How welcome the product that is AFL! After a summer where cricket lost its way (again) it was thrilling to see the mighty Tigers in their NAB Cup turnout. And what a result. All the Saints fans will be cracking the champers, talking of dynasties, preparing for Friday night triumphs and betting big all year. You supporters of other franchises (remember Bob Dylan is "not a commercial artist") have the Tigers to thank for the stubbies you will win in bets with hapless romantics that follow the Moorabin fantasia franchise.
Having followed my franchise for 40 years I found a number of moral victories last night:
- we had the better guernsey - seriously its time to dump the tricolour boys;
- we took mark of the year (at this point);
- we had the better song;
- we have more room for improvement;
- we didnt draft Nellie Gehrig;
- we ran onto the ground first;
- 40 points is a lot better than 157; and
- It's February.
Looking further back (but only to last year):
- we beat Sheedy and Hird in their farewell to the MCG; and
- We beat Collingwood.
And just one more point:
- 10 premierships (five during my lifetime) beats 1!
Great to watch!
Saturday 16 February 2008
Friday 15 February 2008
The cry of "Partisans!"
Minding my own business (unusual I know) in North Hobart today I heard the hallowed cry from a car I didn't recognize. It was the son of "why do I do it?" himself. Has anyone else heard it lately?
Thursday 14 February 2008
The Died Pretty v. Ed Kuepper, Enmore Theatre, 08/02/08
This was a nail-biting affair. Part of the Don't Look Back series, which sees local and international bands going head to head in a shortened form of the game (performing a classic album from start to finish). Not to be confused with the IPL's recently announced EP series with high profile recruits Chad Morgan and Wendy and the Rockets.
The Prettys went into extra time to try and prove their superiority after a slow over rate and premature pitch invasion threatened to subvert the competition. Fortunately, sanity prevailed, although this had nothing to do with the poor level of officiating by the Bangladeshi in the white coat, and a victor was declared at the end of the affair.
Ed Kuepper presented an impressive lineup of hardened performers (ex Laughing Clowns, Saints, Sunnyboys), who with (corn) relish and an element of Waugh-like singled mindedness brutalised the "Honey Steels Gold" Album from the pearly nineties. Midway through the innings Kuepper launched into a full-blooded thuggish assault on the title track, which took spectators (and commentators) aback and left them wondering whether the Pretty could respond to such a Kluseneresque performance.
The Prettys were undeterred. With the original lineup from the classic "Doughboy Hollow" era, Ron E. Peno took up his customary opening position and proceeded to charismatically win over the spectators, while Brett Myers thrilled with Gower-like flourishes of his Stratocaster. By the end of the performance, grown (and heterosexual-looking and acting) men were yelling out, "We love you Ronny!"
This correspondent must worryingly report that the whole affair was conducted with the utmost cordiality. Being only twenty two years old, one can merely rely on rumour, hearsay, inuendo and the dubious accounts of those chardonnay-quaffing, latte-drinking, self important elites (you'd never come across a regular Australian bloke in a pub trying to give his opinion on anything) that there was ever anything other than the boorish, mean-spirited, unintelligent display that we currently expect from our national performers. We won't recount here the delusions of that seriously discredited lawyer masquerading as a musical authority and critic, Roebuck, who with his political equivalent, Chomsky, are now languishing in superfluity (that's some Italian lakeside retreat).
Mind you, what else would you expect from long-haired, drug-taking, jobless dilettante musicians - no wonder they never made it into the Top Forty.
Your correspondent can gladly report that an eventual winner was declared - rock n' roll! Though I don't think the fucker did a thing all night - relied on past reputation more than anything. I called it a fair dinkum draw - the crowd were demanding a replay, but some bloke in a suit was saying that they'd already booked a fashion parade and that it was logistically impossible to reschedule.
Bring on Sonic Youth and The Scientists!
The Prettys went into extra time to try and prove their superiority after a slow over rate and premature pitch invasion threatened to subvert the competition. Fortunately, sanity prevailed, although this had nothing to do with the poor level of officiating by the Bangladeshi in the white coat, and a victor was declared at the end of the affair.
Ed Kuepper presented an impressive lineup of hardened performers (ex Laughing Clowns, Saints, Sunnyboys), who with (corn) relish and an element of Waugh-like singled mindedness brutalised the "Honey Steels Gold" Album from the pearly nineties. Midway through the innings Kuepper launched into a full-blooded thuggish assault on the title track, which took spectators (and commentators) aback and left them wondering whether the Pretty could respond to such a Kluseneresque performance.
The Prettys were undeterred. With the original lineup from the classic "Doughboy Hollow" era, Ron E. Peno took up his customary opening position and proceeded to charismatically win over the spectators, while Brett Myers thrilled with Gower-like flourishes of his Stratocaster. By the end of the performance, grown (and heterosexual-looking and acting) men were yelling out, "We love you Ronny!"
This correspondent must worryingly report that the whole affair was conducted with the utmost cordiality. Being only twenty two years old, one can merely rely on rumour, hearsay, inuendo and the dubious accounts of those chardonnay-quaffing, latte-drinking, self important elites (you'd never come across a regular Australian bloke in a pub trying to give his opinion on anything) that there was ever anything other than the boorish, mean-spirited, unintelligent display that we currently expect from our national performers. We won't recount here the delusions of that seriously discredited lawyer masquerading as a musical authority and critic, Roebuck, who with his political equivalent, Chomsky, are now languishing in superfluity (that's some Italian lakeside retreat).
Mind you, what else would you expect from long-haired, drug-taking, jobless dilettante musicians - no wonder they never made it into the Top Forty.
Your correspondent can gladly report that an eventual winner was declared - rock n' roll! Though I don't think the fucker did a thing all night - relied on past reputation more than anything. I called it a fair dinkum draw - the crowd were demanding a replay, but some bloke in a suit was saying that they'd already booked a fashion parade and that it was logistically impossible to reschedule.
Bring on Sonic Youth and The Scientists!
Tuesday 12 February 2008
Does one need to like to enjoy? Discuss
our nations first 11, lets be honest, how many of them do we actually like. The decent Clark (Stuart), Hussey and maybe Gilchrist (not for much longer)...Ponting because of his class (is he a traitor to it?) and his suburb? But what do we think about Haydos, Clark the tool (Michael)....and what do we think about Lee, does he fall into the area he aims for most often, the corridor of uncertainty?
For years I adored the team regardless of behaviour or demeanour for they wore the baggy green but age and perspective have changed that...loved the larrikins Lillee and Marsh, but Greg Chapple and the other Greg...Mathews???? The term wanker comes to mind.
I no longer barrack for the team...I enjoy the game and therin lies my dilema. I detest Shane Warne...but the way he bowled....and then we have the poms, nothing there at all....
does one need to like to really enjoy?
For years I adored the team regardless of behaviour or demeanour for they wore the baggy green but age and perspective have changed that...loved the larrikins Lillee and Marsh, but Greg Chapple and the other Greg...Mathews???? The term wanker comes to mind.
I no longer barrack for the team...I enjoy the game and therin lies my dilema. I detest Shane Warne...but the way he bowled....and then we have the poms, nothing there at all....
does one need to like to really enjoy?
Monday 11 February 2008
Let me be the first to say it...
What a fabulous tri-series so far. Two washouts, some great Indian batting (Dhoni and Gambhir) and bowling (Sharma), Brett Lee's spell yesterday, the Sri Lankan's attitude to their batting on Friday night. This is perfect end of summer stuff. At one point I was even barracking for the rain.
Pity this is the last series.
Pity this is the last series.
Sunday 3 February 2008
Long live tradition - bring on the one day tournament!
I know it is unfashionable amongst the cricketerati but I love the one day tournament and wish it was more than a four game per opponent stoush again.
What do I love about it? Let me list the things:
- It is not the test cricket of the early and late 1970's (which I remember)
- The period between overs 25 and 40 when I can watch, listen or not
- The games between the two visitors - I always pick a side to support (India this time)
- The Net Run Rate
- The Strike rate
- The Player Comfort Level (well I did love it before it was dropped)
- The change in expectations - 50 in 15 overs was considered a good performance, now you might crack 100.
- The fact that there is something on television to watch during the week (Beam me up Scotty!)
- The fact that there is something to listen to on the radio
- The newer or older players who are brought into the squad as the tournament progresses- Noffke certainly deserves a chance
- The fact that the cricketerati hated it when it was first played - now they are worried 20/20 will kill it off!
- The atmosphere at the ground
- The unashamed commercialism - as opposed to the "let's pretend Bob Dylan isnt a commercial artist" attitude of the test cricket erati.
- The underarm incident
- The fact that we all barracked for Australia A versus Australia
- The suspense as we watch to see who will make the final (series)
- The Third final
(and more)
Unfortunately this is all to end. I will enjoy this series immensely and know that the next few summers - until we see sense again - will be all the poorer without it.
Thank you Mr Packer!
What do I love about it? Let me list the things:
- It is not the test cricket of the early and late 1970's (which I remember)
- The period between overs 25 and 40 when I can watch, listen or not
- The games between the two visitors - I always pick a side to support (India this time)
- The Net Run Rate
- The Strike rate
- The Player Comfort Level (well I did love it before it was dropped)
- The change in expectations - 50 in 15 overs was considered a good performance, now you might crack 100.
- The fact that there is something on television to watch during the week (Beam me up Scotty!)
- The fact that there is something to listen to on the radio
- The newer or older players who are brought into the squad as the tournament progresses- Noffke certainly deserves a chance
- The fact that the cricketerati hated it when it was first played - now they are worried 20/20 will kill it off!
- The atmosphere at the ground
- The unashamed commercialism - as opposed to the "let's pretend Bob Dylan isnt a commercial artist" attitude of the test cricket erati.
- The underarm incident
- The fact that we all barracked for Australia A versus Australia
- The suspense as we watch to see who will make the final (series)
- The Third final
(and more)
Unfortunately this is all to end. I will enjoy this series immensely and know that the next few summers - until we see sense again - will be all the poorer without it.
Thank you Mr Packer!
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