Melbourne Observer. 120808C. August 8, 2012. Pages 43-56

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 43

Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Observer Showbiz FEATURE SHOW

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Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘RABBIT HOLE’ AT DONCASTER SHOWS

● The Aggies look forward to opening night of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas on August 10 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale.

From back left is Dean Mitrousis, Doug Halls, Jeremy Raymond, Sean Loughlin and Paul Court and seated are Stuart Mitchell and James Dale.

Presented by Aspect Theatre Inc., the show runs until August 18.

Tickets: $30/$25/$20 (Gala Night $35/$30/$25).

Bookings: www.aspecttheatre.com or 9580 8415 during business hours.

Photo: Wayne Smith

AUDITIONS ■ Cardinia Performing Arts Company (CPAC): Hairspray August 10, 11, 12 at the CPAC Rooms, rear of the Lion's Den pokies venue, Henry St., Pakenham. Director: Lee Geraghty; Musical Director: Sally McKenzie: Choreographer: Robert Mulholland. Audition bookings: 0407 090354.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Secret Bridesmaids' Business (by Elizabeth Coleman) August 26 at 5.00pm, August 27 at 7.30pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Annie Blood. For audition bookings email bloodannie@gmail.com ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Doubt (by John Patrick Shanley) August 30 - September 8 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Cnr. Loeman and Napier Streets, Strathmore. Director: Mel de Bono. Tickets: $20/ $15. Bookings: 9382 6284.

INDEPENDENT THEATRE REVIEW ■ UnAustralia: Australians pride themselves on being easygoing, tolerant, relaxed and friendly.

But scratch beneath the surface and out slithers a side of ourselves that is abhorrent. Such a ‘scratch’ was the incidents that occurred at Cronulla beach in December 2005, resulting in riots and behaviour that was an appalling expression of racism.

La Mama’s production of UnAustralia, by Reg Cribb and directed by Tim Nolan, was staged with a simple set that was used creatively to good effect.

It is based on the shameful episode by following the experiences of a group of young people on Cronulla beach, while exploring the issues behind and around it.

The complex situation was reflected in the construction of the play itself, with numerous (often very short) scenes, and story lines interweaving throughout.

There were strong performances from Kane Felsinger, Adam Balales, Melissa Kahraman and Celia McCarthy – all created believable, rounded characters.

Unfortunately some of the dialogue of other characters was lost due to poor diction. Such a disturbing and really serious subject could have resulted in an unremitting heavy drama if the author had not interspersed the dialogue with much humour.

The portrayal of some of the characters (the two sunbathers as an example) was supposed to add to that humour. This reviewer found the portrayal just did not work.

Tighter direction for many of the minor characters would have ensured that pace of the many scene changes and story threads did not become too loose.

It also appeared there were a few opening night glitches with the sound and lighting, which at times did not seem to be keeping up with the quick scene changes.

However, despite these criticisms, this is a production worth seeing.

Performance Season: Until August 19 at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton Time: Wed, Sun 6.30pm. Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Price: $25 Full. $15 Concession Bookings: 9347 6142 - Review by Janine Chugg

Melbourne

Observer

■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay Abaire) Until August 11 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Rd., Doncaster. Director: Horrie Leek. Tickets: $25/ $23. Bookings: 1300 650 209.

■ PLOS Musical Theatre: Hairspray Until August 4 at the Frankston Arts Centre. Director: Danny Ginsberg; Musical Director: Sue Fletcher: Choreographer: Steven Rostron. Tickets: $43 full price, $38 concession. Bookings: www.plos.asn.au ■ The 1812 Theatre: Brilliant Lies August 9 - September 1 at 8.00pm, matinees at 4.00pm at the 1812 Theatre, 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Zina Carman. Tickets: $25.

Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: High School Musical August 10 - 19 at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr Melbourne Rd. and Electra St., Williamstown. Artistic Directors: Ange Cuy and Stuart Dodge. Tickets: $32 Full Price, $28 Conc. Bookings: www.wmtc.org.au or 1300 881 545.

■ SLAMS Music Theatre Company: Jukebox August 10 - 18 at the Knox Community Arts Centre, Cnr. Mountain Highway and Scoresby Rd., Bayswater. Director: Ryan Purdy and Joel Batalha; Musical Director: Shane Hunt. All tickets: $22. Bookings: 9720 3205 or http://www.trynbooking.com/29449.

■ Track Youth Theatre: Ali Baba August 17 at 7.30pm, August 18 at 2.00pm and 7.30pm at the Renaissance Theatre, 826 High St., East Kew. Written and Directed by Ed Bailey. Tickets: $15/ $10. Bookings: 9818 3811. Tickets available at door.

■ The Mount Players: Wuthering Heights (by Charles Vance, adapted from the novel by Emily Bronte) August 26 - September 15 at 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Frank Harvey. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 1300 463 224 www.themountplayers.com

AUDITIONS ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The Dixie Swim Club (by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten), September 8, 9 from 11.00am by appointment. Director: Lois Collinder. Audition bookings: 0417 589 015.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Hay Fever (by Noel Coward) September 10 from 8.00pm at Strathmore Community Theatre, Cnr. Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Kris Weber. Audition bookings: kris@keweber.com www.stagtheatre.org

Cheryl Threadgold on 3AW ■ Non-Pro Theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold is heard weekly on 3AW Melbourne Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren. Cheryl presents a segment with the latest community theatre news at 12.45am Wednesdays.

Shell Seekers

● Juliet Hayday (at back), Laura Brough and Damian Clancy in Peridot Theatre’s production of The Shell Seekers.

Photo: Annette DeBoer ■ Peridot Theatre Inc presents the romance/drama The Shell Seekers from August 10 – 25 at 8pm, with 2.15pm performances on August 12, 18 and 4pm twilight performance on August 19 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd, Mt Waverley.

Adapted by Terence Brady and Charlotte Bingham , Peridot’s production is directed by Christine Grant.

The Shell Seekers is the story of Penelope Keeling and her family and the passion and heartbreak that have held them together for three generations .

The play is set in London and Cornwall between World War II and the present and is a story of love, courage and determination and of a painting called The Shell Seekers, which threatens to tear the Keeling family apart.

Tickets: $23/$20.

Bookings: 1300 138645 (toll free for landlines) or 9898 9090 (for mobiles).

MEET SUZIE STAPLETON INDEPENDENT MUSIC ■ Suzie Stapleton is currently launching her long-awaited double A-side My Cons Are Making a Cripple Out of Me/Bring Back The Night with a series of shows around Europe and Australia.

The singles are the first to be released from her forthcoming EP Obladi Diablo, with a solo tour featuring launches in England, Spain, Germany and France before returning to Melbourne to The Old Bar for her local homecoming launch.

In 2007, Sydney-born Stapleton was residing in Melbourne, where she played her first two songs publicly at an open-mic night. She was offered a gig on the spot.

In the few short years since, Stapleton has gigged locally, toured nationally and gained a loyal cult following for her engaging performances, fierce guitar playing, and intelligent songwriting. She has performed and recorded with members of The Drones, Beasts of Bourbon, Tex, Don and Charlie, Powder Monkeys and Temperance Union.

● Suzie Stapleton

Her current band features Craig Williams on drums and Leif Van Den Dungen on bass.

Suzie Stapleton's homecoming launch will be on Friday, August 24 at 8.30pm at The Old Bar, 74 Johnston St, Fitzroy. Telephone 9417 4155. $10.

SHOWS

■ Malvern Theatre Company: Loyal Women (by Gary Mitchell) August 24 - September 8 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Bruce Cochrane. Tickets: $20/$18. Gala night extra $5. Bookings: 1300 131 552. www.malverntheatre.com.au ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Our Town (by Thornton Wilder) August 31 - September 15 at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., West Geelong. Director: Judy Ellis. Tickets: $25 adult non-subscribers, $19 subscribers. Bookings: GPAC 5225 1200 www.geelongrep.com.au ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat August 31 - September 23 at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Debbie Keyt: Musical Director: Rhonda Vaughan; Choreography: Leah Osburn. Bookings: 9583 6896 www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Woman In Black (by Stephen Malatratt, based on the novel by Susan Hill), August 22 - September 8 at 8.15pm, 2.00pm matinees on August 26, September 2 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Loretta Bishop. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9735 1777. www.lilydaleatc.com

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 45

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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Radio Confidential: Latest ratings figures .... Page 46 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ......... Page 47 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre ............... Page 44 TV Times: 7-Day program guide ..................... starts Page 23 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD SPORT: Racing (P51), Trots (P52), Foty Week (P54)

CHET BAKER’S JOURNEY INDEPENDENT THEATRE

Viewers taunt 9 over Olympics

Top play at La Mama ■ La Mama Theatre presents The Shrink And Swell Of Knots from August 8 – 19 at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton.

A man starts to build his own coffin but decides to turn it into a raft. He is struggling to unravel his emotional and mental knots so he can leave his grandchild one simple, important piece of advice.

But is it possible to give useful advice to anyone but yourself? And is being negative a negative? Dawn is coming: soon the tide turns and it’s time to go.

The Shrink And Swell Of Knots is a show filled with music, ideas and a struggle that will keep you thinking long after the hour is over. It is a show about death, negativity and conservation, as well as the usefulness of giving advice and living a ‘good life’.

The Shrink And Swell Of Knots is written, directed and performed by Ben Grant, who recently won the Green Room Award (Best Male Performance in Independent Theatre 2011) for his role as Alfie in Angus Cerini’s Save For Crying at La Mama.

Ben was also nominated for Best Sound Design for Melbourne Theatre Company’s A Behanding In Spokane.

Co-director, Christian Leavesley, is the Artistic Director of Uncle Semolina (and friends), whose multi-award winning works have been programmed at the London Barbican Centre, Shanghai Centre of Dramatic Art, the Chao Yung Cultural Centre Beijing, the Melbourne International Festival, the Sydney Opera House, the Malthouse Theatre and the Adelaide Festival Centre.

Times: Wed, Fri 6.30pm. Thu, Sat 8.30pm. Sun 4.30pm Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton.

Running Time: 60 minutes.

Tickets: $25 Full | $15 Concession.

Bookings: online www.lamama.com.au or 9347 6142 - Cheryl Threadgold

Di Rolle’s Column ● From Page 8

Long Way To The Top ■ Director Ted Robinson. Musical Director Jamie Rigg.

Long Way To The Top tickets go on sale on Friday (Aug. 10) for the Friday, October 5 show at Rod Laver Arena.

Tickets at Ticketek ,132 849. Group price available for groups of 10 or more (conditions apply) www.longwaytothetop2012.com This is going to be fantastic!

TV network axes executives ■ Not only has Channel Ten put the broom through The Circle, spare a thought for the pay TV channel branded ‘television’s greatest hits: TV1’ has retrenched half its executive team as a result of a tough advertising market.

According to a release from TV1, four of the eight TV1 executives left the channel swiftly, many have been in the job more than a decade.

TV1, which also runs the Sci Fi Channel, is jointly owned by Sony International Television, Universal Studios and Paramount.

It is the home of Seinfeld and has produced quality local drama as well, including The King and Stupid, Stupid Man. When I am sitting up in the wee small hours sipping my hot cocoa and watching the Olympic Games I will think of these guys out looking for work.

They are all clever people and will find something fabulous I know.

The Olympics have been great I must say. Compelling viewing and certainly loved the opening ceremony. I can’t wait to see the closing!

- Di Rolle

● Tim Draxl ■ Some years back I was out with my friend Colette Mann and I remember her saying to me “there is a star in the making, his name is Tim Draxl”.

So I was very excited when I heard of Tim Draxl featuring in Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey.

It is conceived and written by Bryce Hallett and Tim Draxl.

Musical direction by Ray Alldridge and featuring Eamon McNelis.

"Chet Baker's story is packed with the kind of stuff that makes Hollywood producers salivate. Freeway has become the stuff of legend,” reported Australian Stage “This is a beautifully conceived, immaculately executed production. Tim Draxl is sighably sublime as Chet''.

The Sydney Morning Herald calls the show “glorious”: “ Freeway is as fine a piece of cabaret as has been hatched in Australia. It generated that singular combination of emotional brittleness and tender romance'' After a sell-out triumph at the Sydney Opera House, Tim Draxl is making his keenly-awaited return to the Melbourne stage in the acclaimed musical play at the Arts Centre Melbourne in October.

The intimate show intersperses fragments of Chet Baker's radiant career and self-destructive life amid his sparkling musical jewels - the "blue diamonds of jazz" - that spoke of destiny, heartache, despair and love.

In his late teens and early 20s, Baker looked like an angel and sang and played trumpet with astonishing assurance and ease.

His music had the power to conjure beauty out of ruin while the fragility of his voice, at any tempo, was both heart-breaking and true. Chet Baker held a magical sway over people's souls.

From his emergence in the 1950s - when the good-looking young man from Oklahoma became an overnight sensation as a jazz trumpeter and singer on America's West Coast - until his drug-related death in Amsterdam in 1988, Chet Baker's life has become the stuff of legend.

At once sexy and elusive, Baker was dubbed "the James Dean of jazz" at the height of his success, his matinee idol looks and haunting sound seducing young and old alike in the '50s.

Chet Baker was the prototype of cool in the 20th century.

When he interpreted the Rodgers and Hart song My Funny Valentine in 1952 he dramatically altered its character and mood.

Suddenly a bright showtune from the 1937 musical Babes In Arms became a dark, lingering night of the soul, and ultimately a jazz standard.

Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey - Fairfax Studio, Arts Centre, Melbourne - October 16-20.

Six performances only. Bookings: 1300 182 183 / Artscentremelbourne.com.au / Ticketmaster 136 100 Tickets: $55 Full/$49 Concession/$25 Students - Di Rolle

● Jay Andrews ■ More than 50,000 viewers have signed an online letter challenging the Nine Network to cover the Paralympics.

Viewer Jay Andrews has joined other friends on social media in writing a letter to Nine: “Dear Channel 9, “I find it absolutely appalling that you spend all this money in order to gain the rights to broadcast the Olympics and don't also show the Paralympics.

“If money is the big issue how about you scrap the Charlie Sheen comeback show Anger Management?

“Alternatively, cut back on the thousands of stupid shuffle ads for Big Brother, a show that no-one really cares about.

“I would much rather watch the Paralympics than most things on TV and I’m sure others will find it both interesting and inspirational.

“It’s time for Channel 9 to show some support for our forgotten Australian athletes who deserve their moment in the spotlight.

- Sincerely, An honest Australian”

Corb Lund to perform in Melb.

■ Fourth-generation Albertan rancher, former punk/metal bandleader and award-winning Canadian roots star Corb Lund will return to Australia this month to perform at the Optus Gympie Muster and launch his new album, Cabin Fever.

The charismatic Canadian has built his local fan base through many visits down under over the past decade, including performances at East Coast Blues and Roots, CMC Rocks the Snowys, CMC Rocks North Queensland

and tours across Australia.

Written in his cabin in Alberta, New York City, Austin and Las Vegas, Cabin Fever offers a portrait of a survivalist preparing for the apocalypse, a tale of a rural man losing a woman to the allure of New York City life, an ode to his vintage BMW motorcycles, and a throw-back to his punk days.

Cabin Fever is released on New West, available through Warner Music Australia from Friday, August 10.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Observer Showbiz

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

LATEST RADIO RATINGS

Country Crossroads

3AW, ABC, FOX ATOP NEW SURVEY

info@country crossroads.com.au ● Big Breakfast Show.

Southern FM 88.3.

Tues. 6am-9am. ● Country Crossroads.

Casey Radio 97.7.

Wed. 10pm-12 Midnight

Rob Foenander

WOLFE BROS ON A ROLL

■ Tasmanian country rockers, the Wolfe Brothers, are enjoying the success of their recent second placing in Channel Sevens Australia's Got Talent Grand Final.

Since their performance, the group's following and fan base has spread to phenomenal proportions.

They now set their sights on their full length It's On album release and are most looking forward to touring the nation and meeting the fans whose voting assisted them in their second placing.

TELSTRA ROAD TO DISCOVERY

■ The annual Telstra Road To Discovery competition heats are about to commence.

Telstra Road provides a platform for music collaboration, mentorship and shares insights into the realities of the music industry.

The ultimate performer and songwriter winners receive a music package valued in excess of $20.000 including recording, mentoring from established artists and high profile performance opportunities.

VALE CHRIS DUFFY

■ Australia's first National Banjo Champion Chris Duffy has died.

One of the nation's first generation of bluegrass banjo players in Australia, Chris, of Kew, lost a short battle with pancreatic cancer recently.

Chris's new CD, Banjo Time, which he had been working on , will be launched posthumously at a tribute/memorial concert in Melbourne on Sunday, September 23.

GLEN CAMPBELL TV SPECIAL

■ Although cancelling his August tour of Australia due to ill health, the Glen Campbell Through The Years TV show will give his Aussie fans a trip down memory lane once more.

Country Crossroads present this one hour special presentation on Sayurday (Aug. 11) at 8.30 pm on Foxtel’s Aurora (Ch 183).

Glen's hits from numerous TV and concert performances, all packaged together, are sure to bring back some great memories of this multi award winning music legend. More info at www.countrycrossroads.com.au

r Observbei z Show

Wednesday, August 8 ■ Happy birthday to our own Yvonne Lawrence.

John-Michael Howson also celebrates.

Radio man John Laws was born in New Guinea in 1935 (77).

Singer Vanessa Amorosi is 31 (1981).

Tennis player Roger Federer was born in Switzerland in 1981.

● Ross Stevenson interviewed on CNN ■ 3AW breakfast show cohosts Ross Stevenson and John Burns have enjoyed a busy and winning week.

It started on Monday morning when they presented their program from the historic Abbey Road recording studios in London.

This came on top of Ross’s appearance on CNN. Yesterday (Tues.) saw them again take the laurels in the Melbourne radio ratings survey.

3AW, won 15.2 per cent of the 5.30am-Midnight Melbourne audience, measured May 6-June 9, and June 28-July 28.

Then followed: ABC 774, 11.3. Fox, 10.2. Mix, 7.6. Gold, 7.3. Nova, 7.3. MMM, 6.2.

Magic, 5.2. Smooth, 4.7. SEN, 4.4. JJJ, 4.4.. ABC Classic FM, 3.1. Radio National, 2.7. News Radio, 1.5.

Stevenson and Burns won for 3AW with 19.1 per cent, a lift of 2 per cent.Red Symons lifted to 15.1, at the expense of Kevin John and Jane Holmes at Magic (4.,6), and Eddie McGuire at MMM (6.2).

Most stations only had a variance of less than 1 per cent in the audience numbers. Magic 1278 lost the most listeners.

Some industry observers believe this accounts for a rise in the Smooth 91.5 figures.

Neil Mitchell (3AW) won mornings (18.1), ahead of Jon Faine (ABC 774), 13.5 Denis Walter (3AW) tok afternoons, 10.9, narrowly ahead of Fox FM, 10.5.

Derryn Hinch (3AW) again won the ‘Drive’ session, 12.6, ahead of FOX, 12.2.

Philip returns from OS trip

Paul Dix clocks up 51 years

● Philip Brady ■ 3AW Nightline and Remember When co-host Philip Brady has returned to the programs this week after a whirlwind trip that took in England, Ireland, Scotland, Switzerland and France.

Philip attended the London Olympics opening ceremony, paying $2000 for a tocket.

He says he met with media supremo James Packer at a function held for Australian athletes.

● Paul Dix ■ The Weekly Times newspaper has featured 2QN Deniliquin breakfast show presenter Paul Dix who has broadcast his program for 51 years.

Paul is the longest serving breakfast announcer at the one station in Australia.

He still compiles the daily rural report that goes to air on the station that serves the Southern Riverina and parts of Victoria including the Echuca region.

‘Ford Show’memories

● Jamie Kelly provided this 1950s publicity photo of The Ford Show featuring the Bob Gibson Band, to the Australian Radio page on Facebook hosted by the Melbourne Observer.

Other radio people to feature in local press features include Frank Stowe who has had a 31-year run presenting a jazz program on 3CCC, and now Fresh FM. The 87-year-old has returned due to health reasons.

Brother-and-sister act Frank Hayes and Soozie Pinder, who work on 96.5 Inner FM at Heidelberg, have received publicity for their Kaos breakfast program.

Why Bert is ‘Mr Newton’

● Patti and Bert Newton ■ 3AW Nightline and Remember When producerSimon Owens has replied to a question from Melbourne Observer columnist Veritas.

Veritas pondered why an adult radio host would address media veteran Bert Newton as ‘Mister’, while every other guest is met on a first-name basis.

Simon says: “I refer to Patti Newton as Patti as I have seen her on a weekly basis now for 11 years when she appears in studio for her top rating weekly segment from 8.15pm-9pm.

“I consider Patti to be a friend. I estimate I have enjoyed Patti’s company face to face on approximately 500 occasions.

“I have met Mr Newton on perhaps four occasions.”

Melbourne

Observer

On This Day Thursday, August 9

Friday, August 10

Saturday, August 11

Sunday, August 12

Monday, August 13

Tuesday, August 14

■ Author P L Travers was born in Maryborough, Qld, in 1899. Born as Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899, the Mary Poppins author died in 1996 (96).

Singer Whitney Houston was born in 1963.

She died aged 48 in 2012.

Actor Eric Bana (Banadinovic) was born in 1968 (44).,

■ American singer and actor Eddie Fisher was born in 1928. He died aged 82 in 2010.

US singer Ronnie Spector is 69 (1943).

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas was born in Mexico in 1960 (52).

Australian actress Emily Symons was born in 1969 (43).

■ Author Enid Blyton was born in South London in 1897. She died aged 70 in 1968.

Lady Florence BjelkePetersen is 92 (1920).

US actress Arlene Dahl is 87 (1925).

The late Australian actress Megan Williams was born in 1956. She3 died in 2000, aged 44. She was in The Sullivans.

■ Tennis legend Harry Hopman was born in 1096. He died aged 79 in 1985.

Newspaper cartoonist WEG (William Ellis Green) was born in 1923. He died aged 85 in 2008.

Australian singer Merv Benton was born in Melbourne in 1941 (71).

■ British film director Alfred Hitchcock was born in England in 1899. He died aged 80 in 1980.

Former Cuban premier Fidel Castro is 86.

Australian Rules legend John Nicholls (Carlton) is 73.

Actress Dee Smart is 46 (1966).

Swimmer Matthew Klim is 35 (1977).

■ Author Bryce Courtney is 79. He was born in South Africa in 1933.

American actor Steve Martin was born in Waco, Texas, in 1945 (67).

Musician Reg Mombassa is 61 (1951).

Politician Peter Costello was born in 1957 (55).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Showbiz

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 47

Movies, DVDs

With James Sherlock

Reviews by Aaron Rourke

What’s Hot and What’s Not in DVDs and Blu-Ray

● Screen great Robert Mitchum as Victor ‘Pug’ Henry in the epic mini-series The Winds Of War. They rarely come and bigger than this.

FILM: JEREMY CLARKSON - WAR STORIES : Cast: Jeremy Clarkson.

Genre: Documentary.

Year: TBC. Rating: PG. Running Time: 146 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Top Gear front man Jeremy Clarkson presents two totally gripping and highly informative documentaries from World War II. The first is "The Victoria Cross: For Valour," the history of the highest military decoration awarded in the face of the enemy, and the second, "The Greatest Raid Of All" tells of the extraordinary raid on the German occupied dry dock at St. Nazaire in France on 28th March 1942 (made into a film called "Gift Horse" in 1952 starring Trevor Howard). Compelling viewing from start to finish. Highly Recommended!

FILM: THE WINDS OF WAR: Cast: Robert Mitchum, Ali MacGraw, Topol, Ralph Bellamy.

Genre: War/Drama/Romance.

Year: 1983.

Rating: M. Running Time: 883 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: The epic story of the Henry family, headed by career naval officer Victor "Pug" Henry, which follows the exploits of the family against the backdrop of world events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Outstanding cast, intelligent script from the best seller

by Herman Wouk, top notch direction, production values and actual location filming make this one of the most gripping and unforgettable WWII blockbuster events ever produced for television, a production that set the bar to new dizzying heights, surpassed only by its sequel, the even bigger, War and Remembrance.

FILM: CARRY ON CABBY: Cast: Sid James, Charles Hawtrey, Hattie Jacques, Esma Cannon.

Genre: Comedy.

Year: 1963.

Rating: PG. Running Time: 88 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: ***1/2 Verdict: Without doubt one of the funniest and best of the classic "Carry On" comedy series! This time Speedee Taxi service is a great success, but means its workaholic owner is neglecting his wife, when suddenly a fleet of rival all female taxis appear called Glamcabs and start pinching all the fares, so the battles of the sexes begins. Hilarious script and riotous performances, most notably from the wonderful Esma Cannon, all come together beautifully to make this a pure delight from beginning to end!

FILM: WRATH OF THE TITANS: Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Rosamund Pike, Danny Huston.

Genre: Action/Fantasy/Adventure.

Year: 2012.

Rating: M. Running Time: 99 Minutes.

Format: DVD & BLU-RAY. Stars: ** Verdict: This follow up to the 2010 hit Clash of the Titans is a muddled over bloated special effects extravaganza with about as character development as a broken tooth filled with all the acting emotions from A to B. This time our hero Perseus braves the treacherous underworld to rescue his father, Zeus, captured by his son and brother who unleash the ancient Titans upon the world. A noisy, convoluted over cooked potboiler seen too many times before, and much better to boot.

Melbourne

Observer

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. 2. MAGIC MIKE. 3. TED. 4. ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT. 5. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN. 6. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN. 7. BRAVE. 8. HYSTERIA. 9. CARRY ON JATTA. 10. A ROYAL AFFAIR.

● Joseph Gordon-Levitt from the film 50/50 ention from a wide audience.

In one of the film's rare quiet mo■ (MA). 100 minutes. Available to ments, we are introduced to Rama, an elite squad officer who is about to rent on DVD and Blu-Ray now.

An enjoyable mix of comedy and embark on the most dangerous misdrama, this entertaining if somewhat sion of his career. uneven film is certainly worth viewAfter going through rigorous training. ing exercises, Rama re-assures his Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as pregnant wife that he will return.

Adam Lerner, a 27 year-old Seattle The target is a notorious drug resident who works at a local radio dealer, and an ominous 15-storey station. building is his headquarters.

Living a careful, safe existance, What makes the mission so treachAdam still hangs out with his child- erous is that dozens of hardcore crimihood best friend Kyle (Seth Rogan), nals also call the building home, and and is in a relationship with artist will do anything the kingpin says.

Rachael (Bryce Dallas Howard).

As the heavily-armed squad enter Adam's world is turned upside the building, this will be a raid they down when he discovers he has a rare will never forget. form of spinal cancer, which introCombining elements from other duces him to supportive care thera- great close-quarters films such as pist Katherine McKay (Anna James Cameron's Aliens (1986), Dan Kendrick).

O'Bannon's Return Of The Living This also brings Adam into closer Dead (1985), John Carpenter's Ascontact with his smothering mother (a sault On Precinct 13 (1976), and the superb Angelica Huston). international hit REC (2007), The Raid When Will Reiser's script concen- proceeds to create an identity all its trates on Adam dealing with his own, with a level of energy and conmother, his dementia-effected father, viction rarely seen in modern action and two fellow cancer patients (very cinema. well-played by Philip Baker Hall and Editor / writer / director Gareth Matt Frewer), the film works fine. Evans makes extraordinary progress Unfortunately the two female char- with only his second feature (the first acters are underwritten, coming across being Merantu, also available through as romantic comedy stereotypes rather Madman Entertainment), delivering than real people, making the film feel numerous action set-pieces that have more familiar than it should. to be seen to be believed.

Kendrick (Up In The Air) thankThe fact that the film never befully makes Katherine more natural comes repetitive is a credit to Evans' and acceptable, but Bryce Dallas clever approach to the material.

Howard's performance is obvious By varying the kind of action (gunand one-note, telegraphing her play, hand-to-hand, machetes, character's progression in an all-too- knives), and subtley changing the enpredictable manner. vironment that the characters fight in, Seth Rogan (Pineapple Express / Evans is always able to keep the acKnocked Up) is, well, just Seth Rogan. tion fresh and visually impressive.

The film is anchored wonderfully He is also smart enough to give his

by Gordon-Levitt's excellent perfor- key characters enough foundation mance, keeping Adam believable and which does resonate (we genuinely likeable. want Rama and his squad to survive It is another fine turn from this tal- all the brutal mayhem going on around ented actor. Director Jonathan them), a key factor that so many acLevine (The Wackness) never lets the tion film-makers ignore these days. film fall into melodrama, nor lets the Raid has had incredible criticomedy undercut or cheapen the se- calThe and audience success overseas, rious subject matter. so much so that a sequel and a reDespite its flaws, 50/50 is a small make are currently in the works (and film that deserves to be seen. seems to have influenced the plot of RATING : *** the upcoming Hollywood film Dredd), so get ready ready to be exhilerated and blown away by the best action movie of the year.

■ (MA). 101 minutes. Available to RATING : ****½ rent on DVD and Blu-Ray on August - Aaron Rourke 15.

DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supplied Explosive, exciting and exhaust- by Video Vision, 177-179 Carlisle ing, The Raid is the best action film to Street, Balaclava. For information or hit DVD since John Woo's 1992 clas- bookings on these (or other titles, insic Hard-Boiled, and any film that can cluding a great range of new releases manage that feat deserves major at and weeklies), please call 9531 2544.

50/50

The Raid

NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: AUGUST 2: ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, BEAUTY, COSMOPOLIS, JO NESBO'S JACKPOT, STEP UP 4: MIAMI HEAT, HEY KRISHNA. AUGUST 9: THE CAMPAIGN, THE SAPPHIRES. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. Dr. Seuss' THE LORAX [Animated/Family/Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift].

2. THIS MEANS WAR [Comedy/ Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine].

3. WRATH OF THE TITANS [Action/Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Danny Huston].

4. GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE [Action/Adventure/ Nicolas Cage].

5. KILLER ELITE [Action/Robert De Niro, Clive Owen, Jason Statham].

6. THE BIG YEAR [Comedy/Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson].

7. 21 JUMP STREET [Comedy/ Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube].

8. A DANGEROUS METHOD [Drama/Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightly, Viggo Mortenson].

9. PROJECT X [Comedy/Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper, Thomas Mann].

10. HAYWIRE [Action/Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor].

Also: LONDON BOULEVARD, CONTRABAND, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, ANY QUESTIONS FOR BEN? MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, MAN ON A LEDGE, THE ARTIST, HEADHUNTERS, WANDERLUST, THE GREY. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: THE RUM DIARY [Comedy/Johnny Depp].

BATTLESHIP [Action/Science-Fiction/Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch].

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE [Drama/Sean Penn, Frances McDormand].

MARGARET: Extended Cut Edition [Drama/Matt Damon, Anna Pacquin].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: DEADFALL [Drama/Thriller/ Michael Caine].

THE SNAKE PIT [Drama/Olivia De Havilland].

BANDOLERO [Western/James Stewart, Dean Martin, Raquel Welch].

DEVIL'S BRIGADE [War/Action/ William Holden].

ATTACK OF THE IRON COAST [War/Action/Lloyd Bridges]. ● Turn To Page 59

Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 39 Across

Across

1. Difficulty (of assignment) 6. Put oil on 11. Balance out 15. Staff members 20. Scruff (of neck) 21. Rock music style, ... metal 22. Spy, ... Hari 23. See 92ac 25. Favour 26. Scours 27. Gowns 29. Lull 32. Hairless 34. Exclusive English school 36. Recline (3,4) 39. Boot-shaped country 41. Basil sauce for pasta 43. Din 46. Goes by horse 48. Strong point 49. Chief 51. ... & ahs 52. Catalogues 55. Disfigure 56. Captures (criminal) 59. Jemima Goldsmith's ex, ... Khan 61. The A of AM 62. Thaw 63. Sports award 64. Disburdens 67. Windpipe 68. Thorny 70. Japanese religion 71. Barbaric 72. Deep wounds 73. Alleged assassin, Lee Harvey ...

74. Roman garments 75. Glow with (health) 77. Distend 78. Introduction (4-2) 79. Philippines capital 82. Invaded 86. Snooker foul 87. Ali ... & The 40 Thieves 89. Remunerates too little 92 & 23ac. Knuckle of veal stew (4,5) 94. Extreme 96. Scan 98. Animal enclosure 100. Laughing scavenger 101. Company emblem 103. Cogwheel 105. Undersized 106. Cultural symbol 108. Loathsome 111. Furtive glance 112. Moon shape 114. Surround 116. Volcanic flow 119. Early Peruvian 120. Cummerbund 121. Fair-haired lady, ... blonde 123. Imminent 124. Pre-dinner snack, ... d'oeuvre 125. Stripped 126. Strain 127. Bears (costs) 130. Post-graduate business degree (1,1,1) 131. Unrelenting 135. Burglary 138. Short skirt 139. Entertainer, ... Harris 141. Alternate, every ...

144. Unwanted plant 146. Donkey 147. Cure 148. Pole 149. Deciduous trees 150. Or near offer (1,1,1) 151. Jane Austen novel 152. Bomb hole 153. London's ... Park 155. Swirl 157. Small hound 158. ... Eildon 160. Hawaiian greeting 161. Wear away 162. Lifeless 163. Tick over 165. Mediocre (2-3) 166. Massage 167. Play on words

168. Remove errors from 169. Automobiles 171. Addis ..., Ethiopia 172. WWII German sub (1-4) 175. Yawns 176. Baghdad is there 179. From Sydney or Perth 180. Rope-making fibre 182. Head cook 184. Take no notice of 185. Flesh of fruit 186. Jet-bubble bath 188. Quickly (1,1,1,1) 189. Fulfilled (demand) 190. Source 191. Mother sheep 193. Mentally sound 194. Unhappily 196. Brave man 197. Wild goat 198. Waters (garden) 200. Colleges 205. Much ... About Nothing 207. Arrange in print 210. Tormented by nightmares (3-6) 211. Chattering idly 212. Identical sibling 213. Not stereo 214. Crack army force (1,1,1) 216. Infatuated, ... over heels 218. ... & twos 219. Korean karate, tae ... do 220. Female boarding house proprietor 224. Songwriter 227. The M of YMCA (3'1) 229. Mexican currency 230. Judge 231. Make speech 232. ... & evens 233. Scamps 235. Reception host 237. Pant 239. Actress, ... Russo 241. Inuit canoe 244. Type of marble 246. Elvis Presley's daughter (4,5) 249. Globes 252. Excursions 254. One or the other 256. Latter-day Saint 258. Consolation 259. Inflexible 260. Tomato sauce 263. Possessor 264. Cowardly 265. Liquid units, fluid ...

267. Say from memory 270. Illusion 271. Necessitates 272. Acorn bearer (3,4) 273. Cut of steak 274. Follows orders 277. Wander 279. Native of Aberdeen or Inverness 281. Festivities 284. Fragrant flower 286. Prompted (actor) 288. Was expert (in) 292. You 294. Hereditary unit 295. Nervous 298. Dressmaker 300. Unnourished 301. Valuable possession 303. Assortment 306. Concert venue, ... Square Garden 308. Actress, Miranda ...

309. Overtake 311. Continue doggedly 314. Secret store 315. Blows up 316. Suspect's excuses 317. Native American tent 318. More than half 319. Join register 320. Nevada city 321. Recently married folk 322. Dissertation 323. Moaned wearily 324. Famous (4-5)

Down

Down

1. Cycling's ... de France 142. Stewardesses 2. Cremation vessels 143. Thefts 3. Nun's attire 145. Wear best clothes (5,2) 4. Outdo 151. Magic potions 5. Snooty person 154. First appearance 6. Granny Smiths or pippins 156. Downward distance 7. Dorks 159. Also titled (1,1,1) 8. Ahead (2,5) 164. Meadow (poetic) 9. Queen's ceremonial chair 169. Manages 10. Outlaw 170. The Constant Gardener actor, ...

11. Pearl-bearer Fiennes 12. Conifer (3,4) 173. Expresses sorrow over 174. ... speak louder than words 13. Lodge firmly 177. Stands on hind legs 14. Samples 178. Search 15. Deserve 181. Overturned 16. Artist, ... Picasso 183. Stiffly 17. Beginning 187. Study of body tissue 18. Mediterranean volcano 192. Heftier 19. Unwell 195. Myths 24. Salt Lake City state 199. Become rusty 28. Dublin republic 201. Cries like crow 30. Test 202. Pig noise 31. Cocktail, ... colada 203. Devonshire tea cake 33. Rosebush pests 204. Holy book 35. Hollywood's movie accolades 206. Lukewarm 37. Note well, nota ...

207. Vagrant 38. Havana is there 208. Cupid 40. Tokyo Bay port city 209.

Former lovers 42. Ringworm 213.

Move listlessly 44. Available (2,4) 215. Pale-looking 45. Screen legend, ... Loren 217. Study table 47. Islands 221. Bus terminus 48. Brown skin marks 222. Sufficient 49. Rocket, guided ...

223. Louts 50. Ratty 224.

Shakespearean king 53. Experienced hand 225.

Horse-taming display 54. Visual symbolism 226.

Computer input device (1,1-3) 57. Moving onwards 228. Removes surgically 58. Sleighs 234. Pleasant tasting 60. Crazier 236. Meal courses 63. Perplex 238.

Chopping tool 65. 12 o'clock 240.

Persona ... grata 66. Long narrative 242.

Worshipping 68. Brazilian soccer great 243. Pilot's emergency aid, ... seat 69. Fertile soil 245. Pest 76. Encroachments 247. Annoying 79. Inflatable vest, ... west 248. Influence 80. Naked models 250. Bemuse 81. Ill-gotten cash, filthy ...

251.

Set free 83. Savoury jelly 253.

Ireland's ... Fein 84. Furnishing scheme 255.

Promissory notes (1,1,2) 85. Alsatian or labrador 257.

Porridge cereal 88. Booklets 258. Match before final 90. Household dirt 261.

Comprehend (4,2) 91. Competent 262.

Zoom 93. XVII 265.

Greatest in age 95. Pub drinks 266.

Opted 97. Schedules 268. Earth lumps 99. Antiquated 269. Rowing teams 100. Detect sound 275. Genuine, ... fide 102. Says yes to 276.

Snow monster 104. Land measures 278.

Concerning 107. Quoted 280.

Terminating 109. Alpaca relative 282. Long time 110. On an occasion 283.

Termites, white ...

111. Twosome 285.

Rope tangle 113. Horridly 287.

Hate 115. Goaded 289. Profane oaths 117. Throat-clearing noise 290. Declare to be true 118. Grain husks 291. High standards 121. Devotee 292. Ribbed 122. Stockpiled 293. Leg joint 127. Wooden peg 296. Written composition 128. Small streak 297. Trap 129. Backpackers' accommodation 299. Merit (5,6) 302. Steeple top 132. Insistently 304. Horrify 133. Directed 305. From Athens 134. Vestige 306. Stingy 135. Strictness 307. Sketched 136. Capital of Pakistan 308. On Her Majesty's Service 137. Casual (remark) (1,1,1,1) 138. Indian prince 310. Pack (cargo) 140. Large fruit bat (6,3) 312. News 141. Bone specialist 313. Sea bird

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August y, y 8, , 2012 - Page g 49

Solution on Page g 42

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Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 51

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

EARLY ODDS FOR MELB. CUP

■ At present the Anthony Freedmantrained Lucas Cranach is the early favourite for the Emirates Melbourne Cup to be run at Flemington on November 6.

The imported galloper took all before him with an outstanding run in the Caulfield Cup where he finished an unlucky fifth when recuperating from an injury.

He then ran a great third in last year's Melbourne Cup behind Dunaden and Red Cadeaux.

He is part owned by Age racing writer, Michael Sharkie, who told me that the stable is quietly confident that he can win the big one this year.

At the time of going to press he was being quoted at $17 by TAB Sportsbet, excellent value, if you would like to take the risk of an all-in bet.

Meaning if he happened to be scratched from the race you lose your money.

The 2010 Melbourne Cup winner, Americain, raced by well known man about town, Gerry Ryan, owner of Prestige Caravans and the Green Edge Cycling team who performed so well in the Tour de France, is going to have another crack a the big one.

After an unlucky fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup, he was later transferred to David Hayes stables at Euroa, but failed to capture his best form and was returned to overseas interests.

Another international galloper, Ibicenco, is on the same line of betting at $21.

He is a top stayer bred in Germany, and is under the care of top trainer, Luca Cumani, who has had two runner-ups in the Melbourne Cup with Purple Moon and Baueur.

He was bought by leading Australian breeder Terry Henderson along with his partner, ex-Test cricketer, Simon O'Donnell for their OTI operation.

Last year's runnerup in the Cup, Red Cadeaux, who was only beaten by a nose

by Dunaden is on the same line of betting.

Another inter-

Ted Ryan

national galloper with good form is Val Champ quoted at $26, with Dunaden, who hasn't been firing of late.

Another addition to the Anthony Freedman stable, Val Champ, has good form to his credit, after an unlucky second in the Group One Gran Premio over 2500 metres, a race he won by three lengths, but would you believe lost on protest.

He was purchased by the BC3 Thoroughbred's Group of which former champion jockey, Simon Marshall is involved.

The talented Green Moon is on the same line of betting, while another international galloper, under the care of Anthony Freedman, Mawingo, has taken all before him.

Joining that group on $ 26 is the very good stayer, December Draw, who went out as favorite in last year's Caulfield Cup, but

broke down badly and hasn't raced since then.

I was having a chat to his trainer, Mark Cavanagh, recently who told me he is back in work and coming along well and isn't far away from his return to racing.

They are joined on $26, by Mount Athos and Manighar, who is a rejuvenated racehorse under Victoria's leading trainer Peter Moody.

VRC’s big plans ■ The Victoria Racing Club has revealed plans for big improvements at the Flemington racetrack in the not too distant future.

Improvements will be made to public facilities and a new Members Grandstand over the next 12 months.

There will be significant upgrades to the technology infrastructure, which will

Observer Racing

● Turnbull Stakes: December Draw Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Topping proceedinclude high-density construction of a reWi-Fi and a new elec- placement stand after ings was the Black-fritronic payment system the 2015 Melbourne ars-Idyllic colt-purchased by Love's Cup Carnival. for patrons.

The VRC has Mega Holdings for The initial beneficiaries of the upgrade worked hard through- $85,000.

A three quarterof Flemington's infra- out the budgeting prostructure will be the cess to maintain their brother to Group One race-going public, with position as the most winner, Playing God, the first phase of a rewarding Australian and Group Two winmulti-million dollar re- racing venue for own- ner, God Has Spoken, furbishment of the pub- ers, with almost $37 the first living foal of a lic access hill stand al- million prizemoney on twice raced Scenic offer at Flemington in mare, was quickly ready underway.

The Flemington this racing season. snapped up.

This represents an Tabaret is also being The second highest refurbished, and will increase of $960,000 price on the day was be re-opened as the over last year. for a BlackfriarsHeadquarters Tavern Stella Vision bay or in time for this year's brown colt for Melbourne Cup Car$48,000. nival.

Next best was a This will provide bay colt by Universal additional year round ■ Blackfriars, winner Prince from Shock entertainment at of the 1999 Victoria Pak, being knocked Flemington for the Derby and proving a down for $36,000. great success at stud public.

A BlackfriarsThe entire mem- dominated the recent Prime Again filly was bers' old grandstand, Perth Magic Millions sold for $ 32,000. following completion Perth Winter ThorA Blackfriarsof extensive testing, is oughbred sales in Show of Tralee colt safe to re-open for this Perth. brought $31,000.

Buying under Mega year's Melbourne When Blackfriars Cup Carnival and Holdings Pty Ltd, won the Victoria members can expect Bunbury business Derby in 1999, he was construction of a new man Daniel Love trained by the late Pegrandstand to begin signed off on 25 lots ter Hayes, who later within the next few including the two top died in a plane acciyears. sellers of the sale. dent.

The current members' old grandstand, is coming to the end of its useful life and, subject to the appropriate approvals, the Club aims to commence ■ Charlton's Joey Thompson made a welcome return to the winners list, when heavily supported 4-Y-0 Modern Art/Repose gelding Clarenden Regent blitzed his rivals in the Charlton Harness Training Complex Inspections Welcome Pace for C0 class over 2100 metres.

Bred and raced by South Australian based Clarenden Standardbreds, Clarenden Regent was driven for speed from gate six, leading throughout to score by 10.8 metres in 159.5 from Brother Rabbit which shadowed him from the bell, with Xbolt (one/one bell) third for Mark and Kirk Boyle.

Winner dominates

■ From Page 47

Top 10 Lists THE HAWAIIANS [Drama/Charlton Hest Heston/Geraldine Chaplin].

NO HIGHWAY IN THE SKY [Drama/James Stewart, Marlene Dietrich].

NIGHT PEOPLE [Drama/Gregory Peck].

THE UNFORGIVEN [Western/Burt Lancaster, Audrey Hepburn].

SILVER SCREEN COWBOYS: Randolph Scott.

CASABLANCA EXPRESS [War/Glenn Ford, Donald Pleasence].

KANSAS PACIFIC [Western/Sterling Hayden].

TULSA [Western/Susan Hayward, Robert Preston].

MAN OF THE WEST [Western/Gary Cooper].

THE RIVER'S EDGE [Drama/Action/Ray Milland, Anthony Quinn].

Alfred Hitchcock's LIFEBOAT [Drama/William Bendix, Tallulah Bankhead].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: A TOUCH OF FROST: Series Three.

CADFAEL: Series 3.

CADFAEL: Series 4.

THE HESTON'S FEAST COLLECTION. SOUTH PARK: The Complete 14th Season.

LEVERAGE: Season 4.

THE CHOIR: Military Wives.

THE CHOIR: Boys Don't Sing.

HITLER'S SS: Portrait of Evil.

TOP BLU-RAY SELLERS: 1. WRATH OF THE TITANS 3D & 2D [Action/Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson].

2. Dr. Seuss' THE LORAX 3D + Blu-ray [Animated/Family/Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift].

3. GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE 2D & 3D [Action/Adventure/Nicolas Cage].

4. THIS MEANS WAR [Comedy/Tom Hardy, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine].

5. 21 JUMP STREET [Comedy/Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube].

6. KILLER ELITE [Action/Robert De Niro, Clive Owen, Jason Statham].

7. THE BIG YEAR [Comedy/Jack Black, Steve Martin, Owen Wilson].

8. HAYWIRE [Action/Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor].

9. A DANGEROUS METHOD [Drama/ Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightly, Viggo Mortenson].

10. PROJECT X [Comedy/Jonathan Daniel Brown, Oliver Cooper, Thomas Mann].

Also: Any Questions For Ben? Contraband, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, London Boulevard, My Week With Marilyn, Headhunters, Man on a Ledge, The Artist, The Grey, Wanderlust.

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: THE RUM DIARY [Comedy/Johnny Depp].

BATTLESHIP [Action/Science-Fiction/Liam Neeson, Taylor Kitsch].

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE [Drama/Sean Penn, Frances McDormand].

- James Sherlock

Sulky Snippets with Len Baker

Welcome back Joey

Kilmore on Wednesday, when 4-Y-0 Modern Art/Supertoy mare Superbarby broke her maiden status at start number 26 by taking the Pine Lodge Stud Pace for C0 class (mares) over 1690 metres.

Sent forward from gate six to assume control from Tennessee Rebel, Superbarby defied all challengers on straightening to score from Vapar Bliss (one/two) and a death-seating Outback Belle in a rate of 2-00.2.

Head-scatching win

■ Kyabram trainer Rodney Woods sent punters home from Kilmore scratching their heads in disbelief, when 5-Y-0 Conch Deville/ Laurelin gelding Honk Deville ($64.70) snared the SEW-Eurodrive Trotters Mobile ■ Bendigo's Keith Pratt was a winner at for T0 & T1 class over 2180 metres. ● Len Baker’s Harness Racing Column is on Page 52

Keith wins at Kilmore ● Melbourne Cup 3rd: Lucas Cranach Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

Showbiz Extra

Page 52 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Partners win at Terang ■ Great Western's Grant Campbell combined with partner Kerryn Manning to snare the Willsher's Jewellers Camperdown Pace for C4 to C6 class over 2180 metres at Terang with in-form Legacy Of Power/ Muckinbar Miss 6-Y-0 gelding National Service raced by Horsham's Lane family.

Restrained from outside the front line to possie with only No Tar ahead of him, National Service had the drop on the two favourites Keayang Ruster which led and Savesomtimetodream outside him, with the pair really putting the foot to the floor in the final circuit.

Finishing strongly, National Service (three wide last lap) swamped his rivals on straightening to record an impressive 10.7 metre victory in 1-59.5 from a game Savesomtimetodream, with Keayang Cullen a further 6.5 metres away in third place.

Treble for Kerryn Manning ■ Kerryn was to bring up a driving treble when exciting ex-Kiwi 4-Y-0 Live Or Die/Chipover gelding Waterhorsegreeted the judge in the Dix & Anne Box Pace for C2 & C3 class over 1680 metres in a slick rate of 1-57.5.

Starting from the extreme draw over the short course made no difference to Waterhorse who settled near last, before moving forward three wide solo racing for the bell.

Crossing to join the poleline pacemaker Lot Of Lip for the last lap, Waterhorse exploded away on turning to score from Exciteusinthecity along the sprint lane off the back of the leader, with Lot Of Lip holding down third.

Advantage of concession ■ Woorndoo trainer Bob Mahncke took advantage of a concession for Terang's Tim McLean to capture the Bruckner & Associates Pace for C1 class over 2180 metres with former New Zealander Kiwi Rage.

Given a sweet trip from gate two trailing the oddson favourite Go El Zhar (gate four), Kiwi Rage finished best along the sprint lane in defeating Gangsta Pranksta (three back the markers) by a head, with Powerbolt close up in third place after facing the breeze. The mile rate 2-04.2.

Terang locals celebrate ■ On what was a great night for the Terang area, Marg Lee and reinsman son Jason snared the Terang Home Hardware 2-Y-0 Pace over 1680 metres with Jeremes Jet/Jilliby Palace filly Jilliby Party Girl.

Making her race debut, Jilliby Party Girl led from gate three, before easing to trail another first starter Glenway Hustler which began swiftly from outside the front row.

Always appearing to be travelling easily, Jilliby Party Girl was another on the night to use the sprint lane to victory, nabbing the hot favourite Quads On The River which raced in the open for the final circuit in the shadows of the post, with Sassy Man (one/one) last lap third. The mile rate 2-03.9.

This Week’s Meetings ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Wednesday - Horsham/Shepparton, Thursday - Maryborough/Geelong, Friday - Mildura/Melton, Saturday - Bendigo, Sunday - Melton, Monday - Warragul, Tuesday - Wangaratta @ Shepparton.

Horses To Follow ■ Master Waratah, Sunset Tour, Forbidden Forest, Powerbolt, Hei Ma Diamond, Australian Bite, Darcy Tee.

BRILLIANT RUN AT MARYBOROUGH ■ Maryborough - home of ‘The Redwood’ played host to heats of the Crazed Australasian Breeders Crown Series on Monday July 30, with two heats for Two Year Olds and three for Three Year Olds over 2100 metres.

Lara trainer Ross Payne's brilliant Metropolitan/Like A Calder colt Blitzthemcalder opened the day's proceedings by taking the 3rd Heat for Two Year Olds.

Driven by ChrisAlford, Blitzthemcalder ($1.20) wasn't pushed at the start from gate four, being given plenty of time to find his rhythm, with Maree Caldow's Nico Serrano scorching away from outside the front row to lead easily, with the second elect Hilltown Yankee trailing and Blitzthemcalder settling three back the markers.

Easing to face the open at the bell, Blitzthemcalder was always travelling beautifully and when asked to extend on straightening, raced away to win untouched in a rate of 2-05.7 over Redy To Race (one/one at bell from last), with Nico Serrano third. Hilltown Yankee galloped approaching the home turn when travelling nicely.

Tight rein ■ Heat four went the way of Bacardi Lindy/Oh Yes Indeed gelding The Boss Man for Gillieston trainer Russ Thomson with Bendigo reinsman Scott Dyer in the sulky.

Coming off an impressive fourth in The Redwood after an early break, The Boss Man ($3.20) trotted faultlessly at the head of affairs from gate four, with the red-hot favourite Spidergirl galloping wildly as the start was effected after causing a false start at the first attempt for doing exactly the same.

Under a tight rein throughout, The Boss Man ambled to the wire 60 metres in advance of Hackashaq which trailed, with Yankeeiron third after making a costly mistake in the last lap which no doubt cost him second placing. The mile rate 204.4.

By half-head ■ Upsets can happen in Breeders Crown heats and the long odds-on favourite Shes An Image ($1.40) was beaten by her stablemate Kyvalley Rap ($19.00) in the 3rd Heat for Three Year Olds.

Trained by Chris Lang and driven by Irishman

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

Debut at Charlton

Melbourne

Observer

lenbaker@ bigpond.net.au

with Len Baker

Gabriel McDonough, Kyvalley Rap a gelded son of Kadabra and Kyvalley Diva was given a perfect passage from gate two trailing polemarker Shes An Image, before using the sprint lane to register a half head victory in 2-05, with the NSW visitor Chalcis running home late from last for third 8.5 metres away.

In one act ■ Kiwi Harness Jewels victor Cyclone U Bolt ($1.30) trained and driven

by Mark Purdon made a one act affair of Heat four, leading throughout from the pole in accounting for Aldebaran Shades which galloped away prior to coming three wide from last in the final circuit to go down by 5.4 metres in a rate of 2-03.3, with the rank outsider Kiwi Cannon (one/one) third.

A gelded son of Dream Vacation and Cyclone Vance, Cyclone U Bolt was beaten a head by Sunset Invasion in the Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough on July 15 after racing wide for the last lap.

Faced breeze ■ Heat five went the way of Yankee Paco/Sunny Folly gelding Sonofpaco paying Supertab odds of $27.20.

Trained by Lance Justice and driven by Leigh Sutton, Sonofpaco from outside the front row faced the breeze throughout, outsaying his rivals to score from the odds-on favourite Amore Stride which led, kicking away in the back straight to go down by a half neck in 204.1, with Maidstone Miss a further half neck away third after following the leader and using the sprint lane to no avail.

Locals’ joy ■ At Terang on Tuesday, locals played a huge part

in the night's racing, winning several events during the evening.

Purrumbete (Terang) part-owner/trainer/driver Garry Hanegraaf brought up victory number three for the season with 4-Y-0 Earl/Nicks Whiz gelding Lovable Nick, taking out the Apco Easy Shops Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2180 metres.

Stepping cleanly from the 10 metre mark, Lovable Nick lobbed in the perfect one/one position, before being left in the open at the bell when Glorys Amigo which he was trailing crossed the leader Atego Road.

Given full rein in the back straight, Lovable Nick took care of Glorys Amigo and raced clear only to be tackled strongly

by Bil Truscot (three wide last lap) on the final bend.

Showing plenty of heart on straightening, Lovable Nick defied the challenge, before holding off the favourite Mister Independent four wide last lap from near last after a bad beginning, then switching down to the sprint lane to fail by a nose in a thrilling finish, with Bil Truscot holding down third. The mile rate 2-06.4.

Sprint lane ■ Peter and Kerryn Manning combined to land the Terang Co-Op 3Y-0 Pace over 2180 metres with Armbro Operative/ San Torini gelding Cyclades.

Sent forward three wide from gate six to park outside the noted leader Arr En Special, Cyclades gained cover when Off The Chain circled the field to race in the open.

Dropping down to trail the leader approaching the home turn, Cyclades made full use of the sprint lane to score by 5.2 metres over Arr En Special and On The Chain in a rate of 2-00.5.

■ Former Kiwi trainer Brent Lilley who has been based in Melton for over two years, was responsible for a sensational (fixed odds) plunge at the Charlton harness meeting held on Wednesday (August 1).

The horse in question was Crusader Acey, a Live Or Die/Trustee Mota gelding bred and raced by Trevor Casey making his debut in the DoreenAnderson 2-Y-0 Pace over 1609 metres.

Driven by the stable's Bob Butt, Crusader Acey backed from an opening quote of $26.00 in to start at $4.40 and $3.80 on the TAB, settled momentarily three back in the moving line from gate five, moving three wide racing for the bell.

Trapped wide for the remainder of the journey, Crusader Acey's performance was outstanding, proving too strong on reaching the wire for the local pacemaker Im A Peregrine to score by a half neck in a mile rate of 1-58.1, with Zedaguy (one/one) third.

Stable takes double ■ Lilley was to land a stable double when Christian Cullen/Gail Devers gelding The Kingston Flyer greeted the judge in the Bayswater Jayco 3-Y-0 Pace over 2100 metres in a rate of 1-58.5.

Driven by Rod Petroff, The Kingston Flyer settled mid-field from the extreme draw, before being sent forward to park outside the leader Patrique with a circuit to travel.

Taking care of the leader approaching the home turn, The Kingston Flyer first up on Australian soil and first up since June 15, raced clear to score by 2.8 metres over the rank outsider Guvs Boy ($85.80) three back the markers - three wide home turn, with Life Of Ted third after trailing Patrique and moving one/one running into the final bend.

A winner at Alexandra Park last November, The Kingston Flyer has raced only six times for two wins and is also part-owned by Trevor Casey of Africa fame.

Victory by 1.2 metres ■ Bob Butt was to bring up a driving double when successful aboard the Kevin Brough (Heywood) trained Blissful Hall/Summer Fairytale 4-Y-0 mare Rosharni in the Charlton Harness Racing Complex Vacancies Available Pace for C1 & C2 class (mares) over 1609 metres.

Having last raced on May 21, Rosharni possied three back in the moving line from gate two on the second line, with the pole marker Soldiers Art leading before being crossed at the bell by the favourite Tinted Pearl which had been reluctant to slide clear.

Easing three wide for the final circuit, Rosharni's class told over the concluding stages, as she registered a 1.2 metre victory (10th overall) from Tinted Pearl and Soldiers Art in a rate of 1-59.5.

‘Wing on every foot’ ■ Junortoun trainer/driver Norm Diebert scored a huge victory at Charlton with 5-Y-0 Day In A Life/Countess Rainbow gelding Colour Our Day, taking out the Victor Sait Memorial Pace for C3 & C4 class over 2100 metres.

Beginning with a wing on every foot from gate five, Colour Our Day had little difficulty in leading running into the first turn with Diebert adopting "catch me if you can" tactics.

Still a mile in front approaching the final bend, Colour Our Day ran his rivals ragged to record a 7.4 metre margin on the wire in a rate of 1-58.4, with Kurahaupo Quin (three back the markers) a further 2 metres away in third place.

It was Colour Our Day's first success since June last year.

Harness Review ■ Len Baker is heard 8pm Mondays on 97.9FM (www.979fm.net) with Harness Review.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 53

Page 54 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

KEVIN SHEEDY’S PERFECT FAMILY DAY

■ Only 6811 AFL fans turned up to celebrate Sheeds 1000th AFL career game as a player and coach extraordinaire.

Six were extra special to the Great Man. Geraldine, his loyal, generously patient and understanding wife and mother of his four very proud children, Rene and her gorgeous baby daughter and super doting grandparents, Chelsea, Jessica and Sam. Somebody ‘upstairs’ must really appreciate what Sheeds has contributed not only to our football code and sport in general but also to our country’s culture, our indigenous brothers and sisters, to our arrivals from other countries and his ability to spread goodwill.

His is an extended family and literally numbers into the millions.

It has been increased in recent times by a group of 50 teenagers whom he is determined to mould into an all powerful, conquering team of Giants in the AFL. It could be claimed that process was, if not launched, certainly boosted Saturday under a cloudless, sunny sky at Skoda Stadium with an emphatic victory over the 2004 premiers Port Adelaide. Which has its own touch of irony.

The coach of that team was Mark ‘Choco’ Williams, who with and shares in the giant GWS win with his trusted mate Sheeds.

It is a formidable combination boosted by two dumped Port premiership players in Chad Cornes and Dean Brogan.

Did Sheeds order the weather? His contacts are extensive and he works on being a winner!

The formalities were MC’d by Neil Cordy, the panel of Dermot Brereton, David Matthews, Essendon Chairman David Evans and Kevin ‘Hungry’ Bartlett was entertaining, GWS was represented by Vice-Chairman Ms Trainor and the AFL acknowledgement and Presentation by the initial female commissioner the brilliant, well researched speaker Ms Sam Mostyn.

The game delivered some worthy records. The final score was 16.11.107 to 10.13.73.

It was GWS first win at its home ground Skoda and its first-ever century score as against 14 losses of 100 point or more including four by 150 pts or more the three highest being Hawthorn 193, North Melbourne 183, Adelaide 178 and WCE by 150 points.

Its other win was in Rd 7 against GCSuns at Manuka Oval in ACT 13.16.94 to 9.13.67.

Sheeds thinks they could win two more I suspect against GCSuns at Metricon and Melbourne at Manuka.

My thanks to Sheeds, the GWS club and team for a memorable day. ★★★ I comment on all things AFL particularly umpiring, rules and how our game is controlled.

So allow me to share with you how I watch football games and what gives me enjoyment as a spectator.

I’ve always loved our game and its spectacular and exciting play.

Today’s game is greater because the players work full time on improving their skills. It can be even greater.

This is in the umpires’ control by sticking to the rules. It would improve the presentation by eliminating the wrestling, mauling, brawling packs.

Encourage the ‘ball player’ at all

Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel times as he keeps the game flowing.

No one in authority has taken up this challenge.

Instead they keep changing and tinkling with the rules. Why? Because umpires are too scared to pay the first free-kick which stops packs developing.

The Rules, if adjudicated properly are designed to eliminate packs. How do packs grow? They start with two opposing players trying to win the ball.

One is first in and wins the ball and his opponent tackles him. Only three things can now happen.

First the player with the ball is given an opportunity to play it on by “handballing (nb NOT THROW IT) or kicking it” so it is ‘play-on’.

If he fai’s to do so it is ‘holding the ball’ so a “free’ to the tackler.

However if the tackler pins or holds the ball to his opponent’s body so he cannot play it on then the umpire, before he blows for a “ball-up” or a wrong ‘holding the ball’ must quickly decide did the tackler force his opponent with the ball, ‘to any degree’ in the back. If so it is a free for ‘in the back’. So the game keeps moving.

Currently our umpires hesitate to instantly blow the free and so a third man joins in, followed by more players joining the original two. Now we have a pack wrestling to get the ball.

Worse the mesmerised umpire runs around in a circle hoping for a miracle and the ball will pop out into the open and be cleared. Inevitably there is a ‘ball-up’ and hopefully it will clear into the open space.

That third man in is the umpire’s saviour because he gives an automatic ‘free’ irrespective of whether he pushes his teammate in the back who transfers that push onto the opponent or if it is directly onto the opponent then it must be “in the back” to the opponent.

If the ‘third man in’ is a teammate of the tackler the free-kick is even more obvious.

There are two further aspects to this third or fourth or more ‘man-in’ to be aware of because coaches and players are always working on ways they can “put it over” the umpires and beat the Rules.

One trick and the umps have fallen for it ‘hook, line and sinker’ is the player with the ball, anticipating the tackle, puts the ball to his chest and applies his “own wrap around tackle!”

It is ‘holding the ball’ not a weak

“ball-up” with the call “the ball was held to him!”.The other is the growing prevalence of a teammate wrestling, pulling or being handed the ball to move it on – the Rules deem this as a ‘throw’ and a free.

An opponent can legitimately pull it from an opponent’s body. Ball-ups are a ‘stoppage’ ploy of the game.

I view many actions of the game through the umpire’s eyes. I played a couple of games in 1944 with Fitzroy Seconds while on leave in the Navy.

On discharge in early 1946 I went back and trained under Fitzroy’s playing coach Fred Hughson and the Seconds coach Charlie Cameron. I had also returned to Shell Oil Company as a junior clerk.

The secretary of the 150 strong Umpires Association was Ron Woolley who was my boss at Shell and who was also responsible to find and appoint all the umpires supplied by the VFL to Victorian metro and country leagues.

He asked me to help out while trying to win back a spot at Fitzroy.

Both Fred Hughson and Charlie Cameron advised me to ‘stick with the umpiring’!

My VFL career changed from a hopeful Haydn Bunton, Dick Reynolds or dare I say a ‘Captain Blood’ Jack Dyer, to ‘a man in white’.

As a spectator I enjoy my footy differently to the ‘one-eyed’ club fanatic. I don’t barrack, curse or abuse.

I admire in silence. I write three weekly AFL columns. Monday’s the Review of the weekend’s round, Wednesday the TidBits needed to be covered, and Friday’s the preview of the upcoming round.

I am driven to the football by the most erudite and intelligent man on earth (so he says) whose wit and style know no bounds.

Without him the world would stop turning. His name is Mark Kentwell.

He and the football are my ‘breath of life’ – he is a man among men.

(I ran these four paras pass Mark in case he wanted something changed.

Not only is he not embarrassed but he feels I stopped short on his football knowledge especially his coaching expertise gained for the past 12 years with his Auskickers!)

The drives are ‘hairy’ and entertaining as he regales me with his most times biased views against umpires.

If they paid every free Mark desired they would not only be out of breath, but the very peas in their

whistles would be asking for long service leave after each game.

As a paid up and passionate member of Hawthorn, Sydney Swans and GWS Giants, in addition to the creator and spiritual backbone of a local iunior club – the Saratoga Hawks on the NSW Central Coast, I asked Mark for his slightly single ocular view of last Friday’s game, Geelong’s two points win over Hawthorn.

His response while not for the delicate ears/eyes of my audience, led me to understand the frustration true fanatics have when the umpires are inconsistent and have an “off night”.

While he did not blame the result on the umpiring, (I wouldn’t have thought so as the free count clearly showed, Cats 14 to Hawks 27) it did – in his one eye – have an effect on the flow of the game and the players’ verve.

It seems to Mark, (and me) our umpiring stock need to either play the game themselves to understand the flow, consistency and commonsense of the role and we desperately need to recruit ex-players who have this knowledge innately.

Which leads me to deliver a fervent plea to Andrew D and his responsible administrator Adrian Anderson to seriously review the recruitment and coaching strategies of our umpiring group.

I’ve been high in my praise for umpire Brett Rosebury but he had a shocker last Friday night and could have helped ruin a classic contest between two top teams Hawthorn and Geelong.

It seemed to me the experienced combination of Rosebury, Steve McBurney and Mathew Nicholls were on trial for the big game at season’s end but will be criticised.

It is difficult to anticipate who will be the umpires for the finals.

The fans surely deserve to be told what the umpiring department do in its review of umpires performances.

No use relying upon the media as many don’t know all the rules.

Some even believe you can block, shepherd or push an opponent when the ball is not within 5 metres of the contest.

Worse, other ‘experts’ believe you can even use your forearms or elbows to push an opponent in the back because “it is NOT HANDS in the back!”

I expect nothing will happen but if a player(s) made such blatant mistakes they would be analysed and corrected by their coaches or dropped.

We haven’t got enough umpires for this luxury. So please explain why we don’t have the numbers, who is responsible for this state of affairs and what is the plan to replace the current 10 umpires who are 38 years or older – three of whom are over 40 years!

And who is the Positional Umpires’ Coach because even with three umpires they try to umpire from the bound-

Round 20 Friday, August 10 West Coast Eagles vs. Geelong Cats (PS) (N) Saturday, August 11 St Kilda vs. Melbourne (MCG) Adelaide Crows vs. Fremantle (AS) Gold Coast Suns vs.

GWS Giants (MS) (T) Sydney Swans vs. Collingwood (ANZ) (N) Carlton vs. Brisbane Lions (ES) (N) Sunday, August 12 Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide (AU) (E) Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs (MCG) Essendon vs. North Melbourne (ES) (T)

ary side and the back of packs instead of from the side looking through and catching the infringements.

The biggest concern is a poor and wrong decision can result in a goal and change the result of a game or a premiership.

There were at least two such mistakes in vital Final 8 games at the weekend and close to the final siren.

We now have extra paid assistant umpire coaches so what are their duties?

All the stakeholders including the supporters deserve to be told.

Rd 19 Results: Geelong 18.10. 118 d Hawthorn 17.14.116; North Melb 18.7.115 d W Bulldogs 8.13.61; GWS 16.11.107 d Port Adelaide 10.13. 73; Freo 17.11.113 d WCE 6.12.48; Collingwood 12.19. 91 d St Kilda 13.7.85; Richmond 20.12.132 d Brisbane 12.12.84; Melbourne 16.12.108 d GC Suns 9.12.66; Sydney 14.9.93 d Carlton 10.11.71 and Adelaide 16.8.104 d Essendon 15.10.100.

Ladder: Sydney 60pts 150%; Adelaide 56 128%, Collingwood 56 123%; Hawthorn 52 155%; WCE 48 124%, Geelong 48 114%; North Melbourne 44 113%; Essendon 44 112%, Freo 44 111%; St Kilda 36 120%, Carlton 36 103%; Richmond 32 108%; Brisbane 28; Port Adelaide 20, W Bulldogs 20; Melbourne 12; GWS Giants 8; GC Suns 4.

Rd 20: WCE v Geelong (Fri N. PS); Sat. St Kilda v Melbourne (G); Adelaide v Freo (AS); GCS v GWS (MS); Sydney v Collingwood (ANZ); Carlton v Brisbane (ES); Sunday Hawthorn v Port Adelaide; Richmond v W Bulldogs; Essendon v North Melbourne.

Big changes at Port Adelaide

■ The Port Adelaide Football Club has announced that its board has decided not to proceed with an optional third year in the contract of senior coach Matthew Primus.

Primus has accepted the unanimous decision and has chosen not to coach out the remainder of the 2012 season. The club’s longest serving assistant coach Garry Hocking will serve as caretaker coach.

Brett Duncanson is standing down from his position as a director and president of the club.

Duncanson will leave his board position at the AGM in December in what he believes are the best interests of the club. He has agreed to see the year out at the request of the board.

The club also confirms it is finalising an exhaustive independent review of its football department and administration, commissioned by CEO Keith Thomas.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - Page 55

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