Hi there BELLY ol' Chap...

Whenever we lose a parent it hits us pretty hard. Most of my early life I believed I knew much more about things then my father did. In fact the younger I was, the smarter I was, that was until I lost him? He went through the Great Depression, WWll, always worked hard. I recall he'd come home from work, and give our mother, his pay envelope, which was always unopened.
He had a very poor education, but an unusual flair 'for figures' was the term they used to use, in the day, for arithmetic or maths, just basic computations. He hated me joining the police force especially after I left the Army - right or wrong I always deferred to him where possible. I miss him more and more, but it's all too late now he's gone. Value you parents while they're still around, to be valued.

Hi o sung wu, I was one of the lucky ones too, dad came back from the war. The depression was pretty disastrous for him too. He spent 2 years clearing scrub at 10 shillings & keep a week.

He died 31 years ago of a stroke. I didn't miss him much then. Mum didn't drive, & couldn't live in their retirement home in an out of the way spot, so I was pretty busy selling her little place, buying & installing the granny flat, & moving her in.

Strangely I missed dad dreadfully when mum died. He was keen on all football codes, & knew what he was talking about too.

I am not interested myself. I have never been a spectator, you couldn't give me a ticket to any match. I have not been to a motor race since I stopped driving the F1, & have not been to an equestrian event since my last show jumping meet. I'd rather be doing something no matter how low the level, than watch even the very best.

'evening to you HASBEEN...

My Dad could pretty well tell you what League teams to follow, who was in form, and out of form. But nothing like cricket. What he didn't know about cricket wasn't worth knowing. He actually played against Don BRADMEN back in the day at Bowral NSW, BRADMAN with his brilliant stroke play managing to fracture my Dad's thumb with a drive right the way to the covers.

I too played cricket (dismally) but I tried nevertheless. But always baulked when that 'six stitcher' came at me with any speed, particularly when I was supposed to catch the bloody thing? Anyway I managed to hold the Light Heavy Crown at 'Basket Weaving' and held my own in 'Carpet Bowl's'. Other than that, I was an unremarkable sportsman. When I had my first 3 x 3 rounder, I thought no way, I'm not going to be hit by anyone, without first getting paid for it. Thereafter all my bouts were professional.

Dear Hasbeen,

Oi, I resemble that remark.

Actually I'm nowhere near as bad as my brother. He is a superstitious wreak when it comes to footy matches. Tight games he feels it is bad luck even to sit down and will pace until the game finishes. Most of us are pretty normal outside of match time but Aussie rules has a way of turning the most sensible Victorians into tribal nut jobs.

All is not lost for the misguided footy starved Victorians. But come Saturday, September 29th the poor folk of Victoria will wish they never invented the game!

Some clarity is required concerning the origins of this so called "game" of aerial ping-PONG, and I stress the word pong, as it does PONG. The perverted practice began in 1896 when a demented bunch of bored drunken rugby players, with nothing better to do, attempted, but failed dismally, to have a game of soccer using the hallowed ball of rugby! Sacrilege in itself, this game, for want of a better term, has continued to this day. Fortunately for the rest of Australia, this perverted pursuit is confined only to a few of the more seedy parts of Melbourne, and played only by a handful of the local delinquent youth.
I must admit in all fairness the "game" has been known to attract crowds of three or four, even a capacity mob of five will attend dumps and tips to watch this ridiculous spectacle.

The good news! I understand there is a Sydney team in the competition, The MIGHTY SYDNEY SWANS, and it is a forgone conclusion that they will win the flag yet again! Firstly we will dispose of some local upstarts on September 8th, then we'll get stuck into the Mexicans from south of the boarder! Its all WIN, WIN, WIN for the MIGHTY SYDNEY SWANS.

Unbiased facts posted by Paul1405.

Hi there STEELEREDUX...

Well that explains a lot I think, coming as you do from Victoria with your admission that Aussie Rules turns it's spectators into 'tribal nut jobs'. I always thought Aussie Rules is a simple game made complicated by idiots and where stupidity is popular.

If it's tribalism you wish to observe, try attending a test series of indoor Croquet. They say this sport or activity 'Croquet' when played releases a chemical that makes you feel so good and smug for the rest of the day, at least until your nurse gives you your medication, and suggest you get back to bed.

Seriously, I played League both in the Army and later with one of our police teams. Sure I enjoyed the game; playing L prop and Hooker (my preferred position) still the game never 'grabbed' me as it were. But the call of the 'square ring' (what an 'oxymoron') and being paid for it, well that was my preferred 'sport'.

I understand the passion and excitement people generate, when watching a great footy match. Whether it's Rugby League, Union or Aussie Rules. And we mustn't discount the round ball game of soccer, which some say, including myself, is the true football. Actually I happen to like the Storm as a team. Craig BELLAMY is a marvellous Coach with that unique ability to draw out the very best in players. Personally I'll never knock sport per se, as it's so great for our overall good health