This is Roger Spaull’s complete story of Alf Hedge, South Melbourne player and RAAF pilot. It was previously published in three parts.
Almanac Footy History: Alf Hedge – The Bloods’ Braveheart (Part 3)
April 24, 2025 by 1 Comment
Roger Spaull wraps up the Alf Hedge series with Part 3 of his magnificently researched and written story.
NRL Round 8 – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy!
April 24, 2025 by 6 Comments
Prop by the Sea had, by his standards, a modest round of tipping last week (4/8) – but he was miles ahead of his mates. He’s hoping to bounce back to form this weekend. Here are his predictions.
Almanac Cricket: Vale Keith Stackpole
April 23, 2025 by 2 Comments
Sad news for Australian cricket fans with news today of the passing of Test great Keith Stackpole. ‘Stackie’ was a dasher, an entertainer and, later, a respected commentator who told it as he saw it!
Almanac (Papal) Prognostication: Searching for a new Pontiff
April 23, 2025 by 6 Comments
With the passing of Pope Francis, speculation abounds about who his successor will be. Regular correspondent Roger Lowrey offered his prognostications to the Almanac two months ago when Francis first fell ill. We’ll soon know how prescient his thoughts prove to be.
Almanac Footy History: Alf Hedge – The Bloods’ Braveheart (Part 2)
April 23, 2025 by 1 Comment
Roger Spaull’s story of Alf Hedge continues with Part 2.
Round 7 – AFL Footy Fixture Season 2025: Who, when, and where
April 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Find out who, where, and when your time is playing in Round 7 of the AFL Footy Season.
Almanac Footy History: Alf Hedge – The Bloods’ braveheart (Part 1)
April 22, 2025 by 1 Comment
Roger Spaull is one of the Almanac’s much-loved writers. He brings to life great characters, usually sporting characters, of days gone by. His ANZAC Day story this year is of South Melbourne’s Alf Hedge. Such is the breadth and depth of Roger’s research and writing, we are publishing his story in three parts, starting today (Tuesday, April 22). The next two parts will be published on Wednesday and Thursday. We are grateful to Roger for these wonderful contributions, which always generate a lot of interest.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025: Round 6 Review / Round 7 Preview
April 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025 presents the match review for Round 6 and also previews the upcoming Round 7 match on ANZAC Day against Essendon.
Almanac Basketball (and amazing achievements): NBT joins the 45:90 club
April 17, 2025 by 2 Comments
Graeme Willingham updates us on the progress of Not Bad Thanks, a basketball team with a difference. The club’s Facts and Figures make for interesting reading!
NRL Round 7 – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy!
April 17, 2025 by 3 Comments
Prop by the Sea is on the spot with his analysis of NRL Round 6, even though he scored a modest 4/8 with his tips. Let’s see what he predicts for this weekend’s Round 7.
Almanac Footy History: Black and white evidence for footy’s forgotten years
April 16, 2025 by 4 Comments
In researching the life of Karl Schneider, MIchael Lefebvre has found a document which is in itself interesting and helpful, but also offers insight on another topic. The letterhead on the Collingwood FC correspondence says something about the sensibility of the time and the place of pre-VFL premierships in the history of the game in 1928. [Great find – Ed]
Round 6 – AFL Footy Fixture Season 2025: Who, where, and when?
April 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Check out who, where, and when your team is playing in Round 6 of AFL Season 2025.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025: Side by Side – Gather Round Review / Round 6 Preview
April 13, 2025 by 1 Comment
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025 reviews the Pies Gather Round win over the Swans, and previews their Round 6 match against Brisbane,
Almanac Sports History – When three codes crossed borders: Ironies of footballs’ first Internationals
April 10, 2025 by 1 Comment
As the Aussie Rules footy world’s attention is drawn to the AFL’s 2025 Gather Round in Adelaide, the once mighty clash between Victoria and South Australia is being replayed on minor ovals between the men’s and women’s teams of the now second-level Victorian Football League and South Australian National Football League. Geoffrey Gold recalls when the inaugural representative match between two rival Australian colonies completed the trifecta of first internationals of major codes, Rugby Union in 1871, Association Football (soccer) in 1872 and Australian Rules in 1879.
NRL Round 6 – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy!
April 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Prop by the Sea is top of the Almanac NRL tipping ladder after a solid Round 5 where others struggled. Can he maintain his form in Round 6?
Almanac Rugby League: There’s always next year
April 10, 2025 by 7 Comments
They say ‘there’s always next year’, but sometimes there simply isn’t. Mark Courtney’s poignant story recalls his decades-long friendship with his best mate, Greg, and their total commitment to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. (We reprise this wonderfully offering after Mark alluded to it at the recent Almanac rugby league lunch in Sydney – Ed.)
Round 5 (Gather Round) – AFL Footy Fixture Season 2025: Who, where, and when
April 8, 2025 by Leave a Comment
It’s the Gather Round of footy in South Australia this week. Check out who, where, and when you team is playing.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025: Round 4 Review / Round 5 Preview
April 6, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Great win against traditional foes Carlton reports Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2025 in his Round 4 review of the match. Cam also looks ahead to Collingwood’s Round 5 clash against Sydney.
NRL Round 5 – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy!
April 3, 2025 by 6 Comments
Prop by the Sea tipped only three winners last week – but at least he kept his clothes on! He thinks he might regain a bit of lost ground this week.
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