By Damian Watson As my Dad and I made our way towards Etihad Stadium I felt a great sense of anticipation. It was the first time in six weeks that I’d been to an AFL game. The reason for this hiatus is thanks to a long bout of the flu, and the wintry conditions certainly [Read more]
AFL Round 16: The Blues return to finals calculations as I return to the footy
July 19, 2009 by 27 Comments
Weekend Read: Hawk Thorp carries flag for bold men of Ross
July 17, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Paul Daffey Hawthorn’s Mitch Thorp is known to have a swagger. Even in these injury-stricken times, when he’s battling mishaps that will keep him out for the rest of the season, he’s known to have confidence, a certain way about him, like a bronco rider who rides his luck.
Middle East Correspondent: Huey’s cherry-ripe for the Swans job
July 1, 2009 by 5 Comments
By Rod Gillett The news that Sydney Swans chief executive officer Myles Baron-Hay is stepping down at the end of the season will spark speculation in the Melbourne media about a replacement from the football managerial stocks, with all the usual suspects being given a run. The best man to run the club in my [Read more]
AFL Round 12: Sydney v Collingwood: Victory is determined by whether I record the game or not
June 22, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Andrew Fithall Given every supporter controls the outcome of every match, it is amazing there are ever outcomes at all. Some people affect the result by attending the game, some by not attending. Listening to the game live on radio when the telecast is delayed has also been known to directly affect the performance [Read more]
AFL Round 12: Shaw, the slipping Swan
June 22, 2009 by 7 Comments
by Danielle Eid Ahh, can it get any better? Exams are over and my family is happy to have the ‘normal’ Danni back. I was able to ace my Literature, History and Media exams (haven’t got my English back yet) However to my dismay I produced a Rhyce Shaw by slipping on my accounting exam. [Read more]
AFL Round 12: Sydney v Collingwood: Pies make Shaw of strong win
June 21, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Steve Fahey One of the unfortunate consequences of the draft has been the frequency with which siblings end up at different clubs. Let’s call it the Selwood phenomenon, if it doesn’t already have a name. While the father-son rule has been great in helping maintain and build family traditions within clubs, siblings ending up [Read more]
Middle East Correspondent: Rick Quade deserves place among Swans’ greats
June 17, 2009 by 2 Comments
By Rod Gillett Rick Quade stepped down from the Swans’ board of directors only last year, after almost 40 years of service for the South Melbourne/Sydney Swans Football Club. Since beginning as a player in 1970, he’s been captain, coach, chairman of selectors and a board member. Recently he heeded another call to serve the [Read more]
AFL Round 11: Hawks home on a gloomy Sunday afternoon
June 11, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Hawthorn V Sydney by Steve Healy It was a lazy Sunday Afternoon on the long weekend. I sat down and watched the Sunday Footy Show. Dean Bailey was on and he was being asked the usual questions and giving the usual answers. At one o’clock I took the laptop into my room and listened to [Read more]
AFL Round 10: Politics, money and the Bulldogs at Manuka
June 2, 2009 by 2 Comments
By Pamela Sherpa The national capital Canberra doesn’t have a team in the national competition but it is hosting an AFL game today.Sydney (Swans) and Melbourne (Bulldogs.)Melbourne. The Swans however feel at home in Canberra as they play here twice a year and garnish support from the surrounding NSW region. The politics of money and football is almost as clear as a debate [Read more]
AFL Round 9: Port blown away
May 26, 2009 by Leave a Comment
by Nick Kossatch With the Western Bulldogs just failing against unbeaten Geelong – Port’s match against the contested-ball kings, Sydney, was a chance for the club to gain respect from afar as well as outright third on the AFL premiership ladder. It was time for the Power to show their mettle, away from the safe [Read more]
Middle East Correspondent: Branch’s grassroots work honoured by Sydney clubs
May 14, 2009 by 1 Comment
by Rocket Gillett There has been a proliferation of cups and medals and even sporting venues and facilities named in honour of former club heroes or officials in recent years. I reckon that has been a good thing. It’s great to see people recognised for their contribution to the game. Personally I like to [Read more]
AFL Round 7: One of these vantage points is not like the others
May 11, 2009 by 1 Comment
By Peter Flynn I am standing on the hill overlooking the Warrnambool racecourse. The natural geography makes for a magnificent vista. It is 25 minutes until the start of the Grand Annual Steeplechase and I am accompanied by Ando, Doddo and Jonno. It feels like I am spending a day at the races with the [Read more]
Diesel: From Golden Square to gold in Sydney
May 5, 2009 by Leave a Comment
By Richard Jones Greg “Diesel” Williams, Golden Square’s former champion young centreman, was a senior Geelong player when he spent a busy off-season during the summer of 1985-86. When Geelong dumped Tommy Hafey and Sydney snapped Hafey up, the canny coach knew which leading Cats’ players were coming out of contract. So he had a [Read more]
Oh for the days when the Tigers had the wood on the Swans
May 1, 2009 by 4 Comments
By Paul Daffey In my boyhood Richmond beat teams like Sydney as if we were having a kick in the park. Robbie McGhie would send his curling drop punts (they reflected the arc of his bandy legs) towards the forward line, where Royce Hart flew from the side before wheeling on to his left foot. [Read more]
The Lions Thai Up a Beer and Slippers Easter Saturday Night by Big Kev Witham
April 14, 2009 by Leave a Comment
One of the problems with not going away at Easter is that your social options are limited on Saturday night. That said, I settled in with some Thai food and a few beers to watch the battle of the exiles, Sydney Swans (aka South Melbourne) versus Brisbane Lions (aka Fitzroy).
Lakeside premiership aint what it used to be by Stephen Healy (Grade 9)
April 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment
St. Kilda V Sydney Reflect back on the last two times these teams have played at Docklands. Round Seven, 2007, and Round One, 2008. St.Kilda have taken the chocolates both times, but somewhat more importantly, they have been unattractive, messy games that frustrate the crowd. Both teams seem to cancel each other out and the [Read more]
Lyons’ monotone beats Swans monotony by Andrew Gigacz
April 3, 2009 by Leave a Comment
One thing I’ve noticed about St Kilda’s playing style since Ross Lyon took over as coach is that it sort of reflects his vocal characteristics: a lack of flare. When Lyon speaks his voice lacks cadence. This is not to say what he is saying is not intelligent and insightful. Indeed, since he took on [Read more]
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