Almanac Footy: Qualifying For Finals Success

September 21, 2023 by 1 Comment

No club likes to be dumped from the finals in straight sets, but Swish spares a thought for those clubs that win their Qualifying Final, only to miss out on a spot in the Grand Final. Will it happen again this week?

SA v WA 1968: Home Ground Advantage

August 22, 2023 by 14 Comments

When South Australia and Western Australia met in Adelaide in 1968 the result went as expected. Both sides were sprinkled with names that were legendary in their respective states, some went on to national prominence but for others it was their only shot at State-level footy. Read what the SA Football Budget had to say about these stars of the 1960s. There’s a treat in store for those with a connection to Broken Hill also.

Almanac Cricket – Crease, Wicket Leave, Safe etc. – What Was Yours?

July 12, 2023 by 13 Comments

Swish asked Twitter about a particular Bairstow-related backyard cricket rule. How would you have responded?

SANFL 1970 Grand Final – Sturt v Glenelg: A Fistful Of Flags

June 5, 2023 by 7 Comments

Swish was gifted the Budget from the 1970 SANFL Grand Final by Sturt fan Phil Daly, which was the final of Sturt’s five successive flags.

SANFL 1967 Grand Final – Sturt v Port Adelaide: Back To Back Blues

May 16, 2023 by 5 Comments

The 1967 SANFL Grand Final was a rematch of the 1966 decider, pitting Jack Oatey’s skills based approach against Fos Williams’ physical style of football. The bigger, bolder ‘souvenir’ Football Budget says much about mid-1960s Adelaide.

Almanac Life: Elizabeth South Primary, Grade 7, 1972.

January 28, 2023 by 30 Comments

Swish reckons that 1972, his final year of primary school at Elizabeth South was up there with his best. [Fine memoir – JTH]

SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990 Part 4: North Adelaide

December 23, 2022 by 12 Comments

After a lengthy hiatus, Swish returns with the next club in his series of SANFL Blow-Ins, looking at the North Adelaide Roosters.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 10: Woodville

September 19, 2022 by 13 Comments

Here’s the final club of Swish’s SANFL 1971 Mobil Cards series, the Woodville Woodpeckers (as they were). Blight, Holland, Huppatz, Simunsen – what stars they all were!

SANFL 1973 Grand Final – Glenelg v North Adelaide: The Stud Gets Up

August 29, 2022 by 6 Comments

The 1973 SANFL Grand Final went down as a classic tussle, not decided until deep in the final term after a famous mark by Graham Cornes. Swish takes us back almost 50 years, to a time of car-salesman coaches, Vulcan oil heaters and groovy graphics.

Almanac Footy History: First Class Sheffield Shield Footy Connections, 1971

June 11, 2022 by 22 Comments

The days of the dual footy/cricket champion are long gone, but Swish saw a couple from the top shelf in a 1971 Sheffield Shield game, along with a pretty handy supporting cast.

1972 SANFL Grand Final – North Adelaide v Port Adelaide: Same Again Thanks

May 5, 2022 by 21 Comments

It’s fifty years since North Adelaide completed back-to-back SANFL flags. Swish takes a look at the 1972 Grand Final Footy Budget and provides some observations from the Roosters’ acclaimed win in the Champions of Australia a fortnight later.

Almanac Footy – SA v Victoria: Cup Day Canter for the Vics (1970)

January 31, 2022 by 26 Comments

This 1970 state game went according to the usual SA v Victoria script, but the curtain-raiser contained an intriguing team of Indigenous schoolboys from the Northern Territory.

Almanac Holiday Greetings – How To Make Gravox

December 21, 2021 by 12 Comments

Swish’s hopes that no-one stuffs up this year’s celebratory roast.

Almanac Football Obituary: Russell Ebert – Legend

November 7, 2021 by 11 Comments

Swish Schwerdt pays tribute to Russell Ebert, a universally loved footballer – a true champion on and off the field.

Almanac Life: Elizabeth South Shops 1966-1976

October 17, 2021 by 32 Comments

Swish harks back to a simpler time in his childhood ‘hood of Elizabeth South, when there were local shops run by local people. Featuring smokes, double-cut rolls, offal, more smokes, Amscol Footy Colours and the occasional Strepsil. [A must-read for lovers of everyday life anywhere, with many memories of 60s and 70s life – JTH]

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 9: West Torrens

August 13, 2021 by 14 Comments

West Torrens – The Mighty Eagles – is the subject of Swish’s latest review of the players from the 1971 SANFL Mobil Cards. Fred Bills, Glen Pill, Peter Phillipou and Bob Wildy, names to bring a smile to the Thebarton faithful.

Almanac Footy: 1968 Victoria v SA – Never in it

June 13, 2021 by 28 Comments

South Australia had reason for hope leading into their 1968 clash with Victoria. Mark ‘Swish’ Schwerdt relives what happened next in his inimitable style.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 8: West Adelaide

March 26, 2021 by 3 Comments

Swish Schwerdt continues his 1971 SANFL Mobil Cards series and presents Part 8: West Adelaide.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 7: Sturt

February 11, 2021 by 13 Comments

The mighty Double Blues were the kings of the SANFL at the beginning of 1971. The Mobil Footy Cards of that year featured some of their many stars. Swish has a bit to say about each of them here.

Almanac Book Review: ‘Flags, Spoons and Knives’ by Lee Harradine

November 16, 2020 by 3 Comments

West Adelaide stalwart Lee Harradine has produced a book reliving sixty-plus years of the trials and tribulations of this proud SANFL club. Swish has reviewed this important addition to SA footy history.