Quadrennial Introspection; the Olympics we had to have

Whilst it might have been nice to see a few more Aussies fulfil their life’s dream, I can’t help think London 2012 was the Olympic version of the ‘recession we had to have’. It’s about time we hit the reset button on our approach, as we re-evaluate funding priorities, what constitutes success and sport’s role in Australian [Read more]

Victory is ours

Before Saturday it had rained and rained. Some parts of my school were flooded. Just when we were about to confirm tennis was off, it stopped Friday lunch. We were able to play! We played away at a club we have played every season. We had a great percentage boosting win. Just what Essendon needed [Read more]

Both Extremes

Sorry my report is a bit late! Here it is. After school on Friday, you would drive home right? We usually do that but today it was different. We drove up to Bendigo to play in the Association and Regional Challenge. I was playing for the second year in a row for the PTA. It [Read more]

Sports of All Sorts

                                                              Sports of all sorts                                                      By Anastasia Dimitriadis                                                                   Grade 6   As a little child, sport has always and still [Read more]

No Foxtel? No problem! There’s always the radio

Saturday mornings are frantic. Filling up water bottles, treating any niggles and getting a tennis bag ready, it isn’t easy! As My Dad, brother and I get in the car, we get half way along the neighbouring street until Dad says, “Max do you have any tennis balls?” We turn back.

Almanac Rugby League – Panthers Ace Eels

On the night before Penrith’s clash with Parramatta, I played my weekly tennis match with my friend Michael, a fellow Footy Almanac scribe and devoted Parramatta fan. At the time, I wondered if our match would foreshadow the result of the Parramatta v Penrith clash. The first set was won comfortably by me, which I [Read more]

Yvette’s One-Eyed Week

The week in sport through Yvette Wroby’s (one?) eye.

2012 Australian Open: Day 2

It’s that time again to get the racquet out of the wardrobe and dream about how good you were in your youth. The Australian Open is here again in all its glory, and after a  previous week of winter weather  a ferocious sun is out, ready to burn spectators and players to a crisp.  I [Read more]

John Harms’ Celtic Dream

  ‘Twas Thursday night – the Match Committee, Down Corio way – the windy city, Chris said “its tough – this coaching lark”, “No finals played on Kardinia Park”.   Need fresh ideas – a new game plan, Not ‘forward press’ nor ‘man to man’, Now Bomber’s gone to Windy Hill, Need fresh ideas to [Read more]

Giga Bites 4 – Director’s Cut

Below is an extended version of Giga Bites, which appeared in the Saturday Age on 19th February, 2011. by Andrew Gigacz DRAWN-AGAIN SAINTS There appears to be something about drawn matches that attracts the St Kilda Football Club. Last Friday night the Saints drew with Essendon in Round 1 of the NAB Cup. This came, [Read more]

Bring on the footy. PLEASE

by Tony Robb Now that the summer sports caravans have packed up and moved north I felt it was time to reflect on a few of the not so published happenings of recent months. While CA and FA have been suitably chastened for their collective ineptitude I believe that a few other individuals and teams [Read more]

Tennis, snoring and the punt: a reflection

A few years ago, when I was writing Memoirs of a Mug Punter, I got in to a lovely routine. I’d start writing just after AM finished and stick at it (with occasional glances at the form guide) until midday or so. Then I’d have a bit of lunch. On a good day: left-over pizza. [Read more]

Cobba’s Big Tennis Adventure

Let me take you back to March 2008. I was surfing the net looking at various sport sites. I came across the Australian Open website which looked like it hadn’t been updated since a day after the tournament ended. However there was one new story on the list. It read “Australian Open Ballkid Applications Now [Read more]

Know your tennis crowd

Melbourne is abuzz with the excitement of The Australian Open. Well. Sort of. Channel 7 tells us it is, and Channel 7 is abuzz with tennis, and hilariously funny gaffs which allow Todd Woodbridge to liken himself to S.K. Warne (Todd Woodbridge is like S.K. Warne the way Maggie Thatcher is like Juliet Binoche). Yes, [Read more]

Federer Fever

For most of the class of 2010, the week leading up to the Australian Open was pretty stressful. Monday 17th of January meant two things. It was the day university offers came out and it was also the start of the 2011 Australian Open. Monday came and I didn’t watch any tennis, I got home [Read more]

Open Day at Flinders Park

by Rod Oaten One of my favourite days of the sporting calendar is day one of the Australian Open. No-one’s been beaten, and from the the player with the lowest ranking, who dreams of a major upset, to one of the top dogs, everyone is in with a chance. Unlike last year, when the weather was [Read more]

Federer the Fantastic

by Danni Eid I’ve noticed how cricket is suddenly taking over the main page of the website and it kinda kills me. I just can’t handle cricket, I find it boring- please don’t kill me!!!- Meh you know what, I’ve seen a premiership so go ahead, Lol. What I’m saying is I love cricket as [Read more]

Tennis: The more things change…

by Andrew Gigacz It’s just over four months since Sam Stosur bowed out of the Australian Open. You might remember Stosur’s brave but ultimately unsuccessful effort against Serena Williams. But you could hardly be blamed for not being able to recall it. Why? Because as that exciting match was unfolding, the Seven Network, in their [Read more]

Tennis: The Garden and the Brat

My first visit inside the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club’s iconic centre court was indeed memorable. Instead of paying close attention to the  action, I found myself reminiscing over famous Wimbledon centre court battles of yore. A catalyst for this was the presence in the BBC commentary box of a certain brash New [Read more]

Tennis: It’s a great day watching the battlers on the outside courts

By Rod Oaten I really enjoy the Australian Open, not to see the  antics of the of the top stars as they strutt their stuff, but to watch and admire the battlers. There are 512 players on Day 1 of The Open,  we all know the top dozen men and women, but what about  the [Read more]