Alpha Magazine

The Bucket has heard all the arguments for the salary cap (and a few of Sonny Bill’s arguments against), about how it’s very sensible and fair and no-one goes broke and everyone’s happy most of the time. BUT (and there’s always a big but, as they say down at the…

Unless you’ve been under a rock for a week (and who are we to question your lifestyle?), you’ll have seen the brilliant Alpha TV commercial. If you haven’t, click the YouTube thingy here and enjoy. Then buy the mag – it’s both new AND improved, you know.

As everyone knows, the old days was a better, more peaceful time (global conflict aside) when beer was 80c a pot, folk were respectful of policemen and those who played sport said only (if they were asked anything at all) that they hoped to play well, thanks very much, Sir.…

As the champions in Ramsay St (and possibly Summer Bay) like telling us, if you can’t rely on your family, who can you rely on? Blood’s thicker, and all that. That’s why horrible ratboys, in court on charges of happy slapping the elderly, know their mum will be stood outside…

Woof! Slow news days, or what? With Greg Bird already getting used to life as the country’s most despised ex-sportsman and every Aussie player barring whatshername out of the tennis, it’s time to hit the emergency button marked “Bradman”. And as luck would have it, not only has the great…

Danger! Danger, Will Robinson, danger! When a coach starts slamming his bedroom door and stamping his feet in a big sulk, it’s a clear sign he either wants something, or he’s just had enough of everything and wants out. And when it’s double-tough Leigh Matthews you know he really means…

After 16 days of drama, tension, joy, police harassment and giant moving flower thingies, it’s good – so good it hurts – to get back to normal. And by normal, of course, we mean that the Bulldogs are getting beat and Greg Bird’s in jail. We’re still dreaming of the…

Best interview: Anything Sally McLellan said. It was beyond any interviewer’s powers to stop or reason with her. Incredible. Best image: Michael Phelps’ screaming, muscle-shredding celebration as his relay team touched first – just – to keep him on track for 75 gold medals. Worst excuse : “That’s sport.” No,…

Our new hero and saviour of the universe forever is… Colin the whale!!! No, hang on, that’s not right...Where’s that piece of paper… Our new hero is.... Steve Hooker!!! After days of trying to be stoked about bronzes in synchronised kayaking or whatever, pole vaulter Steve Hooker’s semi-unexpected gold medal…