Sal is back with his unique insights into the footy and the horses. Always something here for the discerning reader!
1981 Revisited – Round 12: ‘Under pressure’
June 11, 2020 by 5 Comments
Stainless is back with Round 11 of the 1981 season. It marked the end of Francis Bourke’s fabulous career after 300 games but ‘St Francis’ was upstaged on the day by the irrepressible Kevin Bartlett who chipped in with 6 goals.
‘From King Valley, to Moonee Valley…and beyond’ by KB Hill
June 11, 2020 by 2 Comments
KB Hill talks to Leigh Newton, son of a King Valley footy dynasty, about his injury-plagued career at Melbourne, and his further sporting adventures.
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!
1966 and all that: Round 10 – Collingwood v St. Kilda
June 10, 2020 by 8 Comments
A journey to Victoria Park for a top of the table clash turns into a disaster for the Saints. Peter Clark continues his coverage of St Kilda’s famous 1966 VFL season.
The 2020 ‘Onya Liz’ Cup – Round 12
June 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Earl O’Neill welcomes the bye in a long, hard (imaginary-Ed) AFL season. Round 12 brought some upsets and a cracking Queens Birthday match at the ‘G. Earl runs his eye over the resting teams and reckons Kenny from Camperdown will be taking in the Grand Annual from his back porch next season.
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 Life: Black Lives Matter
June 7, 2020 by 9 Comments
Rod Oaten has great respect and admiration for Indigenous footballers over many years. He was unable to go into Melbourne’s CBD yesterday to support the Black Lives Matter rally, so he made a quiet statement of his own.
Football in the Time of COVID: The Great Match
June 7, 2020 by 1 Comment
O Tecnico makes his Almanac debut with this account of a footy season. Not a very long one. And with a unique way of playing.
Almanac Book Review – ‘The Death of Fitzroy Football Club’: Hands have been clenched into fists too long
June 7, 2020 by 10 Comments
Shane Reid gets a real buzz reading Russell Holmesby’s book which is not only about the last year’s of Fitzroy but about the Fitzroy of his early life. It’s not just a book of death. [Terrific personal review essay – Ed]
Almanac Footy History: Eddie Dillon Remembers football and life in Gippsland
June 6, 2020 by 4 Comments
Eddie Dillon recounts the early days of the Cora-Lynn and Catani Football Clubs, and some of the great characters of Gippsland football.
Petrel Hotel reopens, so we’re ‘on the beers’!
June 5, 2020 by 10 Comments
The three funsters have been out for lunch at the re-opened Petrel Hotel in Geelong West, easing back into post-COVID life, and all the better for the pleasure of a ‘cold pub beer from well-maintained lines’.
Balcony Banter – Rod Oaten: Remembering Dreamtime at the ‘G 2014
June 5, 2020 by 1 Comment
Read Rod Oaten’s account of Essendon’s great win over Richmond in the 2014 AFL Dreamtime match.
Quick quiz – Sean’s Choice (who do you love?)
June 5, 2020 by 6 Comments
Sean Curtain has devised a quiz where difficult choices are to be made. Will your selections be from the heart or from the head?
Introducing Hayden Kelly (and the Hayden Kelly Scholarship)
June 5, 2020 by 10 Comments
John Harms was up late one night when an email lobbed. It was from Hayden Kelly. Things have moved along since then, as this welcome explains. [Great to have you involved Hayden – JTH]
1981 Revisited – Round 11: ‘On and on and on’
June 4, 2020 by 1 Comment
Sam Steele continues his weekly review of the 1981 VFL season. Kevin Bartlett reached the milestone of 350 games; umpire Bill Deller got to his 250th; Don Scott saw the writing on the wall.
Almanac (Footy) History: Geelong FC’s Original Home Venue – the Argyle Ground
June 4, 2020 by 9 Comments
Kevin Densley tells the story of the earliest playing venue of the Geelong Football Club, the Argyle Ground.
‘Bidding adieu to an old Hawk…..’ by KB Hill
June 4, 2020 by 1 Comment
Tom Tobin may not have been the most talented player to ever lace up a boot, but he was a mighty servant of the Wangaratta Rovers. KB Hill reflects on a great clubman.
Almanac (Footy) Linguistics: AFL Terminology
The dictionary defines ‘pithy’ as ‘terse and vigorously expressive’. Dips gets pithy about the over-used sobriquet ‘blockbuster’.