Brendan Hosking, the AFL field-umpire, is interviewed by Joe Sexton providing an enlightening insight into the life of an umpire.
Almanac Footy: Umpire state of mind – A sit-down with Brendan Hosking
November 23, 2022 by 5 Comments
Almanac Lunches: The Almanac Tip the Top 8 Grand Final Eve Lunch 2025
September 30, 2025 by 7 Comments
It was another cracking ‘Almanac Tip the Top 8 Grand Final Eve Lunch’ that was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.
Almanac Footy: Can the Brownlow review learn from the old Cazalys?
September 26, 2025 by 5 Comments
After the kerfuffle about this week’s Brownlow Medal count, Micky McTigger offers a series of alternatives that just might address the problems involved.
Almanac Footy: Umpires and the Spirit of the Law
June 15, 2025 by 2 Comments
This article about umpiring and the spirit of the laws of Australian football first appeared in The Alternative Law Journal in 2003. The Footy Almanac reprises it in preparation for a forthcoming follow up article which reconsiders the situation.
Almanac (Footy) Rules: Tinkering as Rome burns
May 30, 2024 by 9 Comments
Dips has been contemplating the movable feast that masquerades as the interpretation of the rules surrounding the holding the man/holding the ball issue. How will it make the game better?
Almanac Footy (Umpiring): Unexpected debut….Why did I agree to this again?
December 3, 2023 by 1 Comment
Mick Jeffrey finds the combination of playing, umpiring, running marathons, nursing injuries and entering a fifth decade a bit of a challenge. But what will he do about it in 2024?
Almanac Footy: A Protected Species?
May 18, 2023 by 1 Comment
Depending on the position you are playing for your footy team also determines the amount of time you have to get rid of the ball, and according to Lee Harradine, some players do not receive a fair go by the umpires.
Almanac Footy: No need for umpire reform, Eddie
April 22, 2022 by 2 Comments
Yes, footy umpires need more respect but that doesn’t mean the whole system should be dismantled, writes RON REED.
Almanac Footy: The Muse is musing on respect for umpires
April 21, 2022 by 5 Comments
The Muse has been around the traps over the years and has seen it and heard it all which puts him in a perfect position to be musing on respect for umpires.
Almanac Footy History: Aboriginal Umpires
March 11, 2022 by 4 Comments
Roy Hay has done a mountain of research into early Indigenous footballers and along the way has discovered some Indigenous umpires, Dick Rowan and Robert Wandin in particular.
KG Cunningham: South Australian Sporting Legend
February 18, 2022 by 48 Comments
Rulebook returns with a profile of South Australian legend KG Cunningham, cricketer, footy umpire and broadcaster extraordinaire.
Almanac Footy History: A team of women umpires
December 17, 2021 by 1 Comment
Braham Dabscheck spotted this photo at the recent New South Wales Australian Football Historical Society function
Almanac Footy Writing: Continuing the umpiring debate…
June 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Nothing in the AFL is as contentious as the decisions made by the men in green. Stainless jumps into the umpiring debate.
Don’t Quit the Under 16s: An open letter to Webby
March 4, 2021 by 2 Comments
Michael Nichols makes an impassioned plea to a talented youngster to keep playing the game. There’s too much at stake to walk away early.
Almanac Footy: Who loves wearing fluoro-green socks? The life of an ex-footballer turned umpire.
September 10, 2020 by 2 Comments
When injuries put an end to Jeremy Hall’s playing days, he decided to give back to the community by becoming an umpire.
That’s ok – we’re invisible
August 17, 2020 by 6 Comments
On the surface, they’re hard to miss: purple jumpers, the old heave ho, over 50,000 members…but for Les Everett, the Fremantle Dockers are the AFL’s invisible side when it comes to a whole range of measures.
The Thoughts of ‘Rulebook’ – Umpiring woes everywhere
July 3, 2020 by 28 Comments
Experienced man-in-the-middle Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood vents some of his frustrations with the way the modern game is umpired. He’d like to see the whistleblowers take a stand on a few subjects. (A long-awaited rant, Rulebook! – Ed.)
Slippery slopes, domino effects and why fans switch off at half-time
March 12, 2020 by 3 Comments
Sick and tired of the AFL’s tinkering with the game, Paul Spinks renews his call for fans to be given a representative voice in deciding the direction of the code.
Why Spectators Should Suck it Up, and Move On
October 11, 2019 by 13 Comments
Sarah Black has some advice for ‘fans’ and players who believe it’s appropriate to offer 15 year-old umpires a pair of glasses while they’re trying to adjudicate a netball game. [And the stats may just make your head spin. – Ed]
Man Hating …… Cow
Anne Cahill Lambert is disappointed by the tired old misogynist rants towards women that have no place in today’s society, but unfortunately continue to receive media attention. [I’m with you all the way ACL! – Col]