James McKenna, photo by Jim Steinfeldt
“On Friday I’ll be playing air guitar at the Royal Melbourne Hotel,” Dennis Cometti announced. It was on Channel Seven, in the latter stages of the war of the Sherrins 2009, and somewhat out of left field. His fellow commentators got the giggles.
However, as I found myself on the floor of the Royal Melbourne down by Docklands that Friday night, watching Mr Cometti’s musical protege James McKenna, his guitarist Billy Schleifer and a rocking band made up by some spunky Australians, I suddenly understood what the hell that comment meant. It was actually true, although by “playing air guitar” Dennis meant “having dinner with friends and introducing James McKenna live in Australia”. It was great to meet James and Billy in person at last after hearing so much about them. They were modest and their heads were screwed on. Musically we Aussies gave the LAsters the big thumbs up. Instructions to move to Australia are not being listened to at this stage, madly enough. However, Dennis and the boys have collaborated on the ultimate footy freak song, “Last One Standing”. That has hit tattooed all over it. Who’s going to be the smart record company to sign this one up?
From The Age
why why why
… do my news days include wardrobes pushed against doors, police word that this group of around 30 rampaging male egos included over 10 footballers from an Australian Rules team (Montmorency) on a Phillip Island booze bender, allegations of big pack rapes of two 18 year old girls, a woman and child across the road terrified by the wheelie-dragging, neighbourhood-egging all night piss-up syndrome, the detail about the blood around the room, one of the accused’s commenting that it was “consensual”, slow week-long ruminations as to WHY in this day and age any human being could Lego this together as a WAY TO HAVE FUN, wondering about the state of mind of one of the girls who couldn’t bring herself to press charges (hey, relive this over and over will you?) even though she will back up the one who would, confusion about whether or not to talk to my teenage kids about this spreading pool of sludgeslimevomit as male pattern behaviour, the news that Montmorency FC HAD had the little talk about respecting women a few months ago, excuse me while I go be sick.
From the club website, http://www.montmorencyfootballclub.com.au/
“The Club is linked to …
AFL Victoria’s Respect and Responsibility campaign …
Many Clubs support Northern Football League’s programs including; Respect & Responsibility of Women: including support of the White Ribbon Campaign to stop Violence against women
The antidote (cut and paste into browser):
http://www.myoath.com.au/
November 25 is White Ribbon Day. Take the oath.
Two Champs
Horse racing is really football for the quadruped without balls, although in this case, Viewed is a stallion. Bart “the Man” Cummings, who will be 81 for this Melbourne Cup, with his champion staying stallion Viewed (Scenic – Lovers Knot, by Khozaam) after winning the 2008 Melbourne Cup. The magnificient dark bay entire won the Caulfield Cup full of running last Saturday with Brad Rawiller up. Will they win the big one this year? You bet. Or I will at least. He’s a big, strong horse and I think he’ll carry that challenging 58kilos just fine. (PS Did you know FFN used to be racing columnist Zesta for Nation Review? We used the Ferret System – or it used us. We miss Leunig’s illustrations …. … ….. )
THE THINKER
Brendan Fevola considers what can happen to the career of an actor slash model when under the mentorship of Sam Newman.
Gary Ablett Snr was consulted as to his feelings now his son Gary Jr has gone one better with the Brownlow and all.
“Well it’s bloody good I reckon”, he said. “I hope this doesn’t mean HIS highlights reel is going to take over mine in terms of high rotation when the beer and peanuts come out. And look, I can’t really comment further because I’m here trying to help Ruddy Rudd sort out climate change and I was bloody lucky to have been able to get coverage on Kev’s Blackberry when he wasn’t looking so I’ve got to go now. Anyway you know I never speak to the freaking press so B#@*! off.”
Gary Ablett Jr was overcome with joy upon winning not only the Brownlow Medal but also the Cats second Premiership in three years. Admittedly, it was a dour slog that kept even the athleticism of St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt under wraps. A low point was in Federation Square, post match, when Cats fans roundly booed a couple of players who’d had a hard afternoon, including Steve Johnson, who’d had to undergo hip surgery on August 28. When a champion player gets injured and doesn’t play his best, but your team wins the big silver cup, then cheer, you bastards, cheer the whole team.
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