2021 AFL Grand Final Preview: An overtime thriller in prospect?

Nick Kossatch gets in first with his preview of the 2021 AFL Grand Final. He thinks it will be a close, hard-fought thriller!

Almanac Rugby League – 2021 NRL Finals, Week 2: Can the battered Roosters crow again?

After a dramatic Week 1 of NRL finals, Ian Hauser looks ahead to what we can expect in this weekend’s Week 2.

” ‘Luigi’…Star achiever in an all-round sporting family…” by KB Hill

KB Hill recalls Wangaratta’s Flanagan family and, in particular, Laurie Flanagan, also known as ‘Luigi’.

Almanac (Footy) History: A radio call of the 1913 Grand Final…I’d like to hear that.

Mark Tenny has come up with a brilliant idea, to produce radio commentary of the great games of yore. Listen to some examples.

Balcony Banter – Worth the Wait

In her piece for ‘Balcony Banter,’ Dees fan and MCC member Lynda Carroll remembers Melbourne’s 2018 victory over Geelong in the Elimination Final.

Geelong’s Record Run – Round 13, 1953: Geelong v Footscray – All aboard the ‘Eaglehawk Express’

A Peter Pianto masterclass, with help from Noel Rayson, aided Geelong in winning game number 26 on the trot. Peter Clark’s series on Geelong’s record run continues.

Almanac Footy: The perfect opportunity for Australian rules football State of Origin

Dave Warner has a cracker of an idea that would fill the dead space created by the pre-grand final bye.

Almanac Music: ‘Take Five’ – The Dave Brubeck Quartet

One of the great and most recognisable examples of cool jazz from the 50s and 60s is the timeless ‘Take Five’ by The Dave Brubeck Quartet.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Four Flags’ – Tommy Mallet

With the AFL Grand Final around the corner, Tommy Mallet remembers a footballer who played in four premiership teams in his poem ‘Four Flags’.

Almanac Rugby – The Rugby Championship: Round 3

In a week brimming with sporting fairytales, Quade Cooper took a leaf out of a Brothers Grimm book to seal an underdog victory for the Wallabies over the Springboks, as Argentina were gallant but outclassed all over the park by the greatest team in the world. Brian the Ruminator has the details.

Success as a Mud Pie

Damning with faint praise for a team of Clayton’s Champions if you will, Dips O’Donnell turns the heat up on Geelong after a decade of ‘success’.

Almanac Teams: Twenty-twenty hindsight (1980- )

This week sees a dive into the Number 20 jumper’s more ‘Quirk-y’ players by Rodney Boyd.

Almanac Poetry: The Artist Formerly Known

The history of rock ‘n’ roll contains many novelty acts and artists with quirky stage names. In this week’s poem, Kevin Densley charts the rise and fall of a fictional rock ‘n’ roller along these lines. [Very mild language warning – Ed.]

Grand Final – My Return to the Almanac for a One-Off Grand Final Ramble

Some of the projected golden years of Daniel Saunders’ young life have been marred by the pandemic we all know and hate. He’s incredibly thankful for the wonderful season of top shelf footy that has kept him sane; he proffers his view on the looming last game of the year.

Finals Week 3 – Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs: Out-coached, outplayed, out of the finals.

Port supporter Nick Kossatch is bitterly disappointed with the performance of his team and pays his respect to the Western Bulldogs coaches (who got plenty right) and players (who dealt with all that was thrown at them before and during the game).

Almanac Footy: Bailey Smith: Dedicated and driven young gun

Here’s an early piece about Bailey Smith from Luke Reynolds, first published in November 2018…

Luke Reynolds recently had the privilege to speak to Bailey Smith, captain of the Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup team, 2018 Under 18 All-Australian and touted as a possible top ten draft pick.

Wantok Almanac: Nancy Patterson

Wantok Almanac returns, heading to Vanuatu and Nancy Patterson, a woman through her relationship with the game and role with AFL Vanuatu has made a significant contribution. Nancy is a champion of inclusion and progression within Australian Football. (An excellent piece – Eds.)

Almanac Footy: Ron Barassi – An old heart beats true for red and blue

He was responsible for changing the perception that footballers rarely left ‘home’ but it’s great to see Ron Barassi back where it all began, writes respected sports journalist, Ron Reed.

FEARLESS 2021 – Finals Week 1 and 2 Review: All I Want For 2022 is….

FEARLESS 2021 reviews the Finals Week 1 and 2 matches, and presents his thoughts on those who missed out.

Finals Week 3 – Sal’s Preview: The Penultimate Week Preview – A Knee Jerk Reaction ( and racing tips as well)

Sal has made his selections, Melbourne and Port Adelaide to play off in the Grand Final, and tips for Flemington as well.