Tim Boyle piece in the Age today

[Arc1]

Primarily of interest to Hawthorn fans, but there was a nice bit of work by Tim Boyle on the back of the sports section this morning - also here: http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnew...e-afl-ride-ends/2009/10/02/1254418713081.html

I'm not sure to what extent Tim's AFL career attracted the notice of other fans. He was developing well as a forward in 2007, but injuries pretty much wrecked his prospects, so he missed the premiership and ended up announcing his retirement this year after just 31 games, at I think roughly 25 or 26 years of age.

I gather from a bit of googling that Tim may have a cadetship at the Age, hence the article.

What caught my eye about it is that it's quite a good piece of writing; honest, heartfelt and melancholy. Not really what I'm used to seeing from our past and present players working in the media - where generally any braindead ramblings are deemed good enough to print so long as they're from a "name" player. (Nb. In fairness there's some like Robert Murphy that are a decent read).

Tim's piece also touches on an interesting issue - the reality that for most AFL players, their AFL "career" is limited to a few games at best. I recall reading somewhere that the average number of games played is pretty low (I'm sure the folks at the stats forum will know the exact figure), and you see players bobbing up in all sorts of places once their playing days are done - some footy-related, some not, some successful, some less so.

I'm hoping the linked article will be the start of a 'next career' for Tim that will ultimately be more successful than his AFL one; would be nice to think that his injury misfortunes might in some way help to springboard something bigger.

 

[_Wang_]

That was exceptionally well written...
He really looked the goods at the beginning of his career.. Injury and lack of oppurtunity cost him many more games.
Good article

 

[CAS79]

That is a hauntingly brilliant article.

I always thought I would see a lot more of Boyle in the game but it didn't transpire and reading he writes of the sadness of leaving it behind so very effectively.

 

[CarltonSocialClub]

Excellent work. A fantastic insight.

 

[bombermick]

Well written and delivers an insight into the world of AFL that only an injury-plagued player can express. I hope Murphy and Boyle can find full-time gigs in the media, because they both have some ability. Unlike others, who only get a column because they are a well-known player.

 

[m0nty]

The boy had some footy talent, and he's obviously got some journalistic talent. Well played and well written.

 

[The Big League]

Excellently written article, do you know if he wrote that himself?
I don't know much about him so I don't want to assume, however most of the articles by athletes that get published in the major prints are written by ghost writters.

I know for a fact Ben Cousins, Dermie, Samantha Lane & Michael Voss don't write their own articles and they are just the ones im 100% sure of.

Not saying he didn't write it, just saying if he did it's very impressive.

 

[Murraj1966]

I'd rather read something like than the third piece on "Why Nick Riewoldt is a superstar" Yes he is I know, we all know, we've seen it many a time but re-writing the same article from different people is boring, I'd rather read an article about Zac Dawson or Clint Jones if I had the choice cos you don't hear about stuff like that. (Using a St Kilda example)

Anyway top article.

 

[IBleedBrownNGold]

I read this article this morning. Incredibly well-written as has been mentioned on here previously. Anyone know if he's having any continuing role at the club. I know it might be the last place he'd want to be because of his inability to get on the park... but his ability to communicate may be an advantage for some of those young kids coming through?

Either way, I hope he sticks with the Age and doesn't go anywhere near the Geelong Addy. Good stuff Timmy

 

[Hawkamania!]

That was a great read. I hope he continues writing future articles in that style.

 

[Jeremias]

Great article.

I'll never forget the footage of him breaking his leg at training. Makes me queasy just thinking about it.

Unfortunately just another career cut short by injury.

 

[Junior Boy]

A very insightful read, seems like an intelligent young man with a career outside football. (which alot of players don't have these days)

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I read that this morning & was quite frankly astonished. Just an excellent article. Amazing insight & exceptional writing - sentences just foaming with meaning

 

[local]

I read that this morning & was quite frankly astonished. Just an excellent article. Amazing insight & exceptional writing - sentences just foaming with meaning

Most players have ghost writers now days. My guess is Tim gave his opinion on the matter and some other guy writes the piece. The article is passed back to the player to approve or make changes were fit.
Normally that is how it goes.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Most players have ghost writers now days. My guess is Tim gave his opinion on the matter and some other guy writes the piece. The article is passed back to the player to approve or make changes were fit.
Normally that is how it goes.

No.
It's not Tim's first piece either. He's always been a free thinker.

 

[krisholio14]

Most players have ghost writers now days. My guess is Tim gave his opinion on the matter and some other guy writes the piece. The article is passed back to the player to approve or make changes were fit.
Normally that is how it goes.

I don't know how much ghost writers get involved these days.

I can usually tell when something is ghost written, kind of like Gazza's peices in the Sunday Sun (no disrespect to Gazza's writing ability). I guess some footballers need a little help expressing the written word as it is not often their forte.

However, I could read a Bob Murphy piece and tell it was him without seeng or being told it was him because he has a very distinctive style and thought pattern that comes through in his writing.

I get the feeling the same applies to Tim Boyle. I can't think of too many sports journos who could write a piece like that, with such expression and depth.

It seems to me, and I hope this is the case, that we might have a genuine gun football writer on our hands. That was one of the best footy related articles i've ever read TBH.

 

[green machine]

Decent article, lets hope he keeps the quality up if he is going to do more. Often journos put 10x the effort into the first article and the 50th article, so the quality sometimes drops. That one was very well done and I hope to see more as such.

 

[rich_]

Nice article pretty sad too

 

[CAS79]

Tim's not a big enough name to attract ghost writer.

I think it's his, its brimming with emotion I think only an original author of this work can convey because it's his story.

 

[Fino]

Well all his melancholy is going to waste, because he obviously has a career outside of football. Really well written; quality.

Better than some of the horse shit that the papers print from past players.

 

[Leedawsom]

Interesting piece. Always sensed the writer would about from one of our long lost politicians. Hope he goes on to bigger and greater things. Love the reality and thanks to Boyley for his devotion.

P.S. help me from my utter stupidity of devotion to this footy club when there are such stars around.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

Brilliant piece, as good as i've read from a footballer/sportsman.
Good luck to the guy.

 

[IddyBiddy]

Bloody brilliant Tim Boyle, well done, great insight.

 

[Corpuscles]

(I fancied him as a footballer Swans should have gone after last yr!)

Broken body is sad!


Bloody hell wouldn't it be great toget a REAL footballer ....writing real stuff .....instead of the crap we are dished up!?

Sensational heart felt article!... with lots of subtle meanings

 

[CrawfGal]

Its a shame Boyle had to retire at such a young age due to injuries. Such a honest and emotional piece by him, am crying.

We will miss you Tim !!!!

Good luck in everything you do !!