Richard Griffiths was Football Manager at the Melbourne FC during the tumultuous period of the proposed club merger with the Hawthorn FC and presents a first-hand account of that time.
Almanac Rugby League: The Dolphins Cry
April 2, 2026 by 4 Comments
Jamie Simmons, once a Victorian, explains the challenges of assimilating into Queensland culture, especially when he can’t hack supporting the Brisbane Broncos (which just happens to be the team of his father-in-law).
Almanac Music: Our Dad banned Ted Mulry Gang, but embraced Skyhooks
April 2, 2026 by 13 Comments
The Goodwin brothers, Dave and Ian, take us on a journey to a different time and place to explain why their father, a State High School Principal, banned the Ted Mulry Gang from performing at Dalby State High School back in 1977. (Fascinating!~ – Ed.)
Sal’s Preview – Round 4: All Aboard The Coaching Cycle – Bring your Alibi to the Championships
April 2, 2026 by 1 Comment
Sal takes the coach critics to task for their two-handed approach to the suitability or otherwise of particular coaches. But the continuing daytime Grand Final time slot gets a big tick.
Almanac Life and Music: The Eighth Caller Through – The Cars, Neil Young, and Goanna
April 2, 2026 by 12 Comments
Mickey Randall’s mate Lukey dropped off some old vinyl albums recently. They took Mickey back to a special time in his life. Is nostalgia ‘right now — the way it found us in the first place?’
2026 NRL – The Prospector’s Pickaxe: NRL is an 80-minute game. Or is it?
April 2, 2026 by 2 Comments
The Prospector swings his pickaxe at the illusion of rugby league being an 80 minute game. It’s not, but how can we make it closer to that goal without causing too much collateral damage?
RITV – Athletics: The 2026 Maurie Plant Meet
April 2, 2026 by 4 Comments
For a change of pace (no pun intended), RITV reviews last weekend’s Maurie Plant Meet, formerly the Melbourne Track Classic, one of the highlights of the annual athletics calendar in Australia.
2026 NRL – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy! – Round 5
April 2, 2026 by 6 Comments
Prop by the Sea has gone all Bee Gees this week, a soundtrack with which many of us of slightly advanced years will certainly identify. Does anyone remember George Wallace and ‘Theatre Royal’ from the early 60s with the Gibb kiddies in their white t-shirts, shorts, socks and sandshoes? (‘Cucumber Castle’, Prop? I, for one, recall that! – Ed.)
Round 3 – Geelong v Adelaide: From the Premiership Stand
April 1, 2026 by 1 Comment
Marcus Holt was in the Premiership Stand to see his Cats triumph over the Crows at a soggy Kardinia Park
Round 3 – Haiku Bob: unnatural things
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Haiku Bob saw rather more polish in the Magpies’ performance under the dome in Round 3.
Almanac Horseracing: Boo ars only
April 1, 2026 by 7 Comments
Pestwac, as we know, spent a lot of time on the punt where he came into contact with any number of colourful characters. Today it’s Dickie, a man of military bearing – although he probably wasn’t!
2026 NRL – Upsets on and off the field
April 1, 2026 by 3 Comments
After a weekend with several surprise results, the NRL is full of people and clubs who are more than a tad miffed this week.
Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026: Round 3 Review and Round 4 Preview
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
A good Round 3 win to the Pies over the Giants is reviewed by Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life 2026, and the Round 4 match against Brisbane is previewed.
Almanac Footy: 2026 AFL Draftees Preview – Ch.1
March 31, 2026 by 4 Comments
Micky McTigger looks ahead to some of the likely prospects for this year’s AFL draft.
Round 4 – AFL Footy Fixture 2026: Who, where, and when
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Find out who, where, and when your team is playing in Round 4 of AFL Season 2026.
Almanac Poetry: ‘High on the low down in Wonthaggi (even though I have to jump), reprise’
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Except for the personnel involved, play remains much the same on the streets of Wonthaggi as it has for ages recalls James Walton in his poem.
Round 3 – Collingwood v GWS: No surprises at Marvel
March 30, 2026 by 1 Comment
Richard Griffiths was unable make the match with the Giants playing Collingwood at Marvel on Friday night. Thunderstorms and high winds delayed his flight from Sydney, but his nephew’s wedding on Saturday atoned for the disappointment of the missed match.
The People’s Elbow: No longer angry, but conditioned.
March 30, 2026 by 6 Comments
The People’s Elbow comes off the top rope and offers some sobering insights into the Carlton Condition.
Round 3 – Carlton v Melbourne: Voss to a half-back flank?
March 30, 2026 by 1 Comment
In a past life, Greg A held the Blues close to his heart as a South Australian with an adopted VFL side that featured many big names from west of Horsham…but now he finds more to like in their opponents, the Demons.
Round 3 – Essendon v North Melbourne: Another crash landing!
March 30, 2026 by 2 Comments
Although beaten again, the Bombers put up a much better effort against North Melbourne to go down by 2 goals.
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