The Fall of the Half-Back Flanker

March 3, 2026 by 5 Comments

The trials and tribulations of a half-back flanker as seen by poet Damian Balassone

Almanac Music: Barton & Brodsky – Melbourne Recital Centre

March 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Col Ritchie knew he was in for a treat at the Melbourne Recital Centre for the concert featuring William Barton and the Brodsky Quartet but did not realise how good it was going to be.

Almanac Life: Not quite the third man

March 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment

From an outsider’s perspective, James Walton records the sights and sounds, from the seemingly bizarre to the familiar, encountered while wandering an ancient Italian city.

Almanac Boxing – ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Episode 25: ‘Brother Bobby and his Legacy’

March 3, 2026 by 1 Comment

In the penultimate Episode of his series ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Dave Goodwin traces the influence of ‘the Fighting Barkles’, and in particular Bobby Barkle, on the careers of several promising young boxers from the Cherbourg Aboriginal community.

Opening Round – AFL Footy Fixture 2026: Who, where, and when

March 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

AFL footy starts this week so check out who, where, and when your team is playing.

Almanac Music: McCartney

March 2, 2026 by 10 Comments

While watching the post-Beatles documentary, Man on the Run, Mickey Randall was reminded of his choice of the most significant cultural figure – Paul McCartney. Like the film, Mickey takes us beyond Lennon and McCartney to what happens when a musician leaves the most important band in the world.

Almanac Footy: Inviting match reports for the 2026 AFL season

March 2, 2026 by 1 Comment

The 2026 AFL year is about to start and, this season, the Almanac is hoping to cover every match – with a report from one of our contributors. Read more here and nominate a game or two.

Almanac Poetry: Picture at an Exhibition: ‘Solo Man’ (homo softdrinkus) c. 1975, Australia

March 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment

Kevin Densley on today’s poem: “In ‘Solo Man’, I indicate my answer to the following question: how misogynistic was Australia in the 1970s, my formative teenage years?”

Australian Cricket Society Lunch: ‘A History of Women’s Cricket’ featuring author Craig Horne

February 28, 2026 by 1 Comment

The Australian Cricket Society presents author and musician Craig Horne talking about his book ‘Full Corset and Stockings: A History of Women’s Cricket’ at their next lunch on Wednesday 11 March. Liddy Clark will be joining Craig in conversation.

Almanac (Local) Cricket – Round 14: West Warrion v Irrewarra

February 27, 2026 by 2 Comments

West Warrion CC’s win over Irrewarra takes them to the top of the ladder with the finals commencing next week. Liam enjoyed the win after a serve or two from his work boss playing for the opposition giving him the last laugh.

Almanac Music: ‘Walk This Way’ – Songs Referencing Walking

February 27, 2026 by 230 Comments

In this installment of KD’s long-running series on popular song themes, the subject is walking. As is always the case, readers’ song choices and comments are warmly welcomed.

Almanac Boxing – ‘Diamond in the Dust Heap’, Episode 23: ‘The struggle to the finish line’ and Episode 24: ‘Twilight years’

February 27, 2026 by 2 Comments

The denouement of Herb Barkle’s career in the ring is an all too familiar story. Dave Goodwin summarises Herb’s professional career and recounts his twilight years.

Almanac Rugby League 2026 – Tip the Season’s Big Winners

February 26, 2026 by 6 Comments

A thought bubble turned into a challenge for our readers: Tip your winners of this year’s big events on the rugby league calendar. Enter via the Comments section and we’ll revisit in November to find a winner.

Almanac Footy: Sydney’s 2026 season preview

February 26, 2026 by 8 Comments

Mickey McTigger runs his eye over the Sydney Swans’ 2026 list. Do they have too many ‘twilighters’ to be a serious threat this year?

Almanac Memoir: The Three Quarter Time Huddle

February 26, 2026 by 2 Comments

Peter Clark takes us to a country football ritual where spectators are welcome, the three quarter time huddle.

NRL 2026 – RITV: The pre-season humbug

February 26, 2026 by 3 Comments

RITV returns for another season’s coverage of his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs. Already it looks like a case of ‘quizas, quizas, quizas’.

NRL 2026 – The Prospector’s Pickaxe: Hope and Harsh Realities

February 26, 2026 by 6 Comments

The Prospector joins our bunch of merry rugby league men who will bring you a wide coverage of the code this season. To get the ball rolling, he offers a brutal reality check to balance the standard guff all teams bring to the start of the year. (Welcome aboard, Prospector! – Ed.)

NRL 2026 – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy! – Round 1: Vegas

February 26, 2026 by 5 Comments

Prop by the Sea is back, full of surprises as usual. Who would have picked him as an aficionado of The Eagles? Read on to see the link with the opening weekend of the NRL.

Almanac Memoir: Summer, Autumn, FOOTBALL and Spring

February 25, 2026 by 4 Comments

With the footy season fast approaching, Peter Clark shares reminiscences of football and life written by his father, former country football reporter Jim Clark.

Almanac Music – Aussie Album Review: Crowded House ‘Temple of Low Men’

February 25, 2026 by 5 Comments

The twentieth album in Smokie’s long-running series of classic Australian album reviews sees him take a look back at Crowded House’s ‘Temple of Low Men’.