Almanac Book Reviews: ‘Give them a Pep Talk & go to the Races’ – Michael Sexton

May 27, 2026 by 12 Comments

Swish reviews Michael Sexton’s latest book, which revisits South Australia’s legendary 1963 win over Victoria at the MCG.

Almanac Life: 100 Up/I’m So Vein

May 8, 2026 by 10 Comments

Swish’s recent hundred wasn’t made in the backyard at Mum’s and he did it mostly lying down, due to his Hereditary Haemochromatosis. He thanks some excellent medical specialists and Lifeblood Australia.

Round 7 – Brisbane v Adelaide: Unplug The Jukebox

May 1, 2026 by 3 Comments

The Swish family took in the Gabba for the first time, but came home disappointed with the result and the post-goal musical celebrations of the home side. Andy’s Mantaplatte made the trip worthwhile.

Round 3 – Geelong v Adelaide: Meet The New Loss, Same As The Old Loss

March 28, 2026 by 3 Comments

Swish went to Kardinia Park with low expectations and these were duly met.

Round 1 – Collingwood v Adelaide: I’ve Been Waiting For A Win Like You

March 15, 2026 by 4 Comments

Swish wasn’t expecting Adelaide to get the chocolates against Collingwood and the good showing by some Crow unknowns made his night even better. Will they take that form on the road again over the next few weeks?

Almanac Workplaces – Part 1: The Adelaide Years 1976-1994

February 24, 2026 by 13 Comments

Swish looks back on the range of workplaces he graced in his Adelaide years and how they changed (or didn’t) during that time. Did you have a tea lady, staff canteen or work cricket club?

SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990: Part 5b – Norwood

September 29, 2025 by 10 Comments

The Norwood Redlegs had a cast of interstate ‘blow-ins’ during the Alan Killigrew years and continued to attract players from outside SA’s borders. Swish looks at those that first played League football at Norwood during the 1976-1990 years (this article follows the previous article, covering those who arrived from 1960-1975). Names like Parke, Adamson, Balme (x2) come readily to mind, but there are some obscure names that are also recognised here.

Almanac Footy: VFL Country Zoning 1968-72 – Appendix 1

August 1, 2025 by 6 Comments

Swish has dug up some of the bare facts about VFL Country Zoning from 1968-72. Which clubs got a bum deal? Who was good at recruiting and who didn’t want cough up the hefty $$$ required to snare the future Achilles Joneses? Who can you spot in the list of recruits?

SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990: Part 5a – Norwood

July 22, 2025 by 19 Comments

The Norwood Redlegs had a cast of interstate ‘blow-ins’ during the Alan Killigrew years and continued to attract players from outside SA’s borders. Swish looks at those that came during the 1960-1975 years (this article will be followed up soon with those who arrived from 1976-1990).

Almanac Footballers: Vale Barrie Robran MBE – The Humble Champion

July 16, 2025 by 17 Comments

The devastating news came through this morning of the passing of Barrie Robran MBE, one of South Australia’s finest ever people, let alone sportspersons. The Whyalla lad was a humble champion from the beginning reports Swish Schwerdt.

Almanac Footy Fans: Pull Your Head In

June 10, 2025 by 9 Comments

Swish poses a few questions about spectator behaviour.

Almanac Footy History: Norwood Blow-Ins Sneak Preview – Della-Polina, Corrigan and Simeon

June 5, 2025 by 4 Comments

Swish gives us an early look at some little-known interstate recruits he has found when researching Norwood’s blow-ins from 1960-1990.

Almanac Footy: SA v WA 1978 – Not so golden years

January 27, 2025 by 8 Comments

Was South Australian footy in 1978 as good as some of us like to remember? Perhaps not, as Swish’s review of this State game against WA concludes. At least the salads were good. Warning: contains traces of Le Coq, skivvies and casual sexism.

1964 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 2: Glenelg

September 10, 2024 by 11 Comments

In Part 2 of Swish’s 1964 SANFL Mobil Card series, four Glenelg Football Club stalwarts were featured, Doug Long, Colin Richens, Brian McGowan and Harry Kernahan.

Almanac Footy: SA v WA 1971 – Run Of The Mill

July 2, 2024 by 13 Comments

This between-Carnivals state game between SA and WA in 1971 was full of household names, but is largely forgotten. Swish take us back to the days of Ansett, Golden Fleece, AMSCOL and players with names such as Bob, Graham, George, Len, Terry and Ian.

SANFL 1976 – Sonny Morey’s 200th Game: Footage and Interviews

May 13, 2024 by 21 Comments

Sonny Morey is a pillar of this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round in the AFL. We first published Swish’s piece about Sonny Morey in 2016. It’s timely to re-visit it. [Check out the superb pre-match and post-match interviews with Gordon Schwartz]

From the video vaults of 1976 – Sonny Morey is interviewed by Gordon Schwartz on the day of his 200th SANFL game. Includes footage before, during and after the match. Where does Torrens stalwart Bobby Gibson fit in? Whatever happened to Golden Breed?

Almanac Book Review: ‘Stories for Harry & Ray’ by Michael Sexton

February 26, 2024 by 5 Comments

Swish has had a read of Mike Sexton’s latest book ‘Stories for Harry & Ray’. He recommends it highly in this review.

1964 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 1: Central District

February 22, 2024 by 17 Comments

‘Swish’ launches Part 1 of his 1964 SANFL Mobil cards series with Central District, one of the two new additions to SANFL League ranks in that year. You may know of Gary Window and Ken Eustice, but Sam Donovan and Jock O’Brien had colourful careers too.

Almanac Memoir: Swish Agonistes – A 70s Tribute to Sandy Stone

February 20, 2024 by 28 Comments

Attention: men (and women) ‘of a certain age’. Mark ‘Swish’ Schwerdt has drilled into your collective unconscious and found memories you thought you’d forgotten. [A classic from ten years ago reprised. – Ed]

Almanac Life: The Things I Miss (and some I don’t)

December 23, 2023 by 23 Comments

Swish opened The Age to Page 2 today and saw something that got him thinking.