Almanac Book Review: Daniel James Brown, The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Quest for Gold at the 1936 Olympics.

With the opening of ‘The Boys in The Boat’ directed by George Clooney in January 2024, Braham Dabscheck reviews the 2014 book by Daniel James Brown the film is based upon.

Almanac Book Review: Nicky Winmar with Matthew Hardy, Nicky Winmar My Story: From Bush Kid to AFL Legend.

Avid Saints supporter Braham Dabscheck reviews Nicky Winmar’s incredible story written in conjunction with Matthew Hardy, ‘Nicky Winmar My Story: From Bush Kid To AFL Legend’.

Round 20 – Hawthorn v St. Kilda: Saints find their halos against the Hawks

Hope springs eternal, to borrow one of Braham Dabscheck’s favourite sayings – the Saints are on more of a march than last week’s dire dirge of a performance and sitting comfortably inside the top eight.

Round 19 – St. Kilda v North Melbourne: Saints win somehow

How did they get away with that? Braham Dabscheck’s Saints won a heartstopper against a Kangaroos side who looked to be on the hop amid a round full of nailbiters.

Round 16 – West Coast v St. Kilda: Saints go west and strike gold; sort of!

West Coast gave the Saints quite a fright in their grinding Round 16 match in Perth reports Braham Dabscheck.

Round 13 – Sydney v St. Kilda: Saints ‘Buddy Up’ and get back on track in topsy-turvy game

A five goal last quarter saw the Saints run over the Swans to record a welcome win much to the delight of Braham Dabscheck.

Round 4 – St Kilda v Gold Coast: Saints block out the Sun(s) at night under the roof!

To dream the improbable dream? Braham Dabscheck’s Saints are on cloud nine after making it four from four in impressive fashion over the Suns.

Round 3 – St. Kilda v Essendon: Saints defuse Bombers in sesquicentennial anniversary match at the MCG

The Saints salute their 150th anniversary with a fighting win over the Bombers as Braham Dabscheck reports.

Round 2 – Western Bulldogs v St. Kilda: Saints collar the Dogs

It’s an umblemished start from Braham Dabscheck’s Saints after they put the Doggies to the sword, and pleasingly for fans, much of the damage was inflicted by young guns.

Round 1 – St Kilda v Fremantle: Saints drop anchor on the Dockers

The return of Ross Lyon to St Kilda brought with it plenty of questions, but the first answer has been provided when the boys from Moorabbin went in with a small and compromised list and emerged victorious over the Dockers. Braham Dabscheck hopes their grit and determination will continue.

Almanac Cricket: Cricket’s Hat Trick Of Revolutions

Braham Dabscheck examines the ‘hat trick’ of revolutionary changes in cricket that have affected and developed the game in modern times.

Almanac Basketball: Bill Russell Biography Review

Braham Dabscheck profiles Bill Russell, one of the legends of American basketball who revolutionised the game with his focus on defence, rebounding and the fast break.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Sawdust House’ – David Whish-Wilson

Braham Dabscheck reviews David Whish-Wilson’s recent release, ‘The Sawdust House’ a work of historical fiction which examines the life and times of Yankee Sullivan a champion bare-knuckle fighter, while using the novelist’s tools to make big picture statements on the human condition. [Outstanding review of what must be a top-rate work of historical fiction – JTH]

Almanac Book Review: Eddie Betts: The Boy From Boomerang Crescent

In his review of Eddie Betts’ autobiography The Boy From Boomerang Crescent , Braham Dabscheck explains that this is more than a ‘glory book’. [Thanks to Braham for permission to reproduce this review which first appeared in The Newtown Review of Books.]

Round 20 – St. Kilda v Hawthorn: Saints’ early dominance enough to hold off fast finishing Hawks

Far from the percentage booster it looked like being part-way through the game, Braham Dabscheck’s Saints just got over the Hawks in a tussle that was populated by errors in judgement and execution from both parties. St Kilda has September still in their sights, but will need to sharpen up starting from next week according to Braham.

Round 19 – West Coast v St. Kilda: Saints fly west and coast over the Eagles

“Go west!” if you’re a Saints fan in 2022. Perth has been a happy hunting ground for Braham Dabscheck’s St Kilda and in a season that promised plenty before the bye, they’ll take whatever they can to keep the hope of finals alive.

Round 16 – Carlton v St. Kilda: Saints exorcise ‘dem’ Blues

After a few disappointing weeks, St Kilda gave their fans something to smile about with their convincing win over the Blues in their Round 16 match as a pleased Braham Dabscheck reports.

Almanac Book Review: Athletes and Near Death Experiences – The Case of Triathlete Emma Carney

Braham Dabscheck summarises Emma Carney’s experiences of hardship, politics, injuries, mental and physical abuse. Highlighting what it took for her to reach the elite level of a Triathlete throughout the 90’s. Her story as Dabschek reviews, uncovers the incompetence and inadequate support for athletes such as Emma Carney that nearly cost her life, signifying the much needed attention for change in management structure and policies for future Australian athletes to not have to endure the experience Carney had suffered throughout her career.

Round 11 – St. Kilda v North Melbourne: Saints hop over the hapless Kangaroos

Braham Dabscheck on the Saints’ comfortable win over the lowly Roos and what to make of the season so far at the bye.

Round 10 – Adelaide v St. Kilda: A late swing in the polls delivers victory for the Saints

It may not have been a classic, but Braham Dabscheck’s Saints claimed a mandate (for another week at least) with their win over the Crows in Adelaide.