Glen Humphries from the ‘Illawarra Mercury’ shares the story of his Uncle Max, a man who coached various teams for over four decades but never at the very top level. He was too smart to do that!
Almanac Rugby League: 40 Years of State of Origin
July 8, 2020 by 5 Comments
It’s 40 years ago today that rugby league’s first State of Origin match was played in Brisbane. Almanacker and Origin historian Liam Hauser takes us back to how it all came about.
Almanac Rugby League – A classic, a calamity and a controversy: Another week in rugby league
July 7, 2020 by 1 Comment
There is plenty to talk about after Round 8 of the NRL season. The Almanac’s rugby league editor gives his take on it all.
Almanac Rugby League: A forward explains rugby league
July 7, 2020 by 1 Comment
There are factions within rugby league. They’re called ‘forwards’ and ‘backs’. Here’s how it all evolved.
Almanac Rugby League – NRL Round 8: Coping with injuries – it’s all about depth
July 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
With a growing injury list across several clubs, there’s plenty of interest in how they cope as we come up to Round 8 of the NRL season. Rugby league editor Ian Hauser gives his thoughts.
Almanac Rugby League – NSW Country Rugby League……Then and Now
July 2, 2020 by 7 Comments
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.
Advice to innocents Down South regarding the terminology of footer
June 25, 2020 by 25 Comments
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
June 25, 2020 by 1 Comment
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
June 25, 2020 by 3 Comments
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 Rugby League – NRL Round 6: What did we learn?
June 23, 2020 by 3 Comments
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
June 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment
After challenging the referees to get tough, rugby league editor Ian Hauser offers his thoughts on the NRL’s Round 6.
Almanac Rugby League – Vale Noel Kelly: one of the greats and a true hard man of the code
June 16, 2020 by 1 Comment
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
June 16, 2020 by 1 Comment
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
June 11, 2020 by Leave a Comment
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
June 11, 2020 by 17 Comments
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!
Almanac Rugby League – State of Origin: The ‘hand grenade’ episode
June 9, 2020 by 2 Comments
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
June 9, 2020 by 1 Comment
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
June 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
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.