Rob Spurr shares a story of Diego Maradona’s extraordinary ability to change the atmosphere of a stadium and influence a grand slam winner in his prime, punctuated by dishing out “the bird” to an Australian fan on a fevered whim. [Stupendous but not entirely surprising – Ed.]
Almanac Teams: Three cheers (1980-)
December 14, 2020 by 7 Comments
They’re always open for discussion, but this week’s team of the best Number 3s by Rodney Boyd has a controversial selection plonked on the pine.
Almanac Soccer: Remembering Paolo Rossi’s Moment in the Spanish Sun.
December 11, 2020 by 1 Comment
Soccer great Paolo Rossi passed away on Wednesday at the age of 64 after a long illness. Dennis Gedling recalls the exploits of Rossi during the 1982 World Cup in article he wrote as part of series for the Footy Almanac in 2014.
Almanac Book Review: ‘On the Premiership Trail – More Travels in Victorian Country Football’ by Paul Daffey
December 10, 2020 by 3 Comments
Rod Gillett reviews Paul Daffey’s latest book, ‘On the Premiership Trail: More Travels in Victorian Country Football’ which will be launched tonight at the Nathalia Football Club.
Almanac (Test) Cricket: Two significant Test cricket anniversaries
December 10, 2020 by 2 Comments
This weekend marks two great anniversaries in the history of Australian Test cricket – the Brisbane Tied Test from the 1960/61 series against the West Indies and Greg Chappell’s 1970 Test debut in Perth. The Almanac looks back fondly.
Almanac Food: KD’s Kitchen – Worcestershire Sauce – My Favourite Condiment (What’s Yours?)
December 10, 2020 by 13 Comments
In this instalment of KD’s Kitchen, he extols the virtues of Worcestershire Sauce and invites Almanackers to respond with their own favourite condiment.
Almanac Cricket: My Australian XI for the First Test
December 10, 2020 by 4 Comments
Sean Mortell picks his Australian line-up for next week’s First Test against India in Adelaide. He has a surprise or two for you to consider.
” ‘Peabo’…….The Poor Man’s Warner…….” by KB Hill
December 10, 2020 by 1 Comment
KB Hill profiles Darren “Peabo’ Petersen, the ‘poor man’s David Warner of country cricket’. You’ll see what an apt choice that phrase is!
Almanac Poetry: Note of thanks to an Old Gum Tree
December 9, 2020 by 3 Comments
E.regnans shares more of his insights into the time of Covid, recognising and thanking an old gum tree for its stability in a time of uncertainty.
Almanac Footy: The Best Fullback of All Time
December 8, 2020 by 23 Comments
Matt Zurbo presents his thoughts on the best fullbacks of all time; those he has seen, and those from a historical perspective.
Almanac Music: Gerry Humphrys -The Loved One
December 8, 2020 by 1 Comment
Gerry Humphrys and his band The Loved Ones created some of Australia’s greatest pop songs during their short career in the 60s. A documentary of Humphrys’ career was made and is well worth a look.
Almanac Book Review: ‘George Giffen – A Biography’: A sumptuous story of a cricketing life
December 8, 2020 by 5 Comments
Roy Hay reviews ‘George Giffen: A Biography’ by Bernard Whimpress; a sumptuous story of a cricketing life.
Almanac Rugby League: Vale Gary Parcell (1933-2020)
December 8, 2020 by 1 Comment
Gary Parcell, a member of that famous 1960 Kangaroo all-Ipswich front row of Beattie, Kelly and Parcell, passed away last week. The Almanac pays tribute to a Queensland and Australian rugby league icon.
Almanac Poetry: The Other Side of Bradman (A Response to Geoff Page’s ‘On the Death of a Famous Cricketer’)
December 8, 2020 by 7 Comments
Kevin Densley has written a response to Geoff Page’s poem about Don Bradman, ‘On the Death of a Famous Cricketer’.
Almanac Rugby Union: The 2020 Tri Nations Series – Australia 16 drew with Argentina 16
December 8, 2020 by 2 Comments
Brian the Ruminator took in Saturday night’s rugby union clash between the Wallabies and Los Pumas. The highlight of the night had nothing to do with the football!
Almanac Literary: The shifty shadow of a lifetime with ‘Cloudstreet’
December 7, 2020 by 10 Comments
Tim Winton’s ‘Cloudstreet’ is a classic of Australian literature and has been a part of Shane Reid’s life for many years as he explains.
Almanac Teams: In Two Minds (1980-)
December 7, 2020 by 4 Comments
We’ve had his top side in Number 2s, now Rodney Boyd shares his cult heroes and generally interesting names who played wearing the number in the past 40 years.
Almanac (Local) Cricket: Pomborneit Cricket Club 2020/21 Season- November Review
December 4, 2020 by 3 Comments
November was a busy month at the Pomborneit Cricket Club, especially with the debut of the club’s inaugural senior women’s teams. Catch up with all that’s happening at the Bulls in their monthly review.
Almanac Footy: The Ian Brown Memorial Fund Match – Ballarat FL v Bendigo FL 1953
December 4, 2020 by 1 Comment
Historian Roger Spaull recounts a classic (and tragic) piece of country football history, ‘The Ian Brown Memorial Fund Match – Ballarat FL v Bendigo FL 1953’.
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