By Dan Brooke (with assistance from Russell Yule) M Day: Flash or Flamer was the nickname decision. Flash won as Mick’s ability to go from here to there in the blink of an eye is superb. Almost manages to disguise his ginger taint through bright eyes and bushy tailed approach. Has promised to demonstrate on [Read more]
New Geelong Supporter
February 3, 2011 by 12 Comments
As announced, Evie Grace is the newest addition to the Harms clan, as well as the newest member of the Almanac. Congratulations to the Handicapper (who we presume did most of the work) and to John. If you wish to send your regards, here’s an opportunity. As we are a classy website, we’ll entertain no [Read more]
In A-League of Its Own (28)
February 2, 2011 by 7 Comments
Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League With just a couple of gameweeks to play, desperation is showing in teams who have a lot to play for. An example of this, is when after Miron Bleiberg’s Gold Coast team unleashed at Melbourne Victory, after his team were clearly outmuscled by the finals contenders. His main point [Read more]
Billy Midwinter and the Clyde Hotel
February 1, 2011 by 3 Comments
The Clyde Hotel, scene of the launches of the 2009 and 2010 editions of The Footy Almanac, has a great sporting link. The landlord was once Billy Midwinter, the only man to play Ashes cricket for both England and Australia. Peter Flynn uncovered two great yarns about Billy. Click on the links below to reveal [Read more]
Crio’s Q: Sporting All-Rounders
January 31, 2011 by 63 Comments
Boxing and Rugby League – now there are two sports where hyperbole rains like confetti.”Rabbs” Warren should call them both. “Thugby”, as it has been decried, has been known for some stoushes, but the link between the sports has been dubiously legitimised recently. “The Man” Mundine was a genuine League star and is now a [Read more]
TAMWORTH
January 31, 2011 by 4 Comments
The Kamilaori nation, the original inhabitants of the Tamworth region, a vast flood plain beneath the Great Dividing and New England Ranges in Northern NSW, was a collection of independent tribes that shared language and customs, including ritualised physical movement that paid deference to the Dreamtime. This movement was guided by a loud beat created [Read more]
Supercoach League Invitation
January 31, 2011 by 6 Comments
As the clock strikes midnight at the end of today to mark the start of February, the fantasy football phenomenon that is AFL Supercoach will open. Those who are interested but haven’t entered in previous years, you won’t miss the big green banner on www.superfooty.com.au, and for you others, especially the younger Almanackers, who are [Read more]
Gazza should take a leaf out of the Pav book
January 31, 2011 by 2 Comments
By Tristan Taormina Mathew Pavlich is a Docker, and will be for life. The speculation around the Captain’s future was finally put to rest when the 29 year old signed a three year deal that will see him end his illustrious career in the West. Whispers have circulated around AFL ranks that the South Australian-born [Read more]
Where the passion began
January 30, 2011 by 5 Comments
G’day Folks. Seeing as this is my first ever entry onto this site I thought it fitting that I write about the first game I remember attending. I suppose it would help if I explain a little about myself as well. I am another one of you young Footy enthusiasts. My passion for the game [Read more]
Poker- A sport, surely not
January 29, 2011 by 5 Comments
By Domenic Favata A recent documentary on ESPN about Poker caught my eye, a documentary that compared poker to sport. Currently, the Australian Poker tournament is underway at Crown and it was interesting listening to the comments of the “world’s best” poker players. This initial tag by the hostess made me laugh, but she was [Read more]
Book Review: Best On Ground
January 29, 2011 by 7 Comments
Best on Ground – Great Writers on The Greatest Game Peter Corris and John Dale (eds) Viking (an imprint of Penguin Books) 2010 The stories of how supporters have come to support a particular team, and how their life has been moulded by that allegiance, are good stories when well told. This collection of sixteen [Read more]
Almanac Racing: MV & Sandown
January 28, 2011 by 2 Comments
Valley Nights are a good concept – Friday night gallops at MV – but, too often, have pretty limited fields. Tonight, though, the stars come out with the running of the $200,000 Group 2 Australia Stakes (R6, 1200m.). Some crack gallopers are in the field, though some, like Heart of Dreams and Vigor, will have [Read more]
Tennis, snoring and the punt: a reflection
January 28, 2011 by 4 Comments
A few years ago, when I was writing Memoirs of a Mug Punter, I got in to a lovely routine. I’d start writing just after AM finished and stick at it (with occasional glances at the form guide) until midday or so. Then I’d have a bit of lunch. On a good day: left-over pizza. [Read more]
East Coburg Blues
January 28, 2011 by 8 Comments
By Paul Daffey The day was beautiful, with clear sunshine beating down on a verdant outfield, which was the most that could be said for it. In a cricket sense the day was horrible. I was playing my second annual match for the East Coburg fourths. We (these things happen quickly) were expected to win [Read more]
Cobba’s Big Tennis Adventure
January 28, 2011 by 4 Comments
Let me take you back to March 2008. I was surfing the net looking at various sport sites. I came across the Australian Open website which looked like it hadn’t been updated since a day after the tournament ended. However there was one new story on the list. It read “Australian Open Ballkid Applications Now [Read more]
Andrew McLeod’s speech to the United Nations
January 27, 2011 by 1 Comment
Good afternoon, my name is Andrew McLeod and I am here today to talk to you about combating racism through sport, and to do that I’m going to take you on a short journey with me – my journey. I am a recently retired professional sportsman from the Australian Football League (the AFL) and [Read more]
Footy Music Videos
January 27, 2011 by 23 Comments
Attached is a link to a You Tube clip of Dave Warner (Suburban Boy fame) singing another ripper song called, Free Kicks. The song dates from 1979 and the clip looks as old. The song employs footy imagery in its examination of sexual relationships. Dave dons a WA State of Origin jumper. There is a [Read more]
In A League of Its Own- 26
January 27, 2011 by 21 Comments
Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League The horrendous Kevin Muscat tackle from the 3rd derby last Saturday night is still clear in my mind; Heart youngster Adrian Zahra advancing forward on the right with the ball, but, just as he skips past Grant Brebner, Kevin Muscat literally jumps studs up in the air at Zahra. [Read more]
Supercoach Forwards 2011
January 27, 2011 by 5 Comments
The offence is, surprisingly, a tough task to pick 10 players. You’ve got the best forwards in the game who can pull out the biggest scores but get injured too frequently, the miraculous goalkickers who only appear in games every now and then, and the up and coming brigade, who are the most prone to [Read more]
The Simpsons as a study of (my) life
January 26, 2011 by 14 Comments
by Katherine Giese It has been generally accepted that The Simpsons is a study of life. It may be less widely known, however, that The Simpsons is a study of my life. I’m not a big proponent of coincidence, but believe strongly in fate. Why, then, is my life irrevocably intertwined with The Simpsons? When [Read more]
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