Almanac Soccer: Barnsley Football Club dare to dream

At the risk of breaking the spell, Rod Oaten feels obliged to update you on the rather stunning recent success of Barnsley FC in the Championship.

Almanac Soccer: Barnsley Football Club

A great joy of English soccer is keeping an eye on scores from afar. Rod Oaten has picked Barnsley as his team, and has had an intriguing few seasons following them from across the globe.

Round 13 – Essendon v Richmond: Dreamtime at Darwin’s `G

Rod Oaten was hoping the Bombers’ Dreamtime luck might change with the game played at a different venue. It was not to be, but Rod did enjoy the spectacle of the game, especially the Welcome Ceremony.

Round 10 – Essendon v GWS: Disney or the footy?

Rod Oaten has a take on the latest Bombers game…or at least he would if he didn’t get distracted by a doco on SBS

Almanac Soccer: The Tykes Survive

Rod Oaten would just like to put it on the record that Barnsley FC have pulled off a great relegation escape in the EFL Championship.

Almanac Life: Black Lives Matter

Rod Oaten has great respect and admiration for Indigenous footballers over many years. He was unable to go into Melbourne’s CBD yesterday to support the Black Lives Matter rally, so he made a quiet statement of his own.

Old Autograph Books: Rod Oaten

Rod Oaten has enjoyed the autograph series on the Almanac site – and tells the tale of his old autograph book.

VFL Finals 2019 – Success for stand alone clubs

Rod Oaten asks the question of why there has been a lack of acknowledgement in the media for the success of the stand alone VFL clubs who had wins over their AFL aligned opponents in the first week of the VFL Finals. What do you think?

Round 16 – Essendon v Sydney: a pretty forgettable game at the “G”

Tragic Don Rod Oaten was not overly impressed by the standard of the Essendon v Sydney Round 16 clash at the MCG but his Bombers managed to get up, and that’s what counts!

Round 10 – Richmond v Essendon: Dreamtime Game at the MCG

Rod Oaten is disappointed at the standard of the Round 10 Dreamtime Game between the Tigers and the Bombers, and he is certainly pleased he didn’t believe all the Essendon pre-season hype.

Round 10 – Sir Doug Nicholls Round: Concerns for our First Nations People

Reflecting on the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Rod Oaten wonders whether sufficient progress is being made with our First Nations people, their well-being, our understandings, and reconcialiation.

Bob Hawke

Rod Oaten with some thoughts on Bob Hawke.

Almanac Soccer: The Tykes go up

As things look up for Barnsley FC, Rod Oaten is thinking of lads at the Fitzwilliam.

Balcony Banter Round 4 – Brisbane v Essendon: Bomber Blitz

Rod Oaten was happy to see his Bombers put in a dynamic first half against the Lions, then dig in to resist a comeback before unleashing the Anthony McDonald-Yipungwuti show.

VAFA Premier C Grand Final – Fitzroy v Old Geelong: A windy day at Trevor Barker Oval

History was made on the weekend as Fitzroy claimed its first senior flag since Fitzroy and the Fitzroy Reds merged in 2008. Rod Oaten was there to watch the game unfold and celebrate with the Roys.

Round 20 – Hawthorn v Essendon: Rod was optimistic!

It was nerve wracking stuff, the best game he has seen all year, but not good for an aged Don Tragic like Rod Oaten. Just when he thought Essendon had a chance to win, Hawthorn scored and dashed his hopes.

Round 11 – Essendon v Richmond: A dream for Tigers

Dreamtime at the G stirs mixed emotions for Rod Oaten at the best of times. And for Bomber fans, this night was definitely not the best of times.

Round 9 – Essendon v Geelong: Oh, The Dons

‘The Dons have been so disappointing this season that it was ”touch and go” as to whether I could stand another humiliating afternoon at The G.’ But wasn’t Rod Oaten sure glad he did head along to see Essendon run over the Cats on Saturday.

Round 7 – Essendon v Hawthorn: Disappointing Dons and around the grounds

‘This must surely be one of the worst games of football from the Essendon Football Club that I have ever seen.’ Rod Oaten was not impressed with his Dons on Saturday.

VFL Grand Final – Port Melbourne v Richmond: The Borough win the VFL Grand Final

Port Melbourne once again proved how successful stand alone clubs can be with a spectacular 4 point victory over Richmond in the VFL Grand Final.