this way out

As we start to emerge from lock down, some will say it’s the end of the beginning. John Butler isn’t even that confident.

The Wisteria Diary – Watching the curve

Like all of us, John Butler is watching the curve, wondering where it will lead us.

The Wisteria Diary – Dispatches from the retail front line

Like so many, John Butler now has time on his hands and a bit to consider.

AFLW Round 4 – Adelaide v Carlton: Not so useless after all

John Butler reports on an impressive Carlton performance.

AFLW Round 1 – Richmond v Carlton: Blues too seasoned for raw Tigers

The Blues were too slick for the Tigers in the AFLW season opener. But John Butler wonders why there was no ”Unleash the Geish” merch?

AFLW: An unauthorized season primer (Part 2)

In the second part of his AFLW4 preview, John Butler looks at the competing clubs.

AFLW4: An unauthorized season primer (Part 1)

For those who may not have been keeping up, John Butler gets you up to speed for the AFLW season. (Opinions are his, definitely not the AFL’s -Ed).

The 2019-2020 Test Summer: Poor preparation leads to piss-poor performance

“These tales of visiting woe just serve to reinforce that the Australian test summer was really all about us. Which, if we’re being honest, is how we generally like it.” John Butler looks at the test summer that was.

Series preview – Australia v Pakistan: Summer sneaks upon us

In a summer where mental health has caused more discussion than the cricket, the First Test is upon us. John Butler looks at what may lie ahead.

The Ashes 2019: Tim Paine is not our problem, but you might be

John Butler responds to the naysayers calling for Tim Paine’s sacking after the Headingley loss, instead questioning the supposed cultural change Australian cricket was meant to have undergone following last year’s ball tampering fiasco.

The Ashes 2019 – Third Test: This is where the test comes

Headingley 2019 was ultimately Ben Stokes’ moment. But other moments will present. John Butler hopes the Australians sense the opportunity.

Round 20 – Carlton v West Coast: Eagles show Blues what’s required

John Butler muses on caretaker coaches, before recounting a high standard game that left Carlton with a clear indication of where they stand.

Almanac Time Capsule: Some of my best friends are Saints (really)

It has been a very long decade for both St Kilda and Carlton. Back in 2009, John Butler ventured some opinions on the differing world views of both clubs. Both are now, once again, contemplating new coaches. How do both sets of supporters view things now?

Round 12 – Carlton v Brisbane: When all else fails, in Crippa we trust

John Butler can’t tell you if this Carlton win means anything in the bigger scheme, but he was glad he was there to watch one of the great individual performances. Ladies and gentlemen, Patrick Cripps!

Carlton: Trust us, we’re professionals

“With this decision, the New Carlton has developed a very strong whiff of the Old Carlton. Which is no real shock, because some of the board actually are the Old Carlton. They’d just claimed they’d seen the light.” John Butler on the Old Dark Navy Blues.

AFLW Round 1: A conference imbalance already?

Season 3 of AFLW began spectacularly, with four thrillers out of five games, all played in hot conditions. But as the players put on a great show, John Butler has concerns about the potential for the new conference system to unduly shape the finals.

Australia v India – Adelaide, Day 1: Dogged Pujara saves sloppy India

Cheteshwar Pujara saved his side from embarrassment, as India struggled against an impressive Australian first day effort. John Butler reports.

Almanac Cricket – Questions of legacy

With the revolving door at Cricket Australia spinning ever faster, John Butler assesses the legacies of those departed, or soon to depart.