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]
Preseason musings in the Merks
October 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment
It briefly enters the public consciousness after an incident of great notice, but Phil Hill has been mulling over general rule changes in sports, with a few examples. [Could throw rugby league into the mix after recent events – Ed.]
Almanac Local Footy – MCUE v GGGM: Grassroots footy at its best!
August 1, 2019 by 4 Comments
Ah, country sport at the local Reserve on a Saturday afternoon! Peter Clark brings us an important clash between two of the Riverina Football Netball League’s amalgamated clubs, MCUE and GGBM. See if you can get your mouth around these two names!
Hey AFL, if you really want to change the rules, here’s one!
September 17, 2018 by 7 Comments
The head count is a rule from the past and almost ruined two finals on the weekend. It’s time for change
Will zones improve the Game?
June 27, 2018 by 4 Comments
Max Hatzoglou ponders the virtues of zones and starting positions and their implications on the style of the game.
AFL’s state of the game: A couple of easy changes will make all the difference
May 7, 2018 by 12 Comments
Amidst a cacophony of soundbites about the “state of the game”, student Max Hatzoglou breaks down the intricate challenges and opportunities afforded by adjusting the game, in his first piece featured on The Footy Almanac
The (Lost) Art of Umpiring
October 18, 2017 by 18 Comments
Swish found this 70s SANFL umpiring relic in the bowels of academia. He’s sharing it before it disappears entirely.
Match Review Panel: Consistently Inconsistent
August 23, 2017 by 8 Comments
Anna Pavlou comes in off the long run in this searing assessment of the MRP.
Harry Beitzel: Pioneer and founder of the Australian Irish connection 70 years on
August 18, 2017 by 1 Comment
Stephen Alomes is pushing for the AFL to recognise the efforts of Harry Beitzel for his passion and efforts with International Rules.
Decoding the MRP: My brain hurts
August 15, 2017 by 13 Comments
Jeff Dowsing has had a tough time trying to figure out how the MRP are making their decisions this season; especially with head high charges.
The gospel according to Harry
August 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Robert Allen wrote a fascinating piece about Harry Bietzel a few years ago. This captures the man and his journey pretty well.
Centre Square Blues
May 24, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Warren Tapner has written a poem about the art of umpiring.
If ya don’t mind, umpire!
May 12, 2017 by 4 Comments
Stainless comes in off the long run on the AFL law makers. Are they killing the goose that lays the golden eggs?
Round 5 – St Kilda v Geelong: Encouragement of Loving
April 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Yoshi reviews the game between his beloved Saints and the undefeated Cats.
The Umpire’s Alphabet
March 22, 2017 by 1 Comment
Dennis Gedling gives us a colourful acrostic poem about the under-appreciated art of football umpiring.
Girl footy – Don’t You Dare Laugh
February 8, 2017 by 7 Comments
The success of the weekend has Matt Watson reaching back to his primary school days and his involvement with girls’ footy.
Almanac Cricket – Blind Deaf and Clueless: A Modest Proposal
December 9, 2016 by 1 Comment
Phil Hill is back considering AFL umpiring in the context of the laws of cricket
Home bias in AFL umpiring: the 10 year tables
November 29, 2016 by 5 Comments
Dave Warner of the suburbs has completed his opus: the last 10 years of AFL free kick counts examined and analysed. Do umpires always favour the home team? How do Victorian teams fare when playing at home against non-Victorian teams? Trends, biases… all is revealed.
Almanac Laws of the Game: the best rule in the book
September 23, 2016 by 19 Comments
What’s the most obscure rule you’ve seen an umpire use? The weirdest thing on a footy field? Dave Brown has a couple of favourites
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]