It’s an occasion worth noting according to Brian the Ruminator – two Australian sides are the only remaining undefeated Super Rugby Pacific clubs after four games…but both will face stern tests in the coming weeks when cross-Tasman clashes kick off.
Almanac Rugby: Super Rugby Pacific Round 3
March 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment
A big week for the two newcomers to Super Rugby, with Moana Pasifika’s delayed debut and the Drua’s first win over the Rebels. Brian the Ruminator offers his thoughts on how the season is shaping up so far.
‘The night Ettamogah scooped the pool…’ by KB Hill
March 3, 2022 by 1 Comment
Mark Mulcahy has covered sport in Victoria’s north-east and the Riverina for over four decades. Recently, he reminisced with Wangaratta’s sports historian KB Hill.
Almanac Rugby: Super Rugby Pacific Round 2
February 28, 2022 by 2 Comments
Round 2 of the Super Rugby Pacific and as yet no Moana Pasifika on the park due to the pandemic – with high hopes of a debut soon, Brian the Ruminator reviews the round and found great rugby matched with drubbings in equal measure.
Almanac Rugby: Super Rugby Pacific Round 1
February 21, 2022 by 1 Comment
A new season, a new name and two new sides mark what is (hopefully) a more sustainable model of Super Rugby – Brian the Ruminator wraps up the first hitouts of the 12-team comp.
‘Legends of Merriwa Park…’ by KB Hill
February 10, 2022 by 1 Comment
KB Hill reminisces about the roots of tennis at Wangaratta’s Merriwa Park and profiles champion tennis players over the last century.
A tale of two Olympics: The Economics of the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
February 7, 2022 by 4 Comments
With the Winter Olympics in full swing, Tim Harcourt tells two tales of one city – how the cogs moving behind the scenes at Beijing differ between 2022 and 2008 (and also what both games meant to Australia)
Almanac Tennis: Rafa’s tennis is as good as it gets
February 4, 2022 by 3 Comments
He may or may not end up the most successful of the big three, but the Spanish superstar provides the best theatre, writes RON REED
Almanac Book Review: ‘Games People Played: A Global History Of Sport’ by Wray Vamplew
January 29, 2022 by 2 Comments
‘Games People Played: A Global History Of Sport’ by Wray Vamplew constitutes the fruits of half a century of research and makes an unparalleled contribution to our understanding of sport and the role it has played in the history of the world. In his review Braham Dabscheck states the book is a tour de force which will be a standard work in sports history for many years to come.
Almanac Tennis: Martina and My Tennis Ball
January 28, 2022 by 13 Comments
Smokie recalls Martina Navratilova thwacking his tennis ball at the 1983 Australian Open.
Almanac Tennis – Double Fault: Djokovic and two missed shots
January 24, 2022 by 5 Comments
Perhaps the dust has begun to settle on the visa drama around men’s top ranked player, Novak Djokovic as the tournament inspires and entertains…but perhaps not. Jonathan Cuch looks at the maelstrom of controversy that the Serbian star regularly courts.
Almanac Olympics: Winter Olympic Boycott
January 14, 2022 by 1 Comment
The Winter Olympics 2022 in Beijing are shaping up as a political, diplomatic challenge suggests Glen!
Almanac Baseball: A Beacom of Light
January 14, 2022 by 3 Comments
For the first time in Australian professional baseball history a female, Genevieve Beacom, took the pitcher’s mound as Brian The Ruminator reports.
Almanac Books: Paul Circosta and the writing of Vanishing Footprints
January 11, 2022 by 1 Comment
Paul Circosta has been research and writing the story of Mike McNamara and Herb Hedemann for many years. He tells the story of the story here and how Vanishing Footprints came together.
Almanac Books: ‘Vanishing Footprints’ – Paul Circosta
January 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Paul Circosta’s new book, ‘Vanishing Footprints’, about two pioneers in ultra-marathon running in Australia, Mike McNamara and Herb Hedemann is now available for purchase.
Almanac Football History – 1858 and all that: the origins of Australian Rules Football
In this extract from his publication on the economics and economic history of the football codes, Tim Harcourt finds that Aussie Rules Football really is ‘a game of our own’ and a social phenomenon that Australians can be truly proud of.