Latest news with #PeterFiorenza
West Australian
07-08-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Why the best parts of AFL and local footy are steadily being eroded
AFL football disappoints me at the moment. In fact, all football, including our local GNFL leaves a lot to be desired. Why? Because the game simply isn't what it used to be. Every weekend — especially Thursday and Friday nights — I'd settle in for footy on the box, but in recent years, that has steadily changed. For me, the attraction to Aussie Rules over other sport was that the game promoted individual prowess. It was indeed it's point of difference. Exciting, quick-running passages of play, combined with freaky marks and astonishing goals that churned excitement. Sadly, in recent times, this aspect of our great game has been steadily eroded. Recently, West Coast Eagles star and Geraldton's own Liam Ryan took an outstanding mark at Optus Stadium. Immediately, it captured the imagination of not just the football public, but the public, in general. It has been replayed again and again, coupled with numerous pictures in the press and on social media. And I'm sure people will be talking about it for weeks, and weeks, and weeks. Because there is unlikely to be another similar sporting feat for some time, perhaps for the rest of the season. Do you know where I'm coming from? Firstly, in the past 10 years, the game has become contrived — a possession game. I reckon this is the result of coaches orchestrating a style of play that is as foolproof as possible — win at all costs. And not allowing for breakaway passages of play that create those 'heart in your mouth' situations we all love to see. In my opinion, the result is a boring game of stoppage after stoppage. Football has deteriorated to a game of congestion upon congestion, with umpires not able to make clear decisions and just throwing the ball up again and again. While it's risen to epidemic levels in the AFL, it is also being transferred to the game locally. As a commentator, it is very frustrating. I find myself having to repeat what I say time and time again. With the same passages being continually played out, my description also becomes repetitive and boring. And this is not a good thing. One of my main jobs as a commentator is to promote the game and make it interesting and exciting for the listener or viewer. Right now, that's not happening, and I'm worried about where it's all headed. The AFL has consistently been introducing new rules to speed up the game for some years now, but I can tell you, it's not working. I reckon the administration of the game needs to sit down with our coaches at the top level and look at what can be done to reverse this alarming trend. Because, if they don't, I feel the free flowing, open and exciting game we have all come to love could be gone forever. Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA. He's also on Radio Geraldton (
West Australian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: The Greek island of Crete has its own magical allure that is hard to resist
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: The Greek island of Crete has its own magical allure that is hard to resist
West Australian
15-05-2025
- West Australian
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Walking around Geraldton's oldest streets is a journey through local history
I love the simple things in life. And one of those simple things is going for a walk around the block with my dog, Joel. Not only is it a way to clear out all the cobwebs and bond with man's best friend, its' also a way to discover how things tick in your surrounds. Recently I moved from my home of 20-plus years in Drummonds to my new modest abode in Beachlands. The move happened nearly four months ago — and the dogs and I are loving it. Since moving into town, I've made regular walks a routine, but I have discovered this habit is much more than light exercise. In fact, it is really quite fascinating. When I was at university, I studied geography, with one of the units being urban geography. I wasn't quite sure about it at first, but the more I got into it, the more I found urban geography was actually an intriguing investigation. It involved looking at houses and other buildings, and their impact on society. For instance, let's take a look at one of Geraldton's well-known streets — Shenton Street. Joel and I take a walk down Shenton Street every couple of days, and I find it a real treat. Why? Well, from the moment I hit the pavement in front of my place, it's like taking a journey through history. The architecture is wide and varied. Immediately, from my early 1900s corrugated-iron structure to the the World War II solid brick house across the road, a unique story begins to unfold. Crossing Francis Street, we walk by some gated premises, before seeing some Dutch gable designs in their glory. There are also homes with footpaths that wind through English-style gardens. Every house is different, from before the turn of the last century, even with patches of 1970s, 1980s and later. These homes could tell some amazing tales, from the settlement of Champion Bay to the 1920s and into the two world wars. It's not just the history, but the story of the people who helped to make that history. It's a journey through time in Geraldton. And you know what? This is just Shenton Street. What are the stories being told by Francis Street, Gregory Street, Fitzgerald Street and the rest? Someone recently said to me Beachlands and the West End are the Subiaco of Geraldton. But I reckon they are so much more. Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA
West Australian
08-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Ugly political spats are unAustralian as some of us need more tolerance
What I See with Peter Fiorenza: Ugly political spats are unAustralian as some of us need more tolerance
