Almanac Soccer: A-League’s Melbourne Derby (or where were you on December 28 2013?)

Joeya ventures back into A-League territory to watch the Melbourne Derby; a journey to see how soccer has progressed.

What the Sam Mitchell trade means

Yoshi weighs in on Hawthorn’s decision to trade Sam Mitchell.

Almanac Music – Book Review: The Beatles I Was There

Neil Drysdale reviews Richard Houghton’s new book on The Beatles. Looks like some terrific early insights emerge from interviews with those who were at the earliest gigs – and beyond.

Sports Writers Festival: The Flanagan Oration

Yvette Wroby happily met and heard from sports-writing elder Martin Flanagan, at last night’s Sports Writers Festival Oration. [Includes link to the full transcript of M Flanagan’s speech, “Sport and politics: the Adam Goodes case reconsidered, one year on.”]

Sports Writers Festival Almanac Ticket Offer

As you might have seen the Almanac has given a few little plugs to the upcoming Sports Writers Festival. As a way of saying thanks, the organisers, led by Francis Leach, are offering Almanackers $10 tickets to a number of session sessions. Click through for full details.

Nail paint and crotchless knickers or ‘Leaps and Bounds’: a wander through footy, music and the contemporary world.

Brilliant from Ron Wells. This piece is composed to comment on the musos booked for the Grand Final – but it does so much more. Ron takes us through footy, music and life – with many sharp observations beautifully expressed. Molly even gets a mention and as he’d say: “Do yourself a favour.”

Still a happy team at Hawthorn?

Jeff Dowsing looks at Hawthorn’s recent trade decisions and considers the implications for club. What immeasurables does it impact?

Quiet man of cricket: a tribute to Johnny Gleeson

Bernard Whimpress pays a tribute to Australian mystery spinner Johnny Gleeson.

O what a team! (Or a commentator’s worst nightmare)

John Mason and mates have picked a team of players whose names end with the letter O. Further suggestions?

Almanac Racing – Cup Day at Caulfield

It’s one of the iconic days on the sporting calendar – Caulfield Cup Day.
Perfect weather, great fields…all we need are some winners. Tips please.

Women’s Footy: Hunting Success

Catherine Durkin, who has been writing for the Almanac since her high school days, is now a journalism graduate and is the sports reporter at WIN Central Queensland. When Megan Hunt was drafted by the Brisbane Lions this week, she wrote this story for the Almanac. It’s a story of the lengths to which Megan went to play footy as a teenager. She set up her own team in Gladstone in Queensland. [Delighted to hear of your new role Catherine, and thanks for this story – JTH]

Almanac Soccer – The Magic of the Cup: Quarter Finals (Green Gully SC)

Dennis Gedling takes us to the quarter finals of the FFA Cup as both teams play for an unlikely semi final spot

Almanac Soccer – A-League 1,000: The Derbies Edition

The second round of the A-League features another big derby while a Grand Final rematch adds interest in Adelaide.

Sal’s Week in Sport: Caulfield Cup Day and the noise from the AFL

Sal looks at trade week, the A League, and the Spring Carnival. He found us the quaddie last week and he thinks it’s another favourites day at Caulfield.

Bless us, O Lord, and these, Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Bryce. Amen.

For Carlton fans, Bryce Gibbs has been an unrequited talent, Father Rooster sees his potential departure as manna from heaven.

Mental Health Week – a son’s tale

Jesse Maskell puts in his two cents’ worth about mental health. “I made this little video not for me but in the hope of reaching out to others who might need it.”

What is wrong with Big Sports Media?

David Wilson hears the noise, sees the noise, and suggests we should all expect more from Big Sports Media.

Grand Final 2016 – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: The Winds From the West

Who can remember the details of a lost Grand Final? A DVD and a bag of lemons as Mathilde de Hauteclocque practices the calm now the storm is over.

Almanac Book Review: Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen

Chris Michaels reviews the Springsteen autobiography, Born to Run.

Golf Capital – Hatton conquers the Old Course, no Tiger in Napa.

Hamish Neal’s weekly golf wrap, including the Tiger no show and the sharp decline of the now 1460th ranked Robert Allenby.