ABSTRACT
In 2000, two critics argued: ‘We find little to celebrate in the Australian sporting character, propped up as it is by pampered and temperamental “stars”, uncharitable and biased journalists, unprincipled, unscrupulous and over-indulged officials, and increasingly obnoxious crowds.’ 1 John Clarke had more positive images in mind when he remembered a football match at the MCG. Melbourne was on top in the game, and Sydney full forward Tony Lockett had little to do:
Now and again the football would look as if it was coming up our end and Lockett and the imposing fullback would verge on excitement for a moment, but they would then pull back to a more modulated position and stand around for another five minutes. And a bloke, no idea who he was, but he's a genius, got up, got himself to the end of the row and turned to go up the steps to go outside, and at exactly the right moment, audible by about 100,000 people sitting up our end of the ground, he yelled out, ‘I'm going for a pie Tony, do you want one?’ and everybody just erupted in applause, it was perfect. 2
