The May Carnival of horseracing will go ahead in Warrnambool starting on Tuesday May 5, albeit in completely new circumstances. Mark McNamara takes a look back through the history of this event that has endured war, depression and pandemics.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 6 – Essendon v Hawthorn: The Buddy show slams the hapless Bombers
May 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Vin Maskell went to the MCG for some Saturday arvo footy. With the game teetering each way, it was Lance Franklin who put on a heroic performance to push his Hawks to victory.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 6 – St Kilda v Carlton: A typical Carlton night and a decent left boot
May 3, 2020 by 1 Comment
John Harms soaked up the business of Carlton on a Friday night. But the charm of the town soon changed once the Blues ran into a precise St Kilda side.
Almanac Book Review – Roy Hay’s Aboriginal People and Australian Football in the Nineteenth Century: They Did Not Come from Nowhere
May 3, 2020 by 1 Comment
We bring you two highly respected thinker-writers in the field of sport and sports history: Braham Dabscheck reviews Roy Hay’s recent book Aboriginal People and Australian Football in the Nineteenth Century: They Did Not Come from Nowhere.
Reading sports books in the time of Cholera
May 2, 2020 by 5 Comments
Sean Curtain has been using this time to re-visit some classic old (and new) sportsbooks. Here he walks us through a section of his library.
Almanac Horseracing – Sal’s Preview: First week of the Morphettville Carnival
May 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
According to his family, Sal’s tips are like traffic signs in Vietnam – mere suggestions. But he’s having another go with the Morphettville Carnival getting under way today.
Tom Hafey: A chance encounter and conversation
May 1, 2020 by 22 Comments
Allan Barden recounts the time he and his wife met Tom Hafey on the No.96 tram and the wonderful conversation they had with him
Almanac Book Review: Phil Dimitriadis on Damian Balassone’s ‘Strange Game in a Strange Land’
May 1, 2020 by 6 Comments
Phil Dimitriadis has followed the emergence of Damian Balassone as a poet since 2008. They have a fair bit in common, as this review essay suggests. ‘Strange Game in a Strange Land’ will resonate with those who love words and the game.
Almanac Cricket Obituary: Brendan McArdle remembers Graeme Watson
May 1, 2020 by 10 Comments
Former Australian Test cricketer all-rounder Graeme ‘Beatle’ Watson passed away last weekend. He is remembered here by his teammate Brendan McArdle.
Almanac Rugby League – ‘Brookie’ and the 70s
April 30, 2020 by 7 Comments
Adam Muyt is catholic in his footy code tastes but Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches really tugs at his heart strings. He takes us back over the years to explain why.
Almanac Rugby League – Another perspective of Channel 9’s ‘The Greatest…’ series
April 30, 2020 by 4 Comments
Rugby League author Liam Hauser takes issue with the Channel 9 panel as he responds to their recent series of programmes on the greatest rugby league Grand Finals and the greatest players from State of Origin.
Almanac Life – From the Arctic to Brisvegas: Richard is finally home
April 30, 2020 by 2 Comments
After a month of travelling, including two periods of self-isolation, Richard Marlow is finally back at home in Brisbane. He discovered that the old saying is true – ‘There’s no place like home’! – Australia, that is.
“Pure Fantasy?…… Hawks and Pigeons in a Nail-biter” by KB Hill
April 30, 2020 by 1 Comment
KB Hill was at Findlay Oval for Round 1 of the 2020 O&M season – and what a cracker of a game to start the new year! Could the new-look Hawks scatter the Pigeons?
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 5 – Fremantle v Adelaide: Battles within the contest
April 30, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Les Everett went to Subiaco Oval to watch Fremantle take on Adelaide. He admired the structures and method of the Crows, but would it be enough for them to win in the West?
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 5 – Geelong v North Melbourne: Strife in the Cattery
April 30, 2020 by 6 Comments
‘The bookies had Geelong warm favourites to beat the Kangaroos. Interrogation of sections of the terrace, however, may have uncovered a tendency (at once self-loathing and self-protection) for hardened Cats fans to back their opponent.’ John Harms couldn’t help but feel that his Cats were already in strife so early in the season.
Almanac Exclusive: 20th AFL team bids revealed
April 29, 2020 by 45 Comments
Always first with breaking news, The Footy Almanac exclusively reveals the bidding teams for the AFL’s 20th licence.
1981 Revisited – Round 6: ‘Hell’s Bells’
April 29, 2020 by 4 Comments
Collingwood inflict Carlton’s first loss to remain undefeated on top of the ladder after Round 6 of the 1981 season. Sam Steele continues his weekly review of the 1981 season.
Round 10, 1967 – St Kilda v Geelong: History and Memory
April 29, 2020 by 5 Comments
John Harms has been enjoying Peter Clark’s coverage of the 1966 season. But something troubled him about the Geelong game which he always thought was the first VFL match he ever attended.
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