With an official ratification imminent, Tim Harcourt (The Airport Economist) spells out the benefits which will flow from Tasmania having its own AFL team (first published on the conversation.com)
Almanac Football History: George Challis – The Pride of Cleveland
April 25, 2026 by 2 Comments
As another ANZAC Day dawns, once again we will remember the sacrifices made by our soldiers in the ‘war to end all wars’, including many VFL footballers. Roger Spaull pays a heartfelt tribute to Tasmanian George Challis who played for Carlton before enlisting.
Almanac Life: Local Hero, Local Champion, Or Both – C. W. (Bill) Darke
February 1, 2025 by 5 Comments
Allan Barden pays a fitting tribute to C.W. (Bill) Darke recognising the contribution local heroes such as Bill make to their communities and sports.
Tasmanian Football Days – Some Memories and Reflections (including the occasional rant!)
June 19, 2024 by 9 Comments
Allan Barden is excited about Tasmania entering the AFL competition. Here, he provides us with some personal history, as well as looking into the future of footy in Tasmania.
Almanac Economics: The politics and economics of the Tassie Devils
June 9, 2023 by 3 Comments
Eminent Economist Professor Tim Harcourt (UTS) explains the economics of the Tassie Devils footy team and its required stadium, and considers the political implications of the situation.
Almanac Footy: Grand Finals
September 5, 2021 by 10 Comments
Old Dog is absolutely rapt for one of his old clubs Lilydale FC in Tasmania with their Grand Final victory as he celebrates in spirit with them. He also reflects on another former club defeated in their finals bid and feels their gut wrenching experience of loss.
Almanac Footy Opinion: It’s time…for a Tassie team in the AFL
June 24, 2021 by 13 Comments
In this piece (first published at The Conversation),Tim Harcourt argues the case for a Tasmanian football team to join the AFL.
Almanac Country Footy: The Dam Buster Ball (now with derby photo)
August 20, 2020 by 3 Comments
Tony Newport tells the story of a cracking derby between Rosebery and Toorak in which his astute coach started him at full forward where the result was decided by the rarest of kicks: the dam buster ball. [Brilliantly described – Ed]
Almanac (Footy) History: Polly’s Folly
June 17, 2020 by 1 Comment
Graham “Polly” Farmer was many things; a revolutionary innovator of handball skills, brilliant ruck and legend of the game…he also once made a claim that with hindsight can only be described as a howler. Warwick Nolan on when WA met Tasmania in 1970.
Colts
August 29, 2019 by 11 Comments
A terrific piece by Matt Zurbo on the inception of the Dodges Ferry Colts (in Tassie), a side that has given the senior club a youthful boost.
1973 Championship of Australia – Smoking, Tigers, Hidden Coaches
June 5, 2019 by 17 Comments
The best team in Australia in 1973 was decided between Richmond, Subiaco, Glenelg and Scottsdale (!) over two Adelaide October days. Swish brings us some extra colour on Adelaide Oval’s last splurge of big-time footy for a few decades.
Thirty Metres
April 12, 2019 by 4 Comments
Matt Zurbo’s back doing what he does best; writing from the heart, stories about footy and footy clubs, mates, good times, life and living, and being the best you can, all written in his own laconic style.
1971 – Vic v SA (MCG): A New Record
March 13, 2019 by 17 Comments
The Victorian public’s interest in state football was at an all-time high in June 1971, as both sides were filled with names that resonate to this day. Swish has annotated that game’s Football Record and has obtained some memories from one of the SA participants.
ANFC Carnival: Adelaide 1969
October 16, 2018 by 25 Comments
Swish Schwerdt looks at the 1969 Australian National Football Council Championship in Adelaide through the medium of a program. You’ll see. [Great piece – JTH]
Tasmania – Let The Footy Flow…
July 5, 2018 by 6 Comments
Another Tassie footy vignette, this time a melodic take from Apple Isler Cranky Pete.
Late 70s Tassie State Teams – Changing Times
May 23, 2018 by 9 Comments
Tasmania was not immune to the changing social mores of the late 70s, as these team photos depict. Who went on to the big time, who stayed home but could have been anything?
A memory of Swansea Swans/Bulldogs: Gone, but not forgotten
Every country footy club is someone’s footy club. The recently out of commission Swansea is Allan Barden’s. A story at once unique yet wholy familiar from the East Coast of Tasmania. [Exceptional – Ed.]