Poetry: A Difficult Birth

Simon Wilcox has something he’d like to say bout the ’19th Man’

Remembering my first game

As Magpie fan Frank Gleeson remembers his first VFL game he shows us the footy world through a first-timer’s eyes.

AFL Round 8 – Sydney v Hawthorn: Don’t mind if we do

A bottle of Church Block and a night in front of the footy is exactly what the AFL had in mind when it scheduled the Grand Final re-match.

The World Game: from Paris to Brunswick Street

Neat little observation from Rob Heath; when cultures cross, happily.

Tommy

Matt Zurbo chatted with Tommy Hafey a number of times. Here’s what he found. [Brilliant story of Matt’s dad – and of how Tommy recognised it as a brilliant story – Ed]

Almanac Rugby League – The Magnificent Murri Nine

Patrick Skene is part of a truly memorable day, when an undermanned Brisbane Natives side took on the Diehards from Fortitude Valley. Those there, he says, will remember it forever. [Sport can do this. Super stuff. Ed]

Giddy-Up Gill

They told me this bloke (Nank) had a turn of phrase on him. And they were right. Here Paul Nankivell casts his eye on what we can expect from the regime of Giddy-Up Gillon.

AFL Round 9 – Adelaide v Collingwood: Chernobyl FC still likely to host Crows’ entire 2015 pre-season

Mickey Randall and his Crows have had their hearts broken a hundred times by the Magpies. Last night was sweet revenge.

Tribute to Tommy

Dave Chettle is a Magpie man whose passion for footy was ignited by Tommy Hafey.

AFL Round 8: Reports

All the Almanac reports from Round 8 of the 2014 AFL season.

Best Bets for the Brisbane Carnival, from TattsBet

Best bets for the big day at Doomben.

AFL Round 9 – Adelaide v Collingwood (Floreat Pica Society): Tick. Tock. It’s an ambush!

The full moon, time passing, Tommy’s passing, neighbour Bob’s passing, Collingwood’s temporary (?) passing. If life is about acceptance, how can Collingwood’s loss matter?

Kick it to Pav

Nice Almanac debut from Smithy as he profiles the great Pav. Some very nice observations such as the reminder of a Freo crowd sign: “They tried to rob us, down at Aurora, but we took Pav, when you took Fiora”. [Litza, you are setting trends, this piece includes footnotes – Ed]

AFL Round 8 – Brisbane v Essendon: So close yet so far

Peter Schumacher hopes for a Brisbane win, to prevent the gloating of other family members if nothing else.

Top 100 World Cup Moments (From the Aussie P.O.V.): 33-USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Dennis Gedling tells the story of one of the greatest World Cup upsets – the USA’s win over England in Brazil 1950.

Crio’s Racing

Crio, being a true racing man, and a bloke who can find his inner Croweater from time to time, comments on the time-honoured Mt Gambier carnival, Scone and the big races in Brisbane. Good punting! [Love the dog-leg – Ed]

AFL Round 9 – Preview: I didn’t like last Monday

Greetings to all,   Not much time between games this week to put a preview together, but certainly time to reflect on a great life in footy.  A pall had already descended over Monday night’s game before the players put on that display with the announcement of Tom Hafey’s death.  Special people transcend the game [Read more]

Is Pavlich really the greatest ever Docker?

Scientific proof that maybe Pav is not the greatest living Docker…or maybe he is.

AFL Round 9 – Pre-Wrap: Thanks for the Memories

The Wrap, unusually brief, with some handy analysis to assist your tipping, your punting and your view of Jellymont. [Includes respectful Tommy Hafey gag.]

Home

Mathilde de Hautecloque at her very best. Classy writing. Just read it, and respond. [Well, you keep asking for fresh sportswriting – Ed]