John Gordon’s late father was a Perth Scorchers fan. John’s Dad would have loved last night’s win. He poignantly reflects on shared personal moments, and his Dad’s favourite poem ‘The Listeners’.
(A beautiful reflection – Ed)
Almanac Life: ‘The Listeners’ – For My Dad
January 21, 2026 by 1 Comment
Almanac (Poetic) Life: Christmas Eve
December 24, 2025 by 6 Comments
This beaut little poem from John Gordon will touch those who are tallying up the years. As we reprise it three years down the track, John’s poem also encourages us to contemplate what John Harms calls ‘the simplicity and complexity’ of the Christmas season.
Almanac Poetry (and Cricket): Wide long on
November 17, 2025 by 1 Comment
John Gordon recalls the changes that mark the passing cricket seasons of a players years – from the full-on investment of youth to a fading presence in the later years until a time beyond the boundary line calls.
Almanac Local Footy: The Kat Trick
November 12, 2025 by 2 Comments
It was a thrilling day of grand final football in the North Pilbara Football League. John Gordon recounts what was an historic day for the Karratha Kats
Almanac Life: The Poppy Guy
November 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment
It was an ordinary Saturday morning for John Gordon until he walked past The Poppy Guy en route to his car. Something demanded he go back.
Almanac Obituaries: Vale Warren Ralph (Who Stood On My Head)
July 25, 2025 by 3 Comments
John Gordon pays tribute to former Carlton footballer Warren Ralph who passed away suddenly earlier this week. John fondly remembers Warren’s boots on top of his head after a Ralph screamer. RIP Warren Ralph.
Almanac Life: The Whitburn Coincidence
July 10, 2025 by 4 Comments
Talk about coincidences – an old cricket photo, a funeral in Perth, the musical ‘Hamilton’, the Whitburn Cricket Club in the UK, and more are linked together as explained by John Gordon.
The Selwood twins
May 19, 2025 by 5 Comments
John Gordon recounts a meeting with the Selwood twins at a time of great joy, in the hours after the 2006 Grand Final.
Almanac Life: The amazing tale of the Eagle and Hawk, his dad, his friend the former Giant and Docker, Tenacious Jack, the Archibald artist, my Dad and the Willie Wagtail. (Fathers’ Day – Part II)
April 29, 2025 by 12 Comments
Back in 2018 John Gordon wrote a beautiful account of the West Coast Eagles’ premiership win, a story which then appeared in ‘The Eagles Almanac 2018’. Now, a year after the passing of his father, Ray, John offers new and poignant insights into life, death, traditional beliefs – and willie wagtails.
Almanac Poetry: Empty Football Oval on a Saturday Afternoon
April 22, 2025 by Leave a Comment
What’s in an empty oval? John Gordon offers two thoughts, both full of insight and meaning.
Almanac Footy: Miracle at Marvel
August 24, 2023 by 1 Comment
John Gordon details the context and build up to one of the most memorable upset victories at Marvel Stadium as West Coast defied the odds against the Bulldogs who were vying for a place in the finals whilst the Blue and Gold had only pride to play for whilst sitting rock bottom of the ladder. A serving of a humble pie to those who dismissed them as a “bye” until the next round.
Almanac Footy: Nic Nat Retires
August 15, 2023 by 8 Comments
John Gordon pays tribute to West Coast Eagle Nic Naitanui who has announced his retirement after a long run of injuries over the past few years.
Almanac Footy: Barracking for the Vics??
December 15, 2022 by Leave a Comment
John Gordon grapples with the terms of how and where should loyalties lie in a sport. Each individual have their own unique and complex situations but John shares his pivotal shift in barracking for a different side and how it came to be.
Almanac Life: Ulysses recalled – Farewell to The Brick.
June 14, 2022 by 9 Comments
John Gordon recalls his former team mate fondly known as ‘The Brick’, a man of great sporting prowess, and later in life, in search of a miracle as John so poignantly and profoundly explains.
Round 4 – Collingwood v West Coast: ‘It’d be a good one to win’
April 12, 2022 by 2 Comments
West Coast Eagles decimated by injuries overcame diversity and pulled off a great win against Collingwood as John Gordon explains.
Almanac Cricket: Fifty-five days to be King – the BBL 11 Grand Final in technicolor (by John Gordon)
February 4, 2022 by 1 Comment
It takes a lot of skill for a writer to make T20 BBL cricket interesting and entertaining, and meaningful. But John Gordon has done it. Read his overview of BBL11 and the Scorchers win in the Grand Final. [Wasn’t expecting references to the Boxer Rebellion and David Niven in the opening paragraph – JTH]
Almanac Life and Footy: Do it for Frank
July 26, 2021 by 4 Comments
John Gordon shares the poignant life of Frank Temple, from a stint for the Saints’ Thirds cut down by a shoulder injury to a life cut short by the scourge of asbestos, Frank was St Kilda to the core, but family came first.
Almanac Soccer: Melbourne City for the cup! (Or how I learned to stop worrying and enjoy the soccer)
June 22, 2021 by 5 Comments
John Gordon first became interested in soccer in the 70s watching English soccer on late night TV, now he eagerly follows his son who is a keen soccer player.
Almanac Footy: “If you don’t mind umpire, that was only 14.5 metres!!’
June 19, 2021 by 7 Comments
Contentious umpiring decisions cause frustration and confusion for footy supporters everywhere. ‘We was robbed!’ is a plaintive cry in closely fought games. John Gordon steps into the debate.
Opinion: What if Declan Mountford makes his Eagles debut but nobody knew? The day integrity and the AFL parted company
John Gordon thinks the AFL stuffed up big time by hamstringing his Eagles who had to play with several missing due to Covid protocols – what do you think? Would it be a different kettle of fish if flag faves Melbourne were playing?