Ollie Wade reports on the news from the Boxing Day schedule of the EPL.
Almanac Cricket – Australia v India: Fourth Test, Day 2 – Australia consolidates
December 27, 2024 by 2 Comments
Citrus Bob Utber gives his thoughts on Day 2, when Australia took the upper hand in the Fourth Test at the MCG.
Almanac Cricket: The Top 10 Boxing Day Tests – Part 2
December 27, 2024 by 5 Comments
Tony Dosen continues his nominations for his Top 10 Boxing Day Tests, and features Tests Number 1 – 5.
Almanac Poetry: ‘In With Me’ – Tommy Mallet
December 27, 2024 by 2 Comments
A poem by Tommy Mallet about working in the bush with a couple of back-packers. [Language warning – Ed]
Almanac Cricket: Australia v India – 4th Test, Day 1: Cricket Snicks from Madras
December 26, 2024 by 9 Comments
Slammin’ Sam, what a performance! Citrus Bob Utber reports he was suitably impressed by Sam Konstas on debut with a fine 60 runs against the best of India on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test.
Almanac Cricket: The Nominative Determinism World Test Series
December 26, 2024 by 8 Comments
For his second contribution, Matt Gately has chosen two teams to represent opposing characteristics of players. He’s called them The Belligerents and The Peaceniks.
‘Enigmatic “Gypsy” – Beechworth’s boyhood genius…’ by KB Hill
December 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
KB Hill recounts the enigmatic career of Terry Bartel, a rare talent who probably didn’t fulfil his potential – but what a character!
Almanac Cricket: The top 10 great Boxing Day Tests – Part 1
December 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
After reflecting upon the history of Boxing Day Tests, Tony Dosen continues with his nominations for the 10 best Boxing Day Tests, this week featuring Part 1 (10 – 6).
Almanac Life: Travels with ‘The Little Champ’
December 25, 2024 by 5 Comments
Andrew Fraser recalls a rich history of interstate travels for sport, particularly those involving his Mum, better known as ‘The Little Champ’.
Almanac Cricket: The Boxing Day MCG Test turns 50 – A Footy Almanac debutant remembers
December 24, 2024 by 5 Comments
Tony Dosen opens the batting with his Footy Almanac debut by reflecting on the history of, and the 50th Anniversary of the Boxing Day Test. [Welcome to crease Tony – may there be many runs for the Footy Almanac! – Ed.]
Almanac Life – More Gold from Nanna’s: Finding Nanna’s records
December 24, 2024 by 11 Comments
On Christmas Eve, Family Harms will play some Christmas carols (via Youtube? Or what’s this thing called Spotify?) as they have forever. John Harms has found more gold from Nanna, the record collection, and brings you a selection of those albums including one long-lost LP from the mid-80s.
Almanac Book Reviews: ‘The Football War: The VFA And VFL’s Battle For Supremacy’ – Xavier Fowler
December 24, 2024 by 2 Comments
With the recent release of ‘The Football War: The VFA And VFL’s Battle For Supremacy’ by Xavier Fowler, Braham Dabscheck uses the book as a foundation to analyse the conflict surrounding the development of footy in the early twetieth century.
Almanac Music – Not Quite Bob: Paul Kelly…of course
December 24, 2024 by 6 Comments
With ‘How to Make Gravy’ recently adapted to film, we reprise Trevor Blainey’s classic’Not Quite Bob’ piece with one of Australia’s finest musicians – Paul Kelly. Time to make gravy!
Almanac (Last-minute) Gifts: So what would I like for Christmas?
December 24, 2024 by Leave a Comment
John Harms has his own wish-list for Christmas. The thing he most wants is to go secondhand T-shirt shopping with son Theo, but he’s also on a few other possibilities. [Hint kids – Dad]
Almanac Soccer – Premier League Matchweek 17 Highlights
December 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
The final week of Premier League action before Christmas saw even more goals and drama than usual. Ollie Wade details how Aston Villa added to Manchester City woes, Arsenal put out a statement in South London against Crystal Palace. Then on Sunday, Liverpool played Tottenham in what was a contender for game of the season.
Almanac Teams: Debutants at the MCG
December 23, 2024 by 7 Comments
It’s one of the biggest events on the December calendar – Test cricket at the MCG. Rodney Boyd continues his teams of location-based debuts at this modern day colosseum of the southern hemisphere.
On William Hogarth’s The Graham Children (1742)
December 23, 2024 by 2 Comments
This week’s poem by Kevin Densley concerns a group portrait of children by English painter William Hogarth. KD states: ‘This ekphrastic poem mainly deals with happiness and melancholy, the inevitable passing of time, and children and pets. ‘
Mystery Pub: Home of the $5 Schnitzel*
December 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
That’s good schnitzel shopping – I believe. Mickey and Claire wander over to the Woodville Hotel where they observe Sunday afternoon for an hour or so. [Contains harsh words about sour cream and chilli sauce – Ed]
Almanac Cricket: Spinners and what you call them
Les Everett has seen it as necessary to intervene to assist players, commentators (who should know better) and fans develop their understanding of the various versions of spin bowling.