By Bangkok correspondent Paul McKay The train trip from central Sydney out to ANZ stadium was one of those entertaining footy crowd train journeys. Lots of cheery footy fans bubbling away at the anticipation of a big game, with first playing second on the ladder. Of particular note were two tall Sydney fans in bright [Read more]
Psalm 89:46
August 13, 2012 by 7 Comments
How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? While Ms Gillard struggles with our nation’s weighty border issues its high time Barry cast his bleak eye Albury way to shore up our state boundaries. The scene at ANZ on Saturday night shows that the normal wards [Read more]
Let’s forget about today
August 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I am at the Charles Dickens. It’s just past 7. J is at the bar ordering another round. I’m in the corner. I cradle my pint glass as I stare into the distance. Adelaide and Essendon are replicating the epic battle of 1993. Patrons in ill-fitting suits cheer as Taylor Walker casually slots a goal [Read more]
The revolution will be televised
August 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
With all this Olympics brouhaha dominating the news the Swans game this week crept up on me like a spider in the dark. Nine’s coverage has been in modern parlance an epic fail and it’s a relief when Sunday comes and we get to watch an entire sporting event. Imagine if Fox or 7 Mate [Read more]
Should’ve, could’ve, didn’t … again
July 24, 2012 by 2 Comments
Round 17 was another round of “should’ve, could’ve but DIDN’T” for the St. Kilda Football Club. Schneider SHOULD’VE kicked that goal, Rooey SHOULD’VE taken that mark, Kosi COULD’VE run harder at the ball. But they DIDN’T. Kelsey Smith
The Personal Touch
July 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of the things I really enjoy about footy is those personal rivalries. Its one thing sticking it up some random in the crowd but I find it far more satisfying engaging with The Enemy supporters in a bit of banter one-on-one. Even in Sydney, where I’m outnumbered by a whole raft of Hawks, Blues [Read more]
Fluffy goes to Puppy Heaven
July 23, 2012 by 10 Comments
Our household, going into this weekend, had three people, two Carlton and one Saints supporter, and two dogs, the eldest Peettee, 13 years old Poodle Shitzu who acts like he’s a five year old, and Fluffy, an 11 year old Poodle Shitzu. This weekend, Fluffy got sick, very sick. In the middle of [Read more]
The Year of the Bird
July 20, 2012 by 14 Comments
In another thread this week PeterB suggested that the premiership will be won by “The Big Birds”. Personally I am still pretty confident about the small black and white birds’ chances. Many commentators are promoting the predator birds that are a little smaller than PeterB’s big birds. In the Emerald City they point out that [Read more]
The Footygods: Aniketos and Alexiares
July 20, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Aniketos and Alexiares were the sons of Heracles and Hebe. Some called them gatekeepers. Some gave them responsibility for defence. There wasn’t much difference in those days. And on a footy field, there still isn’t. The crowd always love the flash things up forward. They marvel at the skill of the midfield. But they know [Read more]
The view from base camp
July 19, 2012 by 12 Comments
Is it possible to fully enjoy watching a game of football involving your team? Apart from the three seconds between Leo Barry’s mark and the siren in 2005 I don’t think I have been able to watch a game of football involving the Swans with pure joy. Am I unique or do others share my [Read more]
1980 A Personal Footy Almanac – Round 16, Sunday 20 July, v St Kilda, SCG
July 18, 2012 by 7 Comments
The final of the VFL’s four exhibition games at the SCG this year was St Kilda’s home game against Richmond. All four games were played on Sunday afternoons as the League, to this point stymied by the State Government from playing Sunday matches in Melbourne, chose to use Sydney as the base for pitching this [Read more]
The Wrap – Round XVI
July 16, 2012 by 1 Comment
THE WRAP – ROUND XVI WHERE LIFE IMITATES FOOTBALL And what a round it’s been in Footy Eddie. On Friday night The Miseries were singing The Blues as Good Old North Melbourne Were Really On The Ball. The Dockers kept their chances of September Action in the realm of a mathematical possibility and those of [Read more]
The enthusiastic assistant coach
July 10, 2012 by 3 Comments
It is 7.45am on Saturday and as a new father with a three month old son I have clocked on for duty, Sophie is off to the Gym and her weekly hour of parental free R and R so I am solely responsible for the safety and well being of one Jack William Dodson. I [Read more]
Letter to Manila
July 10, 2012 by 1 Comment
I thought that this week I would share an edited version of a letter which I sent to a long standing friend who lives in Manila. Last evening a marquee sports event in the Australian calendar took place, that is the third and deciding “State of Origin” Rugby League clash between Queensland and NSW. [Read more]
FEARLESS (Round 13) – BYE WK 3…Did channel 10 have to move Before The Game? Saturday nights will not be the same…what a stupid stupid decision!
June 26, 2012 by 1 Comment
The marketing genius of the Buddy Ball (aka BB23) is now out there in the shops and on the tv. When my wife returned home with one for our eldest boy I thought “oh great, you’ll be kicking 4.13 before you know it!” I know Buddy Franklin kicked 13.4 in Tassie recently and is a [Read more]
The Swans nail it
June 24, 2012 by 60 Comments
I want you to stop what you’re doing and have a look at your finger nails. They’re not very substantial are they? Wafer thin, inconsequential pieces of stuff that sit at the end of the finger they have a few functions; they gather dirt and bacteria and horde it under their protective shell (for what [Read more]
The 2012 ‘Mopsy’ Fraser Cup – Round 13
June 23, 2012 by 2 Comments
Greetings Tipsters Victor Trumper is the subject of the most superbly elegant photograph of a batsman, shot at The Oval in July 1902. The glittering new stand at the SCG is named for him, and here Dad and I took our superb seats on Friday night. I’ve mixed feelings about the Victor Trumper Stand, because [Read more]
The Footy Gods: Horme
June 18, 2012 by 1 Comment
Horme was a difficult god to describe. The scholars describe her onrush in battle. Perhaps the best way to describe her by what she wasn’t: apathetic. Horme was who you wanted next to you when you wanted to have a go. She could be a dangerous companion when you didn’t. Perhaps the girl that you [Read more]
True Blood: The Jake Stevens Interview
June 17, 2012 by 2 Comments
Jake ‘Cobba’ Stevens loves life and footy. He reflects on how he became a Swans fan, his world travels and how he’d like to study journalism in an interview with Phil Dimitriadis. PD: Hi Jake and welcome to the Junior Footy Almanac. First questions: Why do you love footy and how did you become a [Read more]
Heart Palpitations
June 13, 2012 by 2 Comments
You know that feeling you get when you know something’s about to go wrong? It’s that feeling of uncertainty, nervousness and concern. I hate it. Football is great at making people feel this way. I often say, there should be health restrictions that appear on the back of a football ticket. “If you have a [Read more]
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