Almanac (WAFL) Footy: Big weekend in the West

Les Everett presents his report of the WAFL preliminary final match between South Fremantle and Claremont won by the Bulldogs who will meet Subiaco in the grand final next week.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Rain Band Creep’ – Tommy Mallet

The rain, the mist, and the wind provide a wondrous backdrop of nature at work for Tommy Mallet in his poem, ‘Rain Band Creep’.

Podcast: Martin Flanagan on Ron Barassi and Melbourne FC (via Speakola)

With thanks to ‘Tinsel’ Tony Wilson’s Speakola program, check out this incredible monologue by Martin Flanagan on Melbourne FC – recently uploaded.

Grand Final – Move over Knight, here’s the Zalac poster

Old Dog shares the work of his artist mate Zelko Zalac, a Dees premiership poster designed in a style reminiscent of the late, great WEG.

Almanac Book Review: John Althorp’s ‘Yee-Oh! A South Adelaide FC Scrapbook’ by Bernard Whimpress

Bernard Whimpress reviews a recent bespoke project for South Adelaide diehards by John Althorp, but notes its value for a wider audience – not least in an element of fun it brings to the halls of sports history.

Almanac Teams – Twenty-one jump(er) street (1980- )

A dead-eyed debutant, documentary maker and a unique 27-game stat-holder are part of Rodney Boyd’s Number 21 side this week.

Grand Final – Melbourne v Bulldogs: Demons reach withering heights

Nick Kossatch presents his report of Melbourne’s pain erasing premiership glory.

Grand Final – Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: A ripper!

It’s been a long day and a longer night for Old Dog who presents his traditional wrap up of what was a ripper Grand FInal. [Thanks for seeing in the dawn to get this done Old Dog. Always a highlight of the coverage. – JTH]

Almanac Rugby – The Rugby Championship: Round 5

There wasn’t just the AFL Grand Final played during the weekend (nor the NRL Preliminary Finals) but also the final hitouts for the Rugby Championship – with a milestone test between South Africa and New Zealand decided by a slim margin the highlight according to Brian the Ruminator.

Melbourne: A City Surviving, a Team Arriving.

Beaut piece from Melbourne dad and footy lover Andrew Else with a look into family life in Grand Final week with its Lockdown, its riots, its earthquake and the arrival of a great footy team. [Love it -JTH]

Almanac (Family) Footy: It’s tough being a Dee.

Damien Collins is a Demon in a Bombers family. This fine personal memoir puts family and footy in their historical context.

Information for The Footy Almanac Zoom Grand Final Lunch today

Some info (including Zoom link) about the lunch today.

Almanac Art and Poetry: My City

Kate Birrell on the state of play in her city: Melbourne.

The Footy Almanac Zoom Lunch Loose Rundown

We’ve got a lunch plan.

The Tip the Top 8 Leaderboard (for today’s Grand Final Lunch)

This is the Tip the Top 8 Leaderboard after 7 places have been counted. One to go.

Grand Final – Sal’s Preview: Dees in a tight one

Sal Ciardulli reckons the Grand Final is a 50-50 proposition but is leaning ever so slightly towards Melbourne. He’s also hitting his straps with the nags. He has a thorough look at the big Melbourne and Sydney races. And he has something to say about John Elliott.

Grand Final Warm-Up

It’s Christmas Eve for footy lovers writes Old Dog as he recalls the attitude of Gabriela Andersen.

Grand Final Preview – Melbourne v Western Bulldogs: Random thoughts before the Grand Final

John Harms is thinking out loud.

Finally … Footy Feast’s Main Course

There’s only so much build-up you need for the Grannie, but born-again Dees fan Ron Reed is ready to roll. [Contains traces of touching matrimonial solidarity – Ed]

Almanac (Demon) Life: Success is a Journey not a Destination

Geoff Woolcock has lived a Demon life which he chronicles in this timeline.