Almanac (New) Books – An invitation to provide a review

The release this week of a new book on World Cup cricket by regular Almanac contributor Liam Hauser offers an opportunity to readers of the Almanac to provide a review for our site. Read here for details.

Almanac Book (Preview): ‘Cricket World Cup’ by Liam Hauser

As his new book ‘World Cup Cricket’ is released this week, author, journalist and Almanacker Liam Hauser provides a background to his new release.

Almanac Music: ‘Doctor, My Eyes’ – Songs Involving Medicine

In this installment of his long-running series on popular song themes, Kevin Densley focuses upon songs involving medicine. The theme is seen in a broad way and could include songs mentioning doctors, nurses, names of particular medicines and the like. As usual, readers’ song choices and comments are warmly welcomed.

Almanac Travel: Five days in Robe

Ian Wilson and partner Lynda recently spent five fulfilling days enjoying the delights and beauty of Robe on the Limestone Coast of South Australia.

Almanac Athletics – RITV: World Athletics Championships – Rest of the World Top 8

Last week, RITV explained his top Australian performances at the recent Tokyo World Athletics Championships. This week he broadens his scope to list his choices for the top 8 performances by athletes from the rest of the world.

2025 NRL Grand Final – Why the Broncos will win

By invitation, The Prospector returns to tell us why he thinks the Brisbane Broncos will beat the Melbourne Storm in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.

2025 NRL Grand Final – Why the Melbourne Storm will win

Guest writer Purple Haze tells us why the Melbourne Storm will prevail over the Brisbane Broncos in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.

2025 NRL Grand Final Preview – Prop by the Sea: You gotta love footy!

Prop by the Sea has completed his crusade to the Middle East and Europe, spreading the gospel of rugby league to all and sundry willing to listen. He returns to The Footy Almanac just in time to preview Sunday’s Grand Final before he heads off with ‘the usual reprobates’ on their annual Grand Final Tour via Bimbi and Bondi.

2025 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals – Will Brisbane be the new sporting capital of Australia?

Ian Hauser takes a look at the 2025 NRL Grand Final where the losing sides from the last two years, the Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos, get their chance to set the record straight. And in the NRLW, the two powerhouse teams of 2025, the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos, look set to put on a worthy season finale.

Almanac (Retro) Books: A second-hand treasure trove for football fans

RagingBull loves everything about footy – from the commentators to documentaries, discussions and, probably most of all, books. Here he writes about his ongoing search for ‘vintage’ footy books.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Eye of the Dragonfly,: My Life Seeing the World Through Sport’ – Tracey Lee Holmes

Sports journalist and commentator Tracey Holmes has published a book looking at life through her career in sports, ‘The Eye of the Dragonfly: My Life Seeing the World Through Sport’. Roy Hay reviews Tracey’s book.

‘The year Mr Football came to town…’ by KB Hill

It’s almost exactly 70 years since Bob Rose made the surprising decision to leave Collingwood to take up the role of player/coach of the Wangaratta Rovers. KB Hill reflects on that momentous time for the Rovers.

Almanac Lunches: The Almanac Tip the Top 8 Grand Final Eve Lunch 2025

It was another cracking ‘Almanac Tip the Top 8 Grand Final Eve Lunch’ that was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance.

Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Coping Stone – The First English Soccer Tour of Australia 1925’ by Paul Nicholls

One hundred years ago the first English Soccer tour to Australia occurred. Paul Nicholls has written an account of that tour, ‘The Coping Stone – The First English Soccer Tour of Australia 1925’, and Roy Hay presents his review of the book.

Grand Final – Geelong v Brisbane: Ballad of a meat tray

ER (David Wilson) recalls the build up to his Grand Final day at the Lomond Hotel and all the magic moments at the pub including a vegan winning the meat tray in the raffle!

Almanac Footy – Western District Football Wrap: Hampden FNL Grand Final

That’s all she wrote for the Western Districts in 2025, Dandy Andy gives us a run down of the big dance which was held on a Friday this season, in a break with tradition.

Grand Final – Geelong v Brisbane: I went to the Grand Final

Lots of senses got a workout for Dips as he attended the last Saturday in September courtesy of a mate who supports the opposition.

Almanac Poetry: Observing the Artist Observing

‘There is such a thing as too much,’ Kevin Densley says, in relation to this week’s poem. [Contains mild coarse language – Ed.]

SANFL Blow-ins 1960-1990: Part 5b – Norwood

The Norwood Redlegs had a cast of interstate ‘blow-ins’ during the Alan Killigrew years and continued to attract players from outside SA’s borders. Swish looks at those that first played League football at Norwood during the 1976-1990 years (this article follows the previous article, covering those who arrived from 1960-1975). Names like Parke, Adamson, Balme (x2) come readily to mind, but there are some obscure names that are also recognised here.

Grand Final – Geelong v Brisbane: Portrait of a premiership

Shane Reid is a proud Brisbane supporter and provides a background for what he describes as a portrait of a premiership and the road to that victory.