Like many, John Green is missing footy in this time of Covid-19 but replays and reflections on history past help him through this period of social isolation.
Almanac Rugby League – Convent Kids in Clydesdale country (Part 1)
April 8, 2020 by 6 Comments
In our continuing series on rugby league stories, Damian Roache sets the background to his childhood days playing in the Convent Schools competition in Toowoomba. His story concludes tomorrow.
Back in Time – Part 3: More of the Bombers
April 7, 2020 by 2 Comments
More clippings from Pamela Sherpa’s Bombers scrapbook from the 80s.
“Covid-19 and regional clubs” from The Saturday Paper
April 6, 2020 by 1 Comment
An institution in the social livelihoods of everyday Australia, local footy clubs have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. The Saturday Paper has the details from the ground by a few from those very clubs.
Almanac Poetry: Two Championship Performances
April 5, 2020 by 2 Comments
Kevin Densley compares two spectacular feats from two different eras. [Welcome Kevin – Ed]
Almanac Poetry: A greeting from Bruce Dawe
April 3, 2020 by 12 Comments
This piece was written by John Harms just after he had received a beaut greeting card from Bruce Dawe around Christmas time 2016. Bruce Dawe’s poetry, loved by many, was special to John Harms.
1981 Revisited – Round 1: ‘Just Like Starting Over’
April 3, 2020 by 8 Comments
Sam Steele begins his journey through the season that was 1981. Coming off a Tigers premiership, things looked good. Little did he know what the next three decades would bring.
1966 and all that: Prologue
April 3, 2020 by 7 Comments
Peter Clark begins a series on the season that was 1966. Here he sets puts the footy season into its historical and social contexts.
SANFL Draft Dodgers – 1982: You Got Nothing I Want
April 3, 2020 by 20 Comments
The second of the VFL’s hidden drafts took place in 1982. ‘Swish’ lets us know how it turned out for the Croweaters involved.
Poetry: ‘Life Cycle’, by Bruce Dawe
April 2, 2020 by 18 Comments
Life Cycle by Bruce Dawe captures the significance of footy in Victoria and beyond. Life and footy are so entwined in all those places (and cultures) where footy is meaningful to the people. [This was published to celebrate the birth of Henry Joseph Santamaria – Ed]
Five Reasons To Watch Richmond In 2020
April 2, 2020 by 3 Comments
The absence of the footy season sends some minds off in ‘interesting’ directions. Sam provides this take on why we should keep an eye on Richmond.
‘Old Pie treads down Memory Lane……’ by KB Hill
April 2, 2020 by 2 Comments
Trevor Steer’s football and cricket resume makes for some reading! A Collingwood Life Member, he could have been a dual premiership winner except for two agonising twists of fate. KB Hill recounts Trevor’s career in both Melbourne and the bush.
Life of a dog in lockdown…Colin Wroby gives an update.
April 1, 2020 by 6 Comments
Colin Wroby asked his Mum Number 1 Yvette Wroby to transcribe this piece for the Almanac. He likes ball play too. Go figure.
A Footy Learning – What Footy Photos Taught Me About The Way I View The Game
April 1, 2020 by 3 Comments
A black and white image of former Richmond champion Ray Stokes, gave rise to many thoughts for Liahm O’Brien to consider about the time and place the photo represented.
A Mea Culpa for Chris
March 31, 2020 by 2 Comments
Based on Chris Scott’s actions in the past week, Paul Spinks is moved to offer a mea culpa.
Almanac Footy History: An afternoon of footy with Fred Goldsmith
March 31, 2020 by 1 Comment
Richard Davis’s piece about Fred Goldsmith reminded John Harms of the time in 2008 when he visited Fred at home in Spotswood and they watched the Swans take on Melbourne.
Errors: Significant, but often forgotten by history
March 30, 2020 by 3 Comments
Many of us have turned to the past to fill the footy void – Alex Darling has been looking back on classic matches with a keener eye than before and discovered a veritable forest amongst the trees. Those trees are the individual moments of brilliance we reduce so many memorable games to.
Fred Goldsmith in Retrospect
March 30, 2020 by 8 Comments
Fred Goldsmith is the only specialist full-back to ever win the Brownlow Medal. Richard Davis offers this retrospective profile.
Coronavirus Crisis: A challenge and opportunity for country clubs
Roger Spaull expresses his concerns for country footy clubs in this time of Covid-19. He also suggests there may be opportunities to be accessed as he outlines in his letter to The Weekly Times.