Comments on: Unveiling the next Roar columnist

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:04:54 +0000

Well done, Benjamin! I reckon run it again, guys. That bloke who wrote the Mariners article needs another crack. Especially after tipping Melbourne to win the league gf!

Congrats to all the finalists. Was happy to be included.

By: Redb

Redb — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:20:26 +0000

Greg,

Unless your looking for the inside scoop before it hits the maintream press I think that is unrealistic with what most of us have at our disposal in terms of information and more importantly access. Accredited journalists are on media release listings and are often sent information that helps them craft the substance in their stories.

At the end of the day, the substance can be treated differently by two writers, it is the style that makes the story more itneresting to read IMO.

Again it is highly subjective.

Redb

By: Slippery Jim

Slippery Jim — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:20:20 +0000

Greg, I certainly don’t think you are an ignoramous of any kind - it’s just fairly bleedingly obvious to point out that the big four have dominated the EPL in recent years.

I can personally can read and enjoy any article about the most mundane topics if it is written well. I personally love reading the articles by award winning British writer Giles Smith who often writes about trivial issues in sport (think Roy and HG) but in a fantastic humorous style.

Here’s a link to one of his many regular blogs:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/giles_smith/

He also writes for the Chelsea website - highly recommended.

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:16:08 +0000

Slippery Jim,

Indeed, you have correctly identified me as the EPL ignoramus that I am. But certainly I am far less ignorant now than before reading Gabriel’s article!

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:10:50 +0000

Redb,

The ideal article has style and substance. Personally I value substance without style much more highly than style without substance. I stress this is just my personal opinion. It is true that much of Australian sport reporting seems to value style over substance. One of the reasons I like The Roar so much is that it has a greater emphasis on substance.

By: Slippery Jim

Slippery Jim — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:10:20 +0000

Greg, no offence but writing an article about the big four in the EPL is not exactly cutting edge either - not that there’s anything wrong with that. I personally thought Jason’s article about the Mariners was great in that it was original, insightful and conveyed his passion for the game and the club.

By: Redb

Redb — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:46:30 +0000

Greg,

If I may offer a view.

The criteria is not just the subject of the article, it is the hook that gets you to read the article that an editor looks for, the way it is written in terms of angle, pace, style. It can’t be just about the subject because that is of itself is subjective.

Redb

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:28:28 +0000

All are articles of merit, however it is that by Gabriel Knowles that stands out clearly to me, as it gives me fresh information and insightful interpretation. Without meaning any disrespect, the points about the medal table, about Federer not having a coach, and about the paucity of talent in Australian rugby are all rather obvious. Further, sometimes it helps to look at the world from a different angle. A student once said to Wittgenstein “How could people ever have been so stupid as to think that the sun rotates around the earth?” The famous philosopher simply answered: “Yes, but I wonder how things would look from earth if the sun rotated around us?” Is it really only gold medals that count above all else on a medal table? Sally McLennan’s reaction would suggest otherwise. If a coach is so important in tennis, then how to explain that Federer has won so many grand slams without one? (not to mention that it would now seem that his main problem in 2008 was the lingering effects of mononucleosis, as opposed to the lack of a coach). As for the article on the Mariners, that’s a nice story but it doesn’t tell me anything I need to know.

By: Slippery Jim

Slippery Jim — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:54:50 +0000

Congrats Conkey!

Re another award - bring it on! Just about everyone who is into sports likes a bit of healthy competition.

By: Millster

Millster — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:20:56 +0000

I like it. A short, left-field, punchy article. Well done Benjamin and all other finalists. This site and the concept behind this competition are awesome.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:52:22 +0000

congrats to Benjimin for the win, and I’ll look forward to the first regular artcile. Congrats to all the finalists too, and to the editors, yes you should run this again!!

One of my main motivations for getting into these sports columns was to see if I could take a fledging hobby, and if good enough, make something of it. Obviously, I should have come in earlier!! Great competition, would love to see it again..