Comments on: What was the sporting highlight of winter? http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/ The Roar is a sports opinion website. We tackle sports opinion rather than simply sports news. And we embed user-generated content — in the form of articles and comments — into the fabric of the site. Featuring some of the best sports writers in Australia — including the Sydney Morning Herald's Spiro Zavos — The Roar aims to be the leading sports website in Australia. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:40:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Dave http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79813 Dave Fri, 10 Oct 2008 10:47:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79813 ManU winning the EPL/ECL double has to be the highlight so far ManU winning the EPL/ECL double has to be the highlight so far

]]> By: Michael C http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79557 Michael C Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:15:36 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79557 Millster - invariably those NRL Melb Storm AFL inspired (and trained, don't forget that - - and we Melb folk celebrate that some people in Rugby circles actually IN Australia have realised that there's something to be gained and learned) 'marks' are pretty one dimensional,........i.e. generally it's a one on one with the directions of the player movement pretty well known and a given in reality. Therefore, in general, the RL 'speccie' loses on degree of difficulty. Alas, the NRL GF again showed the wonderful examples of NRL guys totally at a loss with an air ball and even unable to take a simple chest mark by seeing the ball cannon off their collar bone...........sheesh......... Millster -

invariably those NRL Melb Storm AFL inspired (and trained, don’t forget that - - and we Melb folk celebrate that some people in Rugby circles actually IN Australia have realised that there’s something to be gained and learned) ‘marks’ are pretty one dimensional,……..i.e. generally it’s a one on one with the directions of the player movement pretty well known and a given in reality.
Therefore, in general, the RL ’speccie’ loses on degree of difficulty.

Alas, the NRL GF again showed the wonderful examples of NRL guys totally at a loss with an air ball and even unable to take a simple chest mark by seeing the ball cannon off their collar bone………..sheesh………

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79543 Redb Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:24:50 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79543 Millster, You obviously have never seen him face to face, he's a big bloke that actually hits pretty hard on the field. He'd sure knock the stuffing out of any soccer player you'd like to name. ;-) Dont mess with the Bombers it will get ugly. :-) Redb Millster,

You obviously have never seen him face to face, he’s a big bloke that actually hits pretty hard on the field. He’d sure knock the stuffing out of any soccer player you’d like to name. ;-)

Dont mess with the Bombers it will get ugly. :-)

Redb

]]> By: Millster http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79535 Millster Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:08:49 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79535 Flew like the little AFL-playing ballerina that he is perhaps? :-) (sorry couldn't resist) Flew like the little AFL-playing ballerina that he is perhaps? :-) (sorry couldn’t resist)

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79530 Redb Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:54:06 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79530 to explain Millster, Folau was knee height on the shoulders, Lloyd's feet were at the level of the defender's heads who were also airborn. It just proves my view that the TV coverage really lacks. I have an excellent still shot of the mark, Lloyd's flight invaded Tullamarine airspace. :-) Redb to explain Millster, Folau was knee height on the shoulders, Lloyd’s feet were at the level of the defender’s heads who were also airborn. It just proves my view that the TV coverage really lacks. I have an excellent still shot of the mark, Lloyd’s flight invaded Tullamarine airspace. :-)

Redb

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79528 Redb Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:51:06 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79528 no way, lloyd was much higher than folau. Redb no way, lloyd was much higher than folau.

Redb

]]> By: Millster http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79527 Millster Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:49:27 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79527 Actually I would call the mark of the year what one of the Storm players (forget which one, one of the backs) did in the NRL grand final. It was more AFL than AFL... a true cazaly moment... Actually I would call the mark of the year what one of the Storm players (forget which one, one of the backs) did in the NRL grand final. It was more AFL than AFL… a true cazaly moment…

]]> By: Michael C http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79516 Michael C Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:11:15 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79516 3rd time lucky - the perennial runners up - - PNG winning the AFL International Cup in a classic encounter with the Kiwis,........closely followed by the goal after the siren pressure kick by South African Simphiwe Mbhalo to give South Africa by just 1 point. btw - Redb would love that an old stager like Matthew Lloyd was able to rise to the heavans to pluck what was just announced as mark of the year. 3rd time lucky - the perennial runners up - - PNG winning the AFL International Cup in a classic encounter with the Kiwis,……..closely followed by the goal after the siren pressure kick by South African Simphiwe Mbhalo to give South Africa by just 1 point.

btw - Redb would love that an old stager like Matthew Lloyd was able to rise to the heavans to pluck what was just announced as mark of the year.

]]> By: The Link http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79494 The Link Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:18:15 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79494 Folau's try was better in Origin III, masterful. Folau’s try was better in Origin III, masterful.

]]> By: Millster http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79483 Millster Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:18:42 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79483 Symonds going fishing and doing some self-selection out of the cricket tour was another great highlight for me. A kind of "Darwin awards" worthy moment in terms of sports selection and the joy of seeing an arrogant twit shoot himself in the foot... Symonds going fishing and doing some self-selection out of the cricket tour was another great highlight for me. A kind of “Darwin awards” worthy moment in terms of sports selection and the joy of seeing an arrogant twit shoot himself in the foot…

]]> By: Brett McKay http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79477 Brett McKay Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:50:42 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79477 Cent-Nth, the double tap-back effort from Geyer then Quinn to Inglis in the Semis would have topped the Centenary Test effort if not Inglis' foot being a micron offside. And after racking my head over this all day, I think that - depite it being a no-try - is my highlight... Cent-Nth, the double tap-back effort from Geyer then Quinn to Inglis in the Semis would have topped the Centenary Test effort if not Inglis’ foot being a micron offside. And after racking my head over this all day, I think that - depite it being a no-try - is my highlight…

]]> By: Central North http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79474 Central North Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:37:32 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79474 Greg Inglis and his over the head, over the dead ball line, hail mary pass for Mark Gasnier to score in the Centenary league Test v NZ was pretty speccy for mine. And i'm a Rugby man!! Greg Inglis and his over the head, over the dead ball line, hail mary pass for Mark Gasnier to score in the Centenary league Test v NZ was pretty speccy for mine. And i’m a Rugby man!!

]]> By: Bruce Walkley http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79472 Bruce Walkley Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:31:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79472 The Olympic marathon and the winner's brilliant tactics have to be right up there. The Olympic marathon and the winner’s brilliant tactics have to be right up there.

]]> By: Sid http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79470 Sid Thu, 09 Oct 2008 04:29:57 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79470 My footy highlight of 08 was the All Blacks v Springboks first test in Wellington. It was the first meeting since the world cup, and both sides had everything to prove. What resulted was hard, dazzling footy truly deserving of the greatest rivalry in world rugby. Outside the football codes, I'd nominate Detroit v Pittsburg in game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. Pittsburg was down 3-1 in the series and needed the win to keep their cup hopes alive. They scored with 34.1 seconds remaining in the final period to draw level and take it to overtime. What followed was an amazing display of heart as the two exhausted sides relentlessly clawed at each other. Eventually, in the third period of overtime, Pittsburg put in the game winning goal. Detroit won the Cup in the next game but this was easily the game of the series and maybe the game of the season. Also, no one can forget the Wimbledon final. The most emotionally exhausting game of tennis I’ve ever seen. What a great year - and we've still got time for another All Blacks grand slam. My footy highlight of 08 was the All Blacks v Springboks first test in Wellington. It was the first meeting since the world cup, and both sides had everything to prove. What resulted was hard, dazzling footy truly deserving of the greatest rivalry in world rugby.

Outside the football codes, I’d nominate Detroit v Pittsburg in game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals. Pittsburg was down 3-1 in the series and needed the win to keep their cup hopes alive. They scored with 34.1 seconds remaining in the final period to draw level and take it to overtime. What followed was an amazing display of heart as the two exhausted sides relentlessly clawed at each other. Eventually, in the third period of overtime, Pittsburg put in the game winning goal. Detroit won the Cup in the next game but this was easily the game of the series and maybe the game of the season.

Also, no one can forget the Wimbledon final. The most emotionally exhausting game of tennis I’ve ever seen.

What a great year - and we’ve still got time for another All Blacks grand slam.

]]> By: Joe FC http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79457 Joe FC Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:46:39 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79457 Yes El Capitan unfortunately ( from my perspective ) the score was the wrong way round. Yes El Capitan unfortunately ( from my perspective ) the score was the wrong way round.

]]> By: El Capitan http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79446 El Capitan Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:25:25 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79446 Joe FC. Ahh yes the grudge match in the Scottish Prem League. I was lucky enough to watch the August 31st match. What a cracker that was. 6 goals in total I believe. Joe FC.

Ahh yes the grudge match in the Scottish Prem League.

I was lucky enough to watch the August 31st match. What a cracker that was. 6 goals in total I believe.

]]> By: Joe FC http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79440 Joe FC Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:15:06 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79440 El Capitan Celtic winning the SPL over Rangers on the last day of the season. El Capitan
Celtic winning the SPL over Rangers on the last day of the season.

]]> By: El Capitan http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79388 El Capitan Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:18:38 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79388 Yeah I thought a combined effort on all football codes would be relevant, and a way to bring all factions of supporters together. don't forget the fairytale of the Giants winning the Superbowl as well. Yeah I thought a combined effort on all football codes would be relevant, and a way to bring all factions of supporters together.

don’t forget the fairytale of the Giants winning the Superbowl as well.

]]> By: Harry http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79367 Harry Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:33:02 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79367 Thought hard about this, firstly thought the big Wallaby win over NZ in Sydney but that proved to be a false dawn. Instead I'll nominate the two tries set up by Greg Inglis in State of Origin 2 as th most thrilling vision of the season for me. Thought hard about this, firstly thought the big Wallaby win over NZ in Sydney but that proved to be a false dawn. Instead I’ll nominate the two tries set up by Greg Inglis in State of Origin 2 as th most thrilling vision of the season for me.

]]> By: Millster http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79361 Millster Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:04:58 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79361 Spain finally rising to their potential and winning the European Cup. In the same tournament some of the sublime, ethereal play of the Dutch in the group stages (though they did not follow through when it mattered) - it was so utterly briliant that I even appreciated it against my beloved but hapless French. And for an Aussie highlight for me it was the chick who unexpectedly won silver in the 100m hurdles in Beijing and who went absolutely ape with joy afterwards. Wonderful! In the domestic codes, the Warrior's finals run in the NRL was a potential fairy-tale that made me sit up and take note... especially as I have a huge soft spot for Ruben Wiki from my days of living in Canberra. I'm not adding in Adelaide's current achievements in the ACL which are unprecedented and monumentally important for Australian sport as that is a story for which we are yet to see the conclusion... Spain finally rising to their potential and winning the European Cup.

In the same tournament some of the sublime, ethereal play of the Dutch in the group stages (though they did not follow through when it mattered) - it was so utterly briliant that I even appreciated it against my beloved but hapless French.

And for an Aussie highlight for me it was the chick who unexpectedly won silver in the 100m hurdles in Beijing and who went absolutely ape with joy afterwards. Wonderful!

In the domestic codes, the Warrior’s finals run in the NRL was a potential fairy-tale that made me sit up and take note… especially as I have a huge soft spot for Ruben Wiki from my days of living in Canberra.

I’m not adding in Adelaide’s current achievements in the ACL which are unprecedented and monumentally important for Australian sport as that is a story for which we are yet to see the conclusion…

]]> By: Brett McKay http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79349 Brett McKay Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:35:33 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79349 a single highlight from four codes over ten months, this should be easy.... El Capitano, give the Crowd a challenge!! ;-) a single highlight from four codes over ten months, this should be easy….

El Capitano, give the Crowd a challenge!! ;-)

]]> By: El Capitan http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79344 El Capitan Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:18:55 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79344 Personaly, since I missed most of the winter by travelling to the UK (yeah I can hear you already, the UK's summer really isn't summer), my highlight was actually the thrashing of Man U at the hands of St Petersburg, and England upsetting Croatia at home for the World Cup Qualifiers. Not being an actuall "football" supporter it was kind on good watching the games in the pubs with mates who could explain the tatics to me. The only other game I watched was the Wallabies getting thrashed by the Boks. Needless to say it was a quite time at the Walkabout Pub! Personaly, since I missed most of the winter by travelling to the UK (yeah I can hear you already, the UK’s summer really isn’t summer), my highlight was actually the thrashing of Man U at the hands of St Petersburg, and England upsetting Croatia at home for the World Cup Qualifiers. Not being an actuall “football” supporter it was kind on good watching the games in the pubs with mates who could explain the tatics to me.

The only other game I watched was the Wallabies getting thrashed by the Boks. Needless to say it was a quite time at the Walkabout Pub!

]]> By: True Tah http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79341 True Tah Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:03:08 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79341 Redb, I agree with that, it was a real feel good factor, and it was on the same weekend the wallabies got smoked by a rampant Bokke in Johannesburg. After that i would have said the Wallabies winning our second game in South Africa since 1995. Redb,

I agree with that, it was a real feel good factor, and it was on the same weekend the wallabies got smoked by a rampant Bokke in Johannesburg.

After that i would have said the Wallabies winning our second game in South Africa since 1995.

]]> By: Redb http://www.theroar.com.au/2008/10/09/what-a-year-of-footy/#comment-79327 Redb Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:24:34 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=11254#comment-79327 The emergence of Lance 'Buddy' Franklin and his 100+ goals. Redb The emergence of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and his 100+ goals.

Redb

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