Richmond’s Best Side of 2016: Discuss

Peter Warrington reckons the Tigers best in 2016 will look like this.

2016 – The Almanac’s Best Teams

With the 2015 season already fading from memory (who won again?), the Almanackery’s greatest footy brains have come up with their best lineups for 2016. The full list is here.

Era, era on the wall; 1960-1966

The VFL in the 1960’s saw football still as a tough yet sometimes brutal sport, as players were happy to play the game for the joy of it. This period also saw the introduction of television, football replays and shows such as Football Inquest, World of Sport and League Teams. It was also the period that saw Ron Barassi leave the Dees for the Blues and the sacking of Norm Smith.

Adelaide’s Best Side in 2016: Discuss

Henry de Cure gives us some deep insights into the Adelaide list, as our Almanac 2016 previews continue.

An Open Letter to Jake Carlisle

Some timely advice to new St Kilda recruit Jake Carlisle from Patrick O’Brien (and Noel Gallagher). Put the bloody phone away Jake, Mary doesn’t want the Saints on the front page.

Footy Spirits and ‘Palmhenge’

Harold Peacock brings out the history in the “everyday”. Visit his blog for more insights like this one.

Danger Geelong

Lee Carney takes the microscope to Geelong’s recent trades and sees high risk where many others haven’t. [Thought-provoking analysis – Ed]

South Australia v Victoria State of Origin 1984 – Tuesday Night Lights

Written on “Back to the Future Day”, Mark ‘Swish’ Schwerdt heads back to the past. The night South Australian football was changed irreversibly. 1984 specifically, when South Australia took on the Big V in a State-of-Origin match, played at Football Park. Just before the lure of the VFL/AFL proved too much for many of the SANFL’s best. The Football Budget? Don’t ask.

North Melbourne’s Best Side in 2016: Discuss

Some Smokie musings on North Melbourne’s best 22 for season 2016. Are veterans Harvey and Wells included? Plus the meaning of the acronym N-O-M-W revealed.

Sydney’s Best Side in 2016: Discuss

Joe Moore has a crack at naming the Swans best lineup for 2016. How’s he done?

Hawthorn’s Best Side in 2016: Discuss

Rick Kane has named his best 23 for Hawthorn in 2016. Will this line-up produce the four-play?

Quintessential country football photos

Photographer Peter Argent has captured some classic country footy moments here. [Which is your pick for quintessential country footy photo? – Ed]

My 2015 bottom six north players revisited

Rob Chanter assesses the season of the fringe players at North Melbourne and argues that’s where the improvement needs to come if the Roos are to get past a prelim final.

Notta Whole Lotta Love

Trucker Slim has noticed a trend. But Hawthorn should be celebrated.

Almanac Trade Week

The Almanac and the AFL are joining forces in the first ever trade week for footy writers. Some of the old stagers will be put out to pasture or writing in new colours next season (according to Peter Baulderstone). Any other nominations?

Long Bombs to Snake: Lindy Burns’ Monday segment on ABC Radio

JTH, Dips O’Donnell and Mathilde de Hauteclocque were Monday night guests of Lindy Burns on 774 ABC Melbourne. Check out their conversation; which covered Long Bombs to Snake, Footy Almanac and writing generally.

The man who scored a try against the All Blacks, then won an AFL Flag.

Wayne Ball on the career of retiring Swans player Mike Pyke, from his time representing Canada in Rugby Union to playing for the Swans in the AFL.

Collingwood’s Best Side in 2016: Discuss

E Regnans picks Collingwood’s best side for 2016.

Era, era on the wall: 1949-1959

The VFL in the 1950s are synonymous with the dominance of the Demons under Norm Smith and their epic rivalry with Collingwood. But the 50s are remembered fondly out at Barkly Street and are notable also for the emergence of a kid from the Mornington Peninsula, who would dominate the goal square at Windy Hill…

Socialist Football League! More Equal for Some?

The competition has never been more equal. Bollocks. Everything about the AFL is compromised with no better example than the draft and trade period.

Tony Robb comes up with an alernative and calls for discussion.