Close the Etihad Stadium roof

Just close the roof, says Jackson Clark, it’s a no-brainer

AFL Round 18 – Carlton v North Melbourne: Laughter and Losses

Jonathan Sloan enjoys the 21st century comforts of a roofed stadium and, as a neutral, enjoys the banter over an unlikely game of footy.

AFL Round 6 – Adelaide v Western Bulldogs: Munch on, munch on, what a lovely luncheon!

There’s something more than a little surreal about this piece: Bulldogs v Adelaide in a Boomerang Bar. [Never thought I see a reference to the Ramones and Gabriel Garcia Marquez in the same piece – Ed].

AFL Round 6 – Carlton v West Coast: West Coast get the blues

As a neutral with free tickets, Alan Stewart is underwhelmed by these two teams. Though shades of blue and keen observations make for a memorable day.

Places in my past

After a great day spent with her Doggies, Kerrie Soraghan reflects on a club that means so much to so many. [A must read -Ed]

2013 – A Season In Song: Round 7,8,9 – An Early Bye

After a Champy-enforced rest, Swish Schwerdt is back for Round 9, but is starting to wonder if the coach is playing favourites.

AFL Round 19 – Western Bulldogs v Sydney: An honourable loss for the Dogs

Cobba Stevens asks, what is an honourable loss? Losing by less than you thought? Having a crack? The Dogs certainly couldn’t have done much more against the Swans.

AFL Round 19 – North Melbourne v Geelong: Back in Town

The last time these two teams played, Rob Chanter watched it in a dark basement in Toronto in the wee small hours, hunched over a laptop with the speakers at sotto voce, for fear of waking the Blushing Bride. Friday night was the Chanter family’s first game back since returning to Melbourne. Their timing was perfect.

AFL Round 1 – North Melbourne v Collingwood: Sing along with the common people

Matt O’Connor found joy in Collingwood’s performance despite the gloomy atmosphere of the “abandoned office block” that is Etihad Stadium.

AFL Round 1 – Western Bulldogs v Brisbane: Pride (in the name of the litter)

Footscray’s win over Brisbane was a triumph for Brendan McCartney and 22 desperate individuals, writes Mick Jeffrey.

Barry Dickins on Docklands Stadium

It is a most grim truth that Docklands Stadium has no moral right to exist.

AFL Round 21 – Geelong v St Kilda: Friday Freedom

Friday afternoon. One of my favourite times of the week. When I was teaching it was beers after a flat-out week of Maths and History and organising rugby and basketball training (yes, I coached rugby, and at an accreditation clinic I even packed down with the Queensland scrum. I have had my head in Tony [Read more]

Misplaced sentimentality?

It’s a little strange to feel sentimental about a stadium that is barely over a decade old. I tend to get lost within the sameness of Etihad Stadium.  Signs aside, I can’t really tell the difference between the Lockett or Coventry end, or whether I’m facing north or south.  The food and merchandise concession stands [Read more]

Round 10 Preview and Ground Irrationalisation

Greeting one and all, Welcome to Round 10, This Friday night we have yet another blockbuster, but yet again the “Best Fit” policy has not come into play.  The Saints have crossed the line in the sand and Tiger army is roaring but how many will not be able to see the game live due [Read more]

Making my Eithad Stadium debut

By Kadin Holloway It felt good to run on Etihad stadium with over one thousand people. And when I ran on to the field but it is only a quarter of the field not the whole field!!!! I could see my Mum and Dad with over one thousand people. I felt a little nervous when [Read more]

Crio’s Q: Eye-catching grounds

It must be Subi”, I deduced, glancing at the screen. There they were….M, M, M, M – the “messages on hold” stalwarts waving their signs behind the goal umpire. Somehow this amuses me. It also locates the venue. Bearings were not so evident before Saturday night’s FA Cup Final. Sure, everyone knows that is played at [Read more]

Mosquito fleet helps Bombers soar

The “refugee” from Jersey rang me up earlier in the week to see if I was free to go and see the Dons take on Brisbane. Not a lot was on for me, so the answer was a quick yes.  Now I don’t have a lot of love for the Emptyhead Stadium behind Spencer Street  [Read more]

Hold that bus!

Staring into the depth of my blue and white stripes of my new North Melbourne jumper, I wondered. Is it really worth it to travel three hours, tagging along with my girlfriend Liz and her little brother Sam, to the one-sided clash between my Kangas and Sam’s Cats. Being a good sport, I decided to [Read more]

Carlton too good at promising new stadium

Carlton versus Brisbane Lions Saturday, April 4 Etihad Stadium by Tony Birch   Carlton 3.2 11.5 13.8 18.11 (119) Brisbane Lions 3.3 4.6 10.8 15.10 (100)   Goals Carlton: Fevola 5; Murphy 3, Betts 3; Gibbs 2, Cloke 2; Judd, Hadley, Houlihan. Brisbane Lions: Bradshaw 6; Brown 3; Sherman 2, Hooper 2; Johnstone, McGrath.   [Read more]