AFLW: The Rise of Women’s Football – Part 2: State

The second instalment of Callum O’Connor’s features on the rise of women’s football. The establishment of a State level has given the country’s talented female players an environment in which they can develop their skills. [ This was originally published on the site in 2015 – Ed]

AFLW: The Rise of Women’s Footy – Grassroots

First published in 2015…

Callum O’Çonnor on the rising popularity and participation of women playing Australian Rules Football all over the country. [With the AFLW Grand Final this weekend it is a good time to reprise Callum O’Connor’s three part series about the rise of women’s football. Enjoy Part 1. – ED]

AFLW Round 1 – Carlton v Collingwood: Bobbleheads burst

The 2017 AFLW season opener between Carlton and Collingwood at IKON Park was a triumph in every sense of the word. Its 2018 sequel? Well…
Callum O’Connor with five talking points after a disappointing Round 1 clash.

Local Basketball – Two Down? Too Good

In a local Sunday basketball competition, Acceptable in the ’90s pulled off a miraculous victory that sport’s magic is built upon. Callum O’Connor tells the story of four mates – three with five minutes to go – who won a premiership.

The Ashes – First Test, Day 5: Aussies Ease to Victory, But the Fire for the Urn Burns

And so it came to pass that Australia romped home by 10 wickets. But don’t worry – Callum O’Connor can see plenty to look forward to in this Ashes series.

AFL Grand Final – Adelaide v Richmond: To Gerard

“The hardest years, the wildest years”… Callum O’Connor dedicates 15 years of football to his Uncle Gerard, the man who has led him all the way.

VFL Women’s: A Changing Competition

VFL Women’s is set to bid farewell to its grassroots heritage as the competition prepares for AFL-affiliated teams to replace its foundations clubs.

VFL Women’s – Chantella Perera: The Big Game Hunter

After a successful NBA career, Chantella Perera picked up Australian Rules when she joined the inaugural Box Hill Hawks’ VFL Women’s side. As a key position tagger, she has made a name for herself against some of the biggest profiles in VFLW.

VWFL – Box Hill Hawks v Seaford Tigerettes: Historic win for the Hawks

This report from Callum O’Connor suggests the Box Hill – Seaford game was an exciting affair. Congrats to Clare O’Donnell whose progress we have been following. Clare had a terrific game by all accounts and was mentioned by her couch for six tackles in the last quarter.

Women’s Footy – VFL: Mel Kuys

The inaugural VFL Women’s captain of the Box Hill Hawks Mel Kuys talks leadership and the future ahead for her side.

Susan Alberti: AFLW Reflection

The godmother of AFL Women’s reflects on her hopes, dreams, fears, thoughts and favourite moments from the maiden season of our newest game.

The Best Photo of the AFLW Season

At half time of the first AFL Women’s match between Carlton and Collingwood at IKON Park on February 3, AFL photographer Michael Willson captured the shot that depicts everything the new competition meant. Callum O’Connor explains.

AFLW Round 4 – Melbourne v Carlton: How wrong you could be

Callum O’Connor was sure during the draft that the Carlton ladies would be unstoppable and the Melbourne women would be hard pressed to beat any Melbourne side.

AFL Round 23 – Sydney v Richmond: Miracle at the Sporting Globe (this is the Almanac’s 10,000th piece)

Part three of Paddy Suggests, Richmond’s incredible, euphoric and, yes, emotional win over Sydney in Round 23, 2014 was one of the best examples of Australian Football of all time, while Callum O’Connor’s report of the game, a rollicking tale of three Tigers following every twist and turn at the Sporting Globe, made the win all the more sweet. This was also the Almanac’s 10,000th piece (and a bloody good one, I might add).

Almanac Book Cover 2016: Moana Hope & Susan Alberti

Mo and Susan, two very different women who love the game of football, are Callum O’Connor’s joint nomination for the 2016 cover of the Footy Almanac.

My First Day

Callum O’Connor always wanted to work as a footy writer. And more recently, as a women’s footy writer. Since last Saturday, he does. [Congratulations Callum – Ed].

Women’s Footy – VFL: Melbourne Uni Coach Andrew Jago

Melbourne Uni coach Andrew jago reflects on successful tactics and backed hunches following the Mugars’ triumph over the Eastern Devils in the VFL Women’s elimination final.

Almanac VFL Women’s: Darebin Coach – Jane Lange

As her team prepares for a tilt at their fourth straight flag in VFL, Darebin Falcons’ playing coach Jane Lange talks about what it takes to stay at the top for so long.

Women’s Footy – VFL: Spurred On By Belief

Three years ago, the St Albans Spurs were beaten, drained of players and on the verge of collapse. Forward Alex Quigley talks about the long fight back for respect, peaking with their upset victory against Diamond Creek.

Women’s Footy – VFL: Pepa Randall

Two years after beginning her Australian Rules career, Eastern Devils’ wildcard Pepa Randall is a balance between spontaneous and developing. Can the Western Bulldogs-listed player continue to learn the art of the game ahead of the 2017 national competition?