Almanac Cricket: A Poor Batsman’s Guide to Scoring a Century

You never forget your first. Here’s Craig Dodson’s

Grand Final 2016 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: The lonely walk out of the MCG

A Swans fan living in Melbourne’s west: Craig Dodson’s grand final experience.

Finals Week 1 – Sydney v GWS: Preview

Craig Dodson resurrects his old woolly Swans jumper and reflects on the journey as they prepare for the qualifying final.

Father’s Day

A great Father’s Day yarn from Craig Dodson about parenting, sport and the perfect moments in between [And a Brian Lake sighting!].

Round 21 – St Kilda v Sydney: Oh, to be twenty one again

Reflective and thought-provoking; it was a family night for Craig Dodson, “sitting in the back-seat of the family station wagon for the first time in about 15 years” en route to Docklands.

Round 15 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: still looking for a cat to kick!

Craig Dodson returns to the SCG to watch his Swans for the first time since 2000 and the defeat to the Bulldogs is a loss that hurts and an opportunity lost.

Supporting Jeremy Cameron – The Dartmoor Football Club changes colour

Craig Dodson lets us in on the big steps that Dartmoor Football and Netball Club has taken to get behind Jeremy Cameron.

Round 12 – Greater Western Sydney v Sydney: Little brother lands one to the ribs

Craig Dodson understands family dynamics, little brother takes a beating and delights in dishing it back until the next contest, a bit like his Swannies against GWS.

Round 9 – Hawthorn v Sydney: Passing the audit

Craig Dodson returns, once more, to the MCG to watch his Swans pass the toughest test in football

Round 6 – Melbourne v St Kilda: Footy as a Neutral

Craig enjoys a day of the footy, Saints v Dees where the outcome either way has no impact on his emotional well being.

Almanac Golf: My inner Jordan Spieth

A note of thanks to Jordan Spieth from Craig Dodson. While it may not have been Augusta, nor the US Masters, the Wagga City Club C grade Saturday Comp presented very similar challenges.

A trip to the family day

The Dodson family and the Swans; a pretty good combo.

Subzero salutes

Craig Dodson explains his lasting bond with Subzero.

Finals Week 1 – Fremantle v Sydney preview

Craig Dodson is set for a big Qualifying final from his Swans when they face Fremantle at Subiaco on Saturday. As fate would have it though, the League decided a Saturday afternoon was the best time to hold this game: just when Team Dodson decided months ago to throw a party for young Harry’s first birthday [mazel tov Harry! – Ed].

Round 22 – St Kilda v Sydney: A first time Swans experience

Swans supporter Craig Dodson takes his toddler sons to the footy for the first time and learns very quickly it takes great skill to win the contest.

Round 17 – West Coast v Sydney: Where to from here?

Craig Dodson weaves recent Eagles-Swans history, Leo Barry, text message banter etiquette, Peppa Pig and musings of Tasmanian woodchopping into his game day experience. But for the Swans: where to from here?

The ‘Wagga Effect’

Craig Dodson throws down the gauntlet to Almanackers and sports fans alike: Is there a regional city in Australia with a better track record for producing elite sports talent than Wagga (Wagga)? Nominations welcome. [note JTH: includes reference to the time honoured Dunlop Volleys – Ed.]

Two Sick Kids and a Toyota Camry

Craig Dodson shares his disastrous journey from Wagga Wagga to Melbourne and back with his family.

Round 10 – Gold Coast v Sydney: Swans Family Bliss

Craig Dodson, still nursing a busted shoulder, gathers the family around to observe the Swans cruise to victory.

Country footy: Over the hill

After an eighteen year hiatus, Craig Dodson returns to footy. This is his story.