Almanac Music (and AFL premierships): ‘Eagle Rock’ and the origin of The Down Trou

September 30, 2018 by 16 Comments

Given the West Coast’s victory, we’re thinking the state of WA should celebrate with a choreographed and coordinated Down Trou. Or a whole year of it – every time the opening riff is heard. This is something about its elusive origins written by an ardent Pies fan Lord Malcaster:

The Down Trou has become world famous. Lord Mulcaster remembers its Union College origins. He was reminded of those grand days recently when he was at a Union College re-Union Ball at City Hall in Brisbane. When that riff plays, there is only one thing to do…

Grand Final Preview 2018: The biggest stage

September 29, 2018 by 1 Comment

Miro Saunders thinks West Coast face the bigger challenges in coming to hostile territory. He previews the Grand Final here. [Welcome Miro – JTH]

Thinking of you West Coast Eagles (with apologies to Martin Flanagan)

September 29, 2018 by 17 Comments

Matt Quartermaine was among the very fine speakers at The Footy Almanac Grand Final Eve 2018 Lunch. Magnificently delivered, this brought the house down. [Very WA and from an Eagles fan too. JTH]

Grand Finally – It’s East v West

September 29, 2018 by 1 Comment

Sal wishes us all a Happy Grand Final Day and offers us his take on the clash between the Occidentals and the Orientals. At what point will the ‘rotund woman warble’? Throw in a horse race or three and it’s a big weekend for the punters.

Kicking MS to the curb in Masters Women’s Footy: Kyllie Garrett’s story

September 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment

Kyllie Masters sent Yvette Wroby her AFL Masters women’s footy story. Kyllie and the Vic Metro Masters are off to Coff’s Harbour for a Sunday tournament. Kyllie’s fundraising effort for MS is close to home.

Is there anybody out there?

September 28, 2018 by 6 Comments

Apparently the People’s Republic of Victoria sealed its borders today. There’s very little coming out of there. The calm before the storm? Which Storm?

Almanac Rugby League – What is wrong with rugby league?

September 28, 2018 by 1 Comment

The 2018 NRL finals series has featured a deliberate effort by tacklers, usually in masses of up to four, to force the ball carrier to lose possession by fair means or foul. It’s been labelled ‘contested possession’. Elsewhere it has been argued that this practice is a blight on the game because it is both ugly and, in its adjudication, subjective. Let’s revisit Jim Young’s late August harangue about the contest for possession in rugby league to see if this emerging trend in play might just be a pathway to a fresh look at how the code is played.

Almanac Rugby League – NRL and NRLW Grand Final previews

September 28, 2018 by 1 Comment

The last day in September – NRL and NRLW Grand Final Day! Injuries, possible suspensions, mind games, extended benches – it’s all there as we head for the biggest day of the year. Here’s our preview.

Plenty of practice and empty heads – Part 5: Zen magpies and the game as a fail state.

September 28, 2018 by 2 Comments

David Stiff considers the fail state which may have a place in the 2018 AFL Grand Final.

Almanac Golf – Golf Capital: Tiger Woods a winner again, Ryder Cup heads to France

September 28, 2018 by Leave a Comment

It’s Ryder Cup weekend and the Tiger’s on the prowl

Cam Hooke’s Collingwood Life – The Year of the Magpie: The Grand Final 2018

September 27, 2018 by Leave a Comment

For all members of the true believers family, Cam Hooke wishes you well for the Grand Final. Play like last week and the Premiership is there for the taking.

The True Believers True Believer

September 27, 2018 by 1 Comment

“…Black and White, in my veins, and I desperate now for another Premiership, Desire is the Holy Grail, The Silver Cup from which to drink victory…” Channelling Shakespeare, Jo Hogan expresses the thoughts of all true believers.

Collingwood dreaming 2018: When the war is over

September 27, 2018 by 25 Comments

In his second Collingwood dreaming of 2018, David Wilson wonders about connection and luck; about chance and the stories we tell ourselves. And is grateful.

Grand Final Preview – West Coast v Collingwood: Looking Forward Looking Back

September 27, 2018 by 10 Comments

Peter Baulderstone finds reasons for his dream of an Eagles Grand Final win. And his soggy Saturday Collingwood nightmares. [A lot of analysis and some very nice lines like: “It takes a village to raise a flag.” JTH]

Richmond – 18 Months in Review: A Fruitful Journey

September 27, 2018 by 6 Comments

Dr Cruel relives the past 18 months as a Tiger supporter. He looks forward to 2019.

AFL 1998 – Twenty Years On: Adelaide Crows (1st)

September 27, 2018 by 11 Comments

This Crows 1998 list was meant to herald a decades long domination of footy. It was fun while it lasted.

Poultry by Numbers – 19 Roosters: An Analysis of the SANFL Tribunal’s Decision in the “19th Man” Case

September 27, 2018 by 11 Comments

Adelaide lawyer Michael Dadds and his son, legal clerk Eddie Dadds, navigate a path through the legal matter which is the SANFL’s “19th man case”. This analysis is an antidote to the emotive and sometimes ill-informed social media discussions which are doing the rounds. This was a matter of law. But perhaps this gives rise to legal debate.

AFL 1998 – Twenty Years On: North Melbourne Kangaroos (2nd)

September 27, 2018 by 7 Comments

Like North did at half time of the 1998 Grand Final, Swish has hit the wall. Help him out with your reflections of the nicer members of this list.

“Go Tarrawingee”: By KB Hill

September 27, 2018 by 1 Comment

Many country leagues have already played their Grand Finals. KB Hill speaks to Tarrawingee’s Trevor Edwards after their triumph last Saturday.

Haiku Bob – Preliminary Final: cupped in prayer

September 27, 2018 by 2 Comments

Haiku Bob, hands unwittingly in prayer, savours the joy.