AGB Footy

MELBOURNE v HAWTHORN

HERE.

FOOTY'S BACK

Not much to blog about today. I'm off to the footy in a few minutes. Melbourne v Hawthorn. All things being equal Melbourne should win. Unfortunately, things aren't equal. I maintain the Hawks are a smoke n mirrors team, but the Dees can be shockingly inconsistent. Week to week. Year to year. The team that takes the early chances will win. I hope that team's the Dees.

More footy stuff HERE from tomorrow.

WHERE'S YA GUIDE DOG?!?

Ya left ya white stick at home!

I didn't think we here in Poohtown, Vic were going to be able to watch the WAFL games on cable. On Wednesday however, there it was! Large as life. The Claremont v Peel Thunder game sneakily peeking from out behind the giant Fox Footy Extra banner. Thankfully, they've since reduced it's size. I'd like to think my outraged phone call went rewarded. Anyway, I only got to see the first quarter because I had to got to my place of wage.

Ordinarily I wouldn't bother to watch, but following an anonymous tip-off from Gaz in Perth, I was specifically looking out for this particular clash. Why? Well, this was no ordinary game! This game had the benefit of Ozbloggia's very own Gareth Parker doing the officiating!

I'd have liked to contribute a doubtlessly valuable criticique regarding his performance, but in keeping with that long held sporting clich� tenet; "You don't notice the best umpiring." I didn't notice the umpiring. Apart from that rather fetching grey/blue affair they strode the park in, of course. "Thimply Ducky".

Therefore, based solely on the one quarter I saw before I went to the place that gives me your tax dollars. Hee. Hee. Rub hands Fagin-like. Well umpired Gareth.

I've only one pointed but never the less, strikingly pertinent observation....

He's tall, isn't he?!?

PS: What's with this Bandwidth Exceeded business? You understand, Gareth, I ask this purely as a non-affiliated, yet strangely curious onlooker.

TOLD YOU SO!

Now. If only I could work out WHERE I told you.

Last year during the Bluebagger's troubles with the AFL I wrote "A certain Carlton footballer and local political identity may be about get swept up in the salary cap shenanigans."

As a professional journalist and sympathetic Collingwood fan, Slatts was immediately on the case....

Sent: Friday, December 13, 2002 6:52 PM Subject: You serious?

Hey tony,
You fair dinkum about Harry Maddern? Say it's so.
Slatts

IT IS SO!

However, it's taken a bit longer than I expected, a fact that Slatts reminded me of recently, but today in the Hun....

The company used to hide the payments, Amigo Constructions Pty Ltd, also had Sports Minister Justin Madden as a director. Amigo was wound up voluntarily last September.

Now Harry's "particularly surprised", "most distressed", "concerned" and "not particularly excited" to learn that "he might have received some profits". Might? Echoes of Carmen. "It is my understanding I never received any payments" My understanding? Time for a new accountant?

Also in the frame is the man who single-handedly redefined the term Conflict Of Interest. Telstra No-Dome supremo, Ian Collins became the Carlton President based on the previous regime's corrupt practices. Now it turns out he's corrupt too!

Essendon President David Shaw resigned from the AFL commission because he was associated with that club's salary cap trouble. If it's good enough for Evans, who was indirectly involved, then Collins, who was directly involved, MUST resign from the Carlton board.

I wonder if Collins will mount the Elliot Defence from the Footy Show; "I knew something was going on, I just made it my business NOT to find out."

Nope. He's dirty. His position's untenable. Time to go, Collo!

UPDATE: Here it is!

Will? Would?

What's in a Word?

Well, for a start, W!

Point taken.

Anyhoo, it annoys me when the blabs plump for the same stuff. But please, don't try this lame camouflage....

Will?

Craig Ellis, Alastair Nicholson and Brad Green WILL rest for at least one more week

Would?

Craig Ellis, Alastair Nicholson and Brad Green WOULD rest for at least one more week.

Then, of course We Wonder Whether the reporters know What's What....

Craig Ellis and Alastair Crowley Nicholson both had serious knee injuries in the second half of last year and won't be ready for another three to four months.

If you're gonna copy copy, at least get it Wright!