Almanac Books: ‘Stories for Harry & Ray’ – Michael Sexton

‘Stories for Harry & Ray’ by Michael Sexton is a collection of yarns about sportspeople he has gathered over many years and is now available for purchase.

Almanac Cricket: Goodbye Mr Happy

Michael Sexton remembers the deeds of South Australian Shield cricketer Ken ‘Charlie’ Horsnell including Ken bowling Garry Sobers for a first ball duck.

Almanac Lunch: Balme in the Barossa

Michael Sexton and his mate Jeff enjoyed the recent Footy Almanac lunch with Neil Balme and Anson Cameron at The Clubhouse in Tanunda. Michael also unpacks the swing Balmey took at Jeff many years ago.

SANFL: Autumn in the Jungle

The weather and Glenelg were on song over North Adelaide as Michael Sexton watched, meanwhile the victorious 1973 side were celebrated on what was a perfect sunny autumn arvo.

Almanac Footy History: Why Not Tom Leahy?

Michael Sexton suggests there is a compelling case for the induction of former South Australian champion Tom Leahy into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The prehistory of Neil Kerley

Following the death of Neil ‘Knuckles’ Kerley, we revisit Mike Sexton’s interview with ‘King’ when they sat by the Murray River at the time of Kerley’s 80th birthday in 2014.

Almanac Football (History): Alex Jesaulenko

A recently discovered three minute, black and white film featuring Alex Jesaulenko in just his fourth VFL game has Michael Sexton enthralled. It took him back to a time full of rich and rewarding memories.

An Anzac Story: The Death of Mark McGrath

This Anzac Day West Adelaide will honour Mark McGrath along with eight other former players who made the supreme sacrifice during the two World Wars. Michael Sexton shares the story of McGrath’s footy career and RAAF service.

Almanac Cricket Literature: How Vic Richardson and Ian Chappell helped John Lysikatos breathe again

Michael Sexton tells the story John Lysikatos, the author of the recently published ‘Victor Richardson: A Great Australian All Round Cricketer’ explaining the mission John was on and the friendships he developed with the Chappell family who encouraged and supported the project. [This is a wonderful story – JTH]

Almanac Footy: A Grand Final week postcard from the Tiwi Islands where a whisper of history is at play

Mention the Tiwi Islands and you immediately think football, and haven’t they produced some greats! Michael Sexton presents a postcard from the islands in the lead up to the Grand Final.

Almanac Books: Finding Jack Broadstock

Researching information about the subject of his biography, ‘The Trials of Jack Broadstock’, proved to be challenging at times for Michael Sexton as he explains.

Book Launch: ‘The Trials of Jack Broadstock’ by Michael Sexton (May 25)

Michael Sexton’s biography of Jack Broadstock will be launched on May 25 in Adelaide. Details about the event and the book are included in this post.

Almanac Tennis: Ant bed nation – why Australian tennis owes the termite

With the topic of ant bed tennis courts running hot on the Almanac in recent weeks, Michael Sexton delves into the career of one of Queensland’s finest tennis players in Mal Anderson, and the influence growing up of the famous ant beds.

Almanac Rewind – Mike Sexton in India: Finding Cricket and Space in Delhi

With the test series against India beginning tomorrow, let’s revisit this piece from Mike Sexton, published late last year. A taste of modern Dehli, and an insight into modern Indian cricket. (If you didn’t get a copy of Border’s Battlers at the time, it’s well worth it – Ed).

Almanac Cricket: Vale Eric ‘Fritz’ Freeman, a man for all seasons

Fritz Freeman, as South Australian as his moniker, played cricket for Australia and footy for Port Adelaide. His love of the two games has never dimmed, as Mike Sexton writes in this beautiful tribute. Eric Freeman passed away last night.

Almanac (Footy) History – Trade Week 1973: How Richard Michalcyzk got to the Kangaroos

In 1973, every club in Melbourne wanted to recruit Richard Michalcyzk. Michael Sexton tells the curious tale of how North Melbourne managed to secure his services.

Almanac Cricket: Finding Frank Tarrant under the grape vines

With summer here, the sultana grape vines provide Michael Sexton with a wonderful shady backdrop for listening to Test cricket, and for reading. A book he recommends for reading in such a place is Mike Coward’s ‘Cricket’s Forgotten Pioneer: The Frank Tarrant Story’.

Almanac Cricket: ‘The Summer of Barry’ – celebrating the golden season of 1970-71

Barry Richards was a prodigious scorer of runs. Unfortunately, we never saw the best of him at Test level, due to apartheid, but he had a glorious summer in South Australia in 1970-71. Michael Sexton has written a book about that season: ‘The Summer of Barry – South Australia 1970-71’.

Almanac Cricket: Remembering Dean Jones in the Tied Test (an extract from Mike Sexton’s book ‘Border’s Battlers’)

Dean Jones died in September 2020 while in India, the country where he played (arguably) his greatest innings. We relive this innings and the Madras (now Chennai) tied Test through these two extracts from Mike Sexton’s fine book ‘Border’s Battlers’. Vale Dean Jones.

Neil Sachse: A determined father spreads an important message

With the passing of Neil Sachse, we revisit this excerpt from Mike Sexton’s book about Neil. This is an introduction to Neil Sachse, the nature of spinal injury, the advances made in understanding and management, and Neil’s foundation. The Almanac extends our condolences to the Sachse family.