Almanac Footy (heartbreak): She was teasing me all along

Earlier this week, Chris Bracher poured his heart out over his beloved South Melbourne. Now he’s lost her again to the uncertainties of the far north. Oh, the pain!

Almanac Football History: A letter to Tom

The Emerald Hill Chronicle returns to profess a deep and undying love rekindled by a timeless red ‘V’ on white worn by a victorious Swans side.

Brendan

Brendan Sheehan, a Bloods man through and through as well as a Life Member of both the Footscray Hockey Club and the Victorian Hockey Association, is remembered touchingly and honoured suitably by his friend Chris Bracher.

Of passion and mental scarring

A terrifying nightmare of the Swans losing the Grand Final to Melbourne startled Chris Bracher.

Almanac Obituary: A Salute to Valerie Mildred Bracher

A touching tribute to Valerie Mildred Bracher, an Australian Defence Force Corporal, loving daughter, sister and aunty who lived a full life.

Almanac People: The Halloween Swan

Chris Bracher, aka The Emerald Hill Chronicle has taken Halloween to new depths!

Grand Final 2016: Protocols of the vanquished

The Emerald Hill Chronicler is sick of writing with an ache in his heart. But write he does. He wonders: what should the vanquished do on grand final night.

Finals Week 1 – Sydney v Greater Western Sydney: The hot house flowers

Bloodstainedangel writes about the difficulty in accepting the Swans miserable weekend as good for football in Sydney, especially when emotional bruising is involved.

Through My Father’s Lens

Bloodstainedangel acknowledges the influence of his father in guiding him with acceptance and empathy for others and with the courage to challenge bigotry.

Round 16 – Geelong v Sydney: The Brotherhood

Although absent from the Sydney Brotherhood at a hostile Kardinia Park, the bloodstainedangel enjoys the Swans’ victory from afar.

Finals Week 2 – Sydney v North Melbourne: Relief

Chris Bracher keeps his eyes on the bigger picture, despite the fog of a semi final defeat.

Round 20 – Sydney v Collingwood: I’m just wild about Harry

Road Trip. Family Bracher head up the Hume to see their Swans (and especially Harry Cunningham), and trudge with a win under their belt. [Super expose of the family car sojourn with references to many places you’ll know – JTH]

Stawell Gift: I won it for Dad

Chris Bracher, a regular visitor to the Stawell Gift, did not attend this year. He was a little underwhelmed generally – until 15 year old Grace O’Dwyer (from the famous O’Dwyer family) won the women’s Gift. Read why it was such a heartfelt moment for Chris.

AFL Grand Final – Sydney v Hawthorn: United in Despair

Swans tragic Chris Bracher revisits his family’s experience of sharing and caring on Grand Final day. For better; for worse; for richer; for poorer; in sickness and in health.

AFL Qualifying Final – Sydney v Fremantle: Captain Kirk’s homecoming

Chris Bracher journeyed to Homebush to see his Swans take on the Dockers in a Qualifying Final. He doesn’t think Brett Kirk looks right in purple – or glasses.

AFL Finals Week 1 – Hawthorn v Sydney: It’s all in the balance

It’s been a long week for for the footy faithful – from buying tickets on Monday morning to the first bounce of their first final. It’s been a long season for Chris Bracher’s Swans, who look to have run out of steam at the wrong time.

Merv

Chris Bracher’s classic memoir about the late Merv Neagle and a kid called Eldridge and his much-loved Sherrin.

Dizzy

Chris Bracher was rapt to spot Allan “Dizzy” Lynch; a legend of pro Aths and the mighty Geelong West Roosters.

Our land of plenty

Our land of plenty, a faraway zone That lodged in the mind of this schoolboy at home O’er the horizon and far from my gaze But a hot-bed of promise even in Bloods bad old days   The Farrer League clubs carried names full of song There was Culcairn , Coolamon and Grong Grong Matong [Read more]

If this grandstand could talk……………

    by Chris Bracher The guardian of the Western end of Albert Park Lake, she stands statuesque; the Lady of the Lake. A book-end mirrored at the lake’s Eastern end by the Blackie-Ironmonger stand at the Junction..   These bookends also marked “tribal” lines in a less sophisticated sporting era, when the “Battle of [Read more]