At this time of Presidential elections in the USA, a stirring memory; the Kronos Quartet and Meklit sing, ‘The President sang Amazing Grace’.
Almanac Footy History – The Crapp Chroicles Part 3: A Crapp First League Game
November 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Henry ‘Ivo’ Crapp umpires his first game of VFL football in the very first round of the competition, in 1897. As Tim Ghys reports, some rule tweaks were soon required.
Almanac Poetry: ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn
November 4, 2020 by 9 Comments
A poem about the legendary Fitzroy champ, Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn, by Stephen Whiteside.
Almanac Rugby League: 2020 State of Origin, Game 1 – It seems different to me
November 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Rugby league’s centrepiece series, State of Origin, kicks off in Adelaide tonight (Nov 4). For our rugby league editor Ian Hauser, the 2020 edition of Origin seems like a lot of other things in 2020 – different.
The Footy Almanac Melbourne Cup Soiree Trifecta and Sweep (assigned horses and results)
November 3, 2020 by 2 Comments
Following an afternoon of discussion and debate, here’s the Almanac trifecta for the 2020 Melbourne Cup. And the draw for the four Cup sweeps. Results now notified.
Almanac Poetry: The Quest of the Holy Grail – in a Nutshell
November 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Not quite Monty Python, but certainly not ‘straight’ either, this week’s poem from Kevin Densley concerns the most famous knightly quest of them all.
Almanac Rugby League: Queensland Origin and Community – Playing for the People
November 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
In his 2015 Tom Brock Lecture, Sasha Lennon explored the link between the Queensland rugby league State of Origin team and the broader Queensland community. In the lead-up to tomorrow night’s Game 1 of the 2020 Origin series, we revisit Sasha’s lecture.
Podcast: Don Watson on Keating’s Redfern Speech, 1992
November 2, 2020 by 2 Comments
It’s considered one of the finest ever examples of Australian oratory. Tony Wilson shares with us speechwriter Don Watson’s take on then Prime Minister Paul Keating’s incredible Redfern Speech
Almanac Poetry: 2020 AFL Grand Final Haiku Kukai – smoke and lasers
November 2, 2020 by 4 Comments
Haiku Bob’s annual AFL Grand Final Haiku Kukai has been another great success. Check out the results.
Grand Final – Richmond v Geelong: The Aftermath
November 2, 2020 by 10 Comments
There was a near inevitability to the Richmond win over Geelong for KN Dole, based on years of astute observation. It wasn’t all roses on or off the field though – for team and supporter alike.
An Ode to Harry: One of the Footy Gods’ own Prototypes
November 2, 2020 by 1 Comment
After his understated exit from the AFL, Denis Gedling pays tribute to wonderful defender and sometime strange cat, Harry Taylor.
Almanac Life: The First Beer After Lock-Down
November 2, 2020 by 4 Comments
The first beer after lockdown tasted sweet. But Smokie explains why the hesitation remains
Almanac Horseracing: Melbourne Cup – Sal’s Preview: Are we in for a big surprise? Yeah Baby yeah!
November 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment
We’ve jumped from Grand Finals into the Melbourne Cup via Derby Day in record time. Sal Ciardulli’s been up for the challenge of 2020 since the get go, he gives his previews for the final time in an extraordinary year.
Almanac Horseracing: Melbourne Cup lead-up races in one place
November 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Here’s the form you need to sort out the 2020 Melbourne Cup. The seven important races – gathered from YouTube
Almanac (Covid) Life: Love in the Time of Coronavirus – Part 2
October 31, 2020 by 9 Comments
E. regnans continues his journal of life and love in the time of coronavirus. In this instalment, he channels the thoughts of Andre who contemplates the not inconsiderable challenges of ‘opening up’.
Adrift
October 31, 2020 by 23 Comments
Seven months ago, in March 2020, ‘Smokie’ Dawson offered these thoughts as we moved into the full brunt of Covid-19. ‘Our generation has had a charmed run, says Smokie. But that is all about to change. It follows that the AFL will also be forced into change when we come out the other side of COVID-19. ‘
Trick-or-Treating Malcolm Blight
October 30, 2020 by 18 Comments
From Halloween knocking on the (rumoured) door of one of the greatest ever footballers to chatting footy with God and masquerading with Murali, these are some of Damian Balassone’s treasured tales from decades past.
Almanac (Footy) Songs: Dangerfield
October 30, 2020 by 1 Comment
Simon Minahan breaks his Almanac duck with a song. Shortly before the Grand Final, he penned these lyrics about Patrick Dangerfield, to be sung to Jimmy Webb’s tune ‘Galveston’. [Good to have your words on the Almanac site Simon – JTH]
Almanac Short Fiction: ‘Bostell’s Lager Man’
October 30, 2020 by 4 Comments
The opening of Kafka’s ‘The Metamorphosis’, in which Gregor Samsa awakes from uneasy sleep to find himself transformed into a giant bug, receives an unusual twist in this short story from Kevin Densley. Is KD’s piece a strange cautionary tale? An example of ‘the Aussie surreal’? A modern Aesop’s fable with its origins in the brewery? You be the judge.
Almanac Horseracing: Sal’s preview – Derby Day: Christmas for punters, you just can’t be there
October 30, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Derby Day has Sal excited, even if he can’t get to Flemington for a big program. Regardless, he has all the inside information for you.
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