Matt Watson continues with his father and son profile of former Melbourne footballers, Steven and Billy Stretch. Part 2 features Billy Stretch.
Almanac (Local) Footy: Ainslie Women’s Division 2 – Round 4
July 9, 2021 by 2 Comments
Declan Kerlett reports on the Round 4 Division 2 clash between the Ainslie Tricolours and Belconnen Magpies with the Tricolours just falling short for their first win.
Almanac Footy History: Starting to Rise – Fitzroy FC’s promising 1978 day and night season
July 9, 2021 by 8 Comments
Philip Mendes recounts Fitzroy FC’s 1978 home and away VFL season, a season of new beginnings and promise for the future but one ending in disappointment after losing eight games by less than two goals costing them dearly.
The Merger Coda: The Birth of the Brisbane Lions
July 8, 2021 by 3 Comments
William Westerman concludes his account of the Fitzroy Lions/Brisbane Bears merger by placing it into its historical context and finds that, although it was ‘a tragedy, it was also the birth of something unique and special.’
Almanac Footy Writing: Bullants follow up an emotional win with a professional one
July 7, 2021 by 2 Comments
The Northern Bullants first survived, and now, thrive. Daniel Kelly covers the Bullants’ mighty win over Richmond in last weekend’s round of VFL competition.
Almanac Country Footy Families: The Halls of Buln Buln
July 7, 2021 by 10 Comments
Citrus Bob has sent us a famous photo of a Dad, John Hall,and his sevens sons on the day they all played in the Buln Buln seconds.
Geelong’s Record Run – Round 3, 1953: Collingwood v Geelong – fanatical fighting spirit versus power and class
July 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Peter Clark continues his series on Geelong’s record run of wins in 1953 with the Cats’ Round Three defeat of Collingwood.
Round 17 – AFL Footy Fixture: Who, where, and when?
July 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Round 17 footy fixture subject to change with venues to be determined for some matches.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: Round 16 Review and Round 17 Preview
July 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Round 16 was not a good match for the Pies against the Saints. Cam Hooke is confident Collingwood can turn their fortunes around in their Round 17 match against the Tigers as he predicts in his preview.
Balcony Banter: Ghosts of the Game
July 6, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Lynda Carroll visited the MCG and was moved by the eerie feeling of emptiness despite the presence of other fans. First published by Balcony Banter.
Almanac Teams: Fifteen minutes of fame (1980- )
July 5, 2021 by 5 Comments
Rodney Boyd’s team of more obscure Number 15s since 1980 contains an umpire and a federal court judge…be careful what you get up to around this side!
The Merger Trilogy: The Room Where It Happened
July 5, 2021 by 3 Comments
The ultimate fate of Fitzroy in the AFL was decided by a group of middle-aged men in suits at Punt Road Oval, as William Westerman recounts in this conclusion to his trilogy marking 25 years since the first (and hopefully only) merger in VFL/AFL history was confirmed.
Paul Ahern finds his opportunity knocking at the Northern Bullants
July 3, 2021 by 2 Comments
Daniel Kelly talks with Northern Bullants emerging leader Paul Ahern to discover his people’s background and his experiences in both the AFL and the VFL.
Almanac Footy: The Geelong Ruck Crisis
July 2, 2021 by 12 Comments
Deakin Uni student Chris Mangos considers the question that has frustrated Geelong supporters for years: who should play in the ruck?
Almanac (Footy) Art and History: 1904 VFL Grand Final: Fitzroy v Carlton
July 1, 2021 by 3 Comments
DJ Williams continues his series of articles combining art and football history. This time he covers the 1904 Grand Final between Fitzroy and Carlton.
Almanac Local Footy: Northern Bullants give ex-VFL affiliates the Blues
July 1, 2021 by 1 Comment
Daniel Kelly took great delight in watching the Northern Bullants record their first win of the 2021 season – all the more so because it came against Carlton!
The Demons: Steven and Billy Stretch – Part 1
July 1, 2021 by 13 Comments
Steven Stretch was a skinny kid who became a quality AFL player for the Melbourne Football Club during their strong late 80s era. Matt Watson provides this profile of a great career. (Epic! – Ed.)
The Merger Trilogy: On the Frontier
July 1, 2021 by 4 Comments
William Westerman continues to chart the story that saw the Fitzroy Football Club merge with the then Brisbane Bears to become the Brisbane Lions.
Almanac History: Music, sport and the footy in July 1971
July 1, 2021 by 7 Comments
Glen! takes us back 50 years to remember the music, the tennis and the footy from July 1971.
Almanac Life and Humour: Things that may happen before a vaccine rollout in Australia
The vaccination rollout is taking forever! Paddy Grindlay has a list of changes that he thinks are more likely to happen before we’re all jabbed and jocular. (Ed’s comment – Don’t hold your breath!)