■ Like most Bulldogs fans I’m not fond of the Adelaide Crows. Yes, it’s all about 1997 and 1998 and, no, I haven’t got over it and probably never will. Last year they did it to the red, white and blue once again in the elimination final. Mind you, that was the best game of football I saw last year and I know many purists of the game agree. Last Saturday night’s game appeared to be going the same way halfway through the last quarter, but this time the Bulldogs rose to the occasion and took the four points. Who knows if it turns out to be a season-defining win. One thing I do know is that it was brilliant to watch. The Doggies take on the rejuvenated Melbourne this Sunday in what is the match of the round. Who would have thought that eight weeks ago?
■ In contrast to a match which went down to the wire, Williamstown handed Werribee a VFL lesson on Saturday and had the points in the bag by quarter-time. The reigning premiers were brilliant – quick, slick and hard at it – and after conceding a goal in the first 30 seconds had the next 16 scoring shots. The 10-goal quarter- time lead shut the gate on Werribee and while it was the Tigers’ first loss of the season, it was so demoralising it will take mental toughness to take on the other 2015 grand finalist, Box Hill Hawks, at Avalon Airport Oval from 11.40am on Sunday. It’s past players’ and officials’ day and will be on Channel 7.
■ Two weeks ago I ran into Steve and Karen Macpherson in the Bulldogs’ past players’ room at Etihad. I interviewed Steve on stage and he spoke about their son, Darcy, and how he was going at the Gold Coast Suns. This week Darcy made his AFL debut and if you haven’t seen the video of him ringing Steve and Karen to tell them of his selection, check it out on the Suns’ website; it’s priceless. Footy fans love stuff like this because it brings a very corporatised sport back to basics, in this case an excited young man ringing Mum and Dad to share a special moment.
■ A carpark conversation between Garry Turner, Steve Thom and myself after our weekly Footy in the West radio show last Friday night prompts me to ask you: Who’s the best suburban footballer you’ve ever seen? We came up with a few like Michael Frost, Sedat Sir and Johnny Lindsay, but I’d love to hear your thoughts via email.
Any news, let me know on email kevin@howdypartnersmedia.com.au. Follow me on Twitter @KevinHillier, plus check out the Howdy Partners Media website as well.
