Gravel & Mud: Martin Flanagan’s introduction

Martin Flanagan recalls life on the West Coast of Tasmania with its places, and characters and its distinctive footy. This piece of fine story-telling is the introduction to Gravel & Mud, an anthology put together by Tony Newport and the Carswell brothers Chris and John.

Gravel & Mud: Chris Fagan’s Preface

As you will see over the coming days, as the Almanac publishes this series of extracts, Gravel & Mud is full of wonderful yarns.

Almanac Books: Introducing Gravel & Mud – An Anthology of Football in the Mountains of Western Tasmania

Tony Newport, John Carswell and Chris Carswell have compiled a classic anthology of footy stories from the west coast of Tasmania. Here’s some info about the book. Look out for some stories from the book to be published here in the coming days. [A ripper – JTH]

Almanac Teams: The best bunioned left footers on the non-preferred

Tony Newport, with a funny team of a sort. Perhaps we take this as a comment on AFL footy writing in the silly season? (You be the judge – Ed).

Almanac (Footy Fan) Life: They are into us – The Newbies

Tony Newport has know both good times and bad as a lifelong South Melbourne/Sydney Swans supporter. He has a message for ‘newbie’ Swans followers who are doing it tough after years of success.

Almanac Country Footy: The Dam Buster Ball (now with derby photo)

Tony Newport tells the story of a cracking derby between Rosebery and Toorak in which his astute coach started him at full forward where the result was decided by the rarest of kicks: the dam buster ball. [Brilliantly described – Ed]

Almanac (Bush) Footy: The Jumper

Tony Newport reminisces about the Rosebery 1971 Premiership.