Almanac Bowls: Canadians cornering the Australian bowls scene

With Australian Premier League and State championships, Lachlan Tighe sees the domestic lawn bowls competition hotting up.

Almanac Golf: Golf Capital – Noren wins in South Africa, Perez salutes in Mexico

Hamish Neal brings us all the latest in the world of golf, including a long iron(y) Mexican observation.

Almanac Lawn Bowls: Black Adder in Blundstones

The Blundstone Melbourne Roys are in a ding dong battle to make the finals of the Australian Bowls Premier League. Peter Hille reports on Black Adder and co.

Dion Fanning – Farewell the GAA summer and all the things I learned

Dion Fanning returns to Dublin after 20 years, to find comfort in the Gaelic games of his youth. [Great piece on the place of sport in lives – Ed].

Almanac Golf: Golf Capital – Pampling gets the luck in Vegas as Feng wins again

Last week in golf and the week coming up, thanks to Hamish Neal.

Joe Posnanski – Chicago Cubs and the Wonder of Game 7: “Oh my God”

“Some day, after the tears have dried and the hangover has lifted, after disbelief has transformed into nostalgia and the books have all been written, this might go down as the greatest baseball game ever played. It is much too soon for that now…” Check out acclaimed NBC sportswriter Joe Posnanski on an historic, emotional event.

Almanac Cycling – Self-confessed ratbag Jim Coyle

Jim Coyle, amateur cyclist, was a prolific winner – racing for 50 years between 1940 and 1990. His jersey and trophies are part of a collection now showing at Scienceworks. Jim’s story is a beauty.

Almanac Baseball: 2016 World Series – Recommended reading

This piece from ESPN’s Wright Thompson beautifully captures the joy and sorrow that can accompany long awaited success. We highly recommend it.

Baseball World Series Game 7: Real sport, Real consequences, Real men

Forget the pointless monotony of the “test” cricket (D Minuses all round). Today’s sporting highlight is the deciding Game 7 of the Baseball World Series between the biggest underachievers in the sport’s history – the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians starting at 11am today (Eastern Summer Time). Think Western Bulldogs v Leicester City. Peter Baulderstone suggests an introductory read of the New Yorker’s profile of their outstanding managers Joe Maddon and Terry Francona. Think Claudio Ranieri and Luke Beveridge. Go Cubs.

Our obsession with the best (sometimes) means poor behaviour is tolerated

dam asks; Should ultimate sports success excuse poor behaviour, If you were to shun a sports person for conduct and attitude in 2017, who would it be? A few other gems worth considering.

Almanac Golf: Golf Capital – Lee wins third title and Thomas defends crown in Malaysia

Hamish Neal updates his weekly wrap of all things golf.

Big Bells and Brass Balls: paddling out at Bells beach on a big day.

The feeling of a crisp autumn morning, hungover, excited and the majesty of a massive set at Bells; only a surfer understands this feeling. San Diego Catter writes a beautiful tribute to a classic surfing trip.

Almanac Music – Bruce Springsteen: arriving late, baseball and what is it with sportswriters?

David Wilson as bowerbird – describes a late coming to Bruce Springsteen – and collects shining pieces by Richard Ford, Joe Posnanski and Drew Magary along the way.

Almanac Reading – Pakistan’s national baseball team arrives, improbably, in Brooklyn

As Martin Flanagan contends: Sport has the power to illuminate aspects of our society and our social past that otherwise remain hidden. That is probably the case in this piece from “The New Yorker” last month on the Pakistan national baseball team.

Nail paint and crotchless knickers or ‘Leaps and Bounds’: a wander through footy, music and the contemporary world.

Brilliant from Ron Wells. This piece is composed to comment on the musos booked for the Grand Final – but it does so much more. Ron takes us through footy, music and life – with many sharp observations beautifully expressed. Molly even gets a mention and as he’d say: “Do yourself a favour.”

Almanac Book Review: Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

Chris Michaels reviews the Springsteen autobiography, Born to Run.

WNBL Round 1 – Melbourne Boomers v Adelaide Lightning: The revolution will not be televised

Gill reviews the WNBL opener and ponders the importance of TV coverage.

American Football: The Superchargers and the scar spangled banner

Written in 2014 while watching American Football and paying his dues in San Diego’s County Jail, Charlie Wells had time to reflect and writes an amazing tale of football and incarceration from an Australian’s perspective. [Riveting read – Ed]

Almanac Obituary: Vale Dick Custerson

Steve Earl pays tribute to his mate Dick “Dicky” Custerson, the most generous and positive of blokes who ‘walked sunshine into every room he entered’. Vale Dicky.

Almanac Opinion: Team success – victory and adversity

Are the Doggies the AFL equivalent of Seabiscuit? Lachlan Tighe draws parallels and applies the theory to Lawn Bowls.