The beauty and function of wool (in footy jumpers, blankets and beards)

Clint Rule still wears his old footy jumper as a barrier against the Adelaide cold, to differentiate himself from Gen Y, and because he’s a tight-arse.

Tour de France Stage 9 – Germany wins while Tony’s Gallopin into yellow

Dave Brown reviews Stage 9 of the Tour de France in the Vosges Mountains, and muses on the French Maginot Line and BT. He finds that neither has any defence.

Swans’ depth the key in September

Jackson Clark reckons that depth is the key to September success, and the Sydney Swans reserves team is strong enough to challenge some AFL cellar dwellers.

Spoon the WAFL interest

Bracing for next week, Les takes us through the results from Round 16 of the WAFL – interest lies in the wooden spoon race…

Stayin’ Alive

Gregor Lewis enjoyed his Hawks win over a battling Adelaide Crows last night, and muses on what Clarko’s Cavalry need to do to go back-to-back.

Great sporting fare

Our wise owl Brendan McArdle puts some recent sporting moments into perspective. [Point taken – Ed]

Dear Eddie

ATTENTION EDDIE MCGUIRE; this Swan (no not Dane) has officially had enough. An annoyed Joe Moore writes to Eddie ‘The Equaliser’ on behalf of all Sydney fans.

The little master deserves a third Brownlow

Jackson Clark thinks that Gary Ablett Jnr can deservedly hang on to win a third Brownlow Medal, despite season ending shoulder surgery.

The 2014 ‘Mopsy’ Fraser Cup – Coaching Advice

Earl O’Neil talks coaching aspirations and brain injuries (aren’t they the same thing? – Ed) The Bronlow betting is in disarray but Earl points us to some winners.

A legacy into which Paul Roos is tapping

This excellent piece on Checker Hughes is definitely written by Lynda Carroll. It was sent to us by Rob Heath. [Apologies for the confusion Lynda – Ed] Lynda has a PhD in history. Her research focussed on the Melbourne Football Club. Subsequently, during her time as Melbourne’s historian she completed The Grand Old Flag, the official club history. Lynda completed many interviews with key Demon characters. She continues her life as a writer and historian and is currently working on a major project about the East Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Lions old and new

Rees Quilford spends a day watching the Lions: midday at Brunswick Street Oval; afternoon at the MCG. Enjoy these terrific observations from an old Royboy.

Is junior football too politically correct ?

Are we becoming too precious as a society? Wrapping our kids in cotton-wool? Jakson Clark poses these questions and more.

Boys Don’t Cry – Central Juniors 1974 (Warning: Contains Traces of Laceup)

After a 1974 incident that lead him to tears, Mark ‘Swish’ Schwerdt vowed he would never fiddle a team sheet. He’s kept that vow.

Rules? What rules?

When Almanackers write about their childhood football experiences, Peter Cresswell gets jealous. He gets jealous because he didn’t have any. Our Kiwi scribe has plenty of adulthood footballing experiences though.

A day in the life of the back pocket player

Mick Gwyther shares memories of freezing winter days on the footy field in the Gippsland of his youth.

A Ramble to Gil McLachlan

Matt Watson thinks that Gil is a silly German sausage. He also doesn’t have to stay up late on Friday nights anymore.

The Biggest Losers: The full cast list of the EFC drugs issue and who has lost the most (and least) throughout

Sean Curtain surveys the “winners and losers” from the Essendon Drugs Scandal. Cast your own votes for “Heroes and Villains”.

On Swearing

Peter Baulderstone muses on the role and effectiveness of swearing in entertaining the crowd and furthering debate. Don’t like it? STFU and SIUYAWYAI.

Sunday Evening Coming Down: It’s a funny old game

“Aussie” Tony Robb offers a non-discriminatory all-inclusive spray at Mick, the Magpies, dodgy NRL results, the Pepsodent pissoir and selective nationalism. Good to have him back.

Hunger or Entitlement? Why Limit Yourself to One?

Sleep is for the weak. Your man on the couch, Gregor Lewis, volunteers for the late night shift. From Hawks v Roos to Colombia v Brazil to Federer v Raonic Gregor shifts between sports, continents and time zones discussing a common thread.