Footy journalism gone to the dogs

By Simon Dobbie This is going to be a whinge. Maybe even a rant. I’m not entirely sure, but I think a rant is a whole level above a whinge. Yep, let’s call it a rant then. And the subject of my rant? Well, its footy journalism. AFL journalism to be precise. It’s a not [Read more]

Sanderson cries carpe diem

 By Julian Morison I got to cats v crows last Saturday and was asked today (UNE footy tipping site) was I in ceteris paribus mindset at the game to which I replied: I certainly was. Because that fine equum, Black Caviar, was galloping nearby we had to arrive in the ante meridiem, for the early [Read more]

The Giants’ barnstorming finish swells the heart of a footy novice

Sometimes the football gods are with you. Sometimes a chance, a whim, an accident turns into a day you’ll remember to the end of your days. Even when the omens, frankly, aren’t all that auspicious. I didn’t expect much from my first AFL game: years of arguing with Mr Harms and his friend, Radio National’s [Read more]

Scrimmage and scrap until the Giants break clear at Manuka

Greater Western Sydney v Gold Coast Manuka Oval,  Saturday May 12th   Official Crowd  8,603 GWS Giants           4.2     5.8    8.13      13.16       94pts Gold Coast Suns     1.3     7.9    9.11        9.13       67pts Manuka Oval was in perfect condition for the clash of the novices. The game was probably the worst League game seen by me in 64 years and would [Read more]

Five words for Round 8: Carlton v Adelaide

By Damien Little Five Words For Round 8: Carlton v Adelaide Belabor [bih-LEY-ber] verb: To beat vigorously; ply with heavy blows. Gelatinous [juh-lat-n-uhs] adjective: having the nature of or resembling jelly, especially in consistency; jellylike. Vainglory [veyn-glawr-ee] noun: empty pomp or show. Obtuse [uhb-toos] adjective: not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect. Melancholy [Read more]

Footy cats and dogs, footy babies, houses and gnomes plus..

Steve Alomes is looking for images of appropriately clad footy cats and dogs, or even better babies in their footy colours in the crib…. and there may also be a place for other images – footy houses, footy gnomes, even rooms dedicated as shrines to footy. I have some gnomes, a car shot or two, [Read more]

Perplexed, Warburton.

  Never has a club been so blessed in being sacked by its coach as St Kilda in losing Ross Lyon. Two years ago I wrote up a Carlton-St Kilda game for the Almanac.  In 45 years of watching the game I’ve seen some monumental thrashings, but always there’s been a Bobby Skilton, or even [Read more]

It’s not the umpies’ fault

Only one game into round six and the wider football community was served a reminder of something we already know but rarely remember, umpires do not win or lose games for your team. With reports earlier in the week highlighting the 40 more free kicks West Coast have received when playing at home compared to [Read more]

Pies good enough

Round 7 Collingwood v Brisbane Lions.   by Tim O’Leary   Enough – [ih-nuhf] adjective adequate for the want or need; sufficient for the purpose or to satisfy desire: enough water; noise enough to wake the dead. In the off-season I managed to get a Telstra phone/internet/tbox thingy bundle with what I thought was going [Read more]

Carlton Supporters – An Amplification

by Bernie Tuck Remember the days of going to Waverley. You hated going there. It was mandatory to have lunch at a Brunswick pub to muster the strength to tackle the journey. The skill was to have some other unsuspecting bloke to drive.[ He usually only fell for the three card trick once]. The reason [Read more]

DA Puzzle of the Round (7)

DA Puzzle of the Round (7) Discover the world of David Astle here. But first, can you solve this week’s puzzle? More a trivia challenge this week, than any way-out wordplay. We all know Sydney’s Lewis Roberts-Thomson is nicknamed the Hyphen for obvious reasons, though he’s not the only double-barrelled player running around in season [Read more]

2011 Premiership Cup in Adelaide

2011 PREMIERSHIP CUP IN ADELAIDE The Lion Hotel in Adelaide is holding a function ahead of the Round 7 match to celebrate the Geelong Cats. Enjoy a cocktail style function with drinks at bar prices and party with the 2011 Premiership Cup. This is a rare opportunity for Cats fans living in Adelaide. The function will be held [Read more]

Gideon Haigh book launch with John Clarke

Good sumps mean good footy

Match 2 Coober Pedy Saints vs Hornridge Football Club 12.30pm Saturday 5th May 2012 Roxby Downs Oval. by George Laslett   This week has been an insight into the life of a football club committeeman, organiser and run-around man. After last Saturday’s debacle of the coach going troppo at the boys and the last half [Read more]

Almanacker short-listed for the Miles Franklin Award

G’day Folks Great news: Writer Tony Birch, who is best-known around the world for his Almanac pieces on Carlton, has been short-listed for Australia’s premier literary award, the Miles Franklin, for his novel, Blood.  Congratulations Tony. We hope you are kicking with the breeze in the final quarter, and get the four points. (Tony also [Read more]

Please explain!

by Medium Dazza Smith   I try not to be one-eyed, I really do! I even applauded a couple of good Melbourne grabs on Sat night, but enough is enough!   Can someone please provide me with a plausible, metaphorical, meaningful or even meteorological explanation as to how L. Montagna is likely to be missing [Read more]

Europe @ 2.4km/h

1pm on Sunday,May 6. John Harms interviews Ken Haley. The venue is the Supper Room at the Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson St, Williamstown. A part of the Williamstown Literary Festival.

Write Line Fever

Discussions on sports writing. 8 – 9:30pm on Wednesday May 2, with Gideon Haigh, John Harms and Vin Maskell, at Williamstown CYMS Sporting Club, Fearon Reserve, Gardiner St Williamstown. A part of the Williamstown Literary Festival.

Post-Postecoglou

By Lee Hugh McGowan Brisbane is a city where fleeting greatness too frequently spills into something bigger, where legendary status can be achieved on the purchase of the next round of schooners and a bronzed statue of your favourite local star is stood at the end of your street before the final whistle of their [Read more]

ANZAC XVIII: A great great day

By Mark O’Connell ANZAC day 2012 marked the 10th anniversary of one of the best days of all time. ANZAC day 2002 was the first year my cousin Noel and I ventured to the Dawn Service as part of the occasion which would also involve much eating, drinking, laughing and a game of Australian Rules [Read more]