Almanac (Baseball) Memoir: What’s in a name? You’d be surprised.

American correspondent Glenn Brownstein discovered his dad named him after a well known baseball player of the time. Read his terrific story about the origin of his name.

Almanac Baseball: ABL Playoffs

It’s finals time in the Australian Baseball League. Brian the Ruminator looks at the form for the weekend’s games.

Breeders Kill Shelter Animals’ Chance to Have a Life

Deakin Uni journalism student Shannon Cole examines the many issues surrounding pet breeding, animal rescues, and pet adoption.

Wave of jubilation

Surfers, are you looking for the perfect wave? Patrick O’Brien may just have the answer, an artificial wave pool!

Australian Open Tennis: Courting Kyrgios

Peter Baulderstone takes in his first Australian Open tennis at the Nadal/Kyrgios epic. Nick lost on the tennis court but won in the courts of public opinion and self respect.

A view of Australia from fine leg – Game 9: Port Fairy Cricket Club

Country spirit and country hospitality make cricket a most enjoyable game reports Craig Dodson from his 9th fund raising match for the Gotcha4Life organisation.

Aspiring Young Writers’ Group: Modus Operandi

Ben Kirkby and his writers’ group get together again to discuss Pantsers and Plotters. [Things have changed since my day – Ed]

Almanac Memories: First day of school 1956, Noble Park PS.

With school about to recommence this week Col remembers his first day of primary school at Noble Park Primary School in 1956.

Almanac Music: Smoky Dawson’s ‘The Hero of the West’

At this time of the year, the hearts and minds of traditionalists turn to the Adelaide Oval and Rodney Marsh who made such an impression on the nation that Smoky Dawson produced this masterpiece (thanks to Graeme Orr and Australian Kitsch for alerting me to this).

Almanac Teams: So who would the Aussie Nickname XI play against? A World XI of course!

Here’s the much anticipated ODI opposition for the Australian men with mighty nicknames, the World XI!

Almanac Horseracing – Vote for Super Seth in the All-Star Mile

Super Seth, co-owned by ‘Smokie’ Dawson, won the Caulfield Guineas during the Spring Carnival. Now you can help secure him a place in The All-Star Mile in March by adding your vote for its inclusion in the final field.

Almanac Teams: Best Australian Nickname XI (ODI)

Here is an Australian XI made up of nicknames (the nicknames cannot include any element of the player’s name).

Almanac Cycling – Tour Down Under: Stage 3

Peter Baulderstone adds to his long list of expert commentary on sports he knows nothing about. Now adding cycling to his football and cricket portfolios with a week’s visit back to his South Australian roots to see the Tour Down Under.

‘The Horseman……..’ by KB Hill

Peter McIntyre played in the Adelaide Crows’ very first match back in 1991. Footy and life have taken him in various directions ever since. KB Hill tells the tale of Peter’s perambulations.

Brains versus Brawn: What Wins in Sport – an example from the Australian Open

What wins in the end, Power or Skill, Brains or Brawn? It’s the age-old question. JuneeJunction adds a perspective from the freezing tundra of Arctic Canada.

Test Cricketers with German Origins

Glen! has been looking into his family origins and came up with group of Test players with Germanic origins. (Is this our first ‘creative team’ of the year? Ed.)

NFL Playoffs: Championship Monday – A day of emotion, a display of Super Bowl football

Sean Mortell takes us through the NFL play-offs with a place in Super Bowl LIV up for grabs. His report gives us an insight into what to expect come February 3.

On This Day – January 23rd

Where’s the cricket? What’s January without Test cricket or at least an international ODI series? To compensate for this programming disaster, today’s “On This Day” series provides a cricket focus – with a few other bits thrown in.

AFLW – Jess Wuetschner survives lightning strike

Some things you can never plan for. Brisbane Lions AFLW player Jess Wuetschner has had a very fortunate escape.

Volunteer of the Year 2019: Who is Donna Cartwright?

Shannon Cole looks at Donna Cartwright, and the work of her organisation, Mums Supporting Families in Need.