AFL Round 19- Sydney v Essendon: Team Conversation

Sans the cygnet, the Almanac’s O’Reilly Stand correspondent Mathilde de Hautecloque reports on a big Swans win. She enjoyed the conversations, both on and off the field. And with the baristas.

Career not yet over for O’Keefe

Is Ryan O’Keefe’s senior career over? Jackson Clark thinks not.

Footy Commentary – The gift that keeps on giving (or: Intellectual Wilderness, ho!).

Steve Baker has learnt plenty from our current crop of broadcasters…. at least 11 things.

Last drinks for Percy’s Bar

The closure of Percy’s Bar marks not just the end of a pub, but the the end of an era, when many a football personality became a publican. Cade Lucas has one last, long drink.

Close the Etihad Stadium roof

Just close the roof, says Jackson Clark, it’s a no-brainer

AFL Round 19 – Collingwood v Port Adelaide: Pies v Former Pies

Stalwart Magpie Dave Nadel reminds us of the links between his team and the team that was ultimately formed from the SANFL Magpies’ attempt to join the AFL.

MRP – bureaucracy at its finest?

Career bureaucrat (that’s a compliment in case you were unsure) Dave Brown suggests that with a little bit of tweaking, the MRP system has still got some legs. What do you think?

AFL Round 19 – Collingwood v Port Adelaide (FPS): Magpies finally secure the win after a long drought

Luke Reynolds for the Floreat Pica Society talks about the pain of the past 35 days with their beloved Magpies but, on Sunday, their team showed true perseverance and grabbed a well-deserved win.

AFL Round 19 – Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs: Under the Lash in Van Diemen’s Land

In this match report of Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs, Neil Anderson looks at the state of football in Tasmania and the history behind the poorer clubs in the AFL.

Round 19 – Haiku Bob – in two minds

Haiku Bob finds some late winter sun as his Magpies eke out a hard fought win.

AFL Round 19 – Review: Eight weeks of finals

JTH with some thoughts on Geelong-NM, Round 19 generally, and the line-up of top-of-the-table matches throughout August

Old Woollen Footy Jumpers: Blackburn High School, 1966

Sasha Lennon uncovers a photo of Blackburn High’s 1966 team featuring long-time Almanac supporter Roger Gibbins.

AFL Round 19 – Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs: Aurora W(h)ine

Rod Adam celebrated a milestone with a tasting of some excellent vintages from both Hawks and Bulldogs vinters. His Dogs may have need to lay down in the last quarter, but with maturity promise a fuller-bodied future.

VAFA – B Section: Fitzroy v St Kevins

Our man in maroon, Phil Hill, reports on the Royboys game against St Kevins on the weekend. Injuries have cruelled this season, but they will be going forward in the future.

Crio’s Question: Who justifies the good (or bad) rap?

Crio wonders about reputations and prejudices. Which are justified and which are just a case of “give a dog a bad name”?

AFL Round 13 – Sydney v Port Adelaide: Growing old with the Swans and the Borough (reprise)

In reporting on the Swans-Port game, Keiran Croker demonstrates how footy has the place it has. [Top piece KC – Ed]

This piece is about Bernie Croker, Keiran’s Dad, who passed away on Friday. The Almanac community is thinking of you and the whole Croker family at this time Keiran. JTH

AFL Round 19 – Melbourne v Brisbane: Futures So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades

Qldpies35 rejoices in his Lions Cubs win over the Demons. Did Paul Roos pick the wrong list, or was Leppa a better choice anyway?

The Bananarama Brownlow: It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it. Keeping the Fairest in the B&F.

The perennial debate about eligibility for the Brownlow medal is gathering momentum, as Gary Ablett’s injury meets Nate Fyfe’s stellar form. The ghosts of McKernan and Grant are being revived and pundits are bellowing out the for-and-against arguments.

Big Nick’s blazer

Matt Watson tells a yarn about a kid who stole Big Nick’s blazer, and wonders about the reasons behind the theft and return of other important footy memorabilia.

AFL Round 19 – Sydney v Essendon: Mid Winter Meandering

Joe Moore got to enjoy two magical experiences this past weekend, snow at their cabin on Cradle Mountain in Tassie and a Swans victory over the Bombers on Friday night. With both wine and a TV at hand, both the snowman and Joe had a splendid weekend.