Almanac Book Extract – Footy History: John Craven’s profile of footballer-athlete Jack Grant

Jack Grant was a speedy VFL footballer who enjoyed success at Geelong. When he ran away from speedster Austin Robertson one afternoon a wise old Stawell Gift trainer took note. The rest is history.

Almanac Poetry: Larger Than Life

Kevin Densley says regarding this week’s poem: ‘Can a writer, in some sense, become his own body of work?’

Almanac (Local) Geography: Ballarat’s own Kakadu

Ian Wilson found a local version of Kakadu in his ‘backyard’ near Ballarat – but wore the wrong shoes!

Almanac Life: My time Volunteering for Sea Shepherd

Callum Quirk recalls the time he became involved with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and all it entails.

Almanac Footy: 2025 Draft list – first look

With the 2024 AFL Footy Season now over Micky McTigger has a first look at the 2025 Draft List.

Almanac (Local) Footy: South Colac Under 14.5 Premiers & Champions

Luke Reynolds provides a detailed and heart-felt coverage of the trials and eventual triumph of the South Colac Under 14.5 footy team in 2024. (A great story about the best of local junior footy – Ed.)

Almanac Horseracing: A fork in the road – The Caulfield Guineas 1972

With the Spring Carnival 2024 in full swing, Ian Lewis remembers back to his 15 year old self and the 1972 Caulfield Guineas and the clash between Century and Sobar.

Almanac Racing / Travel: Turnbull Stakes Day Preview – Say it ain’t so Joe!

Big weekend of racing coming up at Flemington including the Turnbull Stakes. Sal Ciardulli casts his discerning eye over the fields and picks his tips. Not only horse racing but more travel from Sal as he explains.

Almanac Footy: Renewing footy vows

It’s tough absorbing a Grand Final defeat of some magnitude after all the promise and hope that went before. But what lies at the core of our support? Bloodstainedangel reflects on the season gone and commits to ‘continue to lift that noble banner high, on the ride of our lives’.

NRL 2024 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: Reviewing Wayne Bennett, if that’s possible!

RITV thinks back over the enigma that is Wayne Bennett. Is he the ultimate ‘man behind the mask’? And how will he transpose back into the Burrow in 2025?

NRL 2024 Grand Final – Prop in the Canefield: You gotta love footy!

Prop and co are off on a different Grand Final Tour this year. Check out their dress code, itinerary and possible sidetracks as well as Prop’s thoughts on the Grand Final here.

NRL Grand Final: Melbourne Storm have the score on the board

‘Citrus’ Bob Utber used to work for the Melbourne Storm about twenty years ago, He’s maintained close connections with the club. He offers his thoughts in advance of Sunday’s Grand Final against Penrith.

NRL Grand Final: Penrith go for the four-peat in 2024

Lifelong Panthers tragic and rugby league historian Alan Whiticker offers his thoughts in the lead-up to this weekend’s Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm.

NRL & NRLW Grand Finals: The deciders we deserve

Our rugby league editor Ian Hauser can’t find a suitably clear point of distinction to confidently tip the winner of this weekend’s NRL Grand Final. In the end, he goes with a gut feeling.

Almanac Footy and Music: Mike Rudd saves Grand Final Weekend!

Richard Griffiths and his wife Rebecca drove down from Sydney for a cracking weekend at the Footy Almanac Grand Final Lunch, a session at The Public Bar with Dave Warner And Greg Macainsh, and Sunday with the incredible Mike Rudd in St Kilda. The one-sided Grand Final was their only fizzer!

Almanac Footy: Why I’m a Lion by Clementine Reid

One-eyed Brisbane supporter Clementine Reid (daughter of Shane) explains why she is a Lions fan. [Welcome to the Footy Almanac Clementine! – Ed]

Grand Final 2024 – Sydney v Brisbane: Swans Dive

Keiran Croker found it very tough to write about the failure of his beloved Swans after their huge loss in the 2024 AFL Grand Final.

NFL Week 4: The Jared Goff Cup

Earl O’Neill is fascinated by the intricacies of the plays in the NFL. He makes some interesting observations about player size when comparing the NFL with the AFL too.

Almanac (SANFL) Footy – Glenelg’s Premiership Triumph: Final Moments

Mickey Randall relives the finals moments of the SANFL Grand Final with Glenelg winning a close one against Norwood.

Almanac Soccer: English Premier League – Match Week 6 Highlights

Ollie Wade presents his review and thoughts of Match Week 6 in the English Premier League.