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Story headlines from 2003



Doing the unusual by Paul Daffey
A new Power rookie has taken anything but the usual AFL pathway ...
22 December 2003

What we've seen by Les Everett
THE lists are complete and the players are set for a short break before things get really serious in preparation for the 2004 AFL season.
19 December 2003

When Irish stars are leaving by Paul Daffey
WHAT would we say if Matthew Pavlich and Nick Riewoldt announced they were leaving to play sport overseas?
12 December 2003

Footy happenings
Candidates emerge for the Blues assistant coach spot and a new name comes into pre-season draft calculations ...
7 December 2003

Blues gain a warrior by Paul Daffey
SETANTA O'hAilpin, the Irish hurling star who this week trained with Carlton with a view to being drafted onto the rookie list, raised a few laughs at his first session ...
6 December 2003

Coming on board by Les Everett
THIS week I was elected onto the board of the Fremantle Football Club ...
27 November 2003

Freo or the bush by Paul Daffey
WHEN the Victorian Country team won the under-18 national championships in July, it was expected that several members of the squad would be drafted ...
23 November 2003

No luck in the lottery by Paul Daffey
Five players were drafted on three occasions without going on to play a senior game ...
22 November 2003

A Long time in the making by Paul Daffey
A famous footballing family chalks up 1000 senior games with St Mary's ...
20 November 2003

Snags at the sardine can by Paul Daffey
Tales from Glenferrie ...
11 November 2003

On top in the top end by Les Everett
THE Northern Territory's new top man was sworn in on Saturday November 1. He's a footy man ...
8 November 2003

WAFL's best by Les Everett
WAFL fairest & best winners 2003 ...
31 October 2003

Wake up Australia by Les Everett
THE International rules form of football has a lot going for it. But ...
28 October 2003

Collingwood, the team for all Australians by Michael Steven
SINCE the 2003 grand final the sporting media of Australia has shown an extraordinary hysteria that could only occur in an ex-convict outpost, where xenophobia and colonial cultural cringe are supreme and John Howard can become Prime Minister ...
27 October 2003

Trent Croad & me by Les Everett
ONE of Trent Croad's first stops when he first came to Fremantle late in 2001 was my place ...
26 October 2003

Trade talkin' part 2 by CAMERON PALMER
THE clubs rated by their trade week performances ...
25 October 2003

Freo the place for Gero by BILL THOMAS
THERE are plans afoot to erect a statue of the famous John Gerovich mark. And Fremantle is where it should be ...
24 October 2003

Confronting old Demons by Les Everett
Celebrate the Perth triple premierships of the 1960s this Friday ...
21 October 2003

Trade talkin' by Cameron Palmer
AFTER this season's trade week it is evident that there has to be a change to the current system ...
18 October 2003

On trading by Les Everett
2003 THE AFL trade week is over. This year it didn't appear as frantic as in the past ...just weird ...
17 October 2003

Miller's medal by Les Everett
2003 Herald Medal ...
17 October 2003

Why I love football by Cameron Palmer
Is there no end to the good that came from that grand final ...
16 October 2003

Doggie fish tales by Brendan Murray
WE'RE fishing for footy stories ...
12 October 2003

A Whipp hand at footy by Les Everett
ONE of the mysteries in most sporting clubs is how things just happen. The change rooms get cleaned; new dunny rolls appear; ovals get marked; tables and chairs are put out; equipment is purchased and functions are organised ...
11 October 2003

A triumph for footy, for a number of reasons by Neil Belford
SOME post-grand final thoughts ...
8 October 2003

Koopsy don't be a Eagle by Les Everett
Trading time approaches and a needed Docker's name is being touted ...
8 October 2003

The squad for Australia
THE Australian squad for the two test international rules series against Ireland was announced today ...
7 October 2003

The fairest & the best
THE votes have been counted, the speeches have been made ...
5 October 2003

No walk down the aisle by Rob McLean
Wedding bells will be ringing on Sunday but not for this Elizabeth boy ...
3 October 2003

Magpies loss no shock to me by Rob McLean
THERE are no tears in Rob's beer ...
1 October 2003

All felt right with the world by Michael Steven
BUT nothing went right for Collingwood ...
1 October 2003

No flag for former Lion firebrand by Paul Daffey
MORE premierships decided. Including one to the Lions of Redan ...
29 September 2003

It was always Brisbane by Les Everett
THE grand final is done. It's time for hindsight to kick in ...
28 September 2003

A quiet beer on Johnston Street by Paul Daffey
THE Yarra Hotel in Johnston Street, Abbotsford, is one of several pubs to be linked with the history of the Collingwood Football Club ...
27 September 2003

Unto the brink by Les Everett
AND so AFL grand final day has rolled around again. We all have ways we like to enjoy the final day and each year has its own story ...
26 September 2003

What australianrules.com.au thought
WE'VE opening the vaults and brought out the preseason predictions of our zany crew of australianrules.com.au experts and celebrities ...
26 September 2003

Dwyer's year by Paul Daffey
ONE of the more remarkable Brownlow Medal stories belongs to former cult Lions wingman Mark Dwyer ...
25 September 2003

Old Xavs do it again by Paul Daffey
VICTORIAN Amateurs powerhouse Old Xaverians get another flag ...
24 September 2003

That's football life by Paul Daffey
Andrew Dunkley loses another grand final but the signs are good for Maggies ...
24 September 2003

It's a triple Brownlow
THE first Brownlow triple dead heat since 1930 ...
22 September 2003

When two tribes go to war by Michael Steven
THE first weeks of the finals have shown that tribalism has transcended the past and a new breed of tribalism has hit the national stage ...
22 September 2003

A flag for Willy by AJ Brady
Williamstown 13.14 (92) d Box Hill 9.9 (63) ...
22 September 2003

It's a grand old flag
West Perth 13.9 (87) d Subiaco 9.10 (64) ...
21 September 2003

Boxwood premiers
BOXWOOD Hills 16.16 (112) d Jerramungup 9.12 (66) in last weekend's Ongerup grand final ...
20 September 2003

History points to Lions by Les Everett
THIS Sunday's WAFL grand final between West Perth, one-time Leederville Oval tenants, and Subiaco, who will take up residence in Vincent Street next season, promises to be a beauty ...
19 September 2003

Silver lining up by Les Everett
JUST when we thought Fremantle football had curled up its toes for the 2003 season the amateur teams have conspired to conjure up a derby as our finale ...
19 September 2003

Clark inspires Ocean Grove by Paul Deffey
Plus a raft of Vic finals results ...
19 September 2003

WIN WAFL grand final tickets
Thanks to the WAFL we have grand final tickets to give away ...
18 September 2003

Thanks for the Royal ride by Les Everett
EAST Perth's amazing WAFL run came to an end last Sunday at Subiaco Oval.
Too old; too slow; too satisfied; too tired; too battered? ...
18 September 2003

Waikerie too good by Rob McLean
WAIKERIE'S toughness and ability to play four quarters paved the way for a convincing victory over Loxton in the RFL A grade grand final ...
16 September 2003

See? I can run a marathon! by Brendan Murray
THE Christmas Island Doggies prove they are marathon men too ...
16 September 2003

Balwyn calling by Paul Daffey
ON Anzac Day 1997, Matthew Banks made his AFL debut at full back for Essendon before a crowd of more than 90,000. His opponent, Sav Rocca, kicked two goals as Collingwood defeated the Bombers by 29 points ...
16 September 2003

Port defeated in preliminary final by Michael Steven
COLLINGWOOD supporters are in the queue one more time, or at least they hope to be, Collingwood players stood tall as their team defeated Port for the right to play in this year's VFL grand final ...
16 September 2003

Bulls win Sunday flag
Maddington beats Thornlie in the 2003 WA SFL grand final ...
14 September 2003

Falcons fly into grand final
WEST PERTH will play Subiaco Oval in the WAFL grand final ...
14 September 2003

Royals live on by Les Everett
EAST PERTH looked almost fit and healthy in last Sunday's first semi final at Subiaco Oval ...
13 September 2003

A weekend of Vic finals by Paul Daffey
WHILE Kevin Sheedy has urged Victorian fans in need of a finals fix to drive to Adelaide for tonight's AFL semi final, there's really no need. Plenty of finals will be played around suburban and country Victoria this weekend ...
13 September 2003

Midfield vital to Loxton premiership hopes by Rob McLean
IT'S grand final time in the Riverland ...
12 September 2003

Sunday grand final by Les Everett
WA Sunday Football League grand final day has become familiar for Thornlie coach Garry Fuller but this year there's a subtle difference ...
11 September 2003

Now that's finals by Les Everett
FREMANTLE supporters had their first taste of finals football last Friday. It was a bitter taste ...
11 September 2003

Drought breakers celebrate by Rob McLean
ONE of the longest premiership droughts in local football was ended at the weekend when East Murray triumphed in the Riverland Independent A grade grand final ...
11 September 2003

Musical maestros by Rob McLean
Rob has taken up Rick Kane's challenge and created a team that looks hard to beat ...
10 September 2003

Another Patrick Smith story by Les Everett
PATRICK Smith's been at it again ...
10 September 2003

Mornington misadventure 1892 by Paul Daffey
A FEW months ago, the Mornington Football Club took a chance when it held its mid-year ball on a boat on the Yarra River ...
10 September 2003

Vic finals by Paul Daffey
A journey around Victoria at finals time and another team that loses just one game for the season ...
10 September 2003

Royals survive Lions progress by Les Everett
PERTH turned on a horrible windy, rainy day for the WAFL semi final double header but more than 5000 people braved the conditions to be at Subiaco Oval for the two games ...
7 September 2003

Pies warm by Les Everett
COLLINGWOOD 9.12 (66) vs Brisbane 7.9 (51) ...
6 September 2003

Crows fly by Les Everett
Adelaide 16.17 (113) vs West Coast 8.9 (57) ...
6 September 2003

Independent wrap-up by Rob McLean
SEASON 2003 has been one of major interest in the Independent A grade football competition (affiliated with the Riverland Football League) ...
6 September 2003

A farewell to Freo by Les Everett
Essendon 15.11 (101) vs Fremantle 8.9 (57) ...
6 September 2003

Jerri set for rematch by Zappa
IT'S Boxwood Hills & Jerramungup for the Ongerup grand final ...
6 September 2003

The making of a team by Les Everett
IT took nine seasons, three coaches, 198 games, 107 players and countless heartaches for Fremantle to make it into the AFL finals for the first time ...
5 September 2003

Zorak on a Sunday by Les Everett
SOME great names have won the WA Sunday Football League's highest individual award the Bowden Medal. But the 2003 winner definitely has the greatest name ...
5 September 2003

Greenwood joins the Riverland greats by Rob McLean
LOXTON centreman Mal Greenwood joined the Riverland's footballing greats bywinning the Whillas Medal on Monday night ...
5 September 2003

Bring on the cricket by Little Boy Blue
AFTER another year from hell, it's not too clear where Carlton go from here ...
5 September 2003

Me, I like football
WHAT'S good for literature is good for football ...
3 September 2003

Your own personal premiership team by Rick Kane
Make up your own team and WIN WIN WIN ...
3 September 2003

We will remember this by Michael Steven
Drama on and off the MCG ...
2 September 2003

No luck for plucky Forrest by Paul Daffey
Colac and District league club Forrest lost the first semi final against Colac Imperials at Irrewarra by a point on the weekend adding another chapter to a remarkable book of recent events.
1 September 2003

Semi time by Paul Daffey
News from the Vic regions & amos. ...
1 September 2003

Lions have the WAFL form
THE WAFL finals series begins this week with only Subiaco going in with a positive form line. ...
31 August 2003

WIN Way to Go
Win a copy of Matt Price's book ...
29 August 2003

The final eight
It works. ...
29 August 2003

A twisted derby by Les Everett
IT'S been called the most important derby in the nine year history of meetings between Fremantle and West Coast. But it might not even be the biggest of 2003. ...
28 August 2003

All the way with ...LBU by Paul Daffey
WELL it won't be all the way in 2003 but the Cats are still purring. ...
28 August 2003

Freewheel for finals Freo by Neil Belford
WHAT did Essendon tell the harbour city faithful about the Dockers' finals chances? Quite a lot actually. ...
28 August 2003

Royal watching by Les Everett
IT'S a worry when you take your seat at the the footy and realise half your team is sitting behind you ...
28 August 2003

Boxwood looking powerful by Zappa
BOXWOOD Hills through to the Ongerup grand final ...
28 August 2003

Not so Sandy Creek by Paul Daffey
Finals in the Vic bush ...
26 August 2003

Jumping the queue by Michael Steven
Our resident Pie joined the queue in Sydney last Saturday night ...
25 August 2003

Fair and square in Bendigo by Paul Daffey
WHILE Melbourne was suffering through a crippling depression in the 1890s, goldfields towns in central Victoria were given to ostentatious displays of wealth. In the case of Maryborough, Ballarat and Bendigo, one such display was the stately grandstands that were built at the town's main sporting venues. A century later, we can all be grateful ...
25 August 2003

Peel at last
Peel beats South and the WAFL final four is set ...
23 August 2003

The way it was by Paul Daffey
Melbourne's inner suburbs used to come alive on winter Saturdays as the hordes wound their way through back streets on their way to the footy. Now the matches are gone and the clubs are following ...
22 August 2003

The Talbot tale by Paul Daffey
IN 1975, Reinhard Gunther bought the Courthouse Hotel in the old goldfields town of Talbot. The next year he took over as president of the Talbot Football Club ...
22 August 2003

Hayden's run by Les Everett
AT a WAFL game earlier this year a fellow footy lover quizzed me about the Dockers. "Where did that Roger Hayden come from?" he asked. "He's a ready-made player." ...
20 August 2003

Drama at Vermont by Paul Daffey
THE score failed to hint at the drama that unfolded at the Vermont Recreation Reserve on the weekend when Vermont met East Ringwood ...
20 August 2003

Ballarat's Eastern Oval by Paul Daffey
DURING the 1870s, English cricket legend WG Grace declared the Eastern Oval in Ballarat to be the most English ground in Australia ...
20 August 2003

Sunday F-time by Les Everett
THE WA Sunday Football League will go into finals mode this weekend and it's hard to separate the top three ...
19 August 2003

Jerramungup through by Zappa
Ongerup first semi ...
16 August 2003

At the president's dinner by Michael Steven
EDDIE spoke for about 10 minutes ...
16 August 2003

WAFL still alive by Les Everett
LATHLAIN Park is nice ...
16 August 2003

Barracking with the mob by Les Everett
YOU can do a lot on a footy weekend if you put your mind to it ...
15 August 2003

Ok. The glory bit's done. What's next on the agenda? by Kev Court
Fitzroy wins at the MCG.
15 August 2003

F is for Footscray by Neil Belford
Congratulations are owed to the coach and big picture man ...
14 August 2003

Bowden on the run by Paul Daffey
ON the road for the Lighthouse Foundation ...
14 August 2003

Ongerup finals time by Zappa
IT'S Jerramungup and Gnowangerup ...
14 August 2003

Minor leagues one step from the guillotine by Rob McLean
AN announcement earlier this month that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation would be maintaining coverage of minor football leagues in South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria was good news ...but ...
13 August 2003

The AFL matrix by Rick Kane
After a good lie down Rick's taken up his spot on the half back flank ...
13 August 2003

Life's not that difficult by Michael Steven
WHEN the Lions and the Pies ...
13 August 2003

Subi Oval reflections by Little Boy Maroon & Gold (aka Little Boy Blue)
ON 23 August, the Subiaco Football Club will play its last home game at Subiaco Oval ...our boy looks back ...
12 August 2003

Pride, passion & the Roosters by Paul Daffey
PHIL ROBERTS discovered much about the secret behind North Ballarat's success during a meeting to discuss the cover of the book he was writing about the club ...
12 August 2003

Ton up for Ajax star by Paul Daffey
JULIAN Kirzner is mobbed and other news from the Vic Amos ...
12 August 2003

Royals flushed by Les Everett
WAFL round 20 has concluded in remarkable fashion ...
10 August 2003

It's still on by Les Everett
SOUTH Fremantle's unlikely dream of WAFL finals action in 2003 remains alive after round 20 ...
10 August 2003

Heading to the VFL finals by AJ Brady
THE story so far ...
9 August 2003

A nod to heritage by Les Everett
THE past, present and future of Fremantle footy collide this weekend and there's excitement, tension and nostalgia wherever you care to look ...
9 August 2003

Credit Sheedy for Demon demise by Demon Tim Barlow
AND a long term plot to make the AFL Essendon ...
9 August 2003

Williamstown is Williamstown by Dale Schmidt
Letter to the editor ...
8 August 2003

Northern victory for Puffins by James Waters
AUSTRALIAN rules news from Scotland ...
7 August 2003

Bush legends by Paul Daffey
AN excerpt from Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football Around Australia, photography by Ian Kenins and text by Paul Daffey ...
6 August 2003

Twists, turns and form fluctuations by Les Everett
WE'RE a month out from the end of the qualifying rounds, the WAFL final four is just about set ... or is it? ...
6 August 2003

Double act and the long-term vision by Michael Steven
THE Pies are looking forward ...
6 August 2003

They play the game in Sydney by Paul Daffey
THE Swans are only part of the Sydney Australian rules tradition ...
6 August 2003

A Moonee Valley revival by Paul Daffey
THE Moonee Valley Football Club is based in the valley that runs the length of the Moonee Ponds Creek ...
5 August 2003

Royals on top by Les Everett
IT'S hard to call a win by second over third an upset but the round 19 WAFL reality is that most observers thought Subiaco would beat East Perth ...
3 August 2003

Tiger rag the problem by Les Everett
THE Tigers were in a position to be the first visiting team to win at Subiaco in 2003 but lost their rag ...
3 August 2003

Thriller at Fremantle by Les Everett
SOMETIMES you know you're in for a tough day at the footy ...
30 July 2003

The Blues will be back by Joe Kopinsky
ANOTHER Reply to Mr Steven ...
30 July 2003

Eade goes country by Paul Daffey
FORTY-FOUR of the best local footballers in the state were show during the biennial match between Victorian Country and Victorian Amateurs at Barooga on Sunday ...
29 July 2003

Reflections on a Blue winter by Little Boy Blue
By way of reply to Mr Steven..
29 July 2003

They are the bloodied Blues by Michael Steven
CARLTON supporters better get used to it..
28 July 2003

Doggies torpedo a Canberra all at sea by Brendan Murray
HMAS Canberra goes down to Christmas Island Doggies ...
28 July 2003

The Barich Claremont All-stars by Les Everett
Adrian Barich reckons the team that represented Claremont last week was the best WAFL team ever ...
27 July 2003

The end for gallant Swans by Cameron Palmer
IT'S been an exciting WAFL ride ...
27 July 2003

Lions make a point
WAFL round 18 summary ...
26 July 2003

Melbourne Uni's best by Paul Daffey
THE announcement of the best teams of the modern era at Melbourne University was made last weekend ...
26 July 2003

What's Royal reality? by Les Everett
IT'S not particularly fair but anything less than a premiership this year may be seen as failure for East Perth coach Andy Lovell ...
25 July 2003

Swans' time has come by Cameron Palmer
THE chances of Swan Districts making this year's finals hinge on this Saturday's match against Claremont ...
24 July 2003

Ban on Sunday coach lifted by Rebecca Walton
KENWICK, reigning premier in the WA Sunday Football League, has reinstated league coach Gavin Hanley after a review of his suspension for the home and away season ...
24 July 2003

200 & out for Tommy by Les Everett
THERE are some very good reasons for being at Fremantle Oval this Saturday afternoon ...
24 July 2003

On board with Archard by Paul Daffey
IN football, the smallest player on the ground is often described as jockey-sized. In the case of 20-year-old Echuca midfielder Rhys Archard, it's an apt description ...
24 July 2003

It's July in the country by Paul Daffey
WHO'S hot, who's not and what not in the Vic bush ...
23 July 2003

Six weeks out and the best news is in the seconds by Michael Steven
Top two for Pies? ...
22 July 2003

WAFL shaped & set by Les Everett
ROUND 17 of WAFL fixtures was the kind to make administrators examine their fingernails or convene special committees ...
19 July 2003

Mighty Valley effort by Les Everett
SWAN Valley's great turn around in the WA Sunday Football League ...
18 July 2003

Phinals or thailure by Neil Belford
AFTER the Launceston debacle 'f' was for focus. Post Brisbane and pre-Collingwood, a media luminary asked me if 'f' was for flags. I replied that playing in the phinals would probably be enough for most Freo supporters ...
17 July 2003

Devan bites the dust by Les Everett
TRIPLE East Perth premiership player Devan Perry won't play again this year ...
17 July 2003

It's time to get serious by Michael Steven
THE Collingwood Football Club has played every team once this year and it now begins its long road home ...
17 July 2003

Carrying on in the WAFL by Les Everett
Long and successful footy careers can be had outside the AFL ...
16 July 2003

Geelong's country crown by Paul Daffey
Geelong league is Vic country's best ...
16 July 2003

The money game by Paul Daffey
AN excerpt from Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football Around Australia, photography by Ian Kenins, text by Paul Daffey. The book, published by Lothian Books, is to be released on 6 August 2003 ...
16 July 2003

Call for Bunton honour by Paul Daffey
HAYDN BUNTON won three Brownlow Medals in seven seasons at Fitzroy before leaving to coach Subiaco in 1938 ...
15 July 2003

MC Schammer by Rob McLean
Jason Akermanis can get away with it. But can young Byron Schammer ...
10 July 2003

Nobility needed from Royals fans by Les Everett
Over the next few weeks we'll see what Andy Lovell, some of his players and some fans are made of ...
10 July 2003

It's Docker report time by Les Everett
LOOK we did our best to finish our mid-season reports in time for the holidays ...
10 July 2003

Lexton, Loxton & a Jolly mix up by Rob McLean
A number of Loxton Football Club players who have made the big league. But ...
10 July 2003

A call for dirt on gravel by Les Everett
MUCH loved australianrules.com.au writer Paul Daffey made what may have been a rash statement about gravel footy grounds ...
10 July 2003

Rainmen of the Riverland by Rob McLean
A RECENT deluge of rain across the Riverland was cause for a strange sense of joy among local footballers ...
10 July 2003

Platten joins the gods by Rob McLean
Spread the word around the rat is back in town ...
8 July 2003

Mortlake oddity by Paul Daffey
...the eagle-eyed among you might have noticed an oddity among results in the Mininera and District league and the Hampden league. Both competitions feature clubs with Mortlake tacked on to the end: Terang-Mortlake in the Hampden league and Woorndoo-Mortlake in the Mininera league. How is this so? ...
8 July 2003

CD launch reminder
FOOTY lovers should be at Haskins Hotel on Wednesday (unless they're not in Melbourne) ...
8 July 2003

Only a point by Paul Daffey
ONE point margins arise only rarely. But ...
6 July 2003

WAFL Demons do it again by Les Everett
IMPOSSIBLE tasks mean nothing to Stan Magro's men ...
6 July 2003

Priceless chronicle of the dark years by Les Everett
IT says something for the resilience of the Fremantle Football Club that the local launch of Matt Price's book Way to Go was held at the club this week ...
4 July 2003

Barnard's personal best by Les Everett
RECENTLY I was explaining to a fellow East Perth fan that Jeremy Barnard was once a pretty handy full forward ...
3 July 2003

Nearly nil-all
IT appears last Sunday's terrible conditions had most effect at Mills Park ...
2 July 2003

Way to Go winners
WE annouce the winners of our competition ...
2 July 2003

Caddy shock by Paul Daffey
News from the Vic districts including a punch from a spectator and a starring role in a derby by a former WAFL Royal ...
1 July 2003

Derby stirs the passion by Paul Daffey
THE focus in the lead up to the Essendon district derby was on star ex-AFL forwards Aaron James for Doutta and Aberfeldie's Simon Minton-Connell ...
1 July 2003

Of profanity and other things by Little Boy Blue
OH dear our boy's scribblings are becoming decidedly blue ...
1 July 2003

Size does matter, but ... by Michael Steven
THIS week's matches showed that size does matter but that it's not necessarily the only thing ...
1 July 2003

David McKenzie: A football life by Paul Daffey
This mayor has been generous to country football ...
30 June 2003

The no good days by Nathan Ryan
NEXT month Fred Cook will be named as Port Melbourne's full forward in its team of the century ...
29 June 2003

Swans climb into the WAFL four by Cameron Palmer
Five wins in a row to the once hapless Swan Districts ...
29 June 2003

Thrills, kills & upsets
WAFL round 14 had a bit of everything. Two thrillers. A huge upset. Another Peel slaughter. And a significant ladder change ...
28 June 2003

Not funny. Doesn't know footy by Les Everett
A LOOK at Matt Price's new book Way to Go. And a chance for you to win a copy ...
27 June 2003

Way to Go by John Howard
27 June 2003

Marty makes it by Les Everett
ON Saturday Marty Atkins will equal Tom Grljusich's record for league games played for South Fremantle.
27 June 2003

Another mission for accomplished Swans by Cameron Palmer
CAN Swan Districts stay in touch with the WAFL four?
27 June 2003

Little big man by Nathan Ryan
TONY Liberatore is a passionate person ...
27 June 2003

Mansfield on the move by Paul Daffey
Ex-Cat David Mensch is having an impact ...
27 June 2003

Letter to the editor by Rick Kane
Again regarding Crazy John's ...
27 June 2003

Vic amo upsets by Paul Daffey
TRADITIONALLY at this time of the year, results in A-section of the Victorian Amateurs start to oscillate as lowly teams fight like wounded cats to avoid relegation ...
26 June 2003

More than a money man by Neil Belford
A Fremantle board member with deep port footy connections ...
25 June 2003

Letter to the editor by Frank Fraser
Regarding Crazy John's ...
24 June 2003

Say no to crazy cash by Les Everett
Imagine having Crazy John's Stadium as your legacy ...
24 June 2003

Footy on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean by Brendan Murray
LIKE most aspects of sport and recreation on Christmas Island, competitive Aussie rules evolved from a loosely agreed agenda over a cold beer between mates on just another humid arvo in Paradise ...
24 June 2003

Life in a two team town by Rob McLean
THEY say country football is a great way to develop friendships ...
24 June 2003

Ormond's pain by Paul Daffey
Ormond looks to history for some answers ...
22 June 2003

Big SA win by Les Everett
THE first half of the interstate match at Fremantle Oval today was a hard fought, even affair between two well-matched teams ...
21 June 2003

Step forward for unlucky Luke by Les Everett
THE game been WA & SA at Fremantle Oval on Saturday will mean different things to different folks ...
21 June 2003

Blues mid-season: could have been worse! by Little Boy Blue
After problems with the salary cap and both knees, oh and a touch of osteitis pubis, the boy is back ...
21 June 2003

Baldwin at home at Williamstown by Nathan Ryan
WILLIAMSTOWN key forward Marcus Baldwin is enjoying football. The softly spoken 23-year-old has been on a football journey that has seen him perform in three different cities ...
20 June 2003

Bairnstorming by Paul Daffey
MOST country football clubs that struggle against stronger opposition from bigger towns have one or two seasons in which all the struggles seem worth it ...
20 June 2003

There's footy on this weekend by Rob McLean
"Struth, there's no footy on television today, what the hell am I gonna do?" ...
19 June 2003

Places we play by Paul Daffey
ANOTHER excerpt from Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football Around Australia (coming soon) ...
18 June 2003

Haydn Bunton legend and myth by Ken Mansell
Reflections from the writer of the soon to be released song The Ballad of Haydn Bunton ...
17 June 2003

The ballad of Haydn Bunton by Ken Mansell
THE lyrics and launch details.
17 June 2003

From CI to Subi to be saved by the Bell by Brendan Murray
IT'S a long way from Christmas Island to Subiaco but Brendan's beaten the travel bug ...
17 June 2003

AFL It's all in the history by Michael Steven
I BLAME Phil Carman ...
17 June 2003

AFL All-star weekend by Cameron Palmer
KEVIN Sheedy has thrown up the idea of a return to representative football ...
17 June 2003

AFL round 12 in summary
THE round in a sentence ...
16 June 2003

Falcons move clear
A pivotal round in the WAFL ...
15 June 2003

Going forward or forwards going by Les Everett
Hearts harden at the Fremantle selection table ...
13 June 2003

Win for the Valley by Les Everett
THE latest from the WA Sunday Football League ...
12 June 2003

Travel training and other thoughts for Victorians by Rick Kane
THERE is nothing new under the sun or why I would consider travel training and the ladder reasonably tells the tale of most teams' trajectory across the last few seasons as pertinent to analysis of the ladder this year ...
11 June 2003

Swans a WAFL threat by Cameron Palmer
SWAN Districts made an emphatic statement as they moved into the top four at the weekend, the statement, they are a definite threat to the WAFL title ...
11 June 2003

A queen's birthday message by Michael Steven
WELL may God save the Queen. Because it appears nothing is going to save the Melbourne Football Club ...
10 June 2003

Power from the past emerges by Neil Belford
Australia's most successful football club is about to put its great big footprint all over the national competition ...
10 June 2003

Vic amateurs trounce WA by Paul Daffey
ON the AFL's grass roots weekend the amateurs from little known Australian Rules state Victoria turn it on at the house of pain ...
10 June 2003

Vic country footy under the microscope by Paul Daffey
TO say that Glenn Scott, the general manager of the Victorian Country Football League, got a surprise when told there would be a parliamentary inquiry into Victorian country footy is an understatement ...
8 June 2003

The Parade by Rob McLean
A slick Central District machine over ran Norwood by 90 points in Friday night's SANFL match of the round at The Parade, Rob McLean reports on what it is like to visit the home of the Redlegs ...
8 June 2003

Parkes pounce in top of table clash by Phil Doyle
end of Cowra's unbeaten run ...
8 June 2003

Falcons go to the top in a day of WAFL thrashings
A WAFL day when 62 points was close ...
7 June 2003

Royal occasion not quite right by Les Everett
THE best thing to do when a rival has a big day is to stuff it up for them. In football that means beating them ...
7 June 2003

The year the VFL had to have by Rick Kane
AND some ideas as to why ...
6 June 2003

The Hasleby game. An insider's view by Les Everett
DWAYNE Russell wrote an interesting story in The Age this week about round 22 in 1999. I was at Kardinya Park that day and have a story to tell. It involves Dwayne Russell, Damian Drum and being led astray by some high-ranking Fremantle officials ...
6 June 2003

Hey hey Heywood by Paul Daffey
5 June 2003

Swans charge towards the four by Cameron Palmer
SWAN Districts made it three in a row ...
5 June 2003

Secrets of bush success by Paul Daffey
AN excerpt from Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football Around Australia (coming soon) ...
4 June 2003

Royal run ends
Big crowds at WAFL games on derby day ...
3 June 2003

How will the Vics react? by Brendan Murray
They have all summer to shift the goal posts ...
3 June 2003

Where has all the hurting gone? by Les Everett
THESE are confusing times for Fremantle football followers ...
2 June 2003

AFL round 10 summary
AND the top six are from outside Victoria ...
2 June 2003

The media and the message by Michael Steven
THE Collingwood Football Club by its very own nature is used to high profile media events, but ...
2 June 2003

At home at Leederville by Les Everett
Check out the huddle at any East Perth game and you'll see a familiar face ...
31 May 2003

Wandella wanderings by Paul Daffey
ONE of the pleasures of driving in country Australia is chancing across a footy ground that has no apparent business being there ...
31 May 2003

Sunday Bulldogs break through by Les Everett
A win at last for Kelmscott ...
30 May 2003

It's who you play for by Neil Belford
THERE is a simple secret to winning on the road ...
28 May 2003

Woey facts by Michael Steven
SOME facts on Woey. Well facts from that peculiar back and white perspective ...
28 May 2003

Swans on a roll by Cameron Palmer
SWAN Districts continue to rise ...
28 May 2003

Lions impress against Parkes by Phil Doyle
THE Katoomba-Lithgow Mountain Lions impress in their first outing for a while ...
28 May 2003

Stawell's gift by Paul Daffey
IN the wake of the brawl between Hepburn and Dunnstown in 2000, both clubs felt besieged by the media ...
28 May 2003

Cheated of a contest by Michael Steven
IT was a fantastic result.But this Magpie went home disappointed ...
27 May 2003

The Dockers can travelby Rob McLean
Revise your tipping strategy ...
26 May 2003

AFL round nine in summary
THE interstate thing continues ...
24 May 2003

Bulldogs on the slide
South Fremantle's third loss in a row in the WAFL ...
24 May 2003

The madness of coach Connolly by Les Everett
OF all the good signs in the wake of Fremantle's historic football weekend the most significant were exhibited by coach Chris Connolly ...
24 May 2003

Into a blockbuster tentatively by Les Everett
WE'VE been anticipating the game between the Royals and Lions at Subiaco Oval this Sunday for weeks ...
23 May 2003

Maddington bullish by Les Everett
THE Bulls second with a bullet in the WA SFL ...
23 May 2003

Around the Vic traps by Paul Daffey
BIG scores, emotion, homecomings and renovations ...
23 May 2003

The love of my life by Rob Mclean
FOOTBALL is often regarded as a passion killer by the partners of sports obsessed members of the male species ...
21 May 2003

Woey and his dummy by Demon Tim Barlow
BARLOW goes in hard on debut ...
21 May 2003

Goodwin did it his way by Paul Daffey
IN early 1982, when he was 18 years of age, Andy Goodwin went to a wedding that would change his life ...
21 May 2003

Not always grid position by Paul Daffey
Grand prix aside the folks at the Albert Park Football Club appreciate their home ground more than most clubs ...
21 May 2003

De Corsey's timely push by Cameron Palmer
SWANS push their luck and are back in the WAFL hunt ...
20 May 2003

The warm up and the let down by Michael Steven
I WAS privileged on Saturday, I was allowed in to the Collingwood change rooms before the match and watch as the players prepared themselves for the match against West Coast ...
20 May 2003

AFL round eight in summary
THE round in a sentence (poorly constructed) ...
18 May 2003

The plot tightens by Les Everett
NOT much has changed on the WAFL ladder after round nine but things have tightened up nicely ...
17 May 2003

Failure is its own reward by Neil Belford
How competence doomed a football club. How incompetence saved a football club ...
16 May 2003

Time to kick arts by Les Everett
GETTING to the essence of a footballer ...
16 May 2003

An off-Broadway hit by Neil Belford
FREMANTLE'S win over the Bulldogs deserved the applause it received but what it really meant will be revealed on bigger stages ...
16 May 2003

Time for Swans to get moving by Cameron Palmer
I MIGHT be a diehard Swan Districts fan but even I am capable of realising when a season is a lost cause ...
15 May 2003

Cavendish is different by Paul Daffey
IN February, at her first meeting as the secretary ofSouth-West District league club Cavendish, Alison Brumley expected a mild backlash from club stalwarts. "Not another sheila," she expected them to say ...
13 May 2003

Top teams in Sunday thriller by Les Everett
THORNLIE and Maddington exchanged places on top of the WA Sunday Football League premiership ladder after a game befitting their rankings at Maddington Oval last Sunday ...
13 May 2003

Where do they go? by Paul Daffey
FORMER AFL players recruited to the bush in Victoria in 2003 ...
13 May 2003

AFL round seven summary
THE round in a sentence ...
12 May 2003

In the year 2525 by Michael Steven
CHRISSYTALLANT, a tall, dark athlete who plays for the Nipponic Magpies had been perusing the archives to recall the deeds of his famous ancestor more than 500 years earlier ...
11 May 2003

Thrashings to kick off WAFL round eight
DEMONS break their duck ...
10 May 2003

Soon we march by Kev Court
THE reds have been invited to the MCG and Kev's happy ...
10 May 2003

Cometti's passion play by Les Everett
FOOTBALL commentator Denis Cometti has a magnificent obsession ...
9 May 2003

It's about firepower by Les Everett
DURING a centre bounce in the second quarter at Leederville Oval last Saturday I glanced at the East Perth goal square ...
8 May 2003

Sunday teams primed for derby by Cameron Palmer
THERE'S something about games between WA SFL teams Kelmscott and Armadale ...
8 May 2003

Ovens & King links by Paul Daffey
ON 13 June 1903, a handful of men met at the Bulls Head Hotel in Wangaratta to consider forming a football competition ...
8 May 2003

Kinglake pea soup by Paul Daffey
IT was hard to see why a Diamond Valley game was called off last week ...
8 May 2003

AFL round six summary
NON Vic flavour, a brawl and a long sentence ...
6 May 2003

Enough football philanthropy by Michael Steven
THE Collingwood Football Club is doing too much to help Eddie's darlings of the north ...
6 May 2003

Mind the gap by Les Everett
THERE wasn't a lot of good that could come out of round seven of WAFL fixtures ...
4 May 2003

Leederville is home. Almost by Les Everett
WAFL round seven preview ...
2 May 2003

Father firm on Fremantle future for first born by Les Everett
HE'LL be a Docker ...
1 May 2003

Bungaree's best by Paul Daffey
THE team of the century ...
1 May 2003

D-grade amateurs for MCG? by Paul Daffey
FITZROY Reds and West Brunswick set for historic meeting ...
30 April 2003

Ongerup off and running by Zappa
THE opening round of the 2003 Ongerup Football Association (WA) season got away last Saturday with last season's grand finalist Boxwood Hills and Jerramungup in a titanic struggle ...
30 April 2003

Bunyip tales by Paul Daffey
SECRETS of the Bunyip football club ...
29 April 2003

The search for a scapegoat by Oroton
THE Cats are useless. Someone must be to blame ...
28 April 2003

Round five summary
THE AFL round in a sentence ...
28 April 2003

Gardiner prunes Dockers by Les Everett
ANOTHER derby win for West Coast ...
27 April 2003

Claremont back on track
WAFL round six ...
26 April 2003

Let's we forget by Michael Steven
A MAGPIE learns the true meaning of Anzac Day ...
26 April 2003

At footy's heart by Les Everett
FOR four years photographer Jesse Marlow travelled through the NT trying to make sense of the place of Australian Rules football in the lives of Aboriginal people ...
25 April 2003

Scrap the salary cap by Oroton
OROTON goes neo-con ...
24 April 2003

Talk from the mountain by Phil Doyle
THE jumpers have arrived ...
24 April 2003

Derby on a knife edge by Les Everett
WHETHER the Fremantle football club likes it not expectations for 2003 are high ...
24 April 2003

Liking Matt Balchin by Les Everett
THERE was plenty to like about East Perth's home game at Subiaco Oval last week ...
23 April 2003

Playing for Deniliquin by Paul Daffey
LEGENDS of the Rams ...
23 April 2003

Sunday premiership coach banned
THE WA SFL tribunal has banned Kenwick league coach Gavin Hanley and colts coach Ray Irvine for the 2003 home and away season ...
22 April 2003

It wasn't always Easy Street by Rob McLean
THE story of a Central District supporter ...
22 April 2003

AFL round four summary
In a sentence ...
21 April 2003

Deniliquin on fire by Paul Daffey
News from the Vic bush ...
19 April 2003

Marty celebrates 250
HE'S remarkable ...
18 April 2003

When the carnival comes to Wunkar town by Rob McLean
NOT much ever happens in the small South Australian mallee settlement of Wunkar ...
18 April 2003

Where do we go from here? by Rick Kane
Buffy, Wayne, Andrew, General Jay Garner & friends ...
18 April 2003

Bruised at Easter by Michael Steven
BUT there's time for a resurrection ...
18 April 2003

Never dull in Kyabrum by Paul Daffey
YOU might think that any club going into the grand final with 35 consecutive victories behind it would be the raging favourite ...
18 April 2003

Cometti & the coach by Les Everett
THEY were playing little games in the funny world of commercial TV in Perth on Thursday night ...
18 April 2003

Torn between two loves by Annabel Mounsey
IT'S happened again. Annabel's in trouble with that L.O.V.E. word ...
17 April 2003

Tigers cop a Royal licking by Les Everett
I'D been watching another of those repeat Sunday afternoon movies on Channel Nine and needed a bit of sunshine, happiness and reassurance ...
17 April 2003

It swings on desire by Neil Belford
Neil only sees Fremantle's away games ...
16 April 2003

Fairies wear boots
AND you better believe it ...
16 April 2003

AFL round three summary
In a sentence ...
15 April 2003

Statistics don't always lie by Michael Steven
IT'S class that really matters ...
15 April 2003

A question of power by Rick Kane
AN axis of evil? ...
15 April 2003

Royal power
A message to you WAFL ...
13 April 2003

In the national interest by Michael Steven
A MAGGIE goes cat hunting and is he proposing a coalition of the willing? ...
13 April 2003

A thumping ... A thumping, I say by Kev Court
A ROY boy learns to win. Ungraciously ...
12 April 2003

Look & learn for Lovell by Les Everett
NEW East Perth coach Andy Lovell has a challenge on his hands ...
10 April 2003

A merging of opposites by Paul Daffey
FOR three decades, East Gippsland league clubs Orbost and Snowy Rivers had one of the strongest rivalries in country football ...
9 April 2003

Footy chicks with Brownlow dreams by Fiona Harris and Katrina Mathers
AUSSIE Rules is a man's world. But ...
8 April 2003

Uni in the black by Paul Daffey
VIC amo news ...
7 April 2003

AFL round 2
SECOND round in summary ...
6 April 2003

Home fires still burning by Les Everett
DOCKERS win at home ... ho hum ...
6 April 2003

Swans remain on top
WAFL round three ...
4 April 2003

The cream rises to the top by Michael Steven
AND Carlton's blues are years ahead ...
3 April 2003

We get the message by Les Everett
ONE week gone and already the Fremantle teams are sending out all sorts of messages. ...
2 April 2003

Vic bush preview by Paul Daffey
THE recruiting merry-go-round generally supplies much of the talk in country footy over summer. ...
1 April 2003

Rennick retires by Les Everett
SOUTH Fremantle veteran calls it a day ...
1 April 2003

Kyabrum rise by Paul Daffey
KYABRAM, a Goulburn Valley league club that struggled last year after lack of numbers forced it to consider its future, found reason for optimism ...
1 April 2003

Battle of the codes
WHO RULES? Aussie Rules, soccer, rugby ...just who are the toughest, who are the spunkiest, who have best legs, who are the hottest in bed - after months of research, in and out of the cot, australianrules.com.au brings you all the answers ...
1 April 2003

Mountain Lions roar by Phil Doyle
THE Katoomba Lithgow Mountain Lions look the goods ...
1 April 2003

AFL round 1
FIRST round in summary ...
30 March 2003

Swans down Demons
SWAN Districts go to the top of the WAFL ladder ...
30 March 2003

Three from the west and one from no-where (East of West but West of East) by Michael Steven
THREE players from Western Australia and one plucked from the obscurity of Port Adelaide's seconds made their debut for Collingwood on Friday night ...
29 March 2003

Royals win GF replay by Les Everett
WELL really it was just a round one game ...
29 March 2003

Derby to South by Les Everett
IT was almost a dark derby under lights at Fremantle Oval but it all worked out in the end ...
29 March 2003

Lane on the ABC
ALL is well ...
28 March 2003

The Fairest and or The Best by Rick Kane
LET'S get this one out of the way before the season begins ...
28 March 2003

Dockers on track says Eade by Les Everett
RODNEY Eade talks about Fremantle and a return to coaching ...
28 March 2003

I like it how it is by Bloody Idiot
OH thank goodness. Bloody's back. Must be footy season ...
28 March 2003

Looking back to Leederville by Les Everett
LET'S look at footy. Going forward ...
28 March 2003

A book bite by Michael Steven
A LOOK at a welcome new footy book ...
28 March 2003

Democracy and other things by Little Boy Blue
DESPITE the regime change at Carlton, it's obvious they still don't get the democracy thing. ...
27 March 2003

A night derby by Les Everett
FREMANTLE lights up ...
27 March 2003

The inner sanctum by Michael Steven
THE Pies get ready ...
27 March 2003

A time for predictions by Neil Belford
NEIL takes a punt ...
25 March 2003

The phases of Peter Matera by Les Everett
SOME praise (in phases) of an Eagle ...
25 March 2003

The great escapes
EAST Perth begins with an escape. And so do Swans. In the same game ...
23 March 2003

Fourplay quest begins by Les Everett
EAST Perth begins its quest for a fourth consecutive WAFL premiership thisweekend in unusual fashion ...
18 March 2003

Looking forward from the Wizard Cup (the baby premiership of 2003) by Michael Steven
A MAGPIE looks to nature ...
16 March 2003

Fitzroy Saints have a hit out by Kev Court
FITZROY Saints? It's true. And Kev saw 'em ...
16 March 2003

Magpies seething
ADELAIDE wins the Wizard Cup. Collingwood official angry at shoddy treatment from the AFL ...
16 March 2003

Second gun theory by Les Everett
WE go back into the lab ...
15 March 2003

No slackening for footy by Les Everett
JUST what do we need to get us up ...
13 March 2003

Watch out! I've got a lead brick in my handbag by Oroton
IT'S Never The Year of the Cat ...
12 March 2003

Collingwood is good for football by Michael Steven
Collingwood's rightful position recognised at last. A challenge to the editorial opinion of australianrules.com.au ...
10 March 2003

Final venue announced
AFL helps a battler ...
9 March 2003

The waiting is the hardest part by KEV COURT
WE'RE almost there ...
9 March 2003

Gun theory points to Lions hat trick by Les Everett
THE Chris Connolly inspired gun theory suggests there'll be a foreign invasion of Melbourne on that one day in September ...
7 March 2003

South thrash Peel by Les Everett
I HEARD the siren, hopped on the bike and headed down to Fremantle Oval today to watch South Fremantle play Peel in a scratch match ...
27 February 2003

Honour for footy dinosaur by Les Everett
Daniel "The Dinosaur" White's story ...
27 February 2003

Another look at the new rules - A Magpie's view point by Michael Steven
A Magpie supporter has some different ideas about the new rule changes ...
25 February 2003

A look at the new rules by Neil Belford
SOME very very good and a dud ...
23 February 2003

Eagles too good and too many by Les Everett
IF only we'd known ...
22 February 2003

Hasleby's Herald double by Les Everett
THE other Fremantle Herald award ...
21 February 2003

Chisholm's comeback complete by Les Everett
A former Docker & Demon is still kicking ...
21 February 2003

Wilderness. As the crow flies by Neil Belford
THE recruiting experiment with Wayne Carey is already bearing predictable fruit ...
17 February 2003

Fading faded superstars by Damo Suziki
Mugabe, Clapton, Stones & Carey. What's it all mean ...
16 February 2003

Off to a bad start, but does it matter? by Little Boy Blue
THE Boy returns and put things in perspective ...
12 February 2003

Les Everett's football is life tours
FOOTY weekends in Melbourne ...
12 February 2003

I'm back & I'm better says Damo
A new look revealed ...
12 February 2003

Dockers avoid disaster by Les Everett
A near thing for Fremantle ...
9 February 2003

Sharks net Sharks by Les Everett
COMINGS and goings at East Fremantle ...
7 February 2003

Leter to the editor by Chris J Embery
Re: Schumann's true game by Les Everett (australianrules.com.au 26 July 2002) ...
5 February 2003

Changing Lane by Les Everett
MAYBE there is someone who could fill Tim Lane's big shoes on the wireless ...
3 February 2003

Moylan move a pointer by Les Everett
BRAVE new world beckons ...
12 January 2003

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tom bottrel


Tom Bottrell plays his 200th and last game for South Fremantle and is chaired from Fremantle Oval. Photo by Les Everett.






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