More Almanac (Cricket) Sadness: Vale Shane Warne

Andrew Else, like most of us, has been shocked by the premature death of Shane Warne. In response he paints a picture of the relatable Aussie which celebrates his genius and his larrikinism while never losing sight of the fact that this is all so sad. [A fine piece , at a moment when we are all floored – JTH]

Melbourne: A City Surviving, a Team Arriving.

Beaut piece from Melbourne dad and footy lover Andrew Else with a look into family life in Grand Final week with its Lockdown, its riots, its earthquake and the arrival of a great footy team. [Love it -JTH]

Almanac Life: Our Big Black Shoes

Another fine Saturday morning piece on the joys of modern life from dad, Andrew Else. This one on the tension between conformity and opportunity in schools (when you can go to them). [Nice – Ed]

Round 5 – Brisbane v Essendon: A soggy family debut

Daring to mix footy with a family holiday, Andrew Else then had to contend with the rain. ‘Real rain. Not Melbourne drizzle. Queensland rain.’

Almanac (Cricket) Obituary: RIP Dean Jones – the player we wanted to be

Cricket lovers everywhere have been shocked by the untimely death of cricketing legend Dean Jones. Andrew Else remembers a much loved cricketer.

Round 10 – Essendon v GWS: Stuck in the back pocket

Andrew Else, Bombers man, is in Lockdown with his family in Melbourne. His report of the Essendon game against the (confident and good-looking) Giants boys is a comment on COVID life, politicians, journalists, press conferences, social media, parenting and even football. [Timely – Ed]

Almanac Life: Iso Saturdays sans footy – Bubbles, Puddles, Bears and Lions

Andrew Else considers the nature of Saturdays in the age of coronavirus, Saturdays, that is, with a couple of pre-schoolers. [Some ripper lines in here – Ed]

AFL Trade Radio Satire – Episode 3: Brett Burton sits down with Sam McClure

Andrew Else continues his satirical look at the trade period with episode 3 of Trade Radio.

AFL Trade Radio Satire – Episode 2 – The Production Meeting

Andrew Else continues his imaginary series, taking us behind the scenes to listen in to the day’s production meeting at ‘Trade Radio’, the source of all the top stories from the AFL trade period.

AFL Trade Radio Satire – Episode 1: Adrian Dodoro

Andrew Else thinks AFL Trade Radio could do with a bit more Clarke and Dawe. In his Episode 1, an imaginary Adrian Dodoro tussles with an imaginary Dwayne Russell.

Round 6 – Essendon v Collingwood: Knowing where the milk is (brashly)

Beaut multi-layered story of the Anzac Day game from Andrew Else who watches with his young’uns. [Comment through narrative: I love this style – JTH]

A new kids’ book, inspired by #sandpapergate

As with any parent onto their 1000th read of their kid’s favourite book, Andrew Else decided, “I reckon I can do better”. He hopes all this cheating business hasn’t turned him sour…as he pens his thoughts in verse.

Almanac Cricket and Footy: So, your team are cheats – Advice from a Bombers Fan

Bomber fan, Andrew offers some friendly advice to consider if your team has been caught cheating.

Almanac Book Cover 2016: The Case for Walla

The latest nomination for the 2016 Almanac book cover sees Andrew Else put forward the case for new Bomber star Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.

Round 20 – Geelong v Essendon: The Turning Wheels of Boris

Andrew Else with a tale of two ‘Boris’-es; remembering a game twenty years ago when his Bombers played Geelong. Times have changed; this 2016 Geelong stand as the “most arrogant opposition” he has seen this year.

The People you see at the Playground, Identified by their AFL team

Andrew Else writes how a groups behaviour at the park can be dictated by their football team of choice.

Round 18 – Essendon v Brisbane: Lions Treat Bombers as Mealworms as the Bride Twirls to Victory

Andrew Else relates the trials and tribulations of spouses supporting opposing teams.

Round 21 – Gold Coast Suns v Essendon: Family Time

The post-Hird era at Essendon dawns with a narrow loss to the Suns. Andrew Else contemplates how he’ll explain the Bombers’ fall from grace in the years to come to his own son. [And mazel tov on the new arrival to the household! – Ed]

AFL Round 2 – Essendon v Hawthorn: Post Game Kick to Kick

With the game over, Andrew Else takes in some kick-to-kick action on the hallowed MCG turf

AFL Round 22 – Essendon v Gold Coast: Something Worth Watching

Andrew Else was not required for coaching duties this weekend so he spent the weekend at Cape Schanck. But he couldn’t take his eyes off the tight final quarter between his Bombers and the Suns.