General Footy Writing

The Champions That Never Were

June 7, 2014 by aussie80s 16 Comments

Armin Richter has done an amazing job of researching “Champion of the Colony” a VFL award that never existed (except as one man’s opinion) but is still shown in the AFL Season Guide. Fascinating stuff for anyone with an interest in footy history.

Better to be antisocial

June 6, 2014 by ironmike20 3 Comments

Matt Watson reflects on the Josh Bootsma sacking. How does a sporting club deal with a young man whose emotional maturity is much less than his physical?

The Creed

June 6, 2014 by Mick Gwyther 3 Comments

Mick Gwyther on the Port Adelaide creed, and the implications that has.

Recognizing the Heart on the Sleeve

June 5, 2014 by Longworth72 2 Comments

In the indigenous round of the AFL, the colours meant a lot, writes Longworth72.

The 2015 AFL Legend: Whoever gets in, will be a worthy winner. Whoever misses out, will be unlucky

June 5, 2014 by Sean Curtain 6 Comments

With the new Hall of Fame inductees announced, Sean Curtain’s mind turns to who will be the next Legend of the Game inducted next year. Nominations please.

Introducing…the Catastrophe Performance Index

June 5, 2014 by Kerrie Soraghan 7 Comments

Kerrie Soraghan is advocating the introduction of a ‘Catastrophe Performance Index’ – or CPI. This would replace our current batch of misleading stats and help shed shed light on her beloved Bulldogs’ recent performance against Freo. (Great insights into those troubling moments when supporters begin to turn on their own – Ed)

Old Woollen Footy Jumpers: How a life might have been warped, but wasn’t

June 5, 2014 by haysoc 4 Comments

Ross Hay was still in short pants when he arrived from Scotland. Despite living in Geelong, he was given a Pies jumper. In this yarn his father Roy explains why. [You may know Roy: he’s the bloke whose mobile phone went off while being interviewed by Paul Kennedy on national TV – ABC Brekkie – this morning. He’s also author – with Bill Murray – of A History of Football in Australia. Ed]

Jack Sexton, Doug Nicholls and an understated sense of social purpose

June 4, 2014 by Michael Sexton 11 Comments

Writer Mike Sexton can’t claim Jack Sexton as a relative, but has researched the footballer’s story to convey a sense of the Melbourne and Adelaide worlds of the 1930s.

Special Sub

June 4, 2014 by thefootybogan 3 Comments

Charlie Krebs reckons the Saints should have been allowed an extra substitute player when Maverick Weller was concussed by a reportable charge from an opponent. Justice or dangerous precedent?

Another heart-stopper for FIDA Tigers

June 3, 2014 by vinm Leave a Comment

Is a draw a dream that don’t come true, or is it something worse? The FIDA Tigers take on the Kananook Bulls.

VFL v SANFL: the Topknot Pigeons and the Richie Cunninghams

June 3, 2014 by Dave Brown 5 Comments

State footy was alive and well at North Port Oval last Saturday when the hirsute VFL took on the clean-cut SANFL.

WAFL: Away teams win the derbies; Tigers spring the surprise

June 3, 2014 by Les Everett 1 Comment

In the highlight of football in Perth over the weekend, Les Everett’s East Perth won the northern derby while Swan Districts continue to gap the competition.

The Lions and the case for a priority pick

June 3, 2014 by D_N_A 4 Comments

Despite their good week, the Lions are bottom of the ladder with two wins. D.N.A (the Almanac’s man in Paris) recons that there is a case for a priority pick. What do you think?

The Round 11 Post Wrap: The Bloodbath Round

June 2, 2014 by The Wrap 8 Comments

Its the Bloodbath Round for Mr Wrap as finals pretenders show their true colours, and Tigers, Blues and Eagles fans ‘fess up to the awful truth about their teams.

VAFA Division One Round 8 – NOBs/St Pat’s v MHSOB: Parklife

June 2, 2014 by E.regnans 9 Comments

“…all the burning leaves…” A perfect autumn day is spent watching North Olds/ St Pat’s against Melbourne High School Old Boys. Suburban footy doesn’t get much better.

Lost and Found

June 1, 2014 by Yvette Wroby 5 Comments

A poignant memoir from Yvette Wroby about the passing of a beloved uncle, and how footy teams like people move from flakiness to triumph to gratitude. Her Saints turn will come.