Posted by David Downer on 26th August 2010
In simpler times, when humble TV sitcoms ruled the entertainment roost, the Chicago-based Perfect Strangers was a meat-and-three-veg staple in many a family lounge-room.
It shared the tale of two long-lost cousins. The neurotic yank Cousin Larry; and the goat-herding Greek shepherd, Cousin Balki. As you’ll recall, a rather mincingly flamboyant Bronson Pinchot starred as the latter.
At the Collo-seum on Saturday, the pre-match bill too had “cousins” written all over it. St Kilda’s Nick and Richmond’s Jack. While both Riewoldt boys ply their trade up forward, I’m sure neither would be coming forward, or er, “out”, to play the Balki Bartokomous role today. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Richmond, St Kilda
Posted in Round 21 (21/2010), STK v Rich (21/2010) | 5 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 4th August 2010
by David Downer
As pre-match curtain raisers go, you could do worse than spending a lazy seven hours at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond.
Amongst the now familiar joie-de-vivre of the “afternoon session”, the impending federal election ensured any non-footy banter turned political in nature – the turn a touch more left than right I observed. The setting more elegantly dissected by a “prominent much-maligned Geelong almanacker” earlier in the week.
Amid the obvious topical musings, a slight door creaked ajar for “informed commentary” of the recent tele-movie Hawke. “Much maligned” in itself.
Granted, this did focus solely on the alluring magnetism of Asher Keddie. And there was clearly disenchantment her role as Blanche d’Alpuget hadn’t quite extended to the Hugh Riminton “post-match” with Hawkey himself. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Essendon, St Kilda
Posted in 2010, ESS v STK (18/2010), Round 18 (18/2010) | 5 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 22nd July 2010
Warning: The following contains Collingwood stereotypes of the cheap low-hanging fruit variety and may offend/delight some readers.
When flying to Europe on our honeymoon last year, the good wife decreed we organise a two day stopover in Dubai. The shimmering, glittering, juxtaposed jewel of the Middle East. The Vegas of Arabia.
The route would require us to “fly Emirates”. The airline. Not the ass-end corporate logo on Collingwood leisurewear.
To be even loosely associated with the Carringbush “brand” was deeply conflicting. The flight would be a DVT-conducive fourteen hours. I will concede I felt privileged to have such an exotic travel opportunity, so I wasn’t complaining (yes I was).
Emirates napkins. Emirates hot towels. Emirates mini toothbrush. Emirates eye-mask. And of course, Emirates sick-bags.
Upon arrival in the mirage-dripping desert heat of Dubai, the sins of Magpie-sponsored regret were eventually washed away with several cleansing dips in the Arab Gulf.
Fortunately Jumeirah Beach felt a long way from Lulie Street Abbotsford. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Collingwood, St Kilda
Posted in COLL v STK (16/2010), Round 16 (16/2010) | 10 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 1st July 2010
When Mark Seymour scripted Holy Grail back in 1992 – just as the Cats lost the second of their four grand finals in that era (ooh, early knife there), I doubt whether he and his merry minstrels envisaged their royalty cheques skewing significantly every September over a decade later.
Thanks to Channel Ten’s incessant dead-horse flogging of said anthem, the Hunters were finally wheeled out on that day last year to crank it live on the big stage itself. Unfortunately for us Sainters, it saw the Cats winning their second Grand Final of a new era (early knife begrudgingly, respectfully, withdrawn).
And that blasted Holy Grail just eluded a success-starved supporter group that hadn’t tasted any such “grail” for 43 years. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Geelong, St Kilda
Posted in Round 13 (13/2010), STK v GEEL (13/2010) | 15 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 3rd June 2010
"C’mon Ump he's been doin' it all day!"
Content following a Tommy Walsh goal ...and a Schmackos.
Cuba runs the gamut of emotions at Trevor Barker Oval.
How’s that old showbiz chestnut go? …“never work with children or animals?”
Trevor Barker Beach Road Oval on Saturday proved an unlikely venue for such a cliche’. Yes indeed, standby for another patented VFL introduction “tangent” …the first leg of another footballing daily double – two matches in one day, and ain’t life grand. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Adelaide, St Kilda
Posted in Round 10 (2010), STK v ADE (10/2010) | 2 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 27th May 2010
Tis’ an iconic Australian visual image that has me proclaiming every off-season: “yep, Subi trip this year, via the Cape, make a week of it”. It never eventuates. And yes I’m pretty sure Broome is not located on or ever referred to as “the Cape”, but still, it sounds an attractive description for such an “off the beaten track edge-of-civilisation” locality.
So the Subiaco trip remains an unconquered last frontier on my footy venue “bucket list”. I do feel a little ashamed of this. Another opportunity presents itself in 3 weeks for the Purple Haze return bout, safe to predict the CV wont be updated then either. The day of that match falls on my first wedding anniversary – naturally I don’t sense a last minute “leave pass” readily coming my way for a quick dash over the Nullabor. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: St Kilda, West Coast Eagles
Posted in Round 9 (2010), WCE v STK (9/2010) | 5 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 14th May 2010
by David Downer
In the many contests (er, agon?) of both sport and life, the victor of particular match-ups can be assured well before the event.
Harlem Globetrotters v Washington Generals. Federer v Hewitt. Marciano v everyone. Roadrunner v Wile E Coyote. Angelina v Jennifer.
Scissors v Paper. Paper v Rock. Rock v Scissors.
And St.Kilda v Carlton (well, for a while).
Indeed, Blues fans of teen and “tween” vintage could be forgiven for thinking that St.Kilda is a consummate “big bad wolf” of the AFL. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Carlton, St Kilda
Posted in 2010, Round 7 (2010), STK v CAR (7/2010) | 2 Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 6th May 2010
by David Downer
Wanted – for crimes against football (apparently). Middle-aged white Caucasian male, featuring a distinguished elegant stride. Frequently used terms include “pleasing” and “structure”. Last seen being chased from Etihad Stadium by an angry mob of talkback callers. Goes by the name of Ross. Do not approach this man, he is armed with a highly defensive and successful game plan. If you should sight this individual, please call SEN immediately. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: St Kilda, Western Bulldogs
Posted in 2010, Round 6 (2010), WB v STK (6/2010) | 1 Comment »
Posted by David Downer on 29th April 2010
By David Downer
Ancient Chinese military general Sun Tzu once remarked: “choose your battles wisely”. Indeed mate.
When supporters size up the fixture release in October, there is a general pecking order of matches to consider as “interstate dirty weekend away” material. Who is most worthy of your hard-earned $39 discounted Tiger/Virgin/Jetstar fare?
Not high on my wishlist is “Puddelay at Foopbawl Park” (think Tony McGuiness with overt SA twang saying that at pace). For one, Port have been the Saints quintessential bogey side for the last decade. Second, whilst Adelaide may present itself as all “city of churches” and “flat track batting paradise” under blue skies in Summer, the contrast to Footy Park on a wet and windy Saturday night couldn’t be more stark. A healthy quaddie of misery includes the Berlin wall/Eastern bloc concrete facade; an “off to the Gulag” style bus ride to get there; West-End draught – that you can’t even drink in your seat; and a crowd demographic that is questioned by, of all people, a Collingwood President. Outside of finals trip exemptions, it’s now a brave voyage for just the hardest of die-hards. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Port Adelaide, St Kilda, VFL
Posted in PORT v STK (5/2010), Round 5 (2010) | No Comments »
Posted by David Downer on 21st April 2010
by Downer
An Irishman, a Sudanese and an Aussie walk into a bar and …gee I’d like to finish that, but for today I can’t – thanks to the continuing football “experiment” (I hope) that is the Sunday twilight match.
My lack of opening punchline sets the backdrop to the St.Kilda 2pm “curtain raiser” where the day began …albeit taking place not at the Collo-seum, but a few jetty stops away at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval - where the Saints VFL-affiliate Sandringham took on the “Roos Half Magoos” of Werribee (in the absence of East Freo or South Freo showing up). Two other ambitious football “experiments” were in their infancy on Sunday - the Irishman Tommy Walsh at St.Kilda, and the Sudanese Majak Daw for North. This was the first time the two imports would be squaring off, with our powerful Paddy roaming the defensive 50 for the Zebras, and a Manut Bol-esque Majak pinch-hitting the ruck for the Westies. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 2010, Round 4 (2010), STK v FREO (4/2010) | 2 Comments »
