NRL Round 15: Midseason grind with big rewards or mild disasters on offer

After last week’s bonanza of footy, it’s back to NRLland and Round 15 this week. Ian Hauser reports in from Lisbon.

FEARLESS 2023: Rd 9 Review – Reckon It’s More Even Than What Most Fans Think

Fearless offers us his thoughts on Round 9 with his review of proceedings

The rhyme of the modern Mariner

Last Saturday’s A League Grand Final, won spectacularly by the Central Coast Mariners, 6-1, reminded Alex Darling of this poem first published in 2018.

Alex Darling with a rousing sea shanty of the Gosford waterfront. (“It is a modern Mariner; And he stoppeth regu’ly…”)

Almanac Golf: Send Lawyers, Golf and Money – the Shits have Hit the Fans

Peter Baulderstone explains how the shotgun marriage between the US PGA and Saudi LIV golf tours tells us more about the influence of big corporate money and geopolitical power than sport. Think “Succession”, not Wide World of Sport.

Almanac Books: The Final Frank Bascombe novel

The Footy Almanac community has brought many things to Mickey Randall but among its greatest gifts was the introduction to the fictional character of Frank Bascombe in the novels of Richard Ford. Mickey is looking forward to the final Frank Bascombe book, ‘Be Mine’.

Up the Mighty Murray! – Episode 8: Where the Darling meets the Murray

Peter Clark takes us further along the Murray River to where it meets the Darling River, and the footy of the Sunraysia Football League.

Round 13 – AFL 2023 Footy Fixture

Check out who, where, and when your team is playing in Round 13.

NRL Round 14 – Titans v South Sydney: A win on the Coast

A couple of quiet ports at Nuri v South Gawler was perfect preparation for the evening fixture between the Gold Coast Titans and Rabbit In The Vineyard’s Bunnies.

Almanac Poetry: The Gift (for Noel Pearson)

Jane Greenwood is a Brisbane writer and poet. ‘The Gift’ is the first poem she’s published on our site. [Welcome Jane – JTH]

Almanac Music: Not Quite Bob – The Songlines: The Songs of Willy Vlautin – Richmond Fontaine and The Delines

Trevor Blainey continues introducing some of the incredible music currently around in his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series. This week, the music of Willy Vautin through his bands, Richard Fontaine, and The Delines. [With The Delines touring here in June we reprise Trevor’s story. – Ed]

Almanac Music: Jimbo Mathus – South Memphis String Band

Jimbo Mathus, Luther Dickinson, and Alvin Youngblood Hart are all long time musical legends popular in the southern states of America. Col Ritchie experienced their folksy homespun music at DBA’s in New Orleans a few years back. [With Jimbo touring Australia this month, it is the perfect time to reprise this story. – Ed]

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ – Passion personified

Citrus Bob Utber reviews the recently released ‘The Lancefield Football Club 1873 -2023’ book, a history of a club that reflects passion personified and an outstanding memorial to the families, players, and supporters who have followed the club according to Bob.

Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life: Round 12 Review / Round 13 Preview

Collingwood deservedly sit at the top of the ladder after twelve rounds of footy. Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life reviews their Round 12 win against the Eagles, and previews their big clash against Melbourne for the Round 13 King’s Birthday clash.

Round 12 – West Coast v Collingwood: Passed the test (Floreat Pica Society)

Usually separated by half a world, for the first time, Ziggy and Garry report for the Floreat Pica Society on a game they watch together. They see Collingwood tested in the west – and pass.

SANFL 1970 Grand Final – Sturt v Glenelg: A Fistful Of Flags

Swish was gifted the Budget from the 1970 SANFL Grand Final by Sturt fan Phil Daly, which was the final of Sturt’s five successive flags.

Almanac Poetry: Rat Sonnet

In writing this poem, KD declares the common rat ‘sonnet-worthy’, even if the kind of sonnet he has employed is of a decidedly modern kind.

Almanac Cricket: Citrus Bob’s Indian Rope Trick

Citrus Bob Utber invites you to join in for his coverage of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023 between Australia and India commencing next Wednesday. [Unfortunately CB has retired hurt and will now not cover the Test match. – Ed]

Almanac Books: ‘The Footy Jumper Book’ – What’s better than a jumper punch? A jumper lunch!

Gigs doesn’t go in much for the ‘jumper punch’ in footy, in fact he prefers a ‘jumper lunch’ such as he enjoyed at the launch of ‘The Footy Jumper Book’ at the recent Footy Almanac lunch. Gigs reports on a fantastic event enjoyed by all in attendance.

Round 12 – Melbourne v Carlton: A good feeling pre match but ….

Joe Sexton had a pre-match premonition the Blues would beat the Demons in their Round 12 match. As often is the case, the premonition was not fulfilled.

Almanac Life: Apollo 23

Having just turned sixty, Ian Wilson reflects upon life and mortality and the subtle life lessons passed onto him by his parents when he was young. [Very honest – Ed]