by Chris Riordan Admit it. We’ve all found ourselves in circumstances where we need a score…I mean a footy score, but have had to institute a covert operation. Whether overseas, at a meeting or even at a wedding (!!!), in what unusual situations have you managed to get your fix? crio
Crio’s Question: How are the experts going?
April 6, 2010 by 4 Comments
by Chris Riordan It’s not just the players who face judgement as a new season gets underway. Footy fans have been hit by a wall of forecasts/previews/broadcasts/reviews…some funny, some stern, some pithy… How are they going? Reviews and recommendations welcome as we sift for the best footy info and entertainment. crio
Crio’s Question: Is Riewoldt the AFL’s Number 1 “Mr Irreplaceable”?
March 29, 2010 by 37 Comments
by Chris Riordan Budge has this theory that you could never back St Kilda for the flag until they run down the race on the big Saturday…more specifically, until their big Number 12 leads them on to the ground. Despite a galaxy of All-Australians and the meanest defence in history, without Roo they have no [Read more]
Crio’s Question: What’s your favourite ‘brilliant debut’ memory?
March 22, 2010 by 55 Comments
by Chris Riordan One of the real joys of Round One is the unveiling of a new star (or sometimes an old one in a new position). Which of Melbourne’s young tyros will seize the “rising star” mantle or do you have a smokey for the opening game? Remember Mitch Robinson last year? It’s time [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Got any interstate intelligence?
March 15, 2010 by 25 Comments
by Chris Riordan Fixtures (courtesy mostly of Real Estate joints) are filling local letter boxes and now fans are hatching plans for the season ahead. I had a beer with some old mates last Friday. Their footy attendance has dwindled as other distractions add to the jumbled nature of today’s football timeframe. But, of course, [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Got any wild weather sports memories?
March 9, 2010 by 27 Comments
EXTREME SPORTS (fans) by Chris Riordan As recounted in the “Soppy Saturday” review for this site, Flemington’s incredible hailstorm provoked widespread discussion on other awful conditions we’ve endured at the races. Sports goers often recall extreme conditions as a badge of honour. I’ll never forget the numbing rain and wind that seemed appropriate on the [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who is your Money Man?
March 3, 2010 by 30 Comments
When watching a penalty shootout last weekend (two, in fact, and with no emotional or financial attachment) I wondered at the nerve it took to “step up” or, as a keeper, to stare down your nemesis. These sorts of defining moments make and break careers, even lives. Kevin Muscat has never, I think, missed a [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Is the AFL immune to the crowds crisis?
February 23, 2010 by 2 Comments
by Chris Riordan The trend, it must be said, is alarming. 9,000 at Blue Diamond Day. 15,000 at MCG for an ODI. 18,000 at major A-League semi at Etihad. crio
Crio’s Question: What’s your sports viewing pecking order
February 16, 2010 by 17 Comments
It became apparent to me on Sunday evening that I need to make some big decisions these days – and I’m not always good at that. This particular conundrum involved a clash between the Doggies v Lions from Canberra and the Sydney FC v Victory match. As usual, it was resolved by a visit to [Read more]
Crio’s Question: What sports buzz words or phrases annoy you?
February 9, 2010 by 92 Comments
By Chris Riordan I don’t want to bag particular commentators, but I’m peeved at how a certain word or phrase can suddenly become commonplace in the sports world and then, soon afterwards, intensely annoying. I’m not so much thinking of Bruce when he says “arches his back”, which is just a term he overuses, but [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who have you put a line through?
February 2, 2010 by 32 Comments
By Chris Riordan A strong thread of opinion this summer has surrounded the merits or otherwise of Shane Watson. “Promoted on promise”, “selectors’ lovechild”, “insecure pratt”, “nancy boy” … the vitriol has poured thick and fast even while Watto has established himself as Australia’s premier opener and the all-rounder for which barflies have searched since [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who is the best sports commentator?
December 4, 2009 by 38 Comments
Thanks to Peter Flynn for this instalment. It’s been inspired by Britain’s Daily Telegraph, whose readers have voted Murray Walker as “the greatest sports commentator of all time”. crio
What can we reasonably expect from the First Test?
November 25, 2009 by 7 Comments
by Chris Riordan What are reasonable expectations for this cricket test? If Australia make 500 it is due to the visitors’ popgun attack. Windies get 300, we lack penetration. Tourists always struggle here anyway, which is why Sth Africa was such a jolt recently, as was Australia’s retaliation on their soil. Aussie supporters, despite noble [Read more]
What were your favourite Almanac pieces of 2009?
November 24, 2009 by 42 Comments
This is not a forum for ranking. However, one of the pitfalls of this fantastic site is that so many articles can appear and then be smothered soon after. In the spirit of end of year lists, I wish to highlight some of my memorable reads from footyalmanac.com.au in 2009. crio
Crio’s Question: Richo’s out. Who else will be miss when they’re gone?
November 13, 2009 by 2 Comments
So Richo’s gone. Like all footy fans, I’ve shaken my head and clapped my hands at his soap opera of a career. What I knew all along, though, was that we’d miss him when he’s gone. Far too often we scold players and then, a few years later, lament the lack of characters in the [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who or what has tested your loyalty during the spring carnival
November 11, 2009 by 15 Comments
By Chris Riordan I’m confident that a picture of All Silent is hanging on Makybe’s loungeroom wall and a pic of Alan Eskander is near triple 20 on the dartboard! Makybe will have Hissing Sid tucked in a drawer and a screwed-up All American resting next to the bin. Spring is tough on our loyalties. [Read more]
Not Crio’s Question: What will the Dogs and Dees cop in next year’s fixture?
October 29, 2009 by 52 Comments
by Andrew Gigacz When the 2009 fixture was released on this day last year, I for one was not surprised to see the Western Bulldogs heading off for six interstate matches, NONE of which were to be covered on free-to-air TV. In fact it was actually an improvement on 2008, in which the Dogs were [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Which is the horse that holds a special place in your heart?
October 21, 2009 by 22 Comments
About ten years ago we were down at the old Flemington stalls on raceday looking at the horses, particularly (very) young Tom’s favourite, Sky Heights. To his shock and the amusement of on-lookers (including Trevor McKee tending to Sunline next door), Colin Alderson grabbed Tom from my arms and sat him atop the giant champ! [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who are the money munchers?
October 13, 2009 by 22 Comments
There are at least two types. There’s the annoying nag who catches your eye early and fleeces you throughout the Carnival. You just know that as soon as you jump off it will salute at odds. Shocking is the yoke for me this time in and possibly the Hisser for Makybe soon?? But there are [Read more]
Crio’s Question: Who’ll take No.5 at the Demons and other quandaries
October 10, 2009 by 12 Comments
All those players traded to new clubs during the week will have to find a new number as well as a new jumper at their new home. I’m happy for Barry “The Brawl” Hall to wear No.1 at the Doggies, though I’ll be demanding a bit more physicality than from previous lockermen Farren Ray and Simon Minton-Connell. [Read more]
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