Every club needs people like Brendan ‘Boofa’ Allan – totally committed, totally involved and totally determined to give their all for the club. KB Hill tells the tale of the Milawa legend.
Revelling in the Riverina: Episode 5 – On the banks of the Lachlan
May 22, 2024 by 1 Comment
Peter Clark continues his journey through the Riverina travelling to the banks of the Lachlan and Hillston via a visit to Four Corners.
Almanac (Local) Footy: The One Percenters
May 15, 2024 by 7 Comments
Old Dog gives thanks to volunteer Jacquie Langley – and to all the behind-the-scenes workers at local footy clubs
Almanac Footy: FIDA Seagulls
May 13, 2024 by 2 Comments
Callum Quirk reflects on his significant time spent playing for Willy in the FIDA competition, with triumphant highs and lowly lows.
Revelling in the Riverina – Episode 3: The Crooked Mile
May 8, 2024 by 7 Comments
Peter Clark continues his travels through the Riverina. This week he heads north-west from Cootamundra to the sprawling plains out West Wyalong way.
‘Cracking the Big Time…(Part 2)’ by KB Hill
May 2, 2024 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill continues his series about Wangaratta Rovers players who went on to crack the big time.
Revelling in the Riverina – Episode 2: The Cootamundra Wattle Blues
May 1, 2024 by 7 Comments
Peter Clark continues to revel in the Riverina. Leaving Tumbarumba, he travels north via Tumut to Cootamundra, home of the Wattle Blues. (Be sure to keep up to date with Peter’s ‘spot’ card – Ed.)
Almanac Footy History: Chris ‘Tractor’ Prime
April 30, 2024 by 25 Comments
In his latest profile piece, Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood details the career of former Norwood forward and legendary country goalkicker Chris ‘Tractor’ Prime.
Almanac (Footy) History: Jack Cooper – Courageous Fitzroy footballer and Anzac soldier
April 25, 2024 by 2 Comments
At a time of remembrance for soldiers who served and gave their lives in The Great War, Roger Spaull pays tribute to Jack Cooper, champion footballer of the Fitzroy Football Club. In this moving and in-depth account of a footballer and soldier, Roger paints a picture of a man who served his club, and his country, and made the supreme sacrifice on the Menin Road, Passchendaele .
‘Cracking the Big Time…(Part 1)…’ by KB Hill
April 18, 2024 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill begins a two-part series on players who cracked the ‘big time’ in their journey from Wangaratta Rovers to the VFL/AFL.
Almanac (Local) Footy: The Perfect Groundhog Day
April 12, 2024 by 5 Comments
The commencement of the local footy season is upon us again. From his Fearon Reserve vantage point, Smokie ponders this – and Groundhog Day.
‘Shagga’ cracks the ton… by KB Hill
April 11, 2024 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill catches up with Will Nolan who recently joined the 100-game club for the Wangaratta Rovers.
Almanac Travel: Old Dog returns to the town of his first senior flag, Lilydale in Tasmania.
March 12, 2024 by 3 Comments
The Old Dog takes the family to one of his former stomping grounds and catches up with some old footy mates in Lilydale, Tasmania.
Vale Bob Speechley
March 7, 2024 by 25 Comments
Bob Speechley has died at the age of 81. He was a much-loved member of the Almanac fraternity. We will miss him. [Feel free to add a comment or an anecdote at the end of JTH’s tribute.] Details of his memorial gathering are in this post.
‘Old Ungarie boy finds his niche in Yarra…’ by KB Hill
February 29, 2024 by 1 Comment
Kyle Archibald is a bit of an ‘everywhere man’ when it comes to his playing career. But Ungarie and Yarrawonga have been central to it all. KB Hill caught up with Kyle recently.
1964 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 1: Central District
February 22, 2024 by 17 Comments
‘Swish’ launches Part 1 of his 1964 SANFL Mobil cards series with Central District, one of the two new additions to SANFL League ranks in that year. You may know of Gary Window and Ken Eustice, but Sam Donovan and Jock O’Brien had colourful careers too.
“The ups and downs of ‘Simmo’s sporting life…” by KB Hill
February 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill caught up with Damien Simmonds, a multi-talented sportsman who seems to have played at only one speed – flat out!
Almanac Book Review: ‘The One Indiscretion of His Life’ by Gideon Haigh
February 12, 2024 by 1 Comment
The inimitable Roy Hay has reviewed Gideon Haigh’s latest book which looks at the life and times of William ‘Barlow’ Carkeek.
‘More heroes in our eyes…’ by KB Hill
February 8, 2024 by 2 Comments
KB Hill continues the theme of local sports legends who inspired future generations. (See if you can identify the common characteristics they all shared – Ed.)
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