When Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin stepped away from footy last season due to an ongoing mental health condition, fans across the country wondered if we would ever see him in full flight again. Nick says we need not have worried.
Troy Luff interview, February 1997
April 23, 2025 by 2 Comments
Earl O’Neill digs into the vault to share an interview he did with Troy Luff under the Brewongle Stand on 17 February 1997. It’s all the more interesting as we now consider his comments and thoughts with the advantage of hindsight.
Almanac Footy: Swans, whither thou goest!
April 21, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Richard Davis is calling on his fellow Swans supporters to ‘strap in tightly and enjoy the ride’ as the club seeks to re-set its game plan in season 2025.
Almanac Footy: Sydney 2025 Season Preview
February 26, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Micky McTigger has a positive take on the Swans’ 2025 team list – with one exception.
Revisiting the Footy Almanac Grand Final Eve Lunch 2024: Interpreting the signs
November 25, 2024 by 2 Comments
When Adelaide Auslan interpreter, muso and lyricist, Glenn Butcher came to Rick Darling’s book celebration at the Adelaide Lutheran Football Club in early 2024, he mentioned he was hoping to get across to Melbourne for an Almanac Lunch, and if things worked out for his footy club, maybe the Grand Final Lunch. Well, his footy side did make that Grand Final and he made the trip. He wrote a little poem in anticipation of the following day.
Almanac Footy (Ladder) – The Icarus Effect: Why the recent losses help the 2024 Swans
July 11, 2024 by 4 Comments
MagnifiCATS has an empirically based theory about percentages and premiership contention. It’s hard to argue with the facts. And what about top interstate eateries?
Round 1 – Collingwood v Sydney: Red (and white)
March 18, 2024 by 1 Comment
The last time he was at the MCG, the incomparable Taylor Swift left her mark on Jake “Cobba” Stevens. On Friday, he returned to watch his Swans defeat Collingwood.
Almanac Footy: Sydney Swans – The Black Knight of the AFL
March 17, 2024 by 4 Comments
The Sydney Swans have been an extremely successful club at making the AFL finals over the past thirty odd years, being equal second with Geelong (22) to the Eagles (24). Ian Wilson analyses why the Swans have been so successful over this period of time.
Almanac Preliminary Final – Sydney v Collingwood: Magpies and blood
September 18, 2022 by 1 Comment
A magpie drew Cobba’s blood last Sunday afternoon but his Bloods turned the tables at the SCG last night.
Almanac Travel: Midnight Distress
July 19, 2022 by 3 Comments
Rob Spurr, like many before him, and since, donned his backpack for a rites of passage grand tour of Europe. Along the way he encountered many adventures and escapades as he recounts in his story.
Almanac (Fan) Life: Finding my ten-year-old self again
June 4, 2022 by 2 Comments
Craig Dodson is a Wagga Wagga boy at heart and a Swans fan by conviction. He’s proud to pass on the passion to his boys, remembering how it meant so much to him when he was their age.
‘Whorouly boy maintains lifetime bond with the Swans…’ by KB Hill
September 23, 2021 by 1 Comment
KB Hill traces the career of Whorouly product Clem Goonan who played for South Melbourne and still retains his links with the club.
Round 20 – Essendon v Sydney: You have to love these Bloods!
August 3, 2021 by 3 Comments
It was another classic encounter between the Swans and the Bombers but it was a smiling Jan Courtin at the end of the match as her Swans hung on to win by seven points.
Round 18 – GWS v Sydney Swans: Almost as triumphant as Beethoven’s Ninth!
July 20, 2021 by 6 Comments
The triumph of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony came to mind as Jan Courtin watched the Swans roll onto victory in their game against the Giants.
Almanac Footy (heartbreak): She was teasing me all along
July 15, 2021 by 7 Comments
Earlier this week, Chris Bracher poured his heart out over his beloved South Melbourne. Now he’s lost her again to the uncertainties of the far north. Oh, the pain!
Round 17 – Western Bulldogs v Sydney: South Melbourne! South Melbourne!
July 13, 2021 by 11 Comments
Jan Courtin is a very happy Swan after Sydney’s fantastic win wearing the old South Melbourne colours against ladder leader the Western Bulldogs in Round 17.
Almanac Football History: A letter to Tom
July 12, 2021 by 9 Comments
The Emerald Hill Chronicle returns to profess a deep and undying love rekindled by a timeless red ‘V’ on white worn by a victorious Swans side.
Round 16 – Sydney v West Coast: I’d like more of that, please!
July 5, 2021 by 10 Comments
Jan Courtin was reminded of the days when Sydney were South Melbourne by the small but vocal crowd in red and white. A sea of Swans fans makes for a rare event nowadays outside of NSW!
Round 16 – Sydney v West Coast: A nice red and white rarity
July 5, 2021 by 1 Comment
Caspar McLeod’s Swans took to an unfamiliar home ground this weekend – but true to form when in Geelong, Sydney showed they know how to use the ground well as they smashed the Eagles. What comes next is all up in the air in a topsy-turvy top eight!
Round 23: A wonderful reminder that sport plays a vital role in many lives
In the wake of one of the most exciting rounds of the AFL in recent memory, Jan Courtin looks back on the comforting role footy has played for her in troubling times – with a bonus rundown of the (surprising for some!) Swans season so far.