THIS is a story of three jumpers. Football jumpers. Australian Rules football jumpers. A story of stripes and numbers, of collars and colours. This is a story of a brother, a father, a daughter. Of a widow, a greengrocer, a stranger. Continue reading
Henry Harrison has long been regarded as one of the founding lights of Aussie Rules and indeed was christened “Father of the Game” back in the 1860s. But was he? It’s something I wasn’t aware of until reading Roseville Rod Gillett’s and Ian Granland’s 2019 Journal of the NSW Australian Football History Society. Continue reading
When footy historians compile best-of lists, players who have won more than one fairest and best award plus those who were voted top footballer on the ground in a grand final there’s some other amazing statistics tabulated. How about a list of people who have played in six, seven or more country Victorian premiership-winning sides since World War 2. Continue reading
While neighbouring district footy and netball leagues have pulled the pin on their 2020 seasons three central Victorian bodies have still got their collective fingers crossed. Continue reading
City-based football followers in this early part of the 21st century probably don’t realise that some of their district clubs boast a long and proud history. Such is the case with Inglewood, a town of 1,100 sited 45 kilometres up the Calder Highway from Bendigo. Continue reading
As a former player with the Sydney University Aussie rules footy club I was fascinated recently to read a look-back through history of my old outfit.
The club was formed in 1887 to play in the local Australian footy competition in a code variously known as Australian Rules, Australasian Rules or more pertinently Victorian Rules back in the day. Continue reading
“I’m still tingling,” I said in numerous conversations after the event. Maybe it betrayed my meagre vocabulary. But it was accurate. I was tingling and it came from an unexpected source. The 2010 WAFL grand final was played between Claremont and Swan Districts. I barrack for East Perth who had been beaten by Swans in the preliminary final a week earlier. I had no emotional attachment to this game. Continue reading
Geelong in Sydney 1882. Photo from The Road to Kardinia by Russell HT Stephens.
Football has long been a key part of the way-of-life for huge numbers of Australians and its impact goes right back to the mid and late-19th century. Continue reading
The wonderful poet Bruce Dawe died on 1 April 2020, aged 90. The poem below was one of my first pieces of published work. 1981. It has quite a few internal references – phrases adapted from titles of Bruce Dawe poems.
I’m devastated. John Prine’s death has hit me hard. It’s funny how we relate to musical artists, follow their lives vicariously through their songs, concerts and in this time, our connection to them through social media. So, when a favourite passes it feels like a family member has died. Prince hit me hard. Maybe it was his age. David Bowie too. Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash (huge sigh as I type) and Slim Dusty. Continue reading
Every scoreboard tells a story
A Song. A Place. A Time.
With the first dog chosen in the AFL Canine Draft
escape to the Vasse idyll
