Being a good coach – Alastair Clarkson

During his Almanac off season, Yoshi (our Japanese correspondent) follows the incredible rise of Alastair Clarkson, from average midfielder to four-time premiership coach and a place among the greats of Australian Football.

Opportunity for a young commentator

Keiran Deck presents an opening for an aspiring commentator to try their hand at the Australian Volleyball League finals this Saturday. A great opportunity.

Almanac Golf: Golf Capital – Danish delight in Melbourne, Woods returns

It wouldn’t be Wednesday without Hamish Neal’s comprehensive golf round up, with last week’s World Cup review a feature.

Almanac Books: Footy Grounds to Grandstands: Play, Community and the Australian Football League (by Sam Duncan)

Sam Duncan has turned his PhD thesis into a book. You are invited to the launch on Dec 11. [Congratulations Sam – JTH]

Almanac Classics: And a marathon came calling…

When David Downer’s life hit a few speed bumps, he started running. Those 20 minute runs eventually increased, leading to life as a marathon runner. This is a fantastic tale of a man with a healthy addiction. The full story of the journey of the marathon runner. Originally published in August, David’s epic is both incredible and inspirational, a story even more poignant today. [This the first in a series of ‘Paddy Suggests’. Paddy Grindlay is making his way through the Almanac archives and picking out some of his favourite pieces. Look out for some classics Thanks Paddy, Ed]

Almanac Cricket Poetry: The Ballad of Bluey Jenner

e.regnans, in his typically beautiful way, tells the story of Bluey Jenner, a bush cricketer with the world at his feet.

Almanac Footy Poetry: “Manacunna,” by Ian Bland

We’re lucky today at the Almanac to share the poetry of Ian Bland. Check out this rollicking tale of Manacunna.
“The town of Manacunna, in the far west of the state
Had, outside of football, little cause to celebrate…”

Home bias in AFL umpiring: the 10 year tables

Dave Warner of the suburbs has completed his opus: the last 10 years of AFL free kick counts examined and analysed. Do umpires always favour the home team? How do Victorian teams fare when playing at home against non-Victorian teams? Trends, biases… all is revealed.

Why The Footy Almanac 2016 (traditional version) is being published this coming March and The Doggies Almanac is out now

News about The Footy Almanac 2016 and The Doggies Almanac. You can’t have two of your own titles competing for major honours in the one calendar year.

Almanac People: Mitch Hannan

Paddy Grindlay remembers the day Melbourne Football Club’s new recruit, Mitch Hannan, ripped in a few quick overs for Woodend’s thirds.

Preview – Australia’s Autumn Triple Crown

Sandy Platini, based in south-east Asia, explains the Autumn three year old season to his international readers.

Almanac Season Review: Top 50 AFL Players 2016

lucasj_lm has put together his best 50 players for 2016. Who would you include or remove, what would your top 50 look like?

Australia v South Africa – Adelaide Test, Day 4: Phoenix or dead cat?

With a favorable result, Day 4 restored some pride to Australian Cricket while John Butler can now look towards the series against Pakistan with more expectation than a week ago.

Local Footy: The club where Blunnies mattered

Matt Zurbo’s first footy club (many years ago) was a suburban club where the blokes worked hard and played hard. Young Matt Zurbo was made welcome because of his Blundstone boots. Not footy boots. His work boots.

Australia v South Africa – Adelaide Test, Day 4: The newbies get the chocolates

Citrus Bob Utber gets the revamped Australians home and analyses the performance of the new chums. [Well played Citrus Bob – JTH]

Australia v South Africa – Adelaide Test, Day 3: Debuts

Day 3 of an intriguing Adelaide Test and Dave Brown is thankful for Faf du Plessis… and electronic devices

Australia v South Africa – Adelaide Test, Day 3: Not bad, this Test cricket

Citrus Bob Utber describes yet another day when Test cricket has shown itself to be the king of cricket.

Blind Deaf and Clueless: Hold on to Their Hat

Phil Hill lives up to his reputation with this next look into the life of the umpire. It seems, in some cases, it’s a matter of volume, and hat-holding.

Chris Rogers – Ugly Duckling No Longer

Reggie came through the ranks of junior and grade cricket in Perth with Chris Rogers. He has watched Chris’s career closely. Here he gives some insight into the development of Chris as a cricketer, and now a broadcaster (and possible coach). [Lots of first hand observations here, and a comment on the culture of cricket – JTH]

Australia v South Africa – Adelaide Test, Day 2: Usman leads as Australia takes command

Our very own debutant, Scana, made it through to stumps on a day dominated by Usman Khwaja.