Round 1 – Collingwood v Sydney: Red (and white)

The last time he was at the MCG, the incomparable Taylor Swift left her mark on Jake “Cobba” Stevens. On Friday, he returned to watch his Swans defeat Collingwood.

Almanac Preliminary Final – Sydney v Collingwood: Magpies and blood

A magpie drew Cobba’s blood last Sunday afternoon but his Bloods turned the tables at the SCG last night.

Almanac Athletics: Track Scars

Our own Jake ‘Cobba’ Stevens was fast enough to compete at the 2021 Australian Track & Field Championships in Sydney. In the semi-finals of the 800m event, Cobba got to experience the full range of emotions that competitive racing can bring for aspiring Olympians.

Almanac Athletics: The dream is born

At first it was the pursuit of romance [why else do we men do ANYTHING, if not for love? – Ed] for Jake Stevens, but along the way, he’s fallen for an altogether more intoxicating and all-consuming passion; athletics and the hope of one day representing his country at the elite level.

The Hunnas still have more to give: A Profile interview with Mark Seymour

Jake ‘Cobba’ Stevens wants to throw his arms around you, and take you to the holy grail of Oz Rock. Cobba interviews Mark Seymour the lead man of the legendary Hunters & Collectors.

Data Visualisation – Draft picks and career games

Jake “Cobba” Stevens uses his incisive brain and IT wizardry to show us how successful the AFL draft has been in predicting a long term playing career.

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.

Infographic: The Socceroos and Ange Postecoglou

With Ange Postecoglou appointed as the head coach, the Socceroos welcomes only the third native-born manager of the team since 1970. Cobba Stevens reckons we’re in good hands. (And supplies one of his handy infographics on Ange’s predecessors.)

2013 AFL Grand Final Infographic

Move over Weg, Jake Stevens offers pictures to help the linguistically challenged post-lunch Almanacker. Move over Caro and Gerard, he’s doing the Festival of the Boot live webstreaminternetcast thingo for Latrobe Uni tomorrow afternoon. Log in and do yourself a favour (we’re still very 80’s here at Almanac HQ).

The Mornington Football Club 125 years documentary

Jake Stevens has compiled a visual history of the Mornington Football Club. Having completed this herculean task, he then had to present the finished piece and speak at the 125th anniversary celebrations. You can see the results here.

AFL Round 19 – Western Bulldogs v Sydney: An honourable loss for the Dogs

Cobba Stevens asks, what is an honourable loss? Losing by less than you thought? Having a crack? The Dogs certainly couldn’t have done much more against the Swans.

The F Word – The race to the top 8

Cobba Stevens reckons it’s mathematically possible for Gold Coast to make the finals. Now we’ve all paused to contemplate and dismiss this possibility…where will your team end up heading into September? Statistics tell all. Also, Cobba wraps up the stats on another sad week for Melbourne, and checks out the history of first vs second.

Joel Selwood, an experienced winner

On the weekend, Joel played his 150th game for Geelong, and recorded his 124th victory for the side as well. Over his journey, he’s only experienced 26 defeats, and leads the competition for the highest win/loss ratio of current players (those who have played 150 games or more).

The Curse of the bye

More teams lose the game after the bye than not – but is it as simple as blaming the week’s rest? Cobba Stevens thinks there’s more to it.

Cornes, Black, and other club games record holders

As Cobba rounds up the stats for Round 12, he contemplates two record-breaking milestones (and how they compare with his own efforts).

AFL Round 11 – Melbourne v Collingwood: Who is Mr 100%?

Cobba gives 110% in his latest article, looking at who has recorded the most “One Percenters” this year. The answer will surprise you.

Boomer Harvey and other little blokes (and lots of interesting tidbits)

Cobba’s infographic and column focuses on the little blokes of the competition (as Cobba has spent a life-time on the end of the front row in photos). Lots of interesting pieces of information to consider.

AFL Round 9 – North Melbourne v Adelaide: The Heartbreaker – games lost by less than a goal

Cobba Stevens shows that North’s run of close defeats rivals Fitzroy in 1978 and their own record in 1926.

AFL Round 8 – West Coast v North Melbourne: In the Nic of Time, Goals after the Siren

Cobba presents his Round 8 Footy Graph on goals after the siren.

AFL Round 7 – Hawthorn v Sydney: Mountain-sized challenged for the Swans

Cobba Stevens can’t imagine a year that would be better than 2012. The only disadvantage to being so high, is the drop beneath.