1,2,3,4.....Who Do You Think They Barrack For?
Ashley Browne
Written on Wednesday, 01 December 2010
It says much for the professionalism of the accredited AFL media that they can usually go about their business without their allegiance being called into account.
'No barracking in the press box' is a rule that is largely adhered to, but before they joined the media, those who write and commentate were fans of the game and in just about every case, of a particular team.
What follows is by no means an exhaustive list, but we at BPL have attempted to match the AFL media members that we know, with the teams they follow and the rating out of 10 indicates the degree of their fervour.
Drop us a note here to tell us who we missed and what ranking to give them.
BACKPAGELEAD
Charles Happell - North Melbourne. Followed Doug Wade across from Geelong all those years ago. 5
Ashley Browne - Hawthorn. Has reserved seats. 8
James Dunn - Essendon. Between the Bombers and the Australian cricketers, is doing it hard. 8
HERALD SUN
Mike Sheahan - Melbourne: Avowedly neutral, but his heart does beat true. 3
Mark Robinson - Essendon. Doesn't make a big deal of it, but the occasional 'we/us' slips through. 4
Mark Stevens - Western Bulldogs. Fanatical. David Smorgon has him on speed dial, and vice-versa. 8
Scott Gullan - Western Bulldogs. Lives in and writes about Geelong, but is a Dogs man. 5
Jon Ralph - Richmond. Will bang his first in the press box from time to time as the Tigers turn it over again. 5
Glenn McFarlane - Collingwood. Has written heaps of books about the Pies. 7
Jackie Epstein - Collingwood. Posed with the premiership cup for her Facebook profile. 7
Daryl Timms - Hawthorn. Hails from the same part of the world as Michael Tuck. 6
THE AGE
Rohan Connolly - Essendon. Some of his press box barracking is the stuff of legend. 9
Jake Niall - Collingwood. Will talk Collingwood all day and all night if you let him. 8
Caroline Wilson - Richmond. Daughter of a former club president. 8
Emma Quayle - Essendon. Used to write for the club magazine before joining The Age. 8
Michael Gleeson - Collingwood. Keeps a reasonable lid on it. 6
Samantha Lane - Carlton. Like father, like daughter. 7
Scott Spits - Essendon. The Age keeps a quota on the number of Essendon supporters in the sports department. Has to be at least three at any one time. 5
Martin Blake - St Kilda. Has nearly been brought to tears by the Saints over the years. 6
Richard Hinds - Collingwood. Was working overseas in 1990, so happily reported to the MCG in early October, 2010. 7
Jon Pierik - Carlton. Keeps it understated. 5
Greg Baum - Collingwood. Uses big words for a Collingwood supporter. 6
THE AUSTRALIAN
Steve Rielly - Essendon. Loved covering the Bombers in their hey-day. 6
Greg Denham - West Coast. Hails from the west and has always been close to the Eagles. 7
Patrick Smith - Essendon. Gavin Wanganeen might just be his all-time favourite. 6
INSIDE FOOTBALL
Russell Holmesby - St Kilda. Won't sit in the press box when the Saints play. 9
Ben Casanelia - Geelong. K-Rock's boundary rider. 7
AFL.COM.AU
Adam McNicol - Richmond. Years of crap footy has dulled the passion. 6
Jennifer Witham - Collingwood. Gets very excited when Didak jags one from the pocket. 7
Jason Phelan - Adelaide. Would fly back to Adelaide every second week if he could. 8
Ben Broad - Geelong. Years of living in Sydney couldn't dull his passion. 6
Luke Holmesby - St Kilda. Son of Russell. Enough said. 8
ADELAIDE ADVERTISER
Michaelangelo Rucci - Port Adelaide. Bought a paver outside Alberton Oval. 7
AFL RECORD
Peter DiSisto - Hawthorn. Was one of the first to protest against the 1996 merger with Melbourne. 7
Peter Ryan - Collingwood. Was embedded at the club throughout 2009. Became part of the furniture. 7
Nick Bowen - North Melbourne. Quietly devoted to the Shinboners. 6
Howard Kotton - Carlton. Reportedly carries a photo of Bruce Doull in his wallet. 9
Ben Collins - Collingwood. The flag brought him great pleasure. 7
Cameron Noakes - Sydney. Convinced of a top four finish in 2011. 6
Jim Main - Sydney. The club historian. 9
Callum Twomey - Essendon. Ask him about Campbell Brown. 8
Michael Lovett - Geelong. Had his patience rewarded in 2007 & 2009.
SPORTAL
Angus Morgan - Carlton. Used to sponsor Andrew McKay. 7
SEN
Andrew Maher - Carlton. Couldn't contain his excitement the other morning when Doug "The Rug" Bollinger also admitted to following the Blues. 7
Francis Leach - St Kilda. Twiiter name is @SaintFrankly. 8
Mark Fine - St Kilda. A long-standing (and loud) member of the 'Animal Enclosure', 9
3AW
Tony Leonard - Western Bulldogs. Was a long time fixture behind the goals at the Barkly Street end. 7
Bruce Eva - St Kilda. Won't commentate St Kilda games unless he absolutely has to. 9
ABC
Dan Lonergan - Western Bulldogs. Can't sit still when calling Bulldogs games. 8
Gerard Whateley - Geelong. Keeps it under wraps for the most part. 4
Peter Walsh - Hawthorn. Wrote for the club website a few years back. 8
ONEHD
Stephen Quartermain - Hawthorn. Feral and fanatical. 8
Anthony Hudson - Geelong. Calling Nick Davis's heroics against the Cats back in '05 nearly killed him. 7
Tim Lane - Carlton. Loves the Blues, but what would happen if Tassie ever got its own team? 6
NINE
Tony Jones - Collingwood. Doesn't make a big deal of it. 4
Craig Hutchison - Geelong. See Tony Jones, 4
Damien Barrett - North Melbourne. Doesn't always delight the club with his reporting. 4
http://www.backpagelead.com.au/afl/3219-1234who-do-you-think-they-barrack-for
