The Roar » Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au Your Sports Opinion Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:49:45 +0000 en hourly 1 michael-difabriziohttp://feedburner.google.com Who’s to blame for the Majak Daw beat-up? http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/jj6Zipj7adQ/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/09/whos-to-blame-for-the-majak-daw-beat-up/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:09:44 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=67783 For a player who’s never played a game of senior AFL footy, North Melbourne rookie Majak Daw sure gets a lot of attention. He’s the first Sudanese-born player listed by an AFL club, so you can understand there’s some public interest there. But does he warrant the kind of attention the Herald Sun gave him [...]

Article link: Who’s to blame for the Majak Daw beat-up?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> For a player who’s never played a game of senior AFL footy, North Melbourne rookie Majak Daw sure gets a lot of attention.

He’s the first Sudanese-born player listed by an AFL club, so you can understand there’s some public interest there.

But does he warrant the kind of attention the Herald Sun gave him today?

The paper’s front page had a picture of a shirtless Daw next to a headline that read: “A former teammate’s ex, partying, an unpaid debt … what went wrong with footy’s young gun.”

The associated story mentions that he owes a teammate a sum of money below $1000 and also had a relationship with the ex-girlfriend of a former teammate, issues which may or may not be causing angst among fellow players (the Herald Sun weren’t able to confirm they were).

So where did all this come from? Why did the nation’s most popular paper give all this attention to a rookie who’s yet to play a game?

Well, it all started when Daw had a night on the town instead of doing rehab on an injured knee at home. Later, coach Brad Scott confronted him about it and he lied, saying he wasn’t at a nightclub that night.

So Scott finds out the truth and Daw gets suspended for his lie. North Melbourne then release a press release stating he’s been suspended but refuse to reveal why.

That’s when things started to get out of hand. The media, unhappy about not being given the reason for the suspension, started to dig around (which was fine, that is their job). When they dug, though, they found more than they bargained for, and that’s how we got today’s front page.

Make no mistake, the story today was a beat-up. Do we really care who Daw is seeing or if he has a minor debt with a teammate? At the very least, do we care enough for this stuff to be on the front page?

No, we don’t. But it’s worth noting whether we care or not was not the Herald Sun’s justification.

Mark Robinson had a comment piece in the paper today which blamed North Melbourne for all the attention on Daw.

“A wordy press release that Majak Daw had been suspended, on which the club wouldn’t elaborate, made this bigger than it should’ve been,” he wrote.

“And it is North’s fault. […] The ‘we’re not telling but he’s done something wrong’ stance by the club set the wolves hunting.”

Still, many readers weren’t happy. Among them was another high-profile athlete, Andrew Bogut, who took to Twitter with his disappointment.

In response, Herald Sun journo Jon Ralph tweeted: “It’s never the fault of the player (lying), or club (butchered press release). It’s always the tabloid media!!!”

Ultimately, Ralph is right. All three parties must share the blame.

Daw shouldn’t have been out partying when he should’ve been at home doing rehab. He also shouldn’t have lied about it.

North, in hindsight, should’ve stated that lying to the coach was the reason for the suspension. Ironically, they were probably trying to protect their young player from the media by not saying anything and in an ideal world, that would work out. But they let their player down by not taking a more realistic approach.

The media, meanwhile, need to learn that while a club staying quiet does give you permission to dig a little deeper, it doesn’t mean you have permission to publish everything you find – especially when you publish information (the debt, the girlfriend) entirely unrelated to the story in question (Daw being suspended).

As for putting it on the front page, well, surely there’s more important things that belong there.

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Article link: Who’s to blame for the Majak Daw beat-up?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion


]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/09/whos-to-blame-for-the-majak-daw-beat-up/feed/ 29 http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/09/whos-to-blame-for-the-majak-daw-beat-up/ Pendlebury or Goddard: surely one is GWS bound http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/E96F4ZzAFRU/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/07/pendlebury-or-goddard-surely-one-is-gws-bound/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:02:51 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=67359 When Nathan Buckley was interviewed by Mark Stevens for the Herald Sun last week, inevitably the topic of Scott Pendlebury’s future came up. The speculation is that Pendles, who signed only a one-year contract extension at the Pies last year, will join the GWS Giants from 2013. The response of Bucks wasn’t the most convincing [...]

Article link: Pendlebury or Goddard: surely one is GWS bound. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> When Nathan Buckley was interviewed by Mark Stevens for the Herald Sun last week, inevitably the topic of Scott Pendlebury’s future came up.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/07/pendlebury-or-goddard-surely-one-is-gws-bound/feed/ 23 http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/07/pendlebury-or-goddard-surely-one-is-gws-bound/ Optus ruling actually a good thing for AFL fans http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/aNINpxA2PdE/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/04/optus-ruling-actually-a-good-thing-for-afl-fans/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:46:39 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=66922 Let’s get one thing clear: whether you watch the game on your Telstra mobile or your Optus mobile, the AFL is generating broadcast revenue. While Telstra do indeed pay “big bucks” for mobile rights, the Optus method assists the AFL too because what you get is a retransmitted free-to-air broadcast. That means you’re watching Channel [...]

Article link: Optus ruling actually a good thing for AFL fans. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Let’s get one thing clear: whether you watch the game on your Telstra mobile or your Optus mobile, the AFL is generating broadcast revenue. While Telstra do indeed pay “big bucks” for mobile rights, the Optus method assists the AFL too because what you get is a retransmitted free-to-air broadcast.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/04/optus-ruling-actually-a-good-thing-for-afl-fans/feed/ 52 http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/02/04/optus-ruling-actually-a-good-thing-for-afl-fans/ What’s really holding back the NBL http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/LQrkpWuaDZk/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/20/what%e2%80%99s-really-holding-back-the-nbl/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:06:58 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=64521 There’s no shortage of NBL fans willing to complain about this season’s TV situation. With games being shown by One on delay at 10.30pm, it’s a fairly valid thing to complain about. However, the complainers go too far when they imply it’s killing the sport or that no one’s watching. It’s not and, remarkably, they [...]

Article link: What’s really holding back the NBL. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> There’s no shortage of NBL fans willing to complain about this season’s TV situation. With games being shown by One on delay at 10.30pm, it’s a fairly valid thing to complain about.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/20/what%e2%80%99s-really-holding-back-the-nbl/feed/ 37 http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/20/what%e2%80%99s-really-holding-back-the-nbl/ Why you should support the Big Bash League http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/uS99Ls6ffjI/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/12/16/why-you-should-support-the-big-bash-league/#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:14:08 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=60203 Yes, it lacks history. Yes, it’s manufactured and artificial. Yes, it places more emphasis on market research than what diehard cricket fans want. And yes, it has more spin than, well, I’ll let you insert your own Shane Warne reference here. But cricket’s new Big Bash League deserves – or rather, needs – to be [...]

Article link: Why you should support the Big Bash League. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Yes, it lacks history. Yes, it’s manufactured and artificial. Yes, it places more emphasis on market research than what diehard cricket fans want. And yes, it has more spin than, well, I’ll let you insert your own Shane Warne reference here.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/12/16/why-you-should-support-the-big-bash-league/feed/ 19 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/12/16/why-you-should-support-the-big-bash-league/ 2011 AFL Draft live blog, selections http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/T7keDo7ltaM/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/24/2011-afl-draft-live-blog-selections/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 03:54:41 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=57394 The 2011 AFL Draft is upon us, with the stars of tomorrow set to be aligned to their first AFL clubs tonight in western Sydney. Join us from 6.45pm AEDT for a live blog of the event and selections. While new boys GWS will be heavily involved in tonight’s proceedings, there’s still plenty of storylines [...]

Article link: 2011 AFL Draft live blog, selections. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> The 2011 AFL Draft is upon us, with the stars of tomorrow set to be aligned to their first AFL clubs tonight in western Sydney. Join us from 6.45pm AEDT for a live blog of the event and selections.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/24/2011-afl-draft-live-blog-selections/feed/ 82 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/24/2011-afl-draft-live-blog-selections/ Patty Mills calls time on the NBL http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/OTNtSy3goUA/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/21/patty-mills-calls-time-on-the-nbl/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:15:53 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=57018 The NBL stint of Patrick Mills unexpectedly came to an end last night, with the locked-out Portland Trail Blazer accepting an offer to play in China. Three months and nine games after joining the Melbourne Tigers, he announced the news via Twitter. “Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know that I got an [...]

Article link: Patty Mills calls time on the NBL. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> The NBL stint of Patrick Mills unexpectedly came to an end last night, with the locked-out Portland Trail Blazer accepting an offer to play in China.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/21/patty-mills-calls-time-on-the-nbl/feed/ 12 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/21/patty-mills-calls-time-on-the-nbl/ The NBA, where a stupid lockout happens http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/26B-drmBFzk/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/16/the-nba-where-a-stupid-lockout-happens/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:48:49 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=56371 The never-ending saga that is the NBA lockout began another dark chapter yesterday, with the players deciding to disband their union in order to sue the league. The 2011-12 season, which was supposed to start two weeks ago, could very well be doomed. Honestly, it’s such a messy, sad and embarrassing tale. Instead of discussing [...]

Article link: The NBA, where a stupid lockout happens. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> The never-ending saga that is the NBA lockout began another dark chapter yesterday, with the players deciding to disband their union in order to sue the league. The 2011-12 season, which was supposed to start two weeks ago, could very well be doomed.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/16/the-nba-where-a-stupid-lockout-happens/feed/ 21 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/16/the-nba-where-a-stupid-lockout-happens/ Why is the AFL protecting Hawthorn? http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/xPHoMQ6Ws-o/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/02/why-are-the-afl-protecting-hawthorn/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:13:19 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=54336 Ahead of the 2012 AFL fixture launch last Friday, the AFL corrected reports that Collingwood wouldn’t travel to Perth next year and, in the process, boasted about the travel demands of all Victorian clubs next year. “All Victorian clubs will have at least five matches outside the state,” reported AFL.com.au. While that statement would’ve been [...]

Article link: Why is the AFL protecting Hawthorn?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Ahead of the 2012 AFL fixture launch last Friday, the AFL corrected reports that Collingwood wouldn’t travel to Perth next year and, in the process, boasted about the travel demands of all Victorian clubs next year.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/02/why-are-the-afl-protecting-hawthorn/feed/ 31 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/02/why-are-the-afl-protecting-hawthorn/ NBA All-Star tour is great for basketball http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/pF7RVux0XhE/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/27/nba-all-star-tour-is-great-for-basketball/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:00:14 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=53446 Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade and Kevin Durant are all coming to Australia. LeBron James might be, too. The six-game world tour of NBA stars that was a mere rumour last week appears to be going ahead – which means two superstar-filled games in Melbourne on November 8 and 9. ESPN reported yesterday afternoon [...]

Article link: NBA All-Star tour is great for basketball. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade and Kevin Durant are all coming to Australia. LeBron James might be, too. The six-game world tour of NBA stars that was a mere rumour last week appears to be going ahead – which means two superstar-filled games in Melbourne on November 8 and 9.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/27/nba-all-star-tour-is-great-for-basketball/feed/ 16 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/27/nba-all-star-tour-is-great-for-basketball/ Time’s up for shortened NAB Cup games http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/GD1bwlegmOE/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/25/times-up-for-shortened-nab-cup-games/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:48:18 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=53361 The AFL fixture is released Friday, with the usual series of leaks already underway: a standalone GWS-Sydney clash, Mitch Clark facing his former side and a Collingwood-Hawthorn re-match are all likely to take place in Round 1. One other piece of information we can already lock in is that the NAB Cup will have a [...]

Article link: Time’s up for shortened NAB Cup games. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Kyle Hardingham of Essendon evades Dane Swan of Collingwood during the AFL NAB Cup Grand Final match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Kyle Hardingham of Essendon evades Dane Swan of Collingwood during the AFL NAB Cup Grand Final match between the Essendon Bombers and the Collingwood Magpies at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

The AFL fixture is released Friday, with the usual series of leaks already underway: a standalone GWS-Sydney clash, Mitch Clark facing his former side and a Collingwood-Hawthorn re-match are all likely to take place in Round 1.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/25/times-up-for-shortened-nab-cup-games/feed/ 13 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/25/times-up-for-shortened-nab-cup-games/ Melbourne Tigers show lack of class in Corletto dispute http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/vVa83dqJzos/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/21/melbourne-tigers-show-lack-of-class-in-corletto-dispute/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:52:33 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=53068 Something had to give when Patrick Mills joined the Melbourne Tigers and unfortunately for Daryl Corletto, he was it. The 10-year Tiger veteran was sensationally cut so that Mills could be accommodated within the NBL points cap. Now, two months later, he returns to Melbourne as a member of the New Zealand Breakers – and [...]

Article link: Melbourne Tigers show lack of class in Corletto dispute. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> NBL CorlettoSomething had to give when Patrick Mills joined the Melbourne Tigers and unfortunately for Daryl Corletto, he was it. The 10-year Tiger veteran was sensationally cut so that Mills could be accommodated within the NBL points cap.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/21/melbourne-tigers-show-lack-of-class-in-corletto-dispute/feed/ 14 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/21/melbourne-tigers-show-lack-of-class-in-corletto-dispute/ So what if a player takes the money and runs? http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/ZeK0EkPRifk/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/18/so-what-if-a-player-takes-the-money/#comments Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:14:26 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=52873 Mitch Clark has copped a few not-so-subtle jibes over his decision to leave the Brisbane Lions and sign with Melbourne, despite initially claiming his reason for wanting a trade was to return to his native Western Australia. As you’d expect, the key forward who played the family card at trade week and ended up roughly [...]

Article link: So what if a player takes the money and runs?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Mitch Clark addresses the media during a Melbourne Demons press conference announcing his signing to the Demons at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Mitch Clark addresses the media during a Melbourne Demons press conference announcing his signing to the Demons at AAMI Park, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Mitch Clark has copped a few not-so-subtle jibes over his decision to leave the Brisbane Lions and sign with Melbourne, despite initially claiming his reason for wanting a trade was to return to his native Western Australia.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/18/so-what-if-a-player-takes-the-money/feed/ 50 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/18/so-what-if-a-player-takes-the-money/ New NBL season: a cause for optimism or pessimism? http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/5cvV1WVD_hA/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/07/new-nbl-season-a-cause-for-optimism-or-pessimism/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:54:06 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=52042 The 2011-12 NBL season is here and on a number of fronts, there’s solid reasons to get around it. Patrick Mills has returned home due to the NBA lockout. Andrew Bogut, once insurance is all sorted, will join him. The best bit? The Boomers pair will be playing out of Melbourne and Sydney, respectively. As [...]

Article link: New NBL season: a cause for optimism or pessimism?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> The 2011-12 NBL season is here and on a number of fronts, there’s solid reasons to get around it. Patrick Mills has returned home due to the NBA lockout. Andrew Bogut, once insurance is all sorted, will join him.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/07/new-nbl-season-a-cause-for-optimism-or-pessimism/feed/ 19 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/07/new-nbl-season-a-cause-for-optimism-or-pessimism/ Geelong confirm greatness with incredible Cat-trick http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/zbSIPYzBKcA/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/02/geelong-confirm-greatness-with-incredible-cat-trick/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:13:37 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51750 Three premierships in five years. When you see how hard it is for some clubs to secure one flag – heck, when you see Collingwood go undefeated against 15 teams all year and still fall short – you know that kind of record can only be attained by a truly great football team. And Geelong, [...]

Article link: Geelong confirm greatness with incredible Cat-trick. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Cameron Ling of the Cats leads the team from the fiels after a win in the AFL 2011 Toyota Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Cameron Ling of the Cats leads the team from the fiels after a win in the AFL 2011 Toyota Grand Final match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Three premierships in five years. When you see how hard it is for some clubs to secure one flag – heck, when you see Collingwood go undefeated against 15 teams all year and still fall short – you know that kind of record can only be attained by a truly great football team.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/02/geelong-confirm-greatness-with-incredible-cat-trick/feed/ 8 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/10/02/geelong-confirm-greatness-with-incredible-cat-trick/ The ultimate 2011 AFL Grand Final preview http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/VRDamKcwmv4/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/30/the-ultimate-2011-afl-grand-final-preview/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:14:20 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51609 Well, the biggest game of the AFL season is now only one day away. Collingwood and Geelong, two worthy opponents, are set to clash to decide who will be this year’s premiership team. But can Collingwood really go back to back and send off Mick Malthouse with one last premiership? Can Geelong really win their [...]

Article link: The ultimate 2011 AFL Grand Final preview. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Steve Johnson of Geelong laughs as he celebrates a goal ahead of Alan Toovey of Collingwood during the AFL Round 24 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Steve Johnson of Geelong laughs as he celebrates a goal ahead of Alan Toovey of Collingwood during the AFL Round 24 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Geelong Cats at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Well, the biggest game of the AFL season is now only one day away. Collingwood and Geelong, two worthy opponents, are set to clash to decide who will be this year’s premiership team.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/30/the-ultimate-2011-afl-grand-final-preview/feed/ 22 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/30/the-ultimate-2011-afl-grand-final-preview/ How Swan claimed his record-breaking Brownlow http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/HcDDpx7feH0/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/27/how-swan-claimed-his-record-breaking-brownlow/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:51:11 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51429 Collingwood star Dane Swan wrote his name into the history books last night, claiming his first Brownlow Medal with a whopping 34 votes. It was the highest tally of any winner since the 3-2-1 voting system was introduced. He was victorious ahead of Hawthorn’s Sam Mitchell, who was ineligible to win the award but at [...]

Article link: How Swan claimed his record-breaking Brownlow. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Dane SwanCollingwood star Dane Swan wrote his name into the history books last night, claiming his first Brownlow Medal with a whopping 34 votes. It was the highest tally of any winner since the 3-2-1 voting system was introduced.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/27/how-swan-claimed-his-record-breaking-brownlow/feed/ 29 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/27/how-swan-claimed-his-record-breaking-brownlow/ 2011 Brownlow Medal live blog, updates http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/32I7WTFvOKU/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/26/2011-brownlow-medal-live-blog-updates/#comments Mon, 26 Sep 2011 03:03:03 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51329 Footy’s night of nights has arrived. Tonight the AFL’s highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, will be presented at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. Join us for a live blog with leaderboard updates from 8.00pm EST. Can Chris Judd claim his third Brownlow? Will Adam Goodes’ strong finish to the season get him over the [...]

Article link: 2011 Brownlow Medal live blog, updates. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Brownlow Medal 2011

Brownlow Medal 2011. Slattery Images.

Footy’s night of nights has arrived. Tonight the AFL’s highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal, will be presented at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne. Join us for a live blog with leaderboard updates from 8.00pm EST.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/26/2011-brownlow-medal-live-blog-updates/feed/ 97 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/26/2011-brownlow-medal-live-blog-updates/ Collingwood and Geelong, a great way to end the season http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/ms8QHmSxTZU/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/25/collingwood-and-geelong-a-great-way-to-end-the-season/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:17:44 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51285 So the match-up we were all anticipating has eventuated. Collingwood and Geelong will play off in the 2011 AFL grand final. The two teams played contrasting preliminary finals, but by each getting over the line they’ve set up a huge week in football. Already, there’s plenty to get stuck in to. Injury talk, for one, [...]

Article link: Collingwood and Geelong, a great way to end the season. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey of the Cats celebrate their win in the AFL 2nd Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and Joel Corey of the Cats celebrate their win in the AFL 2nd Preliminary Final match between the Geelong Cats and the West Coast Eagles at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

So the match-up we were all anticipating has eventuated. Collingwood and Geelong will play off in the 2011 AFL grand final. The two teams played contrasting preliminary finals, but by each getting over the line they’ve set up a huge week in football.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/25/collingwood-and-geelong-a-great-way-to-end-the-season/feed/ 7 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/25/collingwood-and-geelong-a-great-way-to-end-the-season/ Collingwood need to win big, Geelong need a close one http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/hVgb-kvIO4M/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/23/collingwood-need-to-win-big-geelong-need-a-close-one/#comments Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:35:00 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=51126 Let’s not beat around the bush. Going into preliminary final weekend, Collingwood and Geelong are close to certain grand finalists. It’s nothing against Hawthorn or West Coast, teams who racked up a win tally this season that could win minor premierships in other years. It’s just that, well, Collingwood and Geelong in the big one [...]

Article link: Collingwood need to win big, Geelong need a close one. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> Let’s not beat around the bush. Going into preliminary final weekend, Collingwood and Geelong are close to certain grand finalists. It’s nothing against Hawthorn or West Coast, teams who racked up a win tally this season that could win minor premierships in other years.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/23/collingwood-need-to-win-big-geelong-need-a-close-one/feed/ 4 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/23/collingwood-need-to-win-big-geelong-need-a-close-one/ AFL pay offer was an insult to players http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/XNL8EG6J3i0/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/21/afl-pay-offer-was-an-insult-to-players/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:25:39 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=50996 It was a poor reflection on the football media that many journalists swallowed the AFL press release about its $1.144 billion pay offer to players and opined it was an offer “too good to refuse”. To suggest this showed a remarkable lack of knowledge of the situation. Put simply, whether the offer could be described [...]

Article link: AFL pay offer was an insult to players. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> AFLPAIt was a poor reflection on the football media that many journalists swallowed the AFL press release about its $1.144 billion pay offer to players and opined it was an offer “too good to refuse”.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/21/afl-pay-offer-was-an-insult-to-players/feed/ 18 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/21/afl-pay-offer-was-an-insult-to-players/ St Kilda draw the short straw in AFL coaching search http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/7BgwDN0P2EA/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/20/st-kilda-draw-the-short-straw-in-afl-coaching-search/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:45:01 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=50919 Fremantle have Ross Lyon. Melbourne have Mark Neeld. The Western Bulldogs have Brendan McCartney. Adelaide have Brenton Sanderson. For those keeping score at home, that’s four coaching appointments in the space of four days. It’s been an unbelievable few days. How bizarre it is that every single one of the coaches that led teams to [...]

Article link: St Kilda draw the short straw in AFL coaching search. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Newly Appointed coach of the Western Bulldogs Brendan McCartney, poses for a photo after a media conference announcing his appointment by the club, at Whitten Oval in Melbourne. Slattery Images

Newly Appointed coach of the Western Bulldogs Brendan McCartney, poses for a photo after a media conference announcing his appointment by the club, at Whitten Oval in Melbourne. Slattery Images

Fremantle have Ross Lyon. Melbourne have Mark Neeld. The Western Bulldogs have Brendan McCartney. Adelaide have Brenton Sanderson. For those keeping score at home, that’s four coaching appointments in the space of four days.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/20/st-kilda-draw-the-short-straw-in-afl-coaching-search/feed/ 5 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/20/st-kilda-draw-the-short-straw-in-afl-coaching-search/ In defence of Ross Lyon http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/jOXkMgRFImU/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/17/in-defence-of-ross-lyon/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:13:21 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=50668 A lot of venom and anger has been directed the way of Ross Lyon the past two days. Naturally, his decision to cross from St Kilda to Fremantle raised more than a few eyebrows. But a lot of the criticism has been unfair, sensationalised and just hard to fathom. Take the words of ABC broadcaster [...]

Article link: In defence of Ross Lyon. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Ross Lyon speaks during the media conference to announce the new Fremantle Coach at the Woodside Plaza, Perth. Slattery Images

Ross Lyon speaks during the media conference to announce the new Fremantle Coach at the Woodside Plaza, Perth. Slattery Images

A lot of venom and anger has been directed the way of Ross Lyon the past two days. Naturally, his decision to cross from St Kilda to Fremantle raised more than a few eyebrows. But a lot of the criticism has been unfair, sensationalised and just hard to fathom.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/17/in-defence-of-ross-lyon/feed/ 49 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/17/in-defence-of-ross-lyon/ Fremantle choose safe bet Lyon over unlucky Harvey http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/v8f7yy7v7rw/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/16/fremantle-choose-safe-bet-lyon-over-unlucky-harvey/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:28:08 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=50591 Fremantle’s sacking of coach Mark Harvey, and the subsequent revelation St Kilda coach Ross Lyon would be his replacement, was as unexpected as it was crazy as it was dramatic as it was gobsmacking. In the space of an hour last night, the footy world was blindsided. Fremantle turned its back on a coach that [...]

Article link: Fremantle choose safe bet Lyon over unlucky Harvey. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Dockers coach Mark Harvey during the AFL Round 10 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the St Kilda Saints at Patersons Stadium, Perth. Slattery Images

Dockers coach Mark Harvey during the AFL Round 10 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the St Kilda Saints at Patersons Stadium, Perth. Slattery Images

Fremantle’s sacking of coach Mark Harvey, and the subsequent revelation St Kilda coach Ross Lyon would be his replacement, was as unexpected as it was crazy as it was dramatic as it was gobsmacking. In the space of an hour last night, the footy world was blindsided.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/16/fremantle-choose-safe-bet-lyon-over-unlucky-harvey/feed/ 34 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/16/fremantle-choose-safe-bet-lyon-over-unlucky-harvey/ Don’t feel sorry for Melbourne over Tom Scully http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/IKj4-hgQSK4/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/13/don%e2%80%99t-feel-sorry-for-melbourne-over-tom-scully/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:11:58 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=50305 Yesterday what we all already knew became official. Tom Scully will be a GWS Giants player next year. It was a proud day for the competition’s newest club, yet a sad day for its oldest club. But it’s about at this point where we should stop feeling sorry for Melbourne. Yes, they’ve just lost a [...]

Article link: Don’t feel sorry for Melbourne over Tom Scully. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> GWS player Tom Scully with Kevin SheedyYesterday what we all already knew became official. Tom Scully will be a GWS Giants player next year. It was a proud day for the competition’s newest club, yet a sad day for its oldest club. But it’s about at this point where we should stop feeling sorry for Melbourne.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/13/don%e2%80%99t-feel-sorry-for-melbourne-over-tom-scully/feed/ 60 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/13/don%e2%80%99t-feel-sorry-for-melbourne-over-tom-scully/ Massive weekend kickstarts the AFL finals http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/1B2V-QX5XCk/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/09/massive-weekend-kickstarts-the-afl-finals/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 18:52:21 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=49974 Four games, four genuinely exciting and intriguing September match-ups. That’s what footy fans have to look forward to this weekend. Geelong v Hawthorn Here we have two teams with a lot of recent history. Following the 2008 Grand Final, Geelong players involved in the loss made a pact never to lose to Hawthorn again. So [...]

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Luke Hodge of Hawthorn flies for a mark

Luke Hodge of Hawthorn flies for a mark during the AFL Round 15 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Media

Four games, four genuinely exciting and intriguing September match-ups. That’s what footy fans have to look forward to this weekend.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/09/massive-weekend-kickstarts-the-afl-finals/feed/ 12 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/09/massive-weekend-kickstarts-the-afl-finals/ Brett Ratten deserves another Carlton contract http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/M5NLhmvUYHU/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/06/brett-ratten-deserves-another-carlton-contract/#comments Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:00:01 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=49747 Brett Ratten has done enough to continue coaching Carlton next year and beyond. It was always silly to be judging his future on whether or not the Blues won a final this year, because there was always the sense that another year of limping into the eight – even if topped off with a finals [...]

Article link: Brett Ratten deserves another Carlton contract. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Carlton coach Brett Ratten addresses his players during the AFL Round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Carlton coach Brett Ratten addresses his players during the AFL Round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Brett Ratten has done enough to continue coaching Carlton next year and beyond. It was always silly to be judging his future on whether or not the Blues won a final this year, because there was always the sense that another year of limping into the eight – even if topped off with a finals win – would still be considered disappointing.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/06/brett-ratten-deserves-another-carlton-contract/feed/ 45 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/06/brett-ratten-deserves-another-carlton-contract/ Why the Collingwood Magpies will win tonight http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/AMhPqqsiv5c/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/02/why-the-collingwood-magpies-will-win-tonight/#comments Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:59:33 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=49524 The two best teams in the competition meet at the MCG tonight and while there may technically be nothing to be gained by winning, it’s likely we’ll get a glimpse at what’s in store over the next four and a bit weeks. If that is indeed the case, expect the Pies to walk off the [...]

Article link: Why the Collingwood Magpies will win tonight. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

]]> The two best teams in the competition meet at the MCG tonight and while there may technically be nothing to be gained by winning, it’s likely we’ll get a glimpse at what’s in store over the next four and a bit weeks. If that is indeed the case, expect the Pies to walk off the ground winners.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/02/why-the-collingwood-magpies-will-win-tonight/feed/ 10 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/02/why-the-collingwood-magpies-will-win-tonight/ AFL crowd drop being blown out of proportion http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/s2OraRqp82s/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/30/afl-crowd-drop-being-blown-out-of-proportion/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:00:50 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=49340 In a season where a new team is introduced that plays out of a 25,000-seat venue, it should come as no surprise that crowd figures have fallen in 2011. After all, even if the Gold Coast Suns sold out every game that 25,000 is still below the average AFL crowd. But let’s not let plausible [...]

Article link: AFL crowd drop being blown out of proportion. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Melbourne's Clint Bartram tackles Gary Ablett of the Gold Coast Suns during the AFL Round 23 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Melbourne's Clint Bartram tackles Gary Ablett of the Gold Coast Suns during the AFL Round 23 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Gold Coast Suns at the MCG, Melbourne. Slattery Images

In a season where a new team is introduced that plays out of a 25,000-seat venue, it should come as no surprise that crowd figures have fallen in 2011. After all, even if the Gold Coast Suns sold out every game that 25,000 is still below the average AFL crowd. But let’s not let plausible explanations get in the way of a good story.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/30/afl-crowd-drop-being-blown-out-of-proportion/feed/ 84 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/30/afl-crowd-drop-being-blown-out-of-proportion/ Would any AFL club give Fevola another chance? http://feeds.theroar.com.au/~r/michael-difabrizio/~3/ltW0d8729gQ/ http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/26/would-any-afl-club-really-give-fevola-another-chance/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:20:28 +0000 Michael DiFabrizio http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=49038 So after 33 goals in his past five matches with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, the media are now pondering whether Brendan Fevola will be given another chance to play in the AFL. The GWS Giants are one club reported to be circling. Is it just me, or does this sound a little crazy? [...]

Article link: Would any AFL club give Fevola another chance?. Written by , on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Brendan Fevola of Brisbane looks on after a loss in the AFL Round 12 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

Brendan Fevola of Brisbane looks on after a loss in the AFL Round 12 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. Slattery Images

So after 33 goals in his past five matches with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, the media are now pondering whether Brendan Fevola will be given another chance to play in the AFL. The GWS Giants are one club reported to be circling.

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]]> http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/26/would-any-afl-club-really-give-fevola-another-chance/feed/ 16 http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/08/26/would-any-afl-club-really-give-fevola-another-chance/