Season 3 of AFLW began spectacularly, with four thrillers out of five games, all played in hot conditions. But as the players put on a great show, John Butler has concerns about the potential for the new conference system to unduly shape the finals.
Australia v India – Adelaide, Day 1: Dogged Pujara saves sloppy India
December 6, 2018 by 8 Comments
Cheteshwar Pujara saved his side from embarrassment, as India struggled against an impressive Australian first day effort. John Butler reports.
Almanac Cricket – Questions of legacy
November 8, 2018 by 18 Comments
With the revolving door at Cricket Australia spinning ever faster, John Butler assesses the legacies of those departed, or soon to depart.
Almanac Cricket: One big step on a path to redemption
October 13, 2018 by 25 Comments
Tim Paine’s men have just delivered a big statement on this country’s cricket culture. As for the pending reviews? John Butler thinks we should all just read The Grade Cricketer.
Carlton 2018: Every rebuild can be unhappy in its own way
September 21, 2018 by 18 Comments
Much furious comment surrounded Carlton’s 2018. John Butler offers his thoughts on the Year of the Double Spoon.
Round 21 – Fremantle v Carlton: Three quarters out of four not enough for Blues
August 15, 2018 by 3 Comments
A new stadium, but a familiar result. The Blues saw three solid quarters of effort disappear in a Fremantle third term blitz. John Butler reports.
Round 20 – Carlton v GWS: Welcome to Globetrotters’ AFL
August 9, 2018 by 10 Comments
As he watched the Giants pulverise the Blues, John Butler was left contemplating the wider football universe. Let’s just say, he has his reservations.
One Hundred Years Ago: Round 4, 20th May, 1911
August 8, 2018 by 13 Comments
If you were in any doubt, violence in football is nothing new. As an example, we revisit the 1911 VFL season, and a controversial incident that ended up in the law courts.
Round 19 – Gold Coast v Carlton: The Sunk Cost Fallacy Cup
August 1, 2018 by 10 Comments
When you’ve won 1 of your last 27, any win will do. John Butler evaluates the Blues’ win over the Suns.
Women’s Football – The Footy Almanac supports Play On Empower Celebration in Ballarat
June 26, 2018 by 8 Comments
Moana Hope was in Ballarat yesterday, celebrating the Play On Empower initiative. The Footy Almanac is proud to support this program that is engaging young women through football.
Almanac Book Review: Roar by Samantha Lane
May 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
John Butler’s review of a book that captures the story of the AFLW’s initial steps and also seems ahead of its time: Roar by Sam Lane
Round 2 – Carlton v Gold Coast: Fumbling in the Sun
April 3, 2018 by 8 Comments
The journey into Etihad Stadium on Saturday gave John Butler plenty of time to ponder what his Blues would bring after an honourable loss in Round 1. Despite adding another defeat to the board for 2018, he’s still optimistic for Carlton’s future.
AFLW Grand Final – Western Bulldogs v Brisbane: Bulldogs singing in the rain
March 27, 2018 by 9 Comments
‘Was this a demonstration of AFL omnipotence? In many ways, it has felt like the League has fought an impulse to rain on its own creation in this second season of being. Had it now summoned torrents after six weeks of Victorian drought? Was this the ultimate memo to bring the unruly women to heel?’
AFLW Round 7 – Fremantle v Carlton: Bruises before the bloodbath
March 23, 2018 by 2 Comments
There’s no dead games in a seven game season, just ask the dented Dockers and the bruised Blues
AFLW Round 5 – Adelaide v Carlton: The Game Changers need to change their game
March 9, 2018 by 5 Comments
Are Carlton moving with the times? Not if the last couple of weeks are anything to go by
AFLW Round 4 – Western Bulldogs v Carlton: Blues get run over by the future. Someone call an ambulance
March 2, 2018 by 3 Comments
The ghosts of football past were still present at the Western Oval last Friday night for the Blues who went down to the Dogs, and for John Butler who was there in ’91 for another Carlton catastrophe.
AFLW Round 3 – Carlton v Brisbane: You had to be there
February 20, 2018 by 9 Comments
John Butler thinks impressions of the few televised AFLW games to date have distorted perceptions of developments across the league as a whole.
AFLW Round 2 – GWS v Carlton: Don’t say this isn’t for real
February 13, 2018 by 7 Comments
John Butler: “The injury toll across this round serves to remind that the AFL’s women players are committing their bodies as unreservedly as their male counterparts, but for a fraction of the financial reward. In their efforts to build on the opportunity at hand, you won’t hear them complain…”
AFLW Round 1 – Carlton v Collingwood: A Second Act With A Future
February 5, 2018 by 10 Comments
John Butler recounts Friday night’s AFLW Season Opener and despite a low-scoring and defensive match, he sees enormous potential for development in the years to come.
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