General Footy Writing

NTFL Round 3 Wrap Up: Cliffhangers Galore

October 20, 2014 by Jackson Clark 2 Comments

Jackson Clark tells us that there were cliffhangers galore in Darwin on the weekend, with even the all-conquering St Marys having to consider their mortality.

Da-re o o-en shi-te i-mas ka? (Who are you supporting?)

October 20, 2014 by Yvette Wroby 8 Comments

Yvette Wroby and her daughter met a footy mad, Saints loving Japanese young man in a chocolate factory memorabilia museum in Sapporo. As you do. Things got stranger after that.

Trading Places – and the Caulfield Cup Preview

October 17, 2014 by Sal Ciardulli 4 Comments

Sal Ciardulli provides an excellent summary of each club’s activity over the Trade Period, and offers his advice for those wading into the Caulfield Cup meeting.

How a Women’s Muslim Aussie Rules Team Stood Tall

October 17, 2014 by Patrick_Skene 6 Comments

Patrick Skene on The Auburn Giants – a women’s Muslim Australian Football team. [Excellent piece, and comments section worth reading as well – Ed]

No Skills Required

October 15, 2014 by Matt Zurbo 4 Comments

Old Dog recalls a footy-less warm-up. [Ray Wilson and his Uni Blacks are onto something – Ed]

AFL Grand Final: Glory Equals Pie Art Shared

October 14, 2014 by Almanac Admin 2 Comments

Only from Tinsel Tony Wilson. A tale of the competitive juices which flow on Grand Final day. [More Tinsel madness – which somehow makes sense, and has a heart-warming denouement – JTH]

First ever Almanac article: Eastlink v RingRoad

October 14, 2014 by Dips O'Donnell 9 Comments

We think this is the first ever piece to be published on footyalmanac.com.au
And it was from Dips, who is still an advocate of entertaining direct football, and getting crankier and crankier about rubbish, trades, and sloppy surf.

Liquid football: Are AFL players trading loyalty for success?

October 13, 2014 by tim_butcher 4 Comments

Tim Butcher saw Footscray’s VFL flag and then his Hawks AFL triumph. The subsequent fortunes of both clubs shows that footy is becoming a tradeable commodity in the marketplace for talent and entertainment dollars.

Trick Knee

October 13, 2014 by Almanac Admin 8 Comments

Peter Goldsworthy’s fine poem about an end-of-career sportsman. [oustanding – Ed]

NTFL Round Two Wrap-Up

October 13, 2014 by Jackson Clark 2 Comments

Jackson Clark updates us on the second round of NTFL matches in the Top End.

Dear Gillon: Tears before Tradetime

October 13, 2014 by Keiran Croker 7 Comments

Keiran Croker may be paranoid, or the AFL may be out to get his Swans with their sudden crackdown on the COLA and the Swans trade opportunities.

AFL Round Trade – Citizens v Consumers: Dreams matter

October 12, 2014 by E.regnans 2 Comments

E.Regnans was familiar with the commodification of football. But trade week has made him uncomfortable with the commodification of footballers. What price dreams?

Old (woollen) footy jumpers: An early photo of KB the Bulldogs fan

October 12, 2014 by Neil Anderson 4 Comments

Well that’s three things I didn’t know. Thanks to Neil Anderson for telling us (1) that KB barracked for Footscray when he was a kid (2) that KB went to Hawksburn Primary and (3) he’s hardly changed a bit. Ripper photo.

A tippler discovers Bulldogs aphorisms

October 12, 2014 by barbsmith 1 Comment

Over a glass of wine or two, Barb Smith reads Caro’s analysis Peter Gordon’s press conference and has a few thoughts of her own.

Mental Health Week: Black Dog to Goal Posts (Reprised)

October 11, 2014 by Almanac Admin 12 Comments

This piece by Jason Kevin Groves from 2011 is one of the most eloquent descriptions of the journey into and out of serious depression. (Hope you are doing well Jason. Give us an update on your footy or personal adventures – Ed.)

Official Calendars 2015: Remaindered Stock – Any Offers?

October 10, 2014 by Peter_B 4 Comments

Peter Baulderstone noticed some AFL merchandise collector’s items at the newsagent. “Official” Ryan Griffen/Adam Cooney Bulldogs and Dayne Beams Collingwood 2015 calendars anyone?