Almanac Philosophy: The Muse is musing on joy

If only the joy of life and sport was knocked out of innocent young players. The Muse tells us about his young neighbour James.

Almanac Tributes: The Muse remembers Fred Cook

The Muse is musing on Fred Cook who died yesterday at the age of 74 with a few stories about one of Melbourne’s great characters of recent times.

Almanac Horse-racing (Plunges): We’ve got a good one

Trainer Shane Fliedner set Tollesprit for a debut sting at Seymour. The Muse was in the thick and thin of it.

Almanac Horseracing (Plunges): Like stealing wheat from blind chooks

The Muse and crew were in the know one afternoon when Spencer Hotel found itself back in the 1950s.

Almanac Horseracing (Yarns): The Sport of Kings and Paupers

Having stumbled home from the 2018 Caulfield Cup, the fertile mind of The Muse (Hayden Kelly) turns to the characters of his youth up the bush. [There’s a bit of Garrison Keillor about this – JTH]

The Muse: Musing on The Cup of 2019

Three O’Briens trained one third of the field for the 2019 Melbourne Cup and it was the Irish Australian from Ky who saddled up the winner. The Muse muses on Danny Boy and Vow and Declare. [Animated piece for someone who didn’t back the winner – JTH]

The Muse: Thoughts of an AFL restructure on a perfect winter’s day

The Muse can see the (necessary) future of the AFL competition: two conferences. This is what happens when the virus agrees that Melbourne is the world’s most livable city. [More creative thinking from Hayden Kelly – Ed]

Almanac Life – The Muse: Musings on Day 85

The Muse has been musing. Here are his observations (with some insight) on numerous topics de jour. [Includes identifiable stirring of the pot – JTH]

The Muse: Finals Week 2 (2016) – Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

The Muse (Hayden Kelly) has been sending his observations to his email mates for years. We hope to return to a few of these emails.

He has seen enough of Melbourne and football to appreciate how it rolls. This is his report, written at the time, of the Doggies brilliant victory over Hawthorn who were trying to win four flags in a row. [It was a superb night – JTH]