From Halloween knocking on the (rumoured) door of one of the greatest ever footballers to chatting footy with God and masquerading with Murali, these are some of Damian Balassone’s treasured tales from decades past.
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Almanac Footy: Footballers who became famous for something totally different – Part 2
September 10, 2020 by 28 Comments
Big Kev35 updates his list of former footballers who went on to bigger and better things after their footy career.
1981 Revisited – Finals Week 1: ‘To Cut a Long Story Short’
September 3, 2020 by 5 Comments
It’s finals time in Stainless’ look back at the 1981 season. In the first week, there are multiple upsets that disrupt the course of the finals series.
Round 13 – Brisbane v St Kilda: Losses & the past don’t change anything; we have to see positive
August 24, 2020 by Leave a Comment
It wasn’t the result Yoshi wanted and there are things he wishes his Saints would do better, but he still thinks finals are on the horizon. Like many other St Kilda fans, the story of Robert Muir affected Yoshi deeply too.
1981 Revisited – Round 21: ‘De do do do, De da da da’
August 20, 2020 by 4 Comments
Stainless recounts Round 21 of the 1981 season which set the scene for a final round to determine every ladder position for the looming finals series.
1981 Revisited – Round 20: ‘Once in a Lifetime’, The Neale Daniher Edition
August 13, 2020 by 3 Comments
As a moment in history, this was the pinnacle of Neale Daniher’s career as a footballer; the marvel of Fight MND was a young, talented defender ahead of his time. Sam Steele continues his look back on 1981, with particular focus on the Dons’ clash with the old enemy, Carlton.
Round 9 – Essendon v Brisbane: ‘The Principal’ Skinner and the sliding door Gods of footy karma.
August 1, 2020 by 9 Comments
Always nice to beat Essendon reflects Shane Reid as he remembers games past against the Bombers. He’s happy after Brisbane’s complete domination of the Bombers last night.
1981 Revisited – Round 18: ‘You want it. You got it.’
July 30, 2020 by 6 Comments
Sunday footy made its first appearance in Round 18 of the 1981 season. Stainless recounts the story of its promotion ‘in the patrons’ interest’! David Rhys-Jones and Brent Croswell provided the on-field ‘entertainment’.
1981 Revisited – Round 17: ‘Bad Habits’
July 27, 2020 by 9 Comments
Captain-coaches are now a thing of the past and the Tigers just can’t break through. 1981 was a different world, as Stainless eludes to in his recap of Round 17.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 17 – Essendon v Adelaide: A win for Sheeds
July 23, 2020 by 1 Comment
The Dons may have gotten up in this 2007 clash with the Crows, but Christian Mooney left the old Telstra Dome gutted by the sacking of Kevin Sheedy.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 16 – Collingwood v Essendon: A magical day of black and white spells
July 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment
A 2007 Collingwood-Essendon clash coincided with the release of the final Harry Potter book. Matt O’Connor had a hard time handling both priorities, but he managed to get to the ‘G to watch some magic unfold.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 15 – Essendon v Western Bulldogs: Two faulty defences
July 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Essendon and the Bulldogs were both hunting for a finals spot midway through the 2007 season. A high-scoring affair left John Weldon scratching his head at the poor back lines of both teams.
1981 Revisited – Round 15: ‘The Tide is High’
July 3, 2020 by 4 Comments
With the rain turning Victorian grounds into troughs, Round 15 of the 1981 VFL season became a battle of attrition. But off the field, Stainless describes the political feud that was surrounding South Melbourne’s potential relocation to Sydney.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 14 – Essendon v Geelong: A rich night of Geelong domination
June 29, 2020 by Leave a Comment
John Harms watched his Cats from Perth. His Geelong ladder-leaders were rich in skill as they waltzed over Essendon in a 2007 Friday night match-up. [This is the ‘Chaaaaapppyyy!’ game- Ed]
1981 Revisited – Round 14: ‘Gotta pull myself together’
June 25, 2020 by 5 Comments
Round 14 1981 is best remembered for perhaps Malcolm Blight’s most embarrassing moment in footy. Stainless continues his review of the 1981 VFL footy season.
1981 Revisited – Round 13: ‘Swingshift’
June 18, 2020 by 4 Comments
Stainless Steele continues his journey through the 1981 season with Round 13. The Bombers overcame a 26-point deficit at three quarter time to pip Richmond at the bell while Geelong kicked a mammoth score against a hapless North Melbourne. All that and more.
Opinion: What it meant for AFL players to ‘take a knee’ this weekend
June 15, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Michael Viljoen brings his perspective to the recent Black Lives Matter protests, politics and cultural divides and the actions of AFL players to take a knee in response.
1981 Revisited – Round 12: ‘Under pressure’
June 11, 2020 by 5 Comments
Stainless is back with Round 11 of the 1981 season. It marked the end of Francis Bourke’s fabulous career after 300 games but ‘St Francis’ was upstaged on the day by the irrepressible Kevin Bartlett who chipped in with 6 goals.
The Footy Almanac 2007 Round 9 – Richmond v Essendon: Another Richo tragedy
May 27, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Paul Daffey ventured to the MCG for the third instalment of Dreamtime at the ‘G. In a dramatic finish, a fatal kick at goal by Richmond’s beloved full-forward decided the 2007 encounter.
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