Almanac Rugby League

The Almanac Rugby league Crew

If you’d like to publish a rugby league story on The Footy Almanac website, please contact Ian Hauser.

 

If you’d like to join the Footy Almanac’s rugby league email list to receive our regular
Thursday updates during the season and occasional updates in the off-season, contact John Harms in the first instance.

 

The Footy Almanac’s coverage of rugby league features a team of four regular columnists:

Ian Hauser provides a round by round preview/review and comments on specific players/incidents.
Matt O’Hanlon (Prop by the Sea) offers a quirky take of the week’s happenings on and off the field.
Mark Shannon (The Prospector) comments on various issues in the code, both historical and current.
Russel Hansen (Rabbit in the Vineyard) gives a specific take on South Sydney’s progress.

as well as numerous other occasional contributors.

Our collection of articles appears below. The first article was published in 2010.

 

2025 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals – Will Brisbane be the new sporting capital of Australia?

October 1, 2025 by 1 Comment

Ian Hauser takes a look at the 2025 NRL Grand Final where the losing sides from the last two years, the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, get their chance to set the record straight. And in the NRLW, the two powerhouse teams of 2025, the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos, look set to put on a worthy season finale.

Almanac Rugby League (History) – Henry (Harold) Frank Bichel

September 25, 2025 by 2 Comments

Ian Hauser remembers his Uncle Harold Bichel who played his one and only game for the Australian Kangaroos exactly ninety years ago today.

2025 NRL Finals, Week 3 – Prop’s proxy, The Prospector: You gotta love footy!

September 25, 2025 by 4 Comments

In his final contribution before Prop by the Sea returns to duty next week, The Prospector offers his thoughts on what will happen in Week 3 of the 2025 NRL finals series. (Warm and sincere thanks to you, Mark, for fitting into this role – it’s as if it was made for you! – Ed.)

2025 NRL Finals, Week 3: The Robert Palmer Panthers

September 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Our rugby league editor, Ian Hauser, keeps hearing the songs of Robert Palmer in the background as he contemplates Week 3 of the 2025 NRL finals series.

NRL Finals Week 2 – Prop’s proxy, The Prospector: You gotta love footy!

September 18, 2025 by 9 Comments

The Prospector reports on Prop’s overseas meanderings before casting his eye over Week 2 of the 2025 NRL finals.

2025 NRL Finals Week 2: Can it possibly be as good as Week 1?

September 18, 2025 by 1 Comment

After an exhilarating Week 1 of NRL Finals, Ian Hauser explains why he thinks Canberra has what it takes to fight back in Week 2 while the Panthers will stay alive to fight another day.

NRL Round 27 – RITV: Jye Gray the shining light in a dull Rabbitohs season

September 11, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Jye Gray is RITV’s South Sydney Player of the Year.

Almanac Footy (Life): Classic Tales with Mark Courtney

September 11, 2025 by 1 Comment

Mark Courtney, a passionate Rabbitohs fan and Almanac supporter, recently reprised, in video format, his classic tale about his three decade bromance with his mate Greg.

NRL 2025 Finals, Week 1 – Prop’s proxy, The Prospector: You gotta love footy!

September 11, 2025 by 7 Comments

Prop by the Sea’s entourage has moved on to the Emerald Isle while The Prospector has had two weeks of solid tipping. Here are his thoughts for Week 1 of the NRL Finals.

NRL Finals, Week 1 – Can Canberra or the Roosters defy history?

September 11, 2025 by 1 Comment

Can Canberra defy history or will their huge loss in Round 27 simply become a footnote in the annals of NRL finals?