Ando’s Shout: The Eddie McGuire story you haven’t heard
There has been plenty said and written about Eddie McGuire over the past couple of months. But Jon Anderson highlights one story that isn’t being told.
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Interesting to note where some of the support has come from that has enabled National Indigenous Radio Service to continue broadcasting AFL games across the country.
A look at the sponsors over the past three years reveals a company that trades under McGuire Media having worked in conjunction with RMIT from 2019 to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and School of Media Communication students with a pathway to AFL broadcasting.
I guess Eddie McGuire helping Indigenous kids fulfil their dreams doesn’t make quite the same headlines as other narratives.
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TATTOOS, A MULLET AND CIGGIES: FOOTY’S BYGONE ERA
It was a bygone era and no image captured it better than this iconic shot of rugged Richmond centre half-back Robbie “Bones” McGhie on the MCG after the 1974 Grand Final.
McGhie had just played a vital role in Richmond’s second successive premiership and in the aftermath craved nothing more than a “gasper” and a cold beer as the now 70-year-old recalled during the week.
The tattoos: “I got them when I was 16 at Tottenham Technical College. I had to wear long sleeve jumpers when playing footy at school. It was just a fad for me and my mates to get them on our arms. The old ones are gone because they faded, so 10 years ago I got them all made into just two from 13, one big coloured fish and a Tiger from my shoulder to elbow. The original ones were eagles, viking ships, snakes, black panthers, etc.”
Cigarettes: “The old boot studders were sensational people. It was straight into their room at halftime for a puff before coach Tommy (Hafey) came down. They would have been Benson and Hedges or Viscount. A few of us smoked casually, blokes like Balmey (Neil Balme), Royce (Hart) but he never bought ’em, Dicky Clay, The Whale (Brian Roberts) and Craig McKellar. Our old doctor Billy Grainger used to smoke and give me one after training.”
Lace-up jumpers: “We got them from a bloke named Vic Hill in Adelaide. A lot of us wore them — Royce Hart, Francis Bourke, KB (Kevin Bartlett) and Sheeds (Kevin Sheedy). They were fantastic to wear, warm and hard to tackle. There was no way you could get your finger caught but that’s why they gave them away.”
Mullets: “I had the original mullets. We were Sharpies, the old crestknit shirts, pinstripe pants with Mediterranean shoes, Cuban heels.”
Footy today: “I don’t like it and don’t watch it. Yes, they are better athletes but there are too many rule changes, and too many blokes running off the ground.”
FREEMAN’S UNLIKELY LINK TO BOXING LEGEND
The death of boxing great Marvellous Marvin Hagler was felt in Melbourne by an unlikely source, none other than Sydney Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman.
The pair struck up a friendship via their involvement with the Laureus Academy, an organisation that annually judges the “Oscars” of sport but one that more importantly helps make life easier for underprivileged kids around the globe.
In 2016 they were pictured together at the Laureus Awards in Berlin, with Hagler describing Freeman as “a sweetheart who does a great job”.
“Thanks Marv,” was Freeman’s reply.
BOXING GREAT: MUNDINE-ZERAFA FIGHT EXPOSED FLAW IN SYSTEM
Former world junior lightweight boxing champion Barry Michael has seen boxers die from what takes place in the ring, which is why the events in Bendigo last Saturday week hurt him so much.
“I love the sport and it’s been my life, but ‘Choc’ Mundine should never have been allowed to fight Michael Zerafa,” Michael, 65, said.
“It comes back to the control boards in each state, because my understanding is if NSW granted ‘Choc’ a license then there is nothing the Victorian Professional Boxing and Combat Sports could do to stop it, which is clearly a failed system.”
EIGHT IS NOT ENOUGH
MOE-based horse trainer Peter Gelagotis may well have set a record of sorts during the week.
His mare Sunday Sassy ran at Pakenham last Thursday with no fewer than eight gear changes, beginning with a standard “blinkers first time”.
Then things got interesting with “blinkers off-side off first time”, “off-side bubble cheeker off first time” and “butterfly bit off first time”.
But as Tim Shaw used to say, “wait, there’s more”.
“Ear muffs pre-race only on first time”, “lugging bit first time” and “nose-roll first time” were also among the changes.
And how did she go?
Stone motherless last!
HOT
MARVELLOUS MARVIN HAGLER
Versatile, durable, hard hitting and blessed with a rare chin. Plus he stayed retired.
GILLON McLACHLAN
For his single-handed attempt to keep the mullet in vogue at corporate level.
FOOTBALL IN DARWIN
From a first-time attendee, this is a diamond that will one day explode.
NOT
BOXING CONTROL BOARDS
It’s in their hands to prevent ramshackle events such as the Mundine debacle.
PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS
Why are they still allowed to take so much time over putts? And then miss.
AUSTRALIA IN AMERICA’S CUP
Our yachtsmen sail for every other country, so let’s give them a home boat to compete in.
TRIVIA QUIZ
1. Who coached the Gold Coast Suns before Stuart Dew?
2. With which sport do you associate Shane Van Gisbergen?
3. Which sports star has a statue at Nagambie?
4. What was Marc Rosset’s biggest win in tennis?
5. Which event did Jason Richardson win in 1993?
6. Who won an Olympic bronze medal for Australia in 1976 in the Finn class?
7. Who swam first for Australia in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay at the Sydney Olympics?
8. Bart Cummings began training horses in which city?
9. Who holds the women’s world record for the 100m-200m sprints?
10. Which grand slam singles title has Ash Barty won?
ANSWERS
1. Dean Solomon
2. Motor racing (Supercars)
3. Black Caviar
4. Olympic gold medal
5. Stawell Gift
6. John Bertrand
7. Michael Klim
8. Adelaide
9. Florence Griffith-Joyner
10. French Open
Originally published as Ando’s Shout: The Eddie McGuire story you haven’t heard
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