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Please make cheques payable to OUR ZINE CITY and send with your size and details of order to: PO Box 199 Newtown NSW 2042. *Prices include postage & handling. Please allow 21 days for delivery. cc - S--3 ell , we're deep into another great footy season and once again the AFL has been extremely Wunpredictable. Supporters of most clubs would have SAVE THE still some optimism that their sides will at least partake in September action if not play off one that 'one day'. For its part the AFL has been kept busy with the machinations of the MCC, and the bickering between Channels 7 & 9 all the while probably keep-ing one eye fixed on the impending drug tide engulfing Rugby League. SWANS FOOTYZINE #6 WINTER 1998 It seems improbable that Justin Charles is the only drug cheat in the AFL - but I suppose time will tell - but for now The proud Ocean Grove Swans are in desperate need of lssn# 1327 - 7030 pp# 241218/0047 anyway our code looks to be in much better shape than financial assistance. You can help save the Red & Whites of Publisher: Our Zine City, Thugby League. PO Box 199 Newtown 2042 Another issue that is confronting RL is the question of Victoria's Bellarine Football League by buying tickets in their club mergers - before their clubs rush headlong down that Editorial: path it would be instructive to look at the case of Brisbane Ocean Grave Holiday House Raf/le Tel: (02) 9557 7929 which has stumbled badly since merging with Fitzroy and Mobile: 0418 451 157 at the time of writing has gone from a decent finals side (2300 tickets only at $100 each) PO Box 199 Newtown 2042 (before the merger) to a serious contender for the wooden Email: [email protected] .ou spoon. The folks here at Footyzine headquarters have been Produdion: Call 1800 643 262 busy at the grass roots level as well. We've been involved Eddie Greenaway, in establishing a footy club to represent the Newtown area or send cheque payable to : Di Buckley & Angelo Greenaway once again. The old Newtown club had a proud history in Sydney football and although we've only begun as a social Ocean Grove Football & Netball Clubs Contributors: Front Cover: Ross Cornsew club, the level of membership and interest has been very PO Box 344 Braeside Victoria 3195 Inside Bock Cover: Selina Snow encouraging - over time the Red & White of Newtown may once again make its mark on the Sydney footy landscape. Irwin Hirsh, Tracy Griffen, SD Murphy, One final note - best wishes from all at Footyzine to Tracey Brunton, John Ardill, Paul Kelly our beloved skipper and the patron saint of Ross Cornsew, Dove Watson, football in New South Wales - cruel luck mate but we hope It's Bloods, sweat Neill Jones, John Sherwell, that the boys will rally round and do the good deeds in Harold Thornton, Craig Nelson, your honour. Commiseration's also to those two other Terry O'Brien, Peter Fitzgerald champs and and tears for Brownlow Thanks: medallists Aussie Rules The Newtown Fooly Crew who have Comperdown Bowling Club had their Article reprinted from Craig Wilson, Jon Satterley season's "The Glebe & Inner Western Weekly " 22 July, 1998 Peter Tunn, Evon Lee, Anne Cooper, ended Anthony Benger & The Mghty Roosters, prematurely WH EN the Newtown Bloods get said. Greenaway sa id recent years or " We 'd like to be based in th e Ross O'Donovon, Helen Meyer in 98 - Libba together for a scratch 18-a-side game, a good form fo r the Sydney Swans was a Newtown area but at th e mom ent th ere and Michael couple of garbage bins either side of the part of the game's resurgence, which are no grounds in the area," Greenaway loin Johnstone rugby league sticks serve as point posts. prompted him to form a social cl ub said. But with a couple of sponsors Voss. The Founder and Melbourne ex-pat Eddie taking the name of the disbanded already under th eir belt, Bloods vice Thanks for the prizes: game has Greenaway's model for promoting Aust Erskineville Oval-based Newtown president Angela Greenaway is looking Pon MacMillan, Penguin, Harper Collins, ralian Rules Football for young people in Bloodstone Angels."Wc're here just to to th e future. really taken the Newtown area has taken off and 50 give the game a presence again in th e The Bl oods wi ll play their next game MDS and Random House its toll on the players, male and female, are registered area and in th e longer run to give junior at Jubil ee Park on August 2. true champs for the club without a competition. · foo tball a run," he said. Those interested in signing up can Footyzine is created by footyfons for this year! " Our players range from th eir 20s to But despite local enthusiasm, the cont act Bloods secretary Eddie footyfans. 40s and I think th at's a refl ecti on of Bloods have not been able to secure a Greenaway on 9557 7929. home. Games float between Picken Oval Cheer Cheer, seeing a lot of people ki cking a foo ty -=---....- ...... __ ~ •• around· when you didn't used to," he in Croydon and Jubilee Pa rk in Glebc. All published material reflects the views af contributors and are not necessarily those of the Eddie publisher. Greenaway ,__~~~~~~~....L..._~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Q) By Eddie Greenaway worst St. George Team of All Time", Loosehead investigated another aspect of Rugby league's troubled relationship with its supporters and found that very few clubs have a traditional MIGHTY membership based club structure in which fans Reviewed by Eddie Greenaway can have a say in their clubs acti vities and future. It would be intersting to see if the AFL The Capital Bomber June 98 clubs are heading in the same direction - The ROOSTERS The newsletter of the Canberra Bombers Swans for instance are a 'membership based supporters group. Features in this issue include club' but have suspended members rights to The Dockands move and its ramifications, vote until some unforseen time in the future Wearing my old 70's North Adelaide guernsey I ambled up to the ticket booth at the Ken Farmer Gates end of injuries to Prior and Hird, player milestones, when the club has financially stabilised? Prospect Oval, duly paid my $7, grabbed a copy of the Footy Budget & a raffle ticket (in the likeness of Chris Ladhams) supporters group, club and membership info Barbara Davies writes on Au ssies for the ARL, and I was all set. It had been a long time , I think the last time I saw the Mighty Roosters was when Johnny Platten was and upcoming events. there's a great interview with Harry Edgar the playing for Central Districts (the first time) and before that I remember the great days of Barrie Robran. One game that publisher of UK fanzine Open Rugby and the sticks in my mind was the occasion of Paul Bagshaw's 300th at Unley Oval - unfortunately I think the Double Blues Canberra Bombers info: PO Box 3375 Weston first of a two part article by Peter Pritchard on won that time, but anyhow that was then and this was now. Creek 2611 ACT the history of Rugby League and popular Our opponents today didn't exist the last time I fortifying Ales during the Two's - I mean it was mid NSW Bomber News July 98 recording. Rebecca Filipczyk looks at women's saw the Roosters play - or rather they did exist but winter ya know ... I made a mental note to drop rugby league, Glenn Dwyer traces the history of The NSW Bombers supporters group as two separate entities - now they were Woodville back after the main game. Tumbarumba RLFC, there's an article on Paris newsletter. Contains match wraps and club and-westlorrens cornbmed - 1he SA Eagles--1 St. Germain,-zine & boGk-Hiviews-and contact The big match news. This issue has the Docklands verdict, suppose it was a bit of realism on the part of these info and Tracy Lee Baglin looks at players state of origin info, a rave on Sheedy's record clubs to merge - they weren't going anywhere on The warm up for the big clash was the weirdest associations in league. All in all Loosehead is a breaking coaching history and the tragic death their own as I recall. O ne unfortunate drawback of version I have ever heard of C humbawumba's great read for all sports fans but a must for fans of Darwin talent scout Graeme Smith - the merger seems to have been the Eagles jumper - anthem while the girls of the North Adelaide of Rugby League. Rockettes - god love em ... did their cheerleader responsible for unearthing Michael Long. a h ideous concoction of lime green, go ld and blue Subs are $10 fopr 3 issues cheques payable to stuff. Then out came the boys to a rousing rendition with a very surreal looking Eagle sp lashed across the NSW Bombers info: Mark Hobson 213 Kairawa C.Wilson PO Box 219 Newtown 2042 front. The designers must have discovered an old of "We're the good old Red & Whites" St, South Hurstville 2221 NSW Hotline 02 9294 5799 batch of Mescalin from the '80's to dream up this The first half - wandering in search of a home one - it makes the Port Power and Weagles u-n~e::?/ guernseys look positively magnificent by In the first half I wandered around the main Demon Dateline May 98 ~ 'fl-l~S SO Mt.J01 grandstand side of the ground looki ng fo r a good Pb I t.l comparison. The newslettter of the Pennant Hills Demons M~ ~ -rn~ 6sN'le:.' spot and trying to engage in coversation with the But anyhow, I digress. By the time I made my (Sydney FL) . Contains match wraps and 1,..-11~ ~"<' 1-ru~ regulars, the crowd was quite mixed, plenty of men way around to the main stand area it was deep in information for players and supporters. \\I ~l.111"5 o-= AR.l"\Oc,g ! the 3rd quarter of the reserves and North was and women, boys and girls and quite a few Eagles Wl1'H A.~ l~~R.CH~ withstanding a solid burst of attacking foo ty by the supporters some of whom seemed to have scarves Pennant Hills AFC info: PO Box 200 Pennant a:' ~JJ, l'lO-~ Eagles. It was tight and unlike at the SCG people which were predominantl y green while others wore Hills 2120 NSW '1"'RA.111.\~"D ~~ were actuall y barracking during the Two's. You scarves that were predominantl y blue - I presume Ai-le;> -- . A. llJ 0. . know - things li ke criticising the coach for the green scarf wearers were old Woodville fa ns and Magpie Zine Issue 2.9 interchanging the wrong player and urging on the the blue ones old Torrens fan s, one way of showing The newsletter of the Western Suburbs Juniors boys . In the last quarter the Red & White machine individuali ty in a merged club I suppose. (Sydney). Contains match wraps, upcoming kicked into gear and big victory resul ted. The second half - or travels with the End to events and general club info. Down to the club for a schooner End Grog Squad Magpie Zine and/or Wests Juniors info: Fax 02 9716 8353 or email classicba @bigfoot.com One very cool aspect of Prospect Oval is the Anyhow, I wasn't really that settled around the fl anks and ended up early in the 3rd quarter down subterranean Roosters Club. Located just a few Loosehead #3 metres from the boundary line and down a few steps behind the goals. T here was a small can bar is the heart and soul of the Roosters. The Club has dispensing cans of West End Draught and with my Latest issue of Craig Wilson's excellent 'grass a Pokie room, cheap meals, club memorabil ia and new Roosters stubby holder getting a good workout, roots rubgy league' magazine. cold beer all within a stab pass of the goals. I fina lly got into the swing. These guys knew how Features include interview with NSW & Wests Anyhow, I managed to drop down there for a few to barrack and gave the odd Eag les fa n (and believe Coach and former Wests and Newtown star Tommy Raudonikis, a look at Glebe's footballing (.) PHOTOS BY· JOHN SHERWELL wharfies, Edward Berridge's humorous "The \.V ~~~~~~~~·~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (§) me, odd is the right word) the right retort after reall y depress me that much ... It seemed so fa r every Roosters goal or mark . After earl y pressure away, it had been a reall y fa ir dinkum homecoming. from the Eagles our boys piled on the pressure and History We've been fixing your necks, fin ally grabbed a few goals and a bit of a break on the opposition. North Adelaide Football C lub has a rich For the last quarter we (well , l fe lt like part of history, it is now in its 105 th year and has won hips, backs, Dads, elbows, periods, the gang anyhow) headed down to the North end thirteen South Australian premierships. Historically and saw the heroics of the pi nt sized fu ll forwa rd speaking North has been in the shadow of the two Joshua G um who ended up with seven goals on the giants of SA football Norwood and Port Adelaide, ankles, colds, Jaws, headaches, day. And of course The Mighty Roosters prevailed. but they have managed to hold their own on many occasions and fo r a number of periods over the las t After match function century have been the dominant cl ub in the babies, toes, hamstrings, ribs, At the invite of a few of the Grog Squad competition. members who I'd been chatting with l headed down The club has had numerous legendary players to the after match function in The Roosters C lub with in its ranks over the years, including one of the wrists, teeth, friends, clavicles, to throw back a few more beers and wrap up a very greatest goal kickers in the history of the code Ken enjoyable day. Best player presentations and Farmer and the incomparable Barrie Robran. O ther speeches from all grades, good natu red banter and great Roosters, include the Jarman brothers Andrew noses, lovers, shoulders, grannies all that, even the Swans los ing to Carlton didn't and Darren, the Sachse brothers Neil and Dennis, Rodney Robran, Barrie Barbary, the Stringer clan notably Barry & and even bloody dogs for years Wayne, John & Brenton Phillips, G reg & Gilbert McAdam, Peter Cloke, Don Lindner, Grenville now, and what thanks do we get? Dietrich, Bohdan Jaworskyj, Tony Antrobus, John Roberts, Bob Hammond, Trevor C lisby, Mike Patterson, Michae l Redden and many legends of earl ier days such as Tommy McKenzie, Phil Sandland, Jeff Pash, Ian McKay, Harold Hawke, Ron Phillips, Tom Leahy, Percy Fu rler, Dinny Reedman & C harl ie Jessop. The first great peri od of North success was in the first decade of this century with fl ags in 1900, 1902 and 1905, they popped up with a fl ag in 1920, had back to back successes in 1930 and 193 1 and then won two more in 1949 and 1952 then one in 1960. In 197 1 and 1972 the Roosters won back to back flags for the second time. In 1972 the team, arguably its greatest Newtown Osteopathic Centre ever, won the A ustralian club championship beating Carlton at Adelaide Oval in a thriller by 1 2 Hordern Street Newtown 2042 point. The two most recent fl ags won by the club we re in 1987 and Phone 02 9557 3176 1991. Ken Farmer Barrie Robran and the glorious 70's The Power To Win, More Than A Game: A Collingwood view of Called by many football's Bradman, Ken Farmer The 70's was dominated by sideburns, long hair Gavin Wanganeen, football in the '90's was a goalscoring freak who dominated South and the playing exploits of the incomparable Barrie lronbark/Pan Nathan Buckley, Saverio Rocca and Paul Australian football from 1929 to 1941 kicking Robran and the Coaching of the Swamp Fox Mike MacMillan, Sydney, Williams with Ken Piesse, Harper 1,419 goa ls in 224 games. He scored a century in Patterson. Robran had it all, a great mark, uncanny 1998 Sports/Harper Collins Sydney, 1998 eleven consecutive seasons from 1930 to 1940 with ball handling, and that indefinable mark of genius a highest tally of 134 in 1936. North only won 'being in the right place at the right time - if it premierships in 1930 and 1931 during this period so wasn't for a crude tackle by Leigh Matthews in an From SA powers to Despite the sub think what he could have achieved if he'd played in interstate match at the SCG in 1974 - Victorians Port Power, the title 'A Colling stronger teams! In 18 state games Farmer kicked 81 would have witnessed the magic for themselves ... Black, White and wood view of goals including 50 in 10 games against the Vies - a but Alex Jesaulenko was in no doubt about Teal phenomena football in the great average as SA was usually the loser in this Robran's class. In the Australian Championship keeps growing. You '90s' this book is period. match in 72 Jezza was so amazed by Robran that cannot escape really about the after one particularly brilliant Power mania in 1997 season, piece of play simply stood and South Australia, its which from the applauded! In 1971 anJ 1972 scary to think what would happen if they Magpies point of The Roosters were Premiers and became a successful side. With players like the view was some in 1972 won the Australian Club inspirational Wanganeen at the helm, this may thing of a disap Championship, it was a great be sooner rather than later. pointment. After a period and it's fantastic see the Following his life from the early days in flying start they club has reverted to the 70's style ".liidSllZllli Salisbury hanging with cousins Troy and Shane hit their now• White V on a Red background Bond, through Junior footy with Salisbury North traditional mid year slump and ended up just guernsey! Maybe the good times & senior footy with Port Adelaide in the SANFL. short of the final 8. There is some beautiful will come again! Then of course the history we all know off to the photography in this book, but with sections like the Collingwood end of season trip to London, The modern era Bombers and a Browlow and flag in the same year -1993 and then back to skipper the new it's really one for the Magpie faithful.. . Hey, In the last decade or so the Port Power in 1997. I'm sure there's another maybe they left the real Sav Rocca at Madame club has produced many classy book or two in the Wanganeen story that's yet to Tussauds and brought a wax replica back footballers such as Ben Hart, be written. instead! Darren Jarman, Andrew Jarman, Sean Wellman, Nick Holland, Josh Francou, Danny Morton, Scotty Bamford & Ben Holland. One other notable to pull on the guernsey was the Roo Boy Wayne Carey who had a stint at Prospect in the under 17s (who won the flag in 1987) before North Melbourne whisked him away to Arden Street. I'd love to see that lot in a team together with the club's current heroes. Over this period The Mighty Roosters have brought the Pennant home to Prospect twice in 1987 and in 1991, both under the astute coaching of Mick Nunan. Unfortunately in the rest of this decade the cupboard has been bare. The entry of the Adelaide Crows into the AFL in th e greatest game of all. Nothing gets the had for them sub r--:11..c----- 1991 and then Port Power's ad mi ss ion in 1997 has The future ad renalin going like a speccy and that goes for par seasons with see n SANFL clubs come under a range of pressures A lthough the SANFL draws decent crowds pl ayers and fans ali ke. There's some great injuries and poor both on the play ing and the financial fronts. compared to other comparable leagues and even to marks in here from the early days of Jim Grace form and th eir Rugby League, i. e. Norwood v Stun drew 8500 on a & Peter Burns, through the days of Bob Pratt & teams performed On the Playing front Friday nigh t and North v Norwood drew 4,000 plus Ron Todd , the fabulous ?O's with Royce Hart, below expec In terms of finding available players clubs like at Prospect on a Saturday arvo, sponsorship Phil Baker & Jezza and on to the modern era tations. Two of our North Adelaide are now subservient to revenue, gate takings and T V earnings have all with stars like Trevor Barker, Peter Knights, stars Michael Voss the needs of the Adelaide Crows substantially diminished since the Ablett & Shaun Smith. and Tony Lockett and Port Power as we ll as advent of the Adelaide teams in left at the first having ro deal with the the A FL. The Football Wisdom of Guru Bob, hurdle in the finals draft needs of all the President Adrian Benger with the Saints Greg Champion, Wi se and witty insights. other AFL clubs. drew attention ro these disposing of Bris- ' Penguin Books, Basically cl ubs financial constraints in Melbourne, 1998 bane and Sydney threw away its li ke The the 1997 Annual season with one Roosters can Report, bu t with the quarter of terrible football against the Bulldogs, rely on up support of Gerard A tiny book of North knocked out the Eagles at the semi-final and coming lndustries/Clipsal footy wisdom as stage and then were themselves comfortably youngsters, and a host of revealed by Guru beaten by the Saints. Oh well there's always (ie Joshua smaller sponsors Bob. Among the next year! G um) and takings from gems are: ''.4s the players who The Roosters elephant said Ossie Rules , have C lub and of when he stepped played AFL course transfer on the ant: 'A Richard Osborne footy but fe es from players good big man will with Michael Hyde, have since lost to the AFL the always beat a good little man."' & "There 's a Victoria University been cut or club will survive. little bit of Tony Lockett in all of us, and a lot left of Technology, retired fro m Of course there over for Tony himself." A handy littl e read to Melbourne, 1998 A FL clubs - fo r is the tireless support while away some time when your side's getting example C entral of an army of flogged and you 're waiting for some rookie to Distri cts this year volunteers and inspire the team or the coach to come up with a includes two fo rmer supporters, The Red & genius move. The much travelled AFL greats in Johnny Whites will soldier on - and blond bomber Pl atten and G ilbert one day soon they' ll hold aloft Talking Football Ossie has written a McAdam (former North PHOTO FROM CLUB'S ANNUAL REPORT the Premiership C up for the Darren Christison (Ed), The Cl ub 10 Diaries of different ki nd of player as welli ) and North has ex fo urteenth time! biography. Unli ke Fre mantle fo rward C raig Burrows and Wayne Carey, Glen Jakovich, Tony Lockett, References Michael Voss and Gavin Wanganeen, most footy bio's which tell an heroic saga from Norwood includes ex-AFL journeymen Scotty lronbark/Pan Macmillan , Sydney, 1997 junior footy to great achievements Ossie Rules Direen and Robbie Neill, or those who haven't Anthony Benger's North Adelaide Web Site - comes perilously close to philosophy. As well as made or tried to make the grade. http: www.chariot .net/nafc recounting anecdotes of time spent under C urrently the Roosters are a competent team John Wood, The Centenary History of The North -e ~ favourite coaches such as Walls, Parkin , Tony that could end up in the fi nal fi ve although it Adelaide Football Club Inc, NAFC, Adelaide, 1993 Shaw, Joyce and Barassi and respect and love doesn't appear that they are reali sti c fl ag Talking Football follows the season through the North Adelaide Football C lub Inc and The for great mates - wife Natalie and fami ly - contenders. The current coach is fo rmer Glenelg eyes of fi ve of the games biggest stars. The Roosters C lu b Inc, Annual Re/Jort 1997 Osborne talks about Men's movement author and Crows stalwart C hris McDermott and stars of common denominator of th ese players is that Steve Biddulph and motivational speaker the Red & W hites incl ude skipper Jay Viney Gordon Schwartz, "North Adela ide: A Success they were all part of Foxtel's Club 10 Anthony Robbins and the search for the (brother of Melbourne's Todd) vice captain Tim Story", in South Australi an Football Budget, Round promotional campaign. It provides a good meaning beyond the boundary. But there's Nunan , diminutive full fo rward Joshua Gum, the 12, June 12-13, 1998 insight into th e life of an AFL player with their plenty of interesting & humorous footy stuff in rowering ruckman Herbie Lucas, Brad ley Warner, Thanks ro Anthony Benger fo r the photos, thoughts on defeats , victories, injuries and so here - I loved the an ecdote about when Barassi old stager Brenton Philli ps, ex Freo fo rward C raig Matt Austin & the Roosters End To End Grog on . Interestingly, apart from Wanganeen who in got left alone at th e Freezer nightclub in Oxford Burrows, C hris Ladhams, Richard Gerke and rugged Squad fo r the fri endly welcome and best of all his first season as skipper with the new kids St ... This is a good read from a very good and defender Mark Hollin . thanks to the NAFC fo r all the memories. from the Port did quite well, th e other four very different kind of player! ev ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BY CRAIG NELSON attempted to organise a players meeting to Football 's Women: the Forgotten Heroes, discuss the teams form, this prompted a swift Kevin Sheedy & response from their legendary Coach Jock Carolyn Brown, FOOTBALL'S McHate "We 've never had a players meeting Penguin Books, since I've been here. What are you? Three Melbourne, 1998 ~/OMlEN Commas or something? Now buzz off!" rhe Forgotten H eroes Needless to say the meeting didn't eventuate. Kevin Sheedy Another great moment captured is the Ladies & CARO i.Yi\. UHOWN match at the Junction Oval in 1921 with the It's a duel, Steve Miller. Choose the means, dashes, but stilt they came. Pottinettii , Goggin, co mment that ''The umpire is a man in a dress." the place, the time. A kick-out at Camperdown Marshall, Sharrock. It is worth noting that there was also a large and More women follow Oval? Then another wave. Dennis Marshall enthusiastic crowd in attendance. Aussie rules than Thirty-odd years of supporting the Cats marked in the centre and booted it forward . any of the other would leave a chip on any shoulder, but th ere's Richmond's big Mike Perry dropped a sitter and A Memorable Season: How Collingwood won codes in Australia no need to besmirch the name of th e late, great Goggin pounced, swung around and wobbled a the 1958 VFL Flag , and yet their contribution as Fred Swift (The Pivotonian s, Footyzine #5). punt towards the goat. Just when the crowd W '-"'~"ri.> • ,,,.. dr<>koo 1,,.1.,. IAIL
Released for the centenary celebrations of the VFUAFL this publication is a great counterpart to the more recent The Clubs. Both books 11f'f'tNEr CoMP contain excellent research , great photography G~ f!.Wt-7) and illustrations from the 100 years of this great (( competition. Of particular interest are the snapshots of memorable and sometimes slant of the publication means that legends of infamous incidents written by journalists and WA footy such as Stephen Michael, Benny commentators of the day. Virgona, Bill Dempsey and the Narkle's and SA Great storier. abound. In 1947 at Collingwood greats such as Michael Graham, Gilbert Lou Richards, Jack Burns and Mac Holten McAdam, Wilbur Wilson & Sonny Morey get only limited coverage - But overall the book ~ DA·DA PA·DUM ju W™"·Ww.A·Wp~l\11?HOUWA60f~Jlr+tf, ,. does an excellent job in capturing the 'magic' of DA·P,A DA·Dl..M indigenous footballers and their massive f 131l1", !JAIJY,t °"'"" bO{fOIJ~ ... G° contribution to our national game. AFL's Black 1. (;,01 ~ OL.' Stars is an important contribution to footy's 'flPPlfll' C(}i'llP ~l,.IJ~ Ab-AJlll J literature and it's arrival is very timely in this era of Federal government cowardice and hostility to indigenous rights and the high public profile enjoyed by that noxious female from Queensland. (fj) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BY TRACY GRIFFEN - OUR SCOTTISH CORRESPONDENT More Than A Game: An Unauthorised History of Australian Rules Football, Footy Rob Hess and Bob Stewart (eds) , Melbourne e~ ~tk Books University Press, Melbourne, 1998 ORIGINAL FOOTYCHICK,,, Reviewed by A tremendous read . More Than A Game is not Eddie Greenaway to be confused with More Than a Game: A Ir's diffi cult being on rhe orher side of rhe wo rld presence is high. It was my job to stand and warch Collingwood view of football in the 90's, which is when you hear rhar your ream is winning. rhe crowd for 'unusual movements'. Punters are not A Football Life, an enjoyable Hereforth is my predicament. I love Scod and, but allowed to move seats, stand in rhe aisles chatting Clinton Walker, Pan MacMillan, 1998 but somewhat the foo tball fs shite. Soccer is the sport of ki ngs to fe llow supporters or stop and warch the televised lightweight over here. Footychick is fa r from home ... I have highlights after the game. There's no feeling. The look at the spent a number of my weekends here working as a rwo reams fa ns are segregated into separate stands some w hat security guard at the foo tba'. Fairly and not allowed to make contact A Football Life is the first footy book by Sydney lightweight writer Clinton Walker, the author of Australian tame, a one hour experience wirh each other (they have Collingwood where not much happens. music classics such as Inner City Sounds, side of today. Stranded and Highway to Hell. Like these One, maybe two goals. Edited by Rob earlier works it is a tremendous read , in fact I Nah ... that's not for it's an impersonal Hess and Bob couldn 't put it down. -me. I need-the and alienating Stewart this experi ence. A Football Life follows the part played by foot anthology is a point difference I did have ball in the authors life from his childhood in chock full of and a minute to one fun game Victoria and hi s historical , go (like so many however. It was adolescence in sociological Swans games in Hibs Vs Hearts Queensland and political 1996) . on New Year Day through to his interpretation (the annual game adult years in of the great featured in Irvine Victoria and Victorian game. It does claim to be a history of No pre-game Welsh's Sydney . Australian Rules football , but like most other entertainment, no Trainspotting), the Interspersed works of this sort it is really a history of the VFL alcohol, no silly two opposing throughout are - nobody has yet done a history of the game chan ts . If a Edinburgh reams. snippets of with an appropriate leve l of detail on the other Hib's After a n ight of family history, footballing states - but this gripe aside, the (Edinburgh) partying, I woke and the history editors and their contributors have done a supporter's team up late to of footy teams fantastic job. and leagues is losing, they discover I'd There is insightful coverage of the early days which have had will leave half missed half of the and the rise of the VFL and fall of the VFA. Later some connec- way through the game I was meant on the section on zoning in the VFL clearly tion to the second half. And to be working ar. demonstrates the inequalities wh ich this system authors life. the games are only T hrowing a flat glass perpetuated and how this in some ways Football stands out as one of the main constant abour an hour long. of champagne down my contributed to the 'socialistic' draft system that features in Walkers life and the only lasting Arrive at the game at kick-off, throat, I donned my security we have today .. .there is of course detailed connection with his father. eat a dodgy pie at half time and leave half way uniform and dangerously rode my bicycle to the analysis of the push for the national competition through the second half if your team's losing. Not Hearts stad ium. Half of the other securi ty guards This is a very different type of footy book - part and all the changes that have occurred in the much fun fo r the eq ui va lent of $30 (for one adult at were still drunk as well , when a situation arose .. . autobiography, part history and part fanzine but new corporate and professional football a local game). The fans were hav ing a go at each other so we had it somehow all comes together. At times it's a universe. This book makes a timely valuable Due to all of the mishaps at foorba l I in the to form a human chain between them in a stupid little difficult to keep track of the many contribution to our understanding of the game's eighties (the Ibrox disaster where fift y odd fa ns control-freak situation. Ir was then I started to characters, but overall its a fascinating history and social importance and it clearly were trampled to dearh, the fire in an English think abour the things I miss about AFL. Someone approach and a rewarding journey. With works demonstrates that Australian rules football is stadium that killed over sixty and a mass squash send me a video of the latest Swann ies game, such as A Football Life Australia's sporting definitely ... 'More Than A Game'. where eighty died so mewhere else ), security please! Scottish foo tball is driving me mad ... literature is much the richer, grab a copy soon! CJ ILLUSTRATION: PETER FITZGERALD ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- he's got that indefinable quality of hav ing a good called Talking Opera with Bruce McAveny in the BY TERRY O'BRIEN foo tballing bra in, essential fo r play ing on the ball chair. I've seen a tape of the pilot which features an in the AFL - sorry I think I may actually be interview of Neil Armfield by Peter McKenna, as channelling Tim Watson here but I'll push on. The I'm sure you all know Neil is directing a show for goal sneaks (Bergkamp, Batistuta and Ronalda ) the Australian Opera this season. would easily slot in, either on the ball or in the Peter McKenna: Neil I was there for opening pockets. I suppose Davor Suker would rightly insist ni ght. Your team seemed ro start really well , got on on playing full forward. Footy pl ayers who could top early and then really bought it home to the make the transition the other way are also pretty delight of your supporters. Were you happy with The idea came into being, as many great by default? We came to the first sign that said easy to pick - Paul Kelly scored a decent goal how they went? ones have, not long before closing time at the Adelaide, dutifully followed it and ended up in aga inst Richmond which suggested that he'd been Neil Armfield: Yeah Pete, real happy. I thought pub on a Friday night. Like other great ideas Hay for the night. taking an interest in the world game. In a peri od of all the work that went in off the stage really paid there are arguments as to whose idea it was. We took the first motel we came across then sleep deprivation induced hys teria, I imagined that off. The singin was good .... Perhaps the difference with this one is that we went in search of food and, naturally, hit the Harry Madden could be entrusted with the PM: ... Yeah! The singin was real good. Is that both deny ownership and blame the other. I nearest pub, which happened to be the goalkeeping duties. At least it would be something you concentrated on in the pre-season ? suppose the fact that I woke up on Saturday Caledonian. There were footy posters all over entertaining. Most of the Channel 7 commentary NA: Yeah mate. Look, we tried somethin a morning with a vague feeling that I said the walls. And last years tipping comp results team would probably suggest Anthony Kourafides - little different for our preparation this season. We something rash the ·····-~~-"";:'~U(V"--:~ ~ hadn't been taken down. We but if you believe them he's capable of doing started earlier than we normally would and night before, and M'. \_f\ \!\t \J ~ \!Wt had hit Footy culture at last. anything short of ra ising the dead. concentrated on the basic skills. We spent heaps of couldn't be sure of what ~CW:\ ~V\.. I\ v All the posters depicted St The transition wouldn't be that huge - both time singin, learnin the words, you know the bas ics. it was, gives Dave the Ellll'ER GfliE s - \'.\/\.\£~ Kilda players, but at least games rely on creating space, putting the ball in Stuff these guys have been doin since they were edge in this debate. t.A it_RR~.\,t -n- they were footy posters. It Whatever the truth of ? Rt~\IJn I , f\~ seems the publican of the front of a team mate and capitalising on possession fo ur years of age. We got the fundamentals right "'00...-'BflLL f'flR\<. YI • and opportunities. The best players from both codes and then moved onto the set pieces. the matter, the .- ' Q \l \\'::;~'\\ • Cal had gone to Melbourne make plenty of time and space fo r themselves thus PM: Well it looks likes it really paid off, commitment was made ) \)\{ '2.9 ~~R \ ~~o •• .,.., a week earlier to see the and the meticulous ...... w · 1'..\ Saints go down in the night creating the illusion of play ing on a larger paddock, everyone seemed to know the words they were 4 planning for a trip to final. in slow motion. Money could be an issue , supposed to sing as we ll as the words everyone else ? t '"' Adelaide for the 1998 Above the bar there apparently Ronalda and a few others are on a pretty was supposed to sing. But I tell you what, the season opener for the were seventeen pennants decent wage. I don't think it's a huge problem - just movement around the stage, the delivery of the Swans against Port with the initials KDAFL. This form a sentence using the words "Packer", props were both sensational and I thought the big Adelaide began. proved to be the Kerang "Collingwood", "advertising rights" and "television bloke up the front with the huge voice put in a top Here it has to be District Australian Football rights''. class performance. He was really sensational. said that Dave grew up League. They had all three The coaching angle is also interesting; Miroslav NA: Yeah we're all happy with the way he's a Crow Eater and a flags for 1995. It turns out Blazev ic rook Croatia to third place on the back of come on over the last few seasons. He's put in Sturt supporter and like that this is a Victorian sound astrological advice while Braz illian coach heaps of work and we're expecting him to be able any true Sturt follower competition and I was Mario Zaga llo looked like he was in need of a cup to perform like that every night if he can remain loathes Port. There impressed by their of tea and good lie down fo llowing the semi-final injury free. again all SANFL fans enthusiasm. Hay is a fair penalty shootout against Holland. The message is PM : Well I hope for your sake and for all your hate them unless they distance to travel every clear for Hawthorn - it is not too late for Alan supporters out the there that he does because he's a love them. Just like Collingwood in the VFUAFL. second week for a game. I wondered whether Jeans to take over the reigns once again. very exciting prospect. All the best for the Is it any coincidence they are both known as the Jeff Kennett knows about the Hay team. In the midst of juggling work, the footy and upcoming season. Magpies? Among other things. There is perhaps Obviously not. Otherwise he would have bought Coupe du Monde, I stumbled across comments in NA: Thanks mate, lookin forward to it. an irony here in that Dave was, in a past life, a them up and moved them to Mexico. Pies fan - Collingwood, that is. We got into Adelaide and went round in the Sydney Morning Herald attributed to Adelaide PM: Back to you Bruce. The car was picked up, later than planned, circles trying to find a particular motel but Festival Director Barry Kosky. Apparently Barry Kosky is a smart guy. I can't imag ine why and we headed off. As we reached the outskirts eventually gave up. Once again, we took the first concerned with the quality of arts criticism in somebody hasn't suggested this before. of Sydney Dave had the idea (and this was one we came across with a vacancy. The next Australia, Barry has suggested that sports New foo tball saying: if you are going to have a defintely his) that we go to Melbourne for THE morning Dave donned his scarf as we hunted up commentators be brought in to lift the standard. mid-season slump, best to have it mid-season. season opener and then travel to Adelaide from some breakfast. Coffee for me. A couple of This is one of the best suggestions ever to come out Coupe du Monde is settled, the state of origin there. A quick bit of mental arithmetic said that joggers said "Go Swans" as they trundled past. of the world of the Arts in Australia. I can reveal holiday weekend is out of the way. Free from all we couldn't make it in time , so westward we Back at the motel I put on my jumper and we exclusively fo r Footyzine readers that Channel 7, as distracti ons it's time for the Swans to turn the went. Besides it was North v West Coast so who headed of to the game. The receptionist was part of it's principal sponsorship package with the season back on. September is when it counts - see the bloody hell would you support? The Weagles somewhat taken aback. She hadn't picked us for Australian Opera, will be unveiling a show you in the Footyz ine corporate box. ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- footy hooligans. She overcame her professional nice touch to it. While our tune was being played BY NEILL JONES training and said she would be backing Port. some people were singing (softly, admittedly) Only to be expected. "Cheer, Cheer, the Black and the White". On the way to the bus a car came out of an Enough of that Dave said. Later I fo und out that alley and stopped at the corner. After a while it is the Port Magpies song. The surprisin g thing they turned away from us, gained speed and is that they took it from us, not the other way shouted "Go Power''. That was more like it. At round , according to a Power fo ll ower. (Some THE VIEW FROM BAY 4 the bus stop we got a couple of disapproving time during the 1930s - Ed) looks and there was a couple of kids tossing a With the preliminaries out of the way th e O ld footba ll saying: Premiersh ips aren't won in The ba ll appears to be free of advertisi ng in football rugby ball about. Even to my untrained eye they game commenced. The noise, as you would April. T he Swans unleashed five straight wins in a as does the surface of the fi eld an outrageous waste were forward passes. By the time the bus left expect, grew in intensity. Two quick goals from there were nearly as many Maxfield softened it a bit, but row to start the season, including away wins to Port of potential earnings. Coupe du Monde featured of us on board as them. it still went on. Eve ry time Adelaide and West Coast and home wi ns against more instances of ex tremely bad acting than an Nearly. the Swans got a free, or Brisbane, Geelong and Footscray. It was a powerful average episode of Baywatch and more stretcher Into the ground and when the locals th ought they antidote to the football deprivation syndrome felt bearers than an enti re series of MASH. The find our seats. As we sat has missed receiving one, so acutely over the summer. The team was play ing propensity fo r players to drop to the ground down someone said to her the howl went up. I suppose we ll up until the second half of the Footscray game fo llowing the slightest contac t, writhe around the friend "See, you're not the I was looking for differences and while September wasn't being openly spoken ground before being stretchered off to have a drink only one." "I thought I in the crowds cultural about, it was being pencilled in. I'm not quite sure and then running back on in voked equal parts of would be" was her reply. behaviour as opposed to the what's happened for the players since then but I've annoyance and amuse ment. More amusing still is Our seats were in the SCG variety. I reckon the been kinda distracted and unable to foc us on footy trying to imagine this being attempted at say, um Premium Terrace. Why major difference was the as much as usual. At first I though t it was our Victoria Park: There's on ly on-;:-;_;-~ pire of course, this was the Premium absence of those lengthy enforced re location to Bay 9 but it goes deeper than two ass istants and the spare ump who holds up the Terrace escapes me. It si lences you get at th e SCG that. Startling personal admiss ion: I have at least sign nobody can read unless it's a night game. This had the same aluminium where it's almost as though the se mblance of a life away from Bay 9 of the at a time when some are advocating that foo ty add seating as all the rest of the crowd is coll ecti ve ly SCG. another goal umpire at each end of the ground, the ground. Including the holding its breath. The other Firstly there was the Sydney Film Festival bringing the total number to nine (plus spares ). In Members. The warm up real difference was the which, with respect to footy, was a complete dud other words two short of a foo tball team - and we game was the Tip Top U- higher level of overall footy this year in comparison to last year when both Year don't even have to hang out any signs during the 18s v Sturt and of no great knowledge - when Plugger of the Dogs and Kiss or Ki ll we re shown. Th is year game. The contrasts go beyond the paddock and interest - to me. And no played on after the half time the only fea tured footba ll was the world game one else much it seemed. siren the roar was just about into the television studio. Contemplate the which is probably fa ir enough given the recent difference between Fantasy World C up and the There were surprisingly PHOTO: TERRY O'BRIEN instantaneous and for those few people at the ground. that hadn't pi cked up on goings-on in France. Coupe du Monde prov ided the excrement dressed up as the Sportsworld Footy The siren went and they went off the ground. what happened there was no shortage of people other distraction - for one glorious week I was Panel. Then came back on again. Bugger. That was to tell them. juggling work, the Film Festi va l and the first round Both codes could probably benefit from some only half time. I had forgotten about the end of I have heard the Crows vs Port 'Show matches. This coincided with the beginnings of the cross pollination. Take, for instance, the act of daylight savings. Never has a Record been so Downs', as the local press dubs th em, on the Swans slump which I just decided to ignore in the celebrating a goal. Imagine, if you will, Plugger well read. Dave discovered that you couldn't radio and the intensity is palpabl e. The hope that the playe rs, the coach and the club kicking a goal at the Randwick end of the SCG, drink alcohol in your seat, only out the back of commentators could barely be heard over the would sort it out. I had enough on my plate. running at fu ll pace toward the seats which cover the stands. Over the next hour the crowd started noise. The atmosphere wasn't quite as intense The world game provided some great television up what used to be the Hill whilst lifting his coming in and an encouraging number with Red at this match, perhaps they haven't learned to and some comparisons with footy that are worth jumper up over his head and then proceeding to and White. hate us yet. The Swans didn't steal their side's exploring. The SBS coverage was excellent (I'm dive head first toward the fence on his stomach. I'd Eventually the real stuff was about to place in the AFL and they are (now) from NSW not go ing to say world class because I loathe the like to see that, come to think of it I would like to happen. The teams came onto the ground and and therefore not from a traditi onal Au ssi e Rul es term and for another reason which might become see that about a dozen times per game. the accompanying roar with it. The something state, and so don't warrant automatic hostility. I obvious). The thought that C hannel 7 might usurp There are several kiddies I've spotted who look happened that I hadn't heard before. They suspect, however, if they have still never beaten the rights from SBS via a cosy deal with Soccer like they could easily make the transition to footy. played "Cheer, Cheer the Red and the White" us in the near future, and so far the score is Australia are nearly as disturbing to me as the Several of the goalies would be more than useful in followed by the Power theme. It seemed to last Swans three Power ni l, they soon wil. recent use of the words "Packer", "Collingwood", key positions -sorry slipping in C hannel 7 speak for ever. The reason they did that, stems from There was a group of older locals sitting "advertising rights", "telev ision rights" in the same there - but anyway I'd have the goalie from one of the local derbies. On this occasion the behind us and they were quite fri endly. At one sentence. Does anybody remember Super League? away side wanted their theme song played and stage the bloke who had been the most talkative Paraguay - C hilavert who proved that he can catch it was decided if they did it once then they of them said "It's only a game." Dave informed On the paddock the contrasts between football and ki ck which is a pretty good start. Valderama @ would always have to do it. Anyway, it had a him that it was much more important than that. I (aka the world game) and footy are clear to see. fro m Colombia is long in the tooth but looks like ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - ~ 1960s block of flats. A nice touch is the gladstone bag carrying workers. Few of the have a feeling that his comment came at a stage paraphernalia: trophies, pennants, and photos, names of past players that sit atop the roof people living in the surrounding streets care when Port were falling behind. In the third term going back to the year dot and beyond. Then edge of the stands encircling the oval. for the club or football. They certainly don't the Swans got out to a thirty-nine point lead and there were the lockers. The doors were white During 1997 the reports surfaced again see the Victoria Park as home. A few years it was starting to look as though it was all over. panel about the size of a reasonable kitchen The crowd was subdued but still not silent cupboard door with a knob and each had a that the current season could see the last ago a local resident almost caused then During the break I was out the back having a number on it. I suspect there is nothing behind Collingwood home games at Victoria Park. president Alan McAlister a fit of apoplexy smoke and there were the optimistic locals those panels but I wasn't so inquisitive that I This wasn't the first time these stories had when she goaded him with the suggestion that saying that they could still win the game. I must needed to find out. The doors had the number of started. Ever since the Allan Aylett took over it was time for the club to move on and that admit that I didn't think it was likely, but it did the incumbent of it's number above it, and on the as VFL President back in the seventies the the ground would be more appreciated by the bring back memories of the dark ages at the door the name of any of the past players who previously unthinkable suggestion, that locals for walking their dogs. The Victoria SCG when we would say that but really knew had worn it. Some had another name which Collingwood Park Primary that it wasn't going to happen. Because it never could have been a distinguished Port Magpie did. But the Power had come back and were player, but I'm not sure. move from r R RE AV School, formerly only twenty points behind. Our guide, who had told us the she could get Victoria Park, opposite the I don't think I under estimated the spirit of us into a lot of trouble, kept our true identities to became T'eneny C'°scent members entrance Port but I must admit to being worried when Port herself, so we emerged undetected and annoyingly in Bath Street, kicked three unanswered goals to end yhe therefore unscathed. When we left there, we regular. In 1997 and a school previous quarter, then proceed to get three donned the colours again. newspapers attended by many more. The big flags started waving emphatically We went into the city and wandered around quoted various past Collingwood and the scarves - but not the jackets - were in search a suitable place to celebrate a brandished. And the noise became intense. memorable victory. As we wandered around club officials, who _,w players such as Q When there was what seemed like a goal that people asked us who won and we told them. Q invoked religious 0 the legendary :r would have put them in front it reached its There seemed a be a general lack of distress metaphors, Collier brothers crescendo. It was deemed to be touched and the generated by the news. Eventually we found a describing the from the 1920s crowd noise became almost indignant. From spot and had the requisite beverages. As significance of and 30s, closed where I was sitting I thought it was a major. I was people walked in they acknowledged our playing at home. long ago. Like never the less relieved. The sting seemed to presence and at one stage I had a cheer squad Playing home other inner urban have gone out of the crowd as the Swans rallied urging me on for the pool games. games was a in and scraped a win . I still reckon they would have A few of them started buying us drinks and of City areas spiritual ABBOTSFORD Melbourne's probably won if they got that goal. When the course we started chatting. From what we were ~ siren went the crowd was silent - as you would told it seemed that there was still a fair amount north Abbotsford Melways : Map 2C Reference K7 expect. We waited for the PA to start booming of disrespect for the Crows due to the way they our song but it never came. entered the AFL amongst this crowd at least. Obviously once a day was enough. Dave And of course there is the love-hate relationship and I looked at each other and agreed that we with Port. One bloke said he regularly went to should give them a chorus. So we started and Crows games to support the opposition because there were enough other Swans supporters he hated the one-eyed Chardonnay Set that, around for it to be reasonably boisterous. The according to him, make up the bulk of the locals just filed silently out of the ground and Adelaide supporters. I suppose I still haven't gave us odd looks. found the essence of Adelaide Footy culture. After the game I met up with a couple of Perhaps I need to go to a Crows/Port game or a Sydney ex pats and friends of theirs and after Port/Norwood match or even a Sturt/Glenelg some discussion it was decided that we would fixture - maybe even beyond - to find it. All I can go to Port's club at Alberton Oval. We were told say is that it's not like Sydney and certainly not we would have divest ourselves of the Swans like Melbourne. gear. We were prepared to carry the flag , so to We left there in search of a concoction called speak, but in the end were persuaded not to do a Pie Floater which Dave assured me is part of it. Inside there was a fair crowd but no slashed Adelaide culture. A Pie Floater is a meat pie, wrists nor even weeping and wailing. Upstairs, turned upside down, and drowned in pea and where only members are allowed it may have ham soup. Apparently the tomato sauce is been different but I'll never find out. obligatory. I'm still not sure whether or not I have Downstairs, where we were, is called the been conned. Locker Room . There was the usual THANKS TO MOO PRODUCTIONS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~ BY HAROLD THORNTON she didn 't need much encouragement.) There rained down from home supporters ... seeing was the day I tagged along with her and her the crowd tum on a security guard who had Footscray supporting boyfriend to see the over zealously retrieved a souvenired match 'Pies against Footscray. We left early ball from a supporter ... members of the outer Merrett following some tense moments after the 'shushing' as a couple of uniformed coppers ~ boyfriend antagonised my sister and some made their way from beneath the scoreboard other female supporters by keeping up a to the fence. All witnessed, felt, and endured steady stream of •s riling comments, mostly directed You all saw it on tv. A minute to go. at Collingwood's Six minutes to go, 26 Ackers misses what glamour player points down. The Lions should have been a goal, and champion fading and looking but the crowd knows it's full-forward beaten. And yet ... still on. Sean Hart marks Peter McKenna. Something happened - easily from the kickout in The outer at a bit like in the chocolate the middle of a pack of Victoria Park ad that comes on just three Port players. A had strict codes about e-very time a goai is slightly-
My kids are quite athletic and have mention all that aggression producing always coped well on the footy field but testosterone pumping through their almost THE HERRT OF THE despite this I began to find their games muscular bodies. And while my boys have incredibly frustratin g. No longer was been doing all this developing so too have watching adorable little kids practicing most of their teammates. It's a different cartwheels and karate or picking their story when we go to watch their games IDRTTER - Part ~ noses, fulfilling entertainment. I'd had a these days. At 13 and 15 the boys are wee sniff of someth ing that had lain playing real footy. I look forward to their dormant in my blood for years and I found games as much as I do the Lion's . A SEQUEL WE UNFORTUNATELY • myself craving the real thing. Fortunately So bugger me if I haven't got footy about this time the Bears moved from the coming out of my pores and with two HAD TO HAVE Gold Coast to Brisbane. My lust was sated. daughters playing netball, also on a In the meantime my kids have been Saturday, bugger me if I don't spend as Watching a match exclaimed one his children as she pointed to growing. Funny that! (3 out of 4 of them are much time driving around in my bloody car at the MCG last the scoreboard, "There's 26 minutes to go." taller than me now). At the same time as I do watching balls flying around season I encountered More recently I had an insight into the they've developed all sorts of things like; sporting fields! an insight into the way in which the minds of Seven 's sporting competitiveness, determination, not to way in which tv executives work. Prior to the first round of the • has impacted onto 1998 AFL season an article appeared in the the game. The "Green Guide", The Age's weekly tv fa mily sitting in supplement, which previewed the coverage the front of me were Seven Network would be giving to the season supporters of the ahead. After discuss ing the changes coming team which lost from Seven's inves tment of a large sum of this particular money in new graphics softw are the article match. Late in noted that "Opponents of the (countdown) the final quarter clock are also in for a shock - viewers will see when it was more of it." Gordon Bennett, Seven's Head of obvious that Sport is quoted as saying "I know some fans the game was don't like it, but last year the (countdown) out of the reach clock was dropped during a game because of of their team technical problems and our switchboard the children phones ran hot with people complaining about t began asking if it." they could go I'm bemused that hav ing spent the past home. The decade developing an audi ence which has father responded come to be lieve that the countdown clock is that he was situated on the MCG scoreboard and that a happy to stay to quarter of foo tball consists of more than 20 the end, adding minutes of actual playing time, the Seven that there was only Network now fi nds itself hav ing to fo llow the two or three needs and demands of that audience. In an minutes to go. article discuss ing Seven's countdown clock in "There is not," the fo urth issue of Footyzine I described a radio Look out Losers! Here come the Swans! ,
• E V A N LEE 30-34WILSON ST. NEWTOWN2042 TEL: 02 95506263 ARCHITECTS FAX: 02 95194511 By Irwin Hirsh STORY & PHOTOS BY TRACEY BRUNTON
My kids are quite athletic and have mention all that aggression producing always coped well on the footy field but testosterone pumping through their almost THE HERRT OF THE despite this I began to find their games muscular bodies. And while my boys have incredibly frustratin g. No longer was been doing all this developing so too have watching adorable little kids practicing most of their teammates. It's a different cartwheels and karate or picking their story when we go to watch their games IDRTTER - Part ~ noses, fulfilling entertainment. I'd had a these days. At 13 and 15 the boys are wee sniff of someth ing that had lain playing real footy. I look forward to their dormant in my blood for years and I found games as much as I do the Lion's . A SEQUEL WE UNFORTUNATELY • myself craving the real thing. Fortunately So bugger me if I haven't got footy about this time the Bears moved from the coming out of my pores and with two HAD TO HAVE Gold Coast to Brisbane. My lust was sated. daughters playing netball, also on a In the meantime my kids have been Saturday, bugger me if I don't spend as Watching a match exclaimed one his children as she pointed to growing. Funny that! (3 out of 4 of them are much time driving around in my bloody car at the MCG last the scoreboard, "There's 26 minutes to go." taller than me now). At the same time as I do watching balls flying around season I encountered More recently I had an insight into the they've developed all sorts of things like; sporting fields! an insight into the way in which the minds of Seven 's sporting competitiveness, determination, not to way in which tv executives work. Prior to the first round of the • has impacted onto 1998 AFL season an article appeared in the the game. The "Green Guide", The Age's weekly tv fa mily sitting in supplement, which previewed the coverage the front of me were Seven Network would be giving to the season supporters of the ahead. After discuss ing the changes coming team which lost from Seven's inves tment of a large sum of this particular money in new graphics softw are the article match. Late in noted that "Opponents of the (countdown) the final quarter clock are also in for a shock - viewers will see when it was more of it." Gordon Bennett, Seven's Head of obvious that Sport is quoted as saying "I know some fans the game was don't like it, but last year the (countdown) out of the reach clock was dropped during a game because of of their team technical problems and our switchboard the children phones ran hot with people complaining about t began asking if it." they could go I'm bemused that hav ing spent the past home. The decade developing an audi ence which has father responded come to be lieve that the countdown clock is that he was situated on the MCG scoreboard and that a happy to stay to quarter of foo tball consists of more than 20 the end, adding minutes of actual playing time, the Seven that there was only Network now fi nds itself hav ing to fo llow the two or three needs and demands of that audience. In an minutes to go. article discuss ing Seven's countdown clock in "There is not," the fo urth issue of Footyzine I described a radio talk-back session from the mid 1990s involving the North players didn't know how much time the then head of Seven's footba ll coverage. there was to play, did they start their tactics a When one caller rang in to complain about bit too earl y? All these questions point to a the countdown clock and mentioned the 1989 single response: either everyone should have Grand Final in order to make his point, the the same, equ al access to the amount of Seven executive butted in and had a tone of playing time remaining, or none should have voice which indicated that he is sick and tired the access. about hearing about the 1989 Grand Final and One question missing from the Talking the clock. Footy discuss ion was: What about the fans at Consider this: For years Seven has been the ground? Part of the enjoyment of watching hearing complaints ari sing out of their a match is an appreciation of the tactics being broadcast of one match. employed by the teams. I There probably was never a don't think that "switchboard phones ran appreciation is enhanced hot" situation in relation to by hav ing to guess whether the 1989 Grand Final, but the players know how • the complaints were received much time is left to play. over many years and reached Either I should know the the point were a Seven players and me have at executive publicly and rudely the-moment access to the interrupted a complainant. It info or I should know we strikes me as awfully don't have and can't get There comes a time in an Australian football. I rejected and practically forgot my convenient for Seven to now the info. Anything in that child's life whe n either they or their parents origins. put up the 'have to listen to ~ grey area in between figure it's time when they were involved in That is until years later, married with the complaints' line in ~ diminishes my a 'team sport'. children, when the team sport dilemma justifying their continual use ('§ appreciation, my For a couple of years I precariously loomed. of the countdown clock, C/J enjoyment, my interest of because they've largely ~ the game. balanced two arguments for such an I sussed out the local Aussie Rules club Cl: enlistment of my children. On one hand I and signed my boys up. Fortunately this ignored complaints which ::J North Melbourne's wanted to stall for as long as I could, the was before the days of Auskick in are anti the clock. :::! President Ron Casey is a inevitable role of parent chauffeur but on Queensland and both my boys 8 & 6 years The evening after the publication ot the past General Manager of Melbourne's Channel the other, I knew if I didn't soon register my of age, went straight into playing four article in the "Green Guide" North Melbourne Seven and an inductee of the Media section of boys in an Aussie Rules team either they quarters of footy. and Wes t Coast inaugurated the 1998 season the AFL's Hall of Fame. Early this season he or their Queensland father would sign Watching this activity rang all the usual with a thriller in which North won by 2 expressed the opinion that "The culture of the them up in a club to play that senseless, indulgent bells. My husband would call out, points. Late in the final quarter North began game is through the turnstile". Watch the foul game of 'smell bum'. I was forced to 'Great catch son' and I would elbow him to defend their slender lead with the practice television coverage of a game played to half act. and say, 'It was a mark Mal, a mark!'. 'Man • of short, safe passes to teammates where the full terraces and grandstands and you can see Having moved to Queensland when I up! ' I would yell at dreamy, aimless kids, ball isn't moved upfield. The passage was that Casey's media background contributed to was 9 years old , I'd long been out of touch surprised at myself and wondering where replayed on Seven's tv programme Talking his statement. Television executives have a with the game of Aussie Rules. For a few all these expressions were coming from. It Footy, during which it was noted that there is need to enhance the culture through the years after our move north I'd been was as though some bloody Victorian footy a tv in the new MCG coaches box, which was turnstile. Otherwise all they'll have is telecas ts dragged around to my brother's games but supporter's spirit had possessed my body. used by North, while there is no tv in the old which don't look as exciting they they could when I left home at 15 I became involved My husband looked at me quizzically. Up coaches box, which was used by West Coast. be. And is this need advanced when there is a in the bikie world. My Queensland bikie until this point in our relationship the fact The Talking Footy discuss ion turned to this chance that a 12 year old sitting in the stands friends had a lot of contempt for Victorians that I was a Victorian had never really been difference. Was North advantaged by hav ing a will wonder why a team is using ultra and even more for the game of Australian evident. tv in the coaches box? Was the time defensive tactics while there is sti ll 23 or 24 information relaid to the North players? And if minutes to the siren ? organised at the Lions' training ground a soothing platitudes that still somehow needed kilometre away at Coorparoo. The Brisbane to be sa id. And then, at last, Roger, speaking sky turns on a mag ical tangerine and aqua with quiet sincerity. Mums shoosh their Field& <0~ Our Dream& sunset from curly stratospheric clouds to mark charges and Dads tell some garrulous males at the interval. the bar to shut up. Victoria Park The families of the faithful ga ther Just as in Queensland Aboriginal society beneath a marquee and in the spartan the names of the dead may not be spoken, so A continuing journey through the home grounds of my life clubhouse. It may be only a week from the in football nobody refers directly to the axed, by SD Murphy solstice, but here in Queensland t-shirts are traded and sacrificed stars of recent memory. still everywhere in evidence. Doors and But Roger speaks from the heart. He breaks windows are wide open. the rule with a flood of references to the The old man grew up within a mile of children. Whenever we drove down Johnston Beaming mothers dispatch their excited departed Northey, calling him - as none of Victoria Park, the distance of a decent drop Street Dad would say, 'Here it comes - offspring to obtain S: the supporters ever did - kick in the old measurement. He and hi s Collingwood's ground!' and from the back of signatures of favoured John. A wince of pain mates kicked their homemade footballs the Holden station wagon I and the rest of the ~ players on footballs, ~ and embarrassment goes around Sackville and Easey Streets and grew family would peer down the dreary side up hoping to wear the black and white stripes. streets to see the brilliant black and white • Records and articles of ~ around at the first He did. But it was for Abbotsford in the old striped back of the Rush stand. clothing. Is that Ben ~ mention. But then it's all sub-district league. Kicking a ball around on The first time Dad took me 'home' to see Robbins or Brett Yoss? right, the pressure has his home ground at Victoria Park after the a game we parked the Holden in a back lane, Or maybe Jason - no, too been relieved and the game was, for like so many of us, the closest his local knowledge still good enough to much hair. Oh look, poison lanced. Roger tells his dream came to fulfilment. guarantee a parking spot where once he might there's Alistair with his us he was totally loyal to Bob Rose have kicked a new baby - isn't he tall ? Northey, but when asked played for a football. I had Look, there goes Danny - if he would take over, did short while at to almost jog get his autograph, quick! not hesitate as his higher Abbotsford to keep up Is Darryl here, has loyalty was to the club. until the with the old anybody seen Darryl ? He tells us that press Collingwood man in his Noel Gordon moves reports about bargaining scouts favourite among the crowd like a mafia godfather at a for a long-term contract are fictitious. He redirected the sports coat as family christening, beer in hand. He may tells us that he will inject his commitment former Nyah we made our have blood on his hands, but no-one will be into the lads. He tells us the season is far West player to way through disrespectful enough to mention it. from over. We believe. Collingwood. the narrow Roger arrives in t-shirt. The whisper Roger proceeds to draw lucky door prize Dad still streets to the whips around the crowd like a gust of wind tickets from a bucket and distribute prizes. recalls the ground. Dad through autumn leaves. Roger has presence. Ceremony over, he melts into the crowd in a obvious class ignored the He radiates. He will lead us to the promised welter of back slapping and admiration. displayed by numerous pubs land. Roger is one of us. Unspoken in the room is the thought Rose. As a doing their Shane Johnson herds the crowd into the that John Northey was never one of us. He roaring home youth Dad clubhouse for the presentation of awards. never mingled with supporters. He never, game trade as sold the Roger does the presenting and Shane until the very end, seemed prepared to accept Sporting Globe and Herald on Saturdays he strode on, hoping to catch a bit of the twos. interviews the recipients. Shaun Hart gets any responsibility for failure at what is the nights. He often sold his papers to Lou Though he loved a drink, during the footy he an award, of course, accompanied by his son coach's prime responsibility - welding the Richards as he left Victoria Park, girlfriend just chain-smoked Vi scounts. in a tiny number 32 guernsey. The crowd players into a team. beside him in his real flash car. That first visit signalled the official applauds and applauds until everyone has Roger Merrett may or may not be a My first glimpses of Victoria Park came at beginning of my own relationship with sore hands. Little Stevie Lawrence ge ts a coaching genius. He may or may not have a young age. I grew up in the outer west Dad Collingwood and Victoria Park. A few years huge cheer. tactical fl air. But win, lose or draw, the Lions having left Collingwood around the time later I started talking an older sister into @ that Mum delivered the first of seven taking me along to Victoria Park. (Thankfully Noel Gordon addresses the room with supporters in Queensland love him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@) BY HAROLD THORNTON she didn 't need much encouragement.) There rained down from home supporters ... seeing was the day I tagged along with her and her the crowd tum on a security guard who had Footscray supporting boyfriend to see the over zealously retrieved a souvenired match 'Pies against Footscray. We left early ball from a supporter ... members of the outer Merrett following some tense moments after the 'shushing' as a couple of uniformed coppers ~ boyfriend antagonised my sister and some made their way from beneath the scoreboard other female supporters by keeping up a to the fence. All witnessed, felt, and endured steady stream of •s riling comments, mostly directed You all saw it on tv. A minute to go. at Collingwood's Six minutes to go, 26 Ackers misses what glamour player points down. The Lions should have been a goal, and champion fading and looking but the crowd knows it's full-forward beaten. And yet ... still on. Sean Hart marks Peter McKenna. Something happened - easily from the kickout in The outer at a bit like in the chocolate the middle of a pack of Victoria Park ad that comes on just three Port players. A had strict codes about e-very time a goai is slightly- Released for the centenary celebrations of the VFUAFL this publication is a great counterpart to the more recent The Clubs. Both books 11f'f'tNEr CoMP contain excellent research , great photography G~ f!.Wt-7) and illustrations from the 100 years of this great (( competition. Of particular interest are the snapshots of memorable and sometimes slant of the publication means that legends of infamous incidents written by journalists and WA footy such as Stephen Michael, Benny commentators of the day. Virgona, Bill Dempsey and the Narkle's and SA Great storier. abound. In 1947 at Collingwood greats such as Michael Graham, Gilbert Lou Richards, Jack Burns and Mac Holten McAdam, Wilbur Wilson & Sonny Morey get only limited coverage - But overall the book ~ DA·DA PA·DUM ju W™"·Ww.A·Wp~l\11?HOUWA60f~Jlr+tf, ,. does an excellent job in capturing the 'magic' of DA·P,A DA·Dl..M indigenous footballers and their massive f 131l1", !JAIJY,t °"'"" bO{fOIJ~ ... G° contribution to our national game. AFL's Black 1. (;,01 ~ OL.' Stars is an important contribution to footy's 'flPPlfll' C(}i'llP ~l,.IJ~ Ab-AJlll J literature and it's arrival is very timely in this era of Federal government cowardice and hostility to indigenous rights and the high public profile enjoyed by that noxious female from Queensland. (fj) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BY CRAIG NELSON attempted to organise a players meeting to Football 's Women: the Forgotten Heroes, discuss the teams form, this prompted a swift Kevin Sheedy & response from their legendary Coach Jock Carolyn Brown, FOOTBALL'S McHate "We 've never had a players meeting Penguin Books, since I've been here. What are you? Three Melbourne, 1998 ~/OMlEN Commas or something? Now buzz off!" rhe Forgotten H eroes Needless to say the meeting didn't eventuate. Kevin Sheedy Another great moment captured is the Ladies & CARO i.Yi\. UHOWN match at the Junction Oval in 1921 with the It's a duel, Steve Miller. Choose the means, dashes, but stilt they came. Pottinettii , Goggin, co mment that ''The umpire is a man in a dress." the place, the time. A kick-out at Camperdown Marshall, Sharrock. It is worth noting that there was also a large and More women follow Oval? Then another wave. Dennis Marshall enthusiastic crowd in attendance. Aussie rules than Thirty-odd years of supporting the Cats marked in the centre and booted it forward . any of the other would leave a chip on any shoulder, but th ere's Richmond's big Mike Perry dropped a sitter and A Memorable Season: How Collingwood won codes in Australia no need to besmirch the name of th e late, great Goggin pounced, swung around and wobbled a the 1958 VFL Flag , and yet their contribution as Fred Swift (The Pivotonian s, Footyzine #5). punt towards the goat. Just when the crowd W '-"'~"ri.> • ,,,.. dr<>koo 1,,.1.,. IAIL Footy Jumpers Traditional-style Swans guer.nseys with Footyzine badge. Footyzine Subscriptions 3 issues for $10 (Please state which issue you would like to start with). Please make cheques payable to OUR ZINE CITY and send with your size and details of order to: PO Box 199 Newtown NSW 2042. *Prices include postage & handling. Please allow 21 days for delivery.