Last night at Docklands Stadium, the Bulldogs went down to Essendon in a nail-bighter. Our buddy Mat Ward got us tix to the game & we sat through a tough, tight battle – the lead changing several times. Almost thought the Doggies had it, 20 points up in the final quarter. Not to be stripped of a finals birth, the Bombers rallied to pinch the game by 7 points. The final siren rang out as the Dogs had the ball deep in their forward line – but just couldn’t get clear to convert. Proud of the boys this morning, none the least with new-comer, 18-year-old Marcus Bontempelli (who I’d not heard of til very recently) and Jake Stringer who kicked 5 goals.

AFL: Last night at Docklands Stadium Melbourne, Western Bulldogs vs Essendon.

Many thanks Mat – hope you enjoyed it.
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Been a little while since reporting on progress with the new venue. As you might expect, it’s a long process. We’re still powering away here, every day getting closer. For me, it’s as much about psychological trickery as anything else. Not good to stop & think about the work you’ve still gotta do. Better to set of series of unrealistic goals, work like crazy to meet em & reset when you don’t. That way, you stick your head up at some point & surprise yourself with what you’ve done, rather than focus from the beginning on what you haven’t. All that said, we’re well over the halfway mark. More happening this weekend.

Me up a ladder near ceiling, in a room behind the venue.

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Our buddy, Ross Buckingham solo acoustic at a festival in Haslemere, southwest of London last week. He wrote to us on Facebook – “My set included some of your songs, they went down really well! The festival was headlined by Ade Edmondson”s (from The Young Ones”) band Bad Shepherd and The Blockheads who were just outstanding! Big weekend!

Ross Buckingham, Haslemere UK July 2014.

Onya Ross!
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Doggies doing OK. Upset win over the Gold Coast on Saturday at Cazalys Stadium, Cairns. Mathematically impossible to make finals at this late stage, the Western Bulldogs have finally found some consistent form. Light appearing at the end of the tunnel. Might even finish in the top two-thirds this season…

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Thanks to Woz for sending this video link. Horns up.

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Sunday night at Stalk & Kim’s. That’s my Dad who’s down from South West Rocks, NSW for a few days. Brother Gav was there as well, jamming as the newest member of Stalk & Kim’s ever evolving house band ‘Us’. Great way to see out the weekend. Not so sharp this find Monday morning.

Thanks to Stalk for this shot (taken from his Facebook).

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Can’t help but respect the man…

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Check this out. Heard an interview with her on Triple R this week (Thursday’s Breaking and Entering program – 4 to 7pm). Sharon Van Etton – Your Love Is Killing Me.

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Great Day Sunday at the annual Reclink Community Cup. Took the bus out to Elsternwick Park for the festivities, bands and the footy game between arch-rivals Rock Dogs & Megahertz. The Rock Dogs are a team made up of Melbourne musicians, the Megahertz consisting of industry folk from radio, management, booking agencies etc. And good to see the Rock Dogs bring it home by 8 points in a thriller, before a capacity crowd of approx 15,000. Great bands playing before the game, at half time & post game – headliners the mighty Painters & Dockers. Got out on the field for kick-to-kick during the breaks (managed to hit some poor woman in the face with a long punt). Beers were $5 a can (we’re talkin’ Boags) – priced like the old days of suburban footy. It was a magnificent day – looking forward to next year.

Max & Marty at Community Cup, Elsternwick Park 20th June 2014.

Must also be said, importantly – the event raised a bunch of money for the Recklink Charity.

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Looking forward to getting along to the Reclink Community Cup on Sunday.

“…an iconic event for Melbourne’s rock and roll and football loving community. Drawing over 10,000 people a year, the Cup celebrates Melbourne’s dynamic cultural and broadcasting sectors with the Rockdogs and the Triple R 102.7FM & PBS 106.7FM Megahertz battling it out for football glory while raising funds for Reclink Australia.” (Community Cup website)

Also from their website: “Reclink Australia is a non profit organisation whose mission is to provide and promote sport and art programs for people experiencing disadvantage.

Established in Victoria in 1990, Reclink Australia operates nationally providing over 12,000 activities and 1200,000 participation opportunities for disadvantaged Australians annually.

We target some of the communities most vulnerable and isolated people, including people experiencing significant mental health challenges, disability, homelessness, substance abuse, culturally and linguistic diverse communities, correctional services and economic hardship.”

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