The Melbourne Catholic Church has turned down the volume on footy songs at funerals, banning them and other popular music under strict new prohibitive guidelines. The outspoken Father Bob Maguire doesn’t agree but says he will follow orders from (very?) high above.
AFL
A diary of a Freo fan in Melbourne
There are not many Freo supporters in AFL’s heartland. For those who are, we are every bit as passionate as any other football supporter - there’s just not many of us, writes Leigh Josey
AFL crowd numbers stack up globally
The best-attended domestic sports league in the world is the National Football League. The AFL, with teams in just six or seven cities, was not that far behind, writes Ed Wyatt of Back Page Lead
Depression, drugs and sport: the AFL backlash is on
The AFL’s three-strike illicit drugs policy appears set to drive a wedge between the clubs and the league.
Knox: the gap between Ben Cousins’ party image and the reality
The Ben Cousins I have got to know is neither a f-ck-you hedonist nor an NA-speaking repentant sinner, writes Malcolm Knox, the ghost writer of Cousins’ forthcoming autobiography and Back Page Lead columnist.
I hate Ben Cousins
I think everyone everywhere knows that Ben Cousins retired today. And I am going to add to the many eulogies to his career, writes Leigh Josey, but perhaps from a different perspective. That of a Fremantle supporter.
Cousins: They treated me better in the US
In a yet to be published interview for an Australian academic journal AFL star Ben Cousins has opened up about his experiences in drug rehabilitation, claiming rehab programs in the US were kinder and more effective than those in Australia.
How to build the machine that is an AFL club
If death and taxes are the two inevitabilities of this mortal coil, the two inescapable axioms of modern football following a string of losses are; sack the coach and purge the list. But really, it’s all about the money, says David Latham.
Hudson: The “real” Julia loves her footy
Julia Gillard’s announcement that the “real” Julia will emerge prompts certain questions. Has she been fake up until now? Just who is this real Julia? One thing we know we certain: the real Julia Gillard loves her footy, and she’s pretty good at sport analogies too, says Phillip Hudson.
AFL kicks around Robin Hood tax proposal
The AFL has announced a new proposal to tax rich clubs in order to subsidize poorer clubs via an increase in ticket sales at certain venues. Unsurprisingly, teams such as the Magpies, who would have to pay more, have expressed reservations.
It’s sad but Aker just had to go
The Western Bulldogs decided that they were better off without Jason Akermanis. It’s sad, but true, says Mike Sheahan.
Bombers coach to go the way of Kevin Rudd?
While it may be tempting for the Essendon Football Club to dispose coach Matthew Knight in a Rudd-esqe leadership spill following the club’s recent dismal performance, any kind of knee-jerk reaction will hurt the club indefinitely, writes Rohan Connolly.
Carn the Suns — have Gold Coast FC picked their new nickname?
The rumour mill has gone into overdrive up on the Gold Coast with many speculating that their new football team will be known as the ‘Suns’. As Michael DiFabrizio writes, it can be dangerous territory choosing a team nickname.
First Dog draws the 2010 AFL season — Round 13
First Dog on the Moon emerges from his Balinese holiday to draw the latest game in the Western Bulldogs’ — also known as the prime ministerial team — 2010 season.
Good blokes or not, let’s call sporting racists what they really are
I’m tired of reading about “good blokes” sports stars saying racist comments, says Ed Wyatt. Any form of racial slur is completely and utterly out of bounds.
Lethal’s AFL wrap: round 13 — part 1
With all the AFL, World Cup, State of Origin and the NBA finals and I feel like I’m on some sort of mescaline induced Hunter S Thompson sports trip, says Leigh Josey.
Lethal’s AFL wrap: Round 11 preview
Which political party is the best party for AFL? Leigh Josey examines the AFL games of the weekend. Can St Kilda manage to rise and beat Fremantle? Don’t ask Leigh, he goes for Freo.
World Cup: How to explain football to AFL fans
A very clever concept, a guide to understanding World Cup teams by comparing them to similar AFL teams. So Brazil is the Geelong Cats of the Cup and North Korea is more of a Richmond Tigers.
The real price of Karmichael and Israel
It is going to cost the AFL more than the $7 million they will pay for Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau over the next three years, writes Nick Tedeschi.
Lethal’s AFL wrap: Round 11 preview
North Melbourne are struggling. They need some star power. Why can’t they be ahead of the curve and be the first to recruit A-List Hollywood stars and teeny bopper sensations? asks Leigh Josey.
The Jock Wrap: Footy with a dash of Mexicana
The Matildas beat North Korea, Queensland destroyed NSW in the NRL state of origin and Jock Wrap as an iPad app. First Dog and Leigh Josey talk the week in sport.
AFL battle for Israel could lose the war
The AFL is offering a rumoured $4.2 million, three-year deal to rugby league star, Israel Folau. But, as Adam Schwab notes, the deal could finally expose the folly of the league’s expansion plans.
Media briefs: The Fin and the ASX … Town Hall number crunching …
Sometimes its hard for a newspaper to tell the difference between hundreds of protesters and hundreds of attendees. Plus, the AFL still doesn’t get it, the twits at Nine News and other media tidbits.
Lethal’s AFL wrap: Round 10
Sex, drugs and violence: you’ve got to love this week in AFL. But this weekend’s games are like anti-rivalry round, with Dogs vs. Bombers the only possible bumper game, says Leigh Josey.
First Dog draws the 2010 AFL season: Round 9
First Dog on the Moon draws the latest Western Bulldogs game, this time with bonus Barry Hall as a hot chip and umpires getting Lady Gaga tattoos on their bottoms.
