Short Book, Long Story: Long, Goodes & the story of reconciliation

With Martin Flanagan’s Michael Long bio ‘The Short Book’ set to hit the shelves, Anthony James examines both the culture the book discusses and the culture into which it is released [A piece worthy of Flanagan himself – Ed].

Preliminary Finals – Preview: Clear and Present Danger!

Footy in Perth. Underwood Stakes day at the Heath. Sal is back with his thoughts on where the value lies in this huge weekend of sport.

AFLW: The Rise of Women’s Football – Part 3: AFL

“This is coming, and we’d love you to be involved…” Womens Australian rules is undoubtedly on the rise, as Callum O’Connor explains in this profile piece on Female Football Development Manager, Chyloe Kurdas.

Stevie J: Observing the response

John Harms has noticed there’s a pattern in how people have responded to Geelong’s sacking of Stevie J. Here are his observations.

Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Lopez Basavilbaso – The Argentinian Rugby Player who Became a Local Footy Legend

On a warm February day, an Argentinian rugby player studying psychology at the University of Melbourne thought he’d have a go at Australian rules before signing up for Rugby. Thus began Ignacio Lopez-Basavilbaso’s love affair with our game. The Black Hat sits down with ‘Nacho’ to learn more. [A brilliant story! ¡Felicidades- Ed]

Vale Yogi Berra, 1925-2015

One of the all-time greats of Baseball – ‘Yogi’ Berra – passed away yesterday at the age of 90. He might not be a name that is familiar to many sports fans outside of baseball circles, but his story and the legacy he leaves to baseball is one that’s worth familiarising yourself with. Steve Baker shares a great tribute to a Hall of Famer from Bruce Weber of the New York Times.

Kids 14: Follow-Up

Matt Zurbo on the importance of the communication between a coach and his kids away from the game.

Round 15 – Hawthorn v Fremantle: Message received loud and clear

The scoreline the last time Hawthorn and Fremantle met was pretty much one-way traffic in favour of the reigning premiers. In the weeks since their round 15 clash, John Butler’s last sentence is eerily prescient: Has Ross Lyon played all his cards, or is there an ace up his sleeve with a Grand Final spot up for grabs? [A good neutral account of the game. JB is a long-suffering Bluebagger – Ed]

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 10 – North Melbourne v West Coast: Not Bending With The Breeze

As the West Coast Eagles prepare to host North Melbourne in Saturday night’s Preliminary Final, we thought it timely to have look back at the last time these two sides met. Down at Blundstone Arena, North claimed victory by 10 points. With a spot in the 2015 Grand Final on the line, can the Kangaroos repeat the dose, or will the West Coast Eagles prove too strong? A great match report from Josh Barnstable.

Almanac Racing – duck the dunny door

  We’re having some false dawns this Spring – the weather and the races both promise to heat up but don’t yet consistently deliver. Nowadays Prelim Finals weekend means Underwood Stakes Day at Caulfield and, with few footy distractions and (touch wood) a fine forecast, plenty of people could be expected to flock to the [Read more]

Ultimate Wool Team – Joe Darling: Norwood footballer, Australian cricket captain, wool-grower, paliamentarian, family man (and nude wrestler).

Joe Darling is in the squad of South Australian wool team. He was a leader in many fields, especially cricket (he was Australian captain) and the wool industry in Tasmania.

But he was also a fine footballer and a nude wrestler.

Happy 162nd Birthday, MCG!

Steve Baker has found a selection of images of the MCG – each reflects its moment.

Almanac Rugby – Rugby World Cup 2015: Run The Cutter – RWC 2015 Week 1

Not quite up there with the 1980 Winter Olympics’ ‘Miracle on Ice’, but Japan’s stunning 34-32 win over the Springboks must surely rate as one of Rugby World Cups’ greatest upsets. Later tonight (Australian Eastern time) the Brave Blossoms meet Scotland, so ahead of that clash and Australia’s opening pool match against Fiji at 1:45am Thursday morning, Hamish Neal has put together this primer for the 2015 RWC. [Sir Ritchie McCaw and ‘peasant referees’ tells you all you need to know about where The Hammer’s allegiances lie. Make of that what you will… – Ed]

Leaps and Bounds

‘Andrewce’ remembers his days as a fledgling Eagles follower.

Kids 13: Seniors

Matt Zurbo on how to deal with kids who are being pushed for senior footy.

WAFL – Prelim Final: Falcons into the GF, Demon wins Sandover

In WAFL news, Les Everett says that this week’s Grand Finalists are worthy contenders. The Sandover winner was remarkably consistent too.

Finals Week 2 – Hawthorn v Adelaide: Too Old, Too Slow…Too Good

Unlike many of us (including me – Ed), Sasha Lennon thought that the week long derision of Hawthorn bode well for their Semi-Final chances. He was right.

Northern FL: Northcote Park reserves beaten by Greensborough in Division 1 Grand Final

It was a disappointing end to a fantastic season for the Cougars Reserves. Thanks to Stephen Marson for keeping us in touch with Northcote Park’s 2015.

Finals Week 2 – Sydney v North Melboourne: An empty forward line, space in cupboards

Matt Watson had played the Semi-Final over dozens of times before the match. It unfolds here.

Finals Week 2 – Hawthorn v Adelaide: Business as usual at the MCG, mostly.

Alan Stewart gives us his minute by minute account of Hawthorn’s Semi-Final win.