Adelaide and Suburban Cricket

Bernard Whimpress offers a quick glimpse of yesterday’s Sheffield Shield match at Glenelg Oval. The first time top class cricket in South Australia has been played elsewhere than Adelaide Oval in 110 years.

Cocks Plate

Daryl Sharpen offers a look back at the Big One. And the title is not a typo. This is a must read for the needy, the greedy and anyone with a funny bone.

Sal’s Flemington Formguide

Sal Ciardulli gives Punter a whack, on the way through to helping punters sort out a mammoth Flemington racecard. “The winners are well concealed” (racing cliché #426) but Sal has been doing a lot of digging to find them for you.

Crio’s Racing: Derby Day Decisions

The bookies got the biscuits last week. Good for Crio’s boss if not his cadres. You can’t keep a good punter down, and there will be tips galore from the Goolwa gallops to Budge’s bolter and Cowshedend’s curse down the Straight Six.

Footy Dogs

Peter Baulderstone reckons its cruel to name dogs after footy players. You never know when they will stray to new owners. “Once bitten twice shy” should be the new motto of dog-owning footy fans.

Thank you, Cricketing Gods

The feel good story of the week. Darren “Smokie” Dawson fulfils two childhood’s dreams in the one day.

What do you do for an encore?

This Sunday, November 3, marks the 40th anniversary of Barry Watson’s senior debut for the Footscray Cricket Club. His feat on debut has been unequalled by any at the club since. Mic Rees takes a look back at a stellar career that included the Doggies tasting premiership success for the first time in 32 years.

The 2014 AFL fixture – how did you go?

The fixture is out. What do you make of it?

Filling the void with the World Series – Game 6 from 11:00am today (AEDT)

Paul Campbell provides a brilliant update of the Boston Red Sox and St Louis Cardinals Baseball World Series contest to date. The potentially deciding Game 6 is on this morning. Think cricket with the boring bits cut out.

The Footy Almanac 2013 cover art

This year, The Footy Almanac cover has been painted by Melbourne artist (and Almanac contributor) Kate Birrell who has captured Luke Hodge and his driving left foot. Here’s a bit about Kate, and a bit from Kate, expressing her love of the everyday. (Kate’s original painting is up for auction – Ed)

Top End Hawks return to their roots

Jackson Clark reports on a visit by Hawks Cyril Rioli and Jed Anderson inspiring young Indigenous students in the Top End.

Ryobi Cup: Final and Season Review

Our man at the Test, Luke Reynolds, gives a typical thorough and thoughtful summary of the Final of the 50 Over domestic One-Day competition. Who has the runs on the board to make Stuart quake in his boots?

Edwards Becomes a Bomber

Territorian Shaun Edwards looked destined to join the Adelaide Crows until a late play from the Bombers, negotiating across countries and timezones. Jackson Clark provides the lowdown on a player promising to be a handy pick-up for Essendon.

Footys4all in India

Dr Nathan Grills is doing extraordinary work as a public health doctor in India. Nathan sent these amazing photos of his team handing out Footys4all balls and bats to schools, slums, orphanages and disability shelters. Read it and weep; and smile; and donate.

Crio’s Question: Trust the tea leaves?

Was one of your best wins the result of something other than picking the form? Who’s prepared to admit to the success of a whim, a mistake, or dumb luck?

Keepers to the fore as Ange bows out with a win

In another eventful A-League round, Tim Ladhams is impressed by the keepers, but less than impressed by the depth of the sides, as an absence of marquee players proves fatal for some.

Book launch: Aborigines and the ‘Sport of Kings’

Almanackers are invited to attend the launch of the third edition of Professor John Maynard’s fabulous books about Aboriginal jockeys.

Who wants number 3?

The number 3 guernsey is up for grabs again at Essendon. But who would want it? Colin Ritchie reckons the number has been a curse to many who have worn it.

Cobba’s AFL Trade Directory

Jake ‘Cobba’ Stevens offers another brilliant infographic to explain the 2013 AFL Trade movements. ‘Cobba’ could make quantum physics and global warming understandable.

Hi, I’m Simon Black…

Matt Watson recalls his meetings with Simon Black and reviews his career. A champion on and off the field.