Backroom Baz: Tim Smith criticised for views on violence, sport and masculinity

A Tim Smith tweet about a State of Origin brawl kicked off a wild debate about violence, masculinity and sport.

The incident that started an on-field and Twitter storm. Picture: Adam Head

Readers of this column may be surprised to know that Baz can be partial to a bit of rugby league in between AFL games.

But even he was bemused to see regular contributor Tim Smith celebrating the success of the State of Origin series as evidence that people were switching off “woke’’ AFL.

Baz nearly fell off his chair when he also saw the Member for Kew channelling his inner Reg Reagan by encouraging people to bring back the biff!

Punches were thrown between Blue Matt Burton and Maroon Dane Gagai. Source: Fox League

The fight was likened to something from the 1980s. Source: Fox League

“So reassuring to see some biffo and some passion + some old fashioned Australian masculinity at #StateofOrigin2022 – the pathetically woke AFL should take note,” Smith wrote on Twitter.

“AFL is now unrecognisable for so many supporters. They don’t want another woke round, they want a biffo round.”

So reassuring to see some biffo and some passion + some old fashioned Australian masculinity at #StateofOrigin2022 - the pathetically woke AFL should take note. AFL is now unrecognisable for so many supporters. They don’t want another woke round, they want a biffo round.

— Tim Smith MP (@TimSmithMP) July 13, 2022

Needless to say, as always, it got the reaction it was looking for.

While many took the chance to remind Smith about his questionable driving skills and question what a rower would know about rugby, others pointed out the serious issues with concussions, coward punches and domestic violence.

Bloke who has his mum driving him to work has called the AFL soft

— Shaun Leane (@ShaunLeaneMP) July 14, 2022

The irresponsibility and desperation of crap like this is obvious and usually unworthy of response, but sometimes we need to call out this sort of BS. Disgraceful for a one-time wannabe community leader to push a message like this. https://t.co/Mr7VlzDepn

— Andy Maher (@AndyMaherDFA) July 14, 2022

Encouraging men to be more violent isn’t something I had on my Tim Smith 2022 bingo card. Nope, not even on that one. pic.twitter.com/YL5voQaNWt

— Georgia Steele (@steele4hughes) July 14, 2022

One of the consequences of biffos is potential brain damage which could lead to irrational thoughts such as: pic.twitter.com/RwZ8m1aeUA

— Dr Vyom Sharma (@drvyom) July 14, 2022

Warnie’s heart legacy

Shane Warne is ratcheting up accomplishments even from beyond the grave, with “lifesaver” the latest title the spin king can add to his trophy cabinet in the great beyond.

Former Victorian Labor MP Philip Dalidakis has revealed Warne’s death from a heart attack prompted him to get his own health checked, which uncovered a severely blocked artery. Thankfully the check-up meant the medicos were able to get an early intervention to help ensure the outspoken Saints fan lives on to barrack another day.

1/3

I have some news.

In the wake of the tragic passing of @ShaneWarne I arranged to get a cardio check up (along with a lot of other blokes).

The outcome was an unclear scan which resulted in an angiogram this afternoon. #MensHealth#HeartHealth#PreventativeMedicinepic.twitter.com/kZmI2EfRKk

— Philip Dalidakis (@philipdalidakis) July 11, 2022

“What a surreal procedure,” Dalidakis wrote on Twitter.

“I was awake throughout and my cardiologist found one of my arteries blocked to 95 per cent. Close to a stroke and others on the way.

“I had zero symptoms. I only got checked (because) of Warnie.”

Dalidakis isn’t the only one to have been checked in recent months and it’s a good reminder for us all to follow suit — especially those of us who love a long lunch.

Tunnel under Baker St

When it comes to the Metro Tunnel, places such as Arden St and Town Hall usually come to mind.

But saxophonist Sam Boon put Baker Street on the government’s infrastructure agenda when he performed the rolled-gold tune deep underground in one of the underground passages that trains are expected to be running through by 2025.

Saxophonist Sam Boon belting out a tune to a captive audience.

The acoustics were so good that Boon’s performance of the famous riff made it to the Instagram page of Premier Daniel Andrews.

The actual mystery of the Premier’s musical taste remains elusive, with his Facebook page once claiming that his top five artists for 2020 were Midnight Oil … five times.

A full set from an iconic Aussie band would be a great way to make use of the tunnels before they’re covered in railway tracks and wires.

Sinn Fein visit to Australia

Irish Opposition Leader and head of Sinn Fein Mary-Lou McDonald is making her way to Australia in a move that has already upset the nation’s monarchists.

The rare visit will culminate in an address to the National Press Club and, although the party has looked to move beyond its controversial past, the local reaction will be one to watch.

Sinn Finn is on the rise and is now said to be the biggest party on the Emerald Isle, although the complexities of politics mean McDonald is yet to become Taoiseach, or Prime Minister. Melbourne is on the itinerary and anyone who has been to St Kilda knows there are plenty of Irish nationals around to make the visitors feel at home.

Polling puzzle

Baz inadvertently caused a stir when tweeting about some polling doing the rounds which showed the Liberals on track for a WA-style wipeout.

Needless to say the phone rang hot for hours from political insiders either disputing the polling or asking to see where they could get a copy.

Senior figures in both parties maintain their own data suggests it is much closer than many think. Despite some bullish public polls, one Labor source was adamant the party was far from home and hosed even with its handy buffer in lower house seats.

It is always hard to know what to believe, given it pays to be the underdog in these sorts of things.

Still both of the major parties seem to agree they have a lot of work to do in the lead-up to November.

Guess who

Which government staffer liked a tweet that appeared to criticise the government’s backflip on taking health advice?