Wow! What a backlash. The Aussies were ridiculously short odds in early markets (I laid them at $1.62 for the series) and it now seems the early Tests have generated shockwaves across all cricketing circles…so much so that, in my normal “counter-balancing” way, I now feel compelled to pump up their chances. So let’s (overlooking [Read more]
North Melbourne 2011 Preview
December 13, 2010 by 4 Comments
Being a North Melbourne supporter, the off-season is usually full of unwanted press about the Roos relocating, folding, not having enough money, relying on AFL/government handouts etc. It’s not a good time for anyone associated with the blue and white stripes. But this year, despite the Victorian election and the Hobart push for North to [Read more]
On Our Selection: Perth, Ready Or Not
December 13, 2010 by 10 Comments
You were hoping that our Ashes predicament was too bad to be true? Expecting that those charged with running a multimillion dollar enterprise were possessed of calm minds, steady nerve and clear vision? That they would have ready answers to what currently ails us? So how reassured are you by the events of the past [Read more]
Paddle for the Mentawais- The Journey
December 11, 2010 by 2 Comments
By Russell Yule On Thursday morning, Harold Shim and myself attempted the first ever SUP circumnavigation of Abu Dhabi. (SUP stands for stand up paddleboard. Kind of a long surfboard powered by a 7ft long paddle). Here is the story lifted from the blog I have been doing about our Paddle for the Mentawais to [Read more]
Almanac Racing: HK Racing 2010
December 11, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The surfeit of City meetings in Melbourne this weekend – Valley Nights tonight, HQ tomorrow and a twilight fixture back in Moonee Ponds Sunday – does certainly not bring seasonal cheer to punters. These are extremely moderate cards and, given my job hunting is about as successful as my punting, I’ll not be attending any [Read more]
Too late Mr Haigh!
December 10, 2010 by 2 Comments
ON ABC TV’s Offsiders a few weeks ago panellist Gideon Haigh likened holding the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to having it Adelaide. By coincidence I spent a few days in Adelaide recently, between Haigh’s quip and the announcement that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar. Clearly Haigh was onto something and [Read more]
Ashes Status Update: Any Bright Ideas?
December 9, 2010 by 24 Comments
In the wake of a nightmarish Adelaide test, local hopes for a tightly contested summer are appearing decidedly on the optimistic side. A 1-0 series score line wouldn’t normally prompt such widespread despair, but in this instance the trend line is hard to ignore. Featherbed wickets aside, it’s hard to put a positive spin on [Read more]
Choose your own ending
December 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment
In Australia there are few truly sacred rituals and days, but I defy anyone reading this to say that the first day of the first test isn’t one of them. On other websites this might be a dangerous, or at least provocative, assertion, but I feel I am on solid ground here at footyalmanac.com.au. But [Read more]
I dont like to say I told you so, BUT
December 8, 2010 by 1 Comment
Some wise sage posted these comments on May 20 “Is it just me or does anyone else think that the chances of Australia hosting the World Cup sit somewhere between Buckley’s and none. It is bad enough that the Federal Govt has ploughed $46 million into the bid without the utterly scandalous decision to spend [Read more]
In A League of Its Own – Issue 20
December 8, 2010 by 7 Comments
Tom’s weekly outlook on the A-League Week after week, A-League matches are affected or decided by refereeing decisions or the lack of them. To be honest, I’m not sure how to fix the problem, but it needs to be addressed quickly by the FFA. This weekend, Brisbane Roar travelled to AAMI Park to face Melbourne [Read more]
“The Sickness”
December 7, 2010 by 15 Comments
by Bill Walker I was out with a group of foreign university students doing an interp. of Tarkine rainforest when the driver took the wrong route on the way home. Everything was going just fine until then. Half way between Edith Creek and Irishtown I spotted this (see photo below). Sure can be lucky at [Read more]
Andrew Starkie’s Ashes Diary (5)
December 7, 2010 by 1 Comment
ASHES DIARY Entry 5 Monday December 6, 2010 The armless Ethiopian taxi driver picked up Adrian and I from Adelaide Airport, Saturday morning. We eased along Sir Donald Bradman Drive, skirted the edges of the city and headed into the inner southern suburbs to our modest, one ply toilet paper, clunking air-conditioner motel. In the [Read more]
Not so classical sporting physiques
December 7, 2010 by 44 Comments
by Chris Riordan A counterpoint to last week’s Q. Last week we established that many “athletes” don’t necessarily cut it as sportsmen. This week I want to celebrate – and with my physique, believe – that being “cut” is not necessarily the criteria for success. I’m piecing together an Aussie XI and need help with [Read more]
It’s all gone so horribly wrong
December 7, 2010 by 8 Comments
by Darren Dawson I would hazard a guess that there is not one Australian supporter out there who, prior to the Ashes series commencing, had the vaguest inkling that it could all go so horribly wrong. Sure, the batsmen were not exactly at the peak of their form and, yes, a few of them were [Read more]
Adelaide Test – Day 3: whatever.
December 6, 2010 by 10 Comments
Heavy skies greeted the heavy hearts of the Australian fans as they came to (half) life this Sunday morning. The cathedral bells rang out across the parklands as we trudged, lemming-like, down the hill, dodging the Moreton Bay figs, towards the light of the tents and bars which had drained our wallets (at $7 for [Read more]
Federer the Fantastic
December 5, 2010 by 25 Comments
by Danni Eid I’ve noticed how cricket is suddenly taking over the main page of the website and it kinda kills me. I just can’t handle cricket, I find it boring- please don’t kill me!!!- Meh you know what, I’ve seen a premiership so go ahead, Lol. What I’m saying is I love cricket as [Read more]
Perth Launch
December 4, 2010 by 2 Comments
by Les Everett THE FootyAlmanac.com.au story about Zephaniah Skinner by Tavis Perry provided inspiration for the 2010 Almanac Perth launcher Steve Hawke. Hawke wrote one of the great footy books, Polly Farmer: A Biography, but another of his works – Noonkanbah: Whose Land, Whose Law – was also relevant at this footy function. Noonkanbah is [Read more]
2022 FIFA World Cup Vote: Questions need to be answered
December 4, 2010 by 13 Comments
By Domenic Favata In the early hours of Friday morning, the Middle Eastern country of Qatar were handed the rights to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Australia managed only one vote, after spending 46.5 million dollars of tax payer money. But it is not the price to pay we should worry about, it is [Read more]
Tough day at the Adelaide Oval
December 4, 2010 by 3 Comments
Adelaide Test – day one – December 3, 2010 By Peter Argent It had been a tough day, in the early morning Qatar destroyed an Australian world cup 2022 soccer dream. There had been issues including Kevin Peitersen’s “Tweet” gate, some texts that inferred when Mitchell Johnson was dropped, he wasn’t told face-to-face. Interesting exchanges [Read more]
“Sneaky Butcher” (or HPV 101)
December 3, 2010 by 6 Comments
by Jake “Cobba” Stevens A lot of footy fans (and probably most of you on this site) have, at one time or another, tried to explain what Aussie Rules footy is to someone from another country. It’s not as easy job to do. And I would imagine trying to picture how it is would be [Read more]
Recent Comments