Almanac Fiction – Daz Cooper Chapter 1: Summer dreams

January 26, 2016 by 10 Comments

A summer holiday story from David Wilson; of shifting youthful dreams, the beach, cricket… and her.

What St Kilda tells us about St Kilda

January 25, 2016 by 9 Comments

Neil Drysdale, a new voice at the Almanac, sent us this seven-minute film (made by one of his Scottish colleagues) about St Kilda, thinking it may be of interest to our audience. This is a must-see for all Sainters and fellow travellers. And what impact does the origin of its name have on the St Kilda Football Club?

The Ten Commandments of BBL cricket

January 25, 2016 by 12 Comments

Dave Brown leads the BBL05 tabernacle choir as he summarises the season in 10 lessons

Stan Grant puts the booing of Adam Goodes into historical and social perspective (this YouTube clip now includes all four speakers)

January 25, 2016 by 11 Comments

Stan Grant has made an important speech at the IQ2 debate at The Ethics Centre. Many people will never have encountered this history before. That is the nature of a gross power imbalance.

This recording now includes all speaker. Stan Grant was followed by columnist Rita Panahi, then lawyer Pallavi Sinha, and actor Jack Thompson.

Almanac Book Review: Open (Andre Agassi)

January 25, 2016 by 3 Comments

I think he liked the book.

Who to be Upgraded into St Kilda’s Senior List

January 25, 2016 by 2 Comments

Yoshi contemplates the Saints top up player for Carlisle

When Scotland first claimed Twickenham

January 25, 2016 by 4 Comments

In a preview of the upcoming Six Nations, Neil Drysdale reminds us when Scotland first defeated England at Twickenham

Almanac Weekend Wrap

January 25, 2016 by 2 Comments

Keep up to date with this weekend’s Alamanc Sporting Weekend Wrap

Who’s versing? Essendon

January 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The eloquent empathy for Essendon in verse by Alex Darling

Almanac beer ads: If she’s a girl who knows how to catch trout

January 25, 2016 by 7 Comments

There’s been some classic beer ads over the years. Does anyone remember this? [Mickey Randall started this in Long Bombs to Snake. Please suggest others – Ed]

Memoir: Northerly, North Adelaide and The Bloke With The Talking Shirt

January 24, 2016 by 1 Comment

Nado Lenkic, who calls himself Northerly in some Almanac communications, recently sent an email to John Harms. Although it was never intended for publication, JTH asked if he could publish it, as the note is a classic expression of how people engage in all things sport. No wonder Nado was chasing a copy of Play On. [At Uni he was known as The Bloke With The Talking Shirt.]

Chris Gayle: Hitting across the line, or colouring only between them?

January 24, 2016 by 11 Comments

Michael Viljoen views the recent Chris Gayle incident, selecting a lens which offers an alternative view to the orthodoxy established by other lenses.

Boundary Writer: Graeme Hugo and the science of football recruiting zones

January 24, 2016 by 5 Comments

A fascinating tribute from Mike Hugo to his uncle, the late Professor Graeme Hugo AO and the ground breaking work of the Adelaide University Geography Department in bringing science to the vexed issue of football recruiting zones

Almanac Cricket: How do the minnows grow?

January 24, 2016 by 3 Comments

Neil Drysdale looks at the cricket pond in which the Scottish minnow swims. What is the future of the smaller cricketing nations? And what place the Intercontinental Cup?

Almanac Racing: The 2016 Yea Cup

January 24, 2016 by 1 Comment

What rhymes with Yarck? While nothing beats a Frisky Cruiser and Sister Olive wasn’t a Josephite as Glen brings all the colour from the Yea Cup

Almanac Tennis: Can we compare the tennis greats of today to the legends of yesterday? Two different views by Philip Mendes and Lucas Lewit-Mendes

January 23, 2016 by 5 Comments

Should you compare players across eras? Philip says no, Lucas says yes. Who is right?

All out for 0. In 4 Overs.

January 23, 2016 by 11 Comments

The true story of the day in 1964 when Scottish team Ross County were bowled out in four overs for zero. What is your team’s lowest score?

Summer Stereo Story – beach house records, part 2

January 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Vin Maskell continues tracing the history of his family’s record collection, with cameos this week from The Screaming Tribesmen and The Girl From Ipanema.

The more I look at my list of nine columns the more I realise that none of the records belong to anyone anymore. They are not mine or my brothers’ or my sisters’ or my parents’. Or my brother’s wife’s. They belong to the beach-house at Moggs Creek.

How to Save ODI Cricket – Bring Back the Gold Cap

January 23, 2016 by 11 Comments

For the good of ODI cricket, the baggy gold must be returned.

Wangaratta Gift – Bombers history

January 22, 2016 by 3 Comments

Essendon players have featured in past Wangaratta Gifts, David Griffin shares the history.