Almanac Cricket – The Monster Wore Pads: Boris Karloff, Cricketer

In this Friday’s column, KD writes about a keen cricketer, Hollywood’s all-time King of Horror, Boris Karloff.

Almanac Horse Racing Reminiscence: The W S Cox Plate

With the Cox Plate looming on Saturday, we entered the Almanac vault to revisit a collection of articles which feature this iconic race.

Almanac Book Review: ‘The Immortals of English Cricket’ by Bill Ricquier, reviewed by Ian Hauser

Ian Hauser reviews a recent addition to the Gelding Street Press Immortals series, ‘The Immortals of English Cricket’ by Bill Ricquier.

‘The artistic spinner…’ by KB Hill

KB Hill recalls the life and times of Jock Thomlinson who mastered both the art of spin bowling and visual art as well as being a significant figure in Technical Education.

Almanac Footy: Podcast Review – Tumbarumba FNC ’50 Not Out’  

Dr Rod Gillett reviews the podcast presented by Robbie Mackinlay celebrating the Tumbarumba Football Netball Club’s 50th anniversary.  

Almanac Music: ‘Sonic Boom’

Matt Zurbo continues his regular account of his musical experiences as he relives the pain and the joy it took to eventually see a band much loved by him, The Sonics, when they played the Caravan Club in Oakleigh.

Almanac Music: ‘Waterloo Sunset’ – The Kinks

Col Ritchie is a big fan of the Kinks, and ‘Waterloo Sunset’ is one of his favourite songs.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Moths Replace Butterflies’ – Tommy Mallet

There is a lot going on in the evening air as the wood is chopped suggests Tommy Mallet’s poem ‘Moths Replace Butterflies’.

Voss – Part 2: The pantheon awaits

The impression Michael Voss made on Shane Reid in 1997 went a long way toward bridging the old Fitzroy with the new Lions in Shane’s heart…he supposes if anyone can become another Matthews or Barassi, why not Voss?

Almanac Book Review: Ashley Mallett’s ‘The Magic of Spin’ by Dan Hoban

Dan Hoban’s take on Ashley Mallett’s release from a couple of years ago on the great spinners who suited up for the Aussie men’s test team (and some who didn’t but perhaps should have).

Almanac Poetry: The Burial of the Sardine

In today’s poem, Kevin Densley winds back the clock to a poem he wrote in his twenties, based upon a stunning painting by Goya.

Almanac Teams: Absolutely 23 (1980- )

A mouthwatering prospect comes from this side, which team would have a better day out: Rodney Boyd’s Number 18 or Number 23 forward line?

Almanac Life: Elizabeth South Shops 1966-1976

Swish harks back to a simpler time in his childhood ‘hood of Elizabeth South, when there were local shops run by local people. Featuring smokes, double-cut rolls, offal, more smokes, Amscol Footy Colours and the occasional Strepsil. [A must-read for lovers of everyday life anywhere, with many memories of 60s and 70s life – JTH]

Almanac Boxing: Bigger than big – The Fighting Fury

There will never be another Muhammad Ali – but are we seeing the next best thing in Tyson Fury, writes Ron Reed.

Almanac Racing: Sal’s Preview – Caulfield Cup Day: A climb to the top

It’s Caulfield Cup Day tomorrow. Sal Ciardulli has studied the form guide and selected his tips for the meeting.

Almanac Rugby League: Norm ‘Sticks’ Provan

This John Campbell painting celebrates his day at the 1965 NSWRL Grand Final – even though his beloved Bunnies lost. It was also Norm Provan’s last game for St George. John also penned a few words.

Almanac Life: Marbles

Col Ritchie reflects back to his primary school days in the late 50s and early 60s and the game of marbles.

Almanac Photo Essay: The Course of a Day, Gherang, Victoria

In this Friday’s post, KD presents a photo essay, consisting of a series of skyscapes taken by him from his Gherang verandah.

Almanac Footy: The Unconformity Cup – Nowhere Footy

Old Dog goes to Queenstown where he plays a fun (but proper) footy match on the famous gravel oval during the Unconformity Festival. [This is an Old Dog special which was first published in 2016 – JTH]

Almanac Rugby League: Vale Norm ‘Sticks’ Provan

Norm Provan, the 12th Immortal of rugby league, has passed away aged 88. The Footy Almanac pays tribute to an icon whose image is preserved in the NRL’s premiership trophy.