Matt Zurbo (Old Dog) is a much loved member of the Footy Almanac community. His stories about sport – mainly footy, music, and life in general acknowledge his passion and substance for the written word, incorporating first hand experiences over many years. Matt reflects on his writing life, including a contribution of over 500 stories to the Footy Almanac. [Well done Matt, a fantastic effort! – Ed]
Almanac Footy: Photos from a water boy; Last Round, 2025 – Matt Zurbo loves Otway!
September 6, 2025 by 3 Comments
Photos from a water boy, last Round, 2025. Another superb collection of images from the Old Dog capturing so wonderfully the spirit of community and belonging through sport.Matt Zurbo loves Otway! [Cracking photos Old Dog! – Ed]
Almanac Footy: What Finals Take
September 2, 2025 by 1 Comment
Old Dog is 58, has played 730+ games. This was his message to his team when they didn’t make finals.
Round 21 – Adelaide v Hawthorn: Zoop, Zop, Zip!
August 2, 2025 by 6 Comments
Old Dog stayed up late to write about a superb game of footy played on the Adelaide Oval. [Great stuff Old Dog – JTH]
Almanac Footy Teams: Old Dog’s Team of (Modern-day) Characters
June 13, 2025 by 5 Comments
Old Dog has picked a team of modern-day characters. Do you agree with him? Any of your own?
Almanac Podcasts: Matt Zurbo interview on CDFNL Insiders Podcast
August 10, 2024 by 3 Comments
Matt Zurbo was recently interviewed on the ‘CDFNL Insiders’ podcast reflecting on his life in country footy.
Bush Footy Match Review
July 24, 2024 by 2 Comments
Old Dog has been writing for us for twelve years now. This is his ultimate bush footy match review. [Brilliant – Ed]
Once a Tiger – an interview with Ron Branton
June 6, 2024 by 7 Comments
Vale Ron Branton.
We reprise Matt Zurbo’s interview with him from 2016. It captures the life of a 1950s footballer superbly. Sections of this interview appear in Matt’s book ‘Champions All’.
Round 8: Snippets of footy
May 9, 2024 by 3 Comments
Old Dog cast an eye over last weekend’s Round 8. His vast experience helped him to pick out the key components.
A beer with…Matt Zurbo
March 6, 2024 by 9 Comments
Every now and then, Barry Nicholls will have a beer with one our writers and bring us their responses to a series of questions. The first one is with Old Dog.
Almanac (World Cup) Soccer: Aussie, Aussie
August 14, 2023 by 2 Comments
Old Dog and co got caught up in World Cup fever as the Matildas overcame France in 120+ minutes and 20 penalties.
Almanac (Footy) Life: Tribute to Old Dog on his 700th game of footy
August 4, 2023 by 15 Comments
The Old Dog (Matt Zurbo) plays his 700th game of footy this Saturday 5 August. His long time team mate Sean Maxwell pays tribute to one of life’s great human beings and his incredible milestone. [Well played Old Dog – Congratulations from all at the Footy Almanac family! -Ed]
Almanac (Footy) Life: A Notable Milestone
July 27, 2023 by 5 Comments
Old Dog plays his 700th game of footy on Saturday 5 August. The Colac Herald newspaper pays tribute.
Almanac (Footy) Life: Old Dog to play his 700th game of footy
July 26, 2023 by 4 Comments
Congratulations to the Old Dog who plays his 700th game of footy on Saturday 5 August.
Round 18 – Melbourne v Brisbane: Keystone Cops
July 16, 2023 by 5 Comments
Old Dog battled a laptop streaming like an old Keystone Cops movie to watch the Dees take on the Lions while playing Dad at the same time. It turned out to be quite a night!
Almanac Footy: Old Dog’s overseas footy adventures with the LA Dragons.
May 31, 2023 by 10 Comments
The Old Dog and family are on the road – overseas in fact. He managed to keep up his training and fitness regimes with all the sightseeing, and he even played a game of Aussie rules with the LA Dragons as he recounts.
Almanac Life: Happy Days
January 11, 2023 by 5 Comments
Pete Johnstone was never, ever going to let hardship stop him. A tribute from Old Dog.
A Christmas greeting, and a gift, from Old Dog and his family
December 28, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Old Dog and his family send their best at Christmas time and offer you a hand-drawn game which has its origins in Cielo’s grandfather.
Almanac Footy: A photo spread from Old Dog’s 40th season of footy
November 3, 2022 by 5 Comments
Old Dog completed his 40th season of playing footy in 2022. Some photos taken throughout the season record his remarkable and memorable feat. [Ed: Well done Old Dog! – Togging up in 2023?]
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