Australia count the victories. England count the lost opportunities. John Butler counts the score.
The Ashes – Second Test, Brisbane Day 4: Too little too late from England
December 8, 2025 by 3 Comments
The Ashes – First Test, Day 2: Travball Compounds England’s Completion Problems
November 23, 2025 by 6 Comments
If you refuse to complete a deal, don’t be surprised if your opponent completes it for you. John Butler looks at how Australia claimed victory in two frantic days of Test cricket.
The Ashes – First Test, Day 1: England On Top After ADHD Bat Fest
November 22, 2025 by 5 Comments
John Butler appraises a day of Test cricket that was more ADHD than traditional, a day when Australia’s weakness against good fast bowling was exposed for all to see.
Round 16 – Port Adelaide v Carlton: Taking The Piss
June 27, 2025 by 12 Comments
Not quite the result Carlton fans hoped for as another poor performance leaves them lamenting once again reports John Butler.
Almanac Footy: Carlton 2025 – How Blue Can You Get?
June 24, 2025 by 12 Comments
It’s tough being a Carlton supporter at the moment! John Butler does some soul searching as to why the club has not met their supporters expectations for such a long time.
The Tsundoku Files: Brave?
October 13, 2021 by 22 Comments
Who would open a book shop in this climate? Well, John Butler has; he explains the what/why/hows of the process.
Almanac Footy: The Teague Train – No brakes, only one gear, ran out of rail
August 27, 2021 by 4 Comments
John Butler offers his take on the latest Carlton drama.
Round 12 – Carlton v West Coast: Here we go again
June 10, 2021 by 14 Comments
Deja vu all over again? Or a genuine quest for answers in place of scapegoats? John Butler considers the Carlton review in the wake of an insipid loss to West Coast.
Round 11 – Sydney v Carlton: Swans show us the way
June 3, 2021 by 12 Comments
With this loss to Sydney, John Butler sees Carlton expectations for 2021 are fading fast. Where to from here?
Round 10 – Carlton v Hawthorn: There is merit in struggle
May 26, 2021 by Leave a Comment
If it takes an ugly struggle to get a win over Hawthorn, then John Butler is all for ugly struggles. And he adds a few thoughts on tribunal matters .
Round 8 – Western Bulldogs v Carlton: When you risk becoming the problem…
May 13, 2021 by 5 Comments
Yes, the last quarter was grim. But John Butler has found much of what followed in the days since the game equally frustrating.
Round 6 – Carlton v Brisbane: Three out of four will never do
April 28, 2021 by 3 Comments
After a week of criticism, Carlton offered three-quarters of a response. John Butler offers his view on what was missing
Round 5 – Carlton v Port Adelaide: Carltony
April 23, 2021 by 8 Comments
After a poor performance from the Carlton club as a whole last Saturday, John Butler is as disappointed as any Blubagger. But he isn’t buying into the subsequent pile-on.
Round 4 – Gold Coast v Carlton: Shoot-out at the So-So Corral
April 14, 2021 by 3 Comments
‘In the current push to persuade us that the AFL has resurrected footy with a few rule tweaks, it is unlikely this game will be submitted as evidence for the prosecution.’. John Butler watched his Blues get the job done at Metricon.
Almanac Footy – Carlton 2021: The wildcard season
March 25, 2021 by 8 Comments
Ahead of a crucial game against their old rivals, John Butler tries to assess Carlton’s prospects for 2021.
Round 1 – Richmond v Carlton: Seven minutes told the tale
March 23, 2021 by 11 Comments
For all Carlton’s efforts on the night, it’s seven minutes that leave John Butler worried.
Almanac Cricket: What is happening with fourth innings in Australia?
January 20, 2021 by 17 Comments
Prompted by a tweet from an English statistician, John Butler examines an interesting trend in fourth innings in Australian tests.
Australia v India – Fourth Test: Who will endure?
January 15, 2021 by 10 Comments
Australia faltered, whilst India survived. There were many talking points to emerge from Sydney, and much to anticipate in Brisbane. John Butler sets the scene.
Australia v India – Second Test Day 3: India close on a remarkable revival
December 29, 2020 by 12 Comments
The Steve Smith symphony is out of tune, and it is leaving Australia’s batting badly exposed. John Butler reports on Day 3 at the MCG, as India closed on a series levelling victory.
Australia v India – Second Test Day 2: Rahane grinds Australia into error
December 28, 2020 by 9 Comments
Ajinkya Rahane let his bat do the talking on Day 2 at the MCG. By the end of play he’d decisively won the debate. John Butler reports.
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