West Coast Dave and his son West Coast Aidan get their Eagles over the line from the downstairs bar-room of their Canberra home. [Delightful father-son tale. I think Aidan is 10 – Ed]
Preliminary Final – West Coast v North Melbourne: Nervous about not being nervous
September 27, 2015 by 5 Comments
AFL Grand Final weather
September 26, 2015 by 7 Comments
Our official Almanac meteorologist, BD, has the forecast for the Grand Final next Saturday.
Kids – Wrapping It Up
September 25, 2015 by 4 Comments
Matt Zurbo wraps up his series on coaching tips and gives some final advice.
Preliminary Final – West Coast v North Melbourne Preview: Difficult, not impossible
September 25, 2015 by 2 Comments
We defy you not hear the theme music from “The Godfather” playing in your mind, as you read Matt Watson’s thoughts on North Melbourne’s “impossible” task in Perth. Can they get out alive?
My Footy Recollections
September 25, 2015 by 40 Comments
Adelaide University Football Club – The Blacks – is saddened to hear of the passing of one of its great characters, Brenton “Nose” Eckert.
Nose wrote this piece almost a year ago, not long after he was awarded Life Membership.
Yes Nose, your memories, and our memories of you, are surely worthy of saving.
RIP Brenton “Nose” Eckert
Life Membership and Life. And Death.
September 25, 2015 by 31 Comments
Michael Dadds got to present Life Membership of Adelaide Uni FC to the “Nose” Brenton Eckert. Every day is precious, and Brenton treasured every moment. (This article was originally published in 2014)
An arrow for Caro
September 25, 2015 by 6 Comments
Jeff Dowsing takes a moment to point Caro back towards the bigger issues in the AFL…
Short Book, Long Story: Long, Goodes & the story of reconciliation
September 25, 2015 by 4 Comments
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!
September 25, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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
September 24, 2015 by 2 Comments
“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
September 24, 2015 by 22 Comments
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
September 24, 2015 by 4 Comments
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
September 24, 2015 by 8 Comments
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
September 24, 2015 by 1 Comment
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
September 24, 2015 by 1 Comment
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
September 24, 2015 by 2 Comments
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
September 23, 2015 by 24 Comments
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).
September 23, 2015 by 15 Comments
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!
September 23, 2015 by 4 Comments
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
September 23, 2015 by Leave a Comment
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]
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