VAFA Media Awards “Best Online Feature Story” 2018 – Williamstown CYMS AFC: Into The Ammos!

Great news. Smokie Dawson has won the 2018 VAFA media award for “Best online feature story.” We first published it here in May. The story of Williamstown CYMS AFC; a history of the club’s inception into the VAFA. Here it is.

‘…..SPUD……….’ – KB Hill

There’s no stopping KB Hill. This time he profiles a real character from Wangaratta – Renato Leonardo Patat, better known as ‘Spud’. Comparisons with Nino Culotta aren’t far off the mark!

Almanac Footy- A Team Of Hyphens

Glen wondered how many hyphenated players have played AFL/VFL? However he thought he’d compile a list of those players he’s cognisant of.

Almanac Books – ‘Australian Football: The People’s Game 1958-2058’ by Stephen Alomes

The Almanac is happy to promote Stephen Alomes’ recent publication, ‘Australian Football: The People’s Game 1958-2058’. Stephen’s academic background blends with a conversationalist style to offer something for everyone with a love of the game.

The Case of False Identity on a Scanlen’s Footy Card

Who is this? Please help. Someone must know him. It may well be Rod Stokes. Can we find Rod Stokes?

Almanac Footy History: Keogh and Lenaghan – two Bendigo FNL champions

Trevor Keogh and Frank Lenaghan were two champion players of their eras, both having important connections to Sandhurst and were inducted into the BFL Hall of Fame in 1996. Richard Jones tells their stories.

‘Football rotting at the roots in Fish Creek’ – Martin Flanagan

Martin Flanagan has a habit of striking at the very heart of the issue. Here he nails it once again in this recent opinion piece in ‘The Age’ as a local footy team battles to survive.

Almanac Teams: Rangas

Dan has come up a team of redheads, but can they play footy? Have your say!

Cricket memoir: Dips’ finest hour

There has been a number of posts on the site recently about backyard cricket, backyards, and early childhood memories. We reprise a cricket story from 2009 by Dips about his backyard cricketing exploits. Have you a story to tell?

2018 AFL Player Previews: Revisited

How did they fare in 2018? Anna Pavlou revisits the player previews she made at the beginning of the 2018 AFL season to present an assessment of their performances for the year.

Old woollen footy jumpers: Dick McGillivray in a ridgy didge Essendon premiership jumper

Dick McGillivray wore his fair dinkum Essendon premiership jumper around the farm, as his daughter Pamela explains.

Almanac Backyards – Backyard Bliss

Craig Dodson’s article on backyard space caused Pamela Sherpa to reflect on her own blissful childhood spent outdoors.

Draft Day – Not as good as the movie and the AFL has the wrong script

There are big problems with the draft process in the AFL system as Steve Earl explains. How does it serve footy generally? And, importantly, who does it serve a large number of undrafted aspirants the system spits out?

Almanac Footy History – Dan Minogue: a Bendigo boy huge in the VFL

There’s been a long stream of footy greats who grew up in Bendigo and played in the BFL/ BFA before going onto the VFL/AFL. Dan Minogue is one, the only player to coach 5 VFL/AFL clubs and he is profiled here by Richard Jones.

Luke Valente, Elite Leader

Malcolm Ashwood profiles Luke Valente, captain of the victorious South Australian Under 18 team.

Interview: Brett Goodes – Accidental Destination

Anna Pavlou speaks with former Western Bulldog player Brett Goodes about taking his 22-game AFL career as the start of his passion for the AFL Community and the rights of the people involved.

‘A master of his craft…’ KB Hill

KB Hill is the master of the memoir. Here he tells us about the life and times of Stuart Elkington.

Nathan Buckley living la dolce vita

Nathan Buckley is holidaying in Europe which prompts Jump Ball to make his Almanac debut with his observations of the Pies coach. [Welcome Jump Ball – JTH]

VAFA Veteran acknowledged by AFL

VAFA Veteran and Power House President Nic Pavlou has been awarded the prestigious AFL Victoria State Metro Volunteer of the Year Award, for his 38 years of selfless service to his club, at the 2018 AFL Victoria Community Football Awards.

Meeting Geoff Blethyn

Sometimes writing takes you to surprising places, and so does a T/shirt! Vin Maskell explains why.