The greatest VFL performance ever
Possibly the best performance ever by a VFL/AFL team in the home and away season occurred in round 13, 1983 when Fitzroy defeated North Melbourne at the Junction Oval.
It was more than half way through the season, with North on top of the ladder and Fitzroy third.
Fitzroy totally obliterated the Kangaroos to win 34.16.220 to 10.10.70. I’m pretty sure it was the highest winning margin ever recorded against a ladder-leading side.
The current AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou played for North Melbourne in that game, probably one he would rather forget. Ruckman Matt Rendell booted eight goals for the Lions, Mick Conlan and Bernie Quinlan seven each. (more…)
Vansittart Park
I attended the first half of the Western Border Football League grand final this afternoon at Vansittart Park.
I wanted to get photos for The Border Watch website and I was interested to see the size of the crowd.
It was much bigger than for the A League pre-season soccer game between Adelaide United and Perth Glory. I estimate it was possibly 7000 people.
I like the ground. It has a lot of character.
Vansittart Park was created in 1883 when the town council accepted an offer from Captain Spencer Vansittart to buy 20 acres of land for 20 pounds an acre. (more…)
Corporate box at the MCG
A corporate box at the MCG is the ultimate in luxury sports entertainment.
I used to view them with some contempt, seeing the concept as a corruption, almost a betrayal of football’s origins.
It probably is those things, but the “super box” is also the way of the world, and if you can’t beat them, join them.
Juliet and I arrived at 12.30pm. Our hostess, Fiona, immediately offered drinks while we checked out the facilities. (more…)
Haydn Bunton: Legend and Myth
I’m privileged to publish this story.
Several months ago I converted to YouTube “The Ballad of Haydn Bunton” by Ken Mansell and Peter Bell.
I conceded at the time I was probably breaching copyright, and if Ken didn’t like it he could let me know.
Ken discovered the video recently and caned me with the soft end of a feather duster: (more…)
Football and soccer mums
Patrick Smith writes in The Australian the AFL is concerned about “soccer mums” in trying to reduce physical contact in the game.
It’s a good point, especially in light of the Maxwell tribunal fiasco.
Parents, especially mothers, probably feel more secure watching their sons play soccer than Australian football or rugby.
My own son started playing football too young, copped some heavy hits by older boys and lost interest. He now loves soccer and does very well. (more…)
Forget the fourth umpire
There is a new campaign to add a fourth umpire to AFL matches. I can’t believe I read that or wrote it.
There used to be one umpire! When football started, the captains acted as umpires. Now we need four white rabbits/maggots?
Running midfielders are being tagged out of the game, according to some.
Let’s adopt basketball rules and abolish tackling. That’s the easiest way to satisfy those who oppose physical contact. Or maybe we should merge with Gaelic football and play with a round ball.
Ted Whitten is turning in his grave.
Lethal bows out gracefully
Leigh Matthews has cleverly retired from the Lions coaching job with one year remaining on his contract.
He knew his time was up and wanted to get out a year early, rather than a year late. John Howard should have been that smart.
Lethal is a great coach and deserved to select the time of his departure.
It’s great that captain Jonathan Brown re-signed for another four years. The Lions have a solid base of talented players to build from next year and should play finals if they can discover some consistency.
