Michael Croke from central western NSW is a teacher and former broadcaster with a long memory of country football. He recounts the good old days in Dubbo in the 60s and 70s.
Almanac Tennis – Wimbledon 2020: Seeing Lew Hoad in a Dream
Mike Sexton reminds us we’re coming into Wimbledon fortnight. He remembers the cavalier character Lew Hoad.
Almanac Memoir – My Favourite Trophy
Many of us have memories of running our guts out in sporting carnivals while the wind whooshed all around and glory was on the line…here’s Kevin Densley’s recollection from 1973.
Advice to innocents Down South regarding the terminology of footer
John Harms prefers accuracy in the language which describes football codes and offers a basic explanation for those Southerners who are struggling.
Almanac Rugby League – NRL Round 7: Fans short-changed by same old, same old
Before previewing the NRL’s Round 7, Ian Hauser asks just where do fans fit into the overall organism that is modern, top tier sport.
Almanac Rugby League: Like father, like son, like grandson
Dan Keary inherited his father’s passion for the mighty Eastern Suburbs Roosters and supported them through thick and thin. His task has been to honour that legacy by passing it on to his children. [A rollicking yet poignant family story – Ed.]
Almanac Memoir: The Vientiane Rugby Club
Paul Nankivell recalls Vientiane in all its 1980s expat glory in this amusing memoir ostensibly about rugby. [Mangoplah Cookardinia gets a mention – Ed]
Almanac Rugby League – NRL Round 6: What did we learn?
Rugby league editor Ian Hauser evaluates what the wash-up from Round 6 might mean to the way the remainder of the season unfolds.
Almanac Rugby League – NRL Round 6: Wheat and chaff
After challenging the referees to get tough, rugby league editor Ian Hauser offers his thoughts on the NRL’s Round 6.
Almanac History: A short film about Peter Norman
After seeing Alex Darling’s piece about the famous Peter Norman photo, Matt Norman (Peter’s nephew) let us know about his short film, ‘I’ll Stand With You’.
Almanac Rugby League – Vale Noel Kelly: one of the greats and a true hard man of the code
The world of rugby league is in mourning following the death on Sunday of Noel Kelly, one of the game’s real hard men. Kelly was named as hooker in the ARL’s Team of the Century, a reflection of his standing in the code. The Footy Almanac pays tribute to one of Ipswich’s greatest sons.
Almanac Rugby League: Brian Burke thinks outside the box
Almanacker Jason Buffier’s mate Brian Burke runs a coffee shop in Maitland and writes a weekly column in the local ‘Maitland Mercury’. Brian put on his thinking cap to go back to the future to propose a regional rugby league competition to replace the cancelled 2020 competitions in the bush.
Almanac Rugby League – 2020 NRL Round 5: Home and Away
After a set of mixed results last weekend, what might we expect from the NRL’s Round 5 starting tonight? Ian Hauser looks into his crystal ball.
Almanac Rugby League: Generations of Brethren
Brothers Football Club, the O’Hanlon family and a particular table go back over a hundred years. Matt O’Hanlon, part of the third generation, shares this tale of one family’s life in footy – they just love it!
Finding direction in a 52-year-old photo
Alex Darling reflects on a pivotal moment in sporting, and social history, the stand against racial inequality at the 1968 Olympics that included Australian Peter Norman.
Almanac Rugby League – State of Origin: The ‘hand grenade’ episode
State of Origin I of 2020 was supposed to have been played this last week. It got Liam Hauser thinking about a significant moment that has its 20th anniversary today
Almanac Rugby League: NRL Round 4 Roundup
Ian Hauser casts his eye over the NRL’s Round 4 results and attempts to read the tea leaves.
Almanac Rugby League – 2020 NRL Round 4: Let’s sort out some of these teams
Can Round 4 of the NRL season live up to the hype created by its successful return last weekend? Rugby league editor Ian Hauser runs his eye over this weekend’s clashes.











Almanac Rugby League – Fans or brands, principle or product?
For some, they’re the ongoing diseases of top tier sport – the curses of commercialism and corporatisation. John Campbell explains it.