Holding on desperately in defence, Henry Ballard tries to keep the game at a physical level to block out the mental stress of a close match before he orchestrates a symphony of strings which have gone ‘ping’.
Round 21 – Footy fixture for this round: Must win games for Finals aspirants!
August 8, 2019 by Leave a Comment
So much at stake for a number of teams this weekend in the Round 21 matches. Who will be in the 8 after this weekend?
Stab Punt Jim Johnson – one of the Almanac’s many characters
August 8, 2019 by 1 Comment
The Almanac has unearthed many characters over the years – octogenarian Jim Johnson is one of them. Jim is best know as the inventor of the stab punt and we’ve shared his research previously on the site. But what about the man himself? Ian Hauser tells the story of Jim’s life.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life – Round 20 and 21: Better
August 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Cam Hooke was much happier with the Pies’ efforts against the Suns. But the need to keep winning remains.
Missing Martin Flanagan and Why I Subscribe to the Almanac
August 6, 2019 by 7 Comments
Edward P. Olsen reflects on an Almanac favourite: former writer for The Age and doyen of inviting prose, Martin Flanagan. In response to Flanagan’s absence from the paper’s pages, Edward has turned increasingly to the stories on this very site. [Wonderful – Ed.]
Three Weeks Out – Geelong
August 6, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Zac Holt has seen Geelong’s season enter a stage of frustration as the post-bye curse continues to plague the ladder-leaders. He has identified what worked before the malaise and which players are most responsible for the downturn – and could potentially spur a second wind.
Je m’en fous
August 2, 2019 by 6 Comments
As always, Earl O’Neill presents his thought provoking comments on sport, and other odds’n’ends, in his carefree and inimitable style as you will see.
Almanac Footy: Remembering former St Kilda player Ian ‘Goalsy’ Drohan
August 2, 2019 by 2 Comments
David Clerehan grew up round the corner from `50s St Kilda footballer Ian ‘Goalsy’ Drohan who passed away recently.
Round 20 – Sal’s Preview: Pardon the diversion
August 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Sal Ciardulli adds his respected insights to picking winners for the Round 20 AFL matches this weekend.
A Footy Newcomer’s Story Volume 2: The Richmond Rollercoaster Ride
August 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Some Tiger fans just can’t forget the ride that was the 2017 premiership year. Here, footy latecomer Ben the Artist relives the trip that got to the station sooner than originally expected.
Henry and the Jets: The Underfish
August 2, 2019 by Leave a Comment
They’re a different mob at Heathmont – there’s a refreshing honesty about who they are and where they’re at. Henry Ballard takes us inside the mindset of the club.
Yoshi – My response to Scott Watters on Herald Sun’s Sacked Podcast
August 1, 2019 by 8 Comments
Yoshi takes exception to negative commentary on his beloved St Kilda. He also has a distinct preference when it comes to Melbourne newspapers!
Almanac Life: On the rebound
August 1, 2019 by 3 Comments
Mixed footy marriages are fraught with danger. Ged McMahon tells us about love won, love lost and love rebounded, but not without all the stages of grief transversed in between.
Almanac Local Footy – MCUE v GGGM: Grassroots footy at its best!
August 1, 2019 by 4 Comments
Ah, country sport at the local Reserve on a Saturday afternoon! Peter Clark brings us an important clash between two of the Riverina Football Netball League’s amalgamated clubs, MCUE and GGBM. See if you can get your mouth around these two names!
FEARLESS 2019 – Round 19: The overdue return of the squirrel grip…
August 1, 2019 by 6 Comments
FEARLESS calls out pointless jargon, such as the use of ‘metres gained’ statistics and the over-hyped obsession with ‘players as athletes’. How would a ball-getter like ‘Diesel’ Williams fare in the modern draft?
Round 19 – Carlton v Adelaide: Glenelg v Crows v Carlton v Crows
July 31, 2019 by 15 Comments
Mickey Randall has his eye on two games at once as his Bays play at home and his Crows play away.
Round 19 – Collingwood v Richmond: Two flag fortunes, completely different tales
July 30, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Sean Mortell wonders whether Collingwood is letting slip their opportunity for a premiership crack after their recent poor form, injuries, and a bad loss to Richmond in their Round 19 match as he explains.
….and we’ll call them “curtain raisers”.
Joe Beatty loves the character and integrity of VFL matches played at Princes Park or Preston. He laments their seeming demise as they increasingly become ‘curtain raisers’ for the AFL in the soulless, grey-roofed cavern that is Marvel Stadium.