Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rohan Connolly

@rohanconnolly65.bsky.social

7.1K followers 330 following 1.6K posts

I'm an Australian journalist talking/writing/broadcasting/posting about sport (particularly AFL football), music, politics and culture. You'll find my stuff at Footyology, ESPN, Australian Community Media and on 3AW.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · Nov 10

Hi everybody, with some trepidation, I'm going to start an account here. I'm a journalist of 40-plus years experience from Melbourne, Australia, specialising professionally in AFL football, but with a VERY keen interest also in other sport, music, politics & popular culture. Let's see what happens!

91 40 430

Reposted by Rohan Connolly

Rhett Bartlett @rhettrospective.bsky.social · 11h

In 1999 Grand Final week, C7 Sport televised live from Carlton and North Melbourne's final training run.

For the first time online , here is their 4hrs+ broadcast.
(courtesy of @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social tape: I had to work some magic to rescue the vision/audio)
youtu.be/jLrkLxln5l4

(4hrs +) September 23rd 1999 Grand Final training broadcast. Footy Focus

YouTube video by Rhettrospective

youtu.be

1 3

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 1h

Surprising but also not. 🙄

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11h

Wow. OK, I admit it, even the MCG has got nothing on this! #colosseum

4 35

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 1d

1 25

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 2d

An amazing day in the beautiful Loire Valley soaking up French history and culture via the amazingly preserved castles at Chateau Chambord and Chateau de Chenonceau, and the glorious city of Blois. Just a wonderful experience. #france

2 1 27

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 2d

Palace of Versailles, Eiffel Tower, Parisian streetscapes, river Seine via boat cruise at night, such a beautiful place, feel lucky and privileged to be here. #paris #europe2025 #effieltower

3 24

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 3d

No matter how many times you see images of famous landmarks, seeing them live with your own eyes will always be an incredible buzz! #paris #eiffeltower #europe2025

6 45

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 4d

Endless sirens

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 4d

Gotta be honest, not overly fussed right now which future second round picks Team A is giving up for Player X from Team B . Paris, on the other hand, is awesome.

6 59

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 6d

Not sure about that, being a vacuous airhead with a penchant for failure even in a sheltered workshop I reckon might be punishment enough.

1 13

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 6d

Here’s my last column of AFL season 2025 for Australian Community Media…

Can these Brisbane Lions become one of the greatest AFL teams of all time?

They're off to a good start with back-to-back AFL premierships.

www.canberratimes.com.au

1 8

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 7d

Literally one of my favourite 4-5 bands ever. I'm a TMOC fanatic.

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 7d

Not sure if I've posted this here before, but it's an awesome band doing an awesome live rendition of an awesome song. Have seen them a heap, but this mid-'90s combination is Helmet at its absolute peak. PLAY LOUD.

Helmet - Jon Stewart Show 1994 - Wilma's Rainbow

YouTube video by PoisonPimp

youtu.be

2 6

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 10d

The FOOTYOLOGY PODCAST Grand Final review is out NOW for @espnausnz.bsky.social. RoCo & Rocket bring you a chronological breakdown of Brisbane's flag triumph, where it went wrong for the Cats, and where to now for both clubs. Don't miss it!! #AFLGF #AFLGrandFinal

Footyology Podcast: 2025 AFL Grand Final review | Footyology

footyology.com.au

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 10d

Family connection, a former club champion, no wonder this guy was as happy as anyone post-game yesterday. Pretty hard not to feel rapt for Jonathan Brown. #aflgrandfinal

1 1 24

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

Actually only 5th oldest list this year, and had 10 guys playing in a first GF. I reckon they'll still be around the mark.

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

There is literally nothing this guy hasn’t achieved in football, but Leigh Matthews is still the same affable, down to earth guy he was when I first dealt with him 40 years ago. Legend, officially and otherwise. Very happy for him and the Lions. #aflgf #aflgrandfinal

2 39

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

I’ve been there for a lot of winning AFL teams’ victory songs over the years, but there’s always something particularly special about being there when a newly-crowned premiership team belts it out! #AFLCatsLions #aflgrandfinal2025

1 2 21

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

My role for @espnausnz.bsky.social at today's Grand Final was to write about Geelong. Not a happy read for Cat fans, obviously, but still plenty of light at the end of the tunnel. #AFLCatsLions #AFLGF #aflgrandfinal2025

'We'll be back': Geelong hell-bent on casting aside rare shocker

It was a rare shocker from the Cats, who suffered their worst defeat for the year on the biggest day of the year. But they'll be back, with experience under the belt, writes Rohan Connolly.

www.espn.com.au

7 1 14

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

Huge congrats to Brisbane on a richly deserved premiership, just kept plugging away all year despite injuries & hit an absolute peak when it mattered. No doubt Lions' best is THE best in AFL. Who's to say they can't pull off another Brisbane flag hat-trick? #AFLCatsLions #AFLGF

6 1 63

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

Today’s the 53rd Grand Final (2 replays) I’ve been lucky enough to attend as a fan or working media. First was in 1973 when I was 8yo. But the buzz never diminishes, it’s like Christmas for footyheads! Good luck Geelong & Brisbane, let’s hope it’s a classic! #AFLCatsLions #AFLGF

5 2 75

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 11d

Hahaha. 1. Midnight Oil is my favourite Australian band of all time. 2. That is quite possibly the most inaccurate, tone deaf analogy I’ve ever heard! Nice work! 👍😂

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 12d

Either Geelong or Brisbane will mount the AFL premiership dais having emerged triumphant in some critical areas. What are they? On FOOTYOLOGY, Rohan Connolly analyses the biggest keys to the grand final. #AFLCatsLions #AFLGF

Five keys to who wins the 2025 AFL Grand Final | Footyology

footyology.com.au

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 12d

Yep, one of my absolute favourite songs of all time. Still. Anthemic, great harmonies, bass line, feel, everything. Not to mention the nostalgia generated about Melbourne of the mid-'80s. Classic.

BOOM CRASH OPERA - Hands Up in the Air

YouTube video by Absolutely80sShow

youtu.be

7 20

Rohan Connolly @rohanconnolly65.bsky.social · 13d

Your best tipping and form guide is with FOOTYOLOGY and Ronny Lerner’s “Previews With Punch”, the complete lowdown on who will win the 2025 AFL Grand Final and why. #footyology #AFLCatsLions #AFLGrandFinal

Ronny Lerner’s Previews With Punch: 2025 AFL Grand Final | Footyology

footyology.com.au