Opinion
AFL 2023
The AFL had one job – protect the game. But in Tasmania, it’s dying
I love football, still do, and that’s why to every footy lover outside Tasmania I say – if the game dies in Tasmania, it can die anywhere.
- by Martin Flanagan
Latest
Tom Wills remains a major figure in Australian history
A research discovery has suggested Tom Wills, one of the founders of Australian football, participated in the murder of Aboriginal people. Martin Flanagan says the historical document contains gross distortions, and that he remains one of the most dramatic figures in Australian history.
- by Martin Flanagan
Updated
AFL grand final
The lion tamer who saw three Melbourne flags barracks for another
No AFL supporters are stereotyped more than Melbourne’s, but some of the great characters Martin Flanagan has met in football are Melbourne supporters.
- by Martin Flanagan
‘Smart, skilful, up for big challenges’: young Dog lights up Launceston gloom
The Scots have a word – dreich. A dreich day is a grey, gloomy day and they have a lot of them. Launceston had one yesterday which was unfortunate because it was hosting the elimination final between Essendon and the Bulldogs.
- by Martin Flanagan
Opinion
AFL 2021
Thanks for bringing finals to Launceston, but the AFL owes Tasmania
The movement for a Tasmanian AFL team is better organised than ever before, and it has a leader like it’s never had before.
- by Martin Flanagan
Jane Tewson's life is good news for all of us
I wrote my new book because I wanted my granddaughter to know "there is an obstinate force for good in the world, and here is an example of it”.
- by Martin Flanagan
Farewell to Melbourne, and some parting advice for the AFL
An Age stalwart is saying goodbye to Melbourne after writing about everyone from Weary Dunlop to Archie Roach. And then there was the footy.
- by Martin Flanagan
COMMENT
Opinion
'I learnt the meaning of the word brother from Tim'
Tim was the one who encouraged me to write. He kept a copy of everything I wrote.
- by Martin Flanagan
The power of the game, and its people, make me forget about everything else in the world
Martin Flanagan presents an ode to football in his last column for The Age.
- by Martin Flanagan
'The invisible connect that binds': a football club reunion 40 years on
What is it that causes people to meet up 40 years after a football game that lasted a mere two hours?
- by Martin Flanagan
COMMENT
Opinion
Indigenous round guernseys celebrate place, and footy
The reason AFL clubs do Indigenous things so much better than the country as a whole is because they have to.
- by Martin Flanagan
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/by/martin-flanagan-hveks