The gods of football aligned their stars in 1989 to produce two memorable Grand Finals in the NRL and the AFL. Guy Ragan, a Tigers man through and through, reflects on that game and what might have been. (A great account of a great game. – Ed.)
Almanac Rugby League: NRL 2020 off and re-running, and how!
June 2, 2020 by 1 Comment
Rugby League editor Ian Hauser thinks we learned a lot after just one round of the re-booted NRL season. See if you agree. [Totally agree on the Green Machine – Ed.]
Almanac Book Review – ‘The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’ by Patrick Skene
June 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Ian Hauser reviews Patrick Skene’s new book, ‘The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’ – a significant addition to the (all too) limited literature of rugby league.
Almanac Rugby League – An old rivalry resumes: Roosters v Rabbitohs
May 29, 2020 by 1 Comment
Roosters v Rabbitohs – the rivalry goes back a century and more. They’re back again tonight and we’ve got them captured by John Campbell’s artwork!
Almanac Rugby League – Where I find my heaven: The 2016 NRL Grand Final
May 28, 2020 by 2 Comments
Cronulla Sharks fanatic Andy Frame watched the 2016 NRL Grand Final from London – so far away physically yet so close emotionally when you’re chasing your first premiership.
Almanac Rugby League – NRL 2020 Round 3: We’re back – but hopefully we’re not the same
May 28, 2020 by 6 Comments
The NRL’s 2020 season recommences on Thursday night with Round 3. Ian Hauser tells us what he’d like to see and not hear as play resumes.
Almanac Book Release – ‘The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’ by Patrick Skene
May 28, 2020 by 2 Comments
Today marks the Australian release of Patrick Skene’s first book “The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’. The Almanac extends its congratulations and best wishes to Patrick and Olsen. Read more details here.
Peyton Manning’s French Connection
May 27, 2020 by 1 Comment
Steve Earl relates the story about NFL great Peyton Manning chatting with players involved in a controversial 1972 divisional playoff. And what do frogs have to do with the story?
Almanac Rugby League – New Book Promotion: Patrick Skene’s ‘The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’
May 26, 2020 by 2 Comments
Patrick Skene’s first book, ‘The Big O: the life and times of Olsen Filipaina’ will be released in Australia later this week. Here Patrick shares, in detail, his journey to honour a key player in the development of what has been called ‘the Pacific Revolution’.
Almanac Fandom: Tuffy Rhodes Day
May 24, 2020 by 6 Comments
A sports story with a twist from Ben Fenton-Smith. Non-fiction. Baseball. Japan. And a wonderful denouement. This incident marked the start of a beautiful friendship.
Almanac Rugby League – Final draw for remainder of the 2020 NRL season
May 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment
The revised NRL 2020 draw has been announced. See all the details here.
Almanac Rugby League – Keep the light on for Jack: A 2016 NRL Grand Final preview
May 21, 2020 by 1 Comment
In 2016, the Cronulla Sharks made the NRL Grand Final for the first time in decades, still seeking their initial premiership. Life-long fan Kath Presdee spent the week leading up to the big match recounting her, and the club’s, journey to that point in time.
Almanac Rugby League – From Big Bal to George Benson: a love letter to PNG Rugby League
May 19, 2020 by 6 Comments
Patrick Skene first took an interest in PNG rugby league when Bal Numapo arrived at the Bulldogs. Patrick’s appreciation went to another level when he attended the PNG Hunters’ first match in the Queensland Cup in 2014 at Redcliffe’s Dolphin Oval.
Almanac Life (and training): It’s 10.30pm
May 15, 2020 by 5 Comments
Old Dog has been out late, running to get the kilometres into his legs, sharing the night with an owl, also sharing some insights into training in the age of coronavirus.
A Subjective History of Sports Writing
May 13, 2020 by 20 Comments
Merv Collins has a life-long love of quality sports writing. He lists his favourites. (You are all welcome to offer your own suggestions – Ed).
Almanac Rugby League – Looking for an anniversary to mark in 2020?
May 12, 2020 by 4 Comments
Almanac debutant Tim Burke takes us back to the 1970 British rugby league Lions Tour of Australia and New Zealand to commemorate a special 50th anniversary. (Welcome aboard, Tim!)
Almanac Rugby League: Excerpts from a rugby league lover’s diary – The Early Years
May 7, 2020 by 4 Comments
Imagine an Adrian Mole-type character thinking back over the childhood competitiveness of two brothers supporting rival teams. Actually, Paul Connolly has already done it for you!
Almanac Basketball: Community `Ball – A Way of Life and Opportunity of a Life-time
May 6, 2020 by 2 Comments
The Last Dance has captured the world’s attention. But there are local equivalents. Steve Earl presents a terrific short film ‘This is Yarra’ about the Yarra Wild Beasts, a community basketball team with quite a story.
Almanac Rugby League – The 1965 Grand Final: St George Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs
May 5, 2020 by 6 Comments
John Campbell remembers the day his Dad took him and his little brother Lonno to the 1965 Sydney rugby league Grand Final. Caught up in the massive crowd, John and Lonno didn’t see much that day but their experiences, real and imagined, left a huge impression.
Almanac Soccer: You’ll never walk alone, even in Japan!
John Campbell just can’t get his head around ‘the world game’ even though he has been to some of the great home grounds of England and Japan. He explains why.