RABBITOH IN THE VINEYARD – PART 1 NRL RND 5: SOUTH SYDNEY v WESTS TIGERS As one of the thousands of long suffering South Sydney members, I am well accustomed to false dawns, and a general uneasiness whenever the Bunnies go into any match as favourites – whether with the TAB, and / or [Read more]
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Almanac Rugby League
If you’d like to publish a rugby league story on The Footy Almanac website, please contact Ian Hauser. If you’d like to join the Footy Almanac’s rugby league email list to receive our regular Thursday updates during the season and occasional updates in the off-season, contact John Harms in the first instance. The [Read more]
Almanac State of Origin Lunch – June 17: With Roy Masters and some Queenslanders on tour.
June 17, 2026 by Leave a Comment
The Footy Almanac crew are meeting for lunch on June 17, before the second State of Origin match. Come and meet some Real Queenslanders from Up North as they prepare for the game at the MCG. All welcome.
Almanac Book Reviews – RITV: ‘That Race’ by David Griffin
June 4, 2026 by 1 Comment
Rabbit In The Vineyard reviews ‘That Race’ by David Griffin.
NRL 2026 – Rabbit in the Vineyard: 2026 Charity Shield – St George-Illawarra v South Sydney
February 19, 2026 by 2 Comments
RITV returns with his first look at the 2026 NRL season. The annual Charity Shield fixture featured a player with connections to the Hansens’ days in Brisbane. And, true to form, Rabbit’s ‘Barossa Red Wine of the Week’ also returns with a beauty!
The Ashes – Third Test, Adelaide Day 3: A report from The Governor’s pew (and another century for a South Australian).
December 20, 2025 by 9 Comments
Rabbit in the Vineyard fronted up for Day 1 of the Adelaide Test and followed up with Day 3. The Queenslander found himself immersed in a very South Australian experience. And he wound up in The Governor’s pew in St Peter’s Cathedral.
Almanac Footy History: Bill Morris – The Good Samaritan
July 12, 2024 by 4 Comments
Bill Morris, former Richmond champion and Brownlow Medalist, was a legend of his era. Roger Spaull presents a magnificent account of the football career of Bill Morris.
Almanac Teams: Arrivals and Departures (Footscray/Western Bulldogs)
May 6, 2024 by 2 Comments
Arrivals and Departures from the ‘Scray/West are up this week for Rodney Boyd’s side.
NRL – South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: Down and out in Las Vegas
March 7, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Rabbit in the Vineyard is disappointed with another Souths fade-out as they lose the season opener to Manly in Vegas. But, that hasn’t diluted his enthusiasm for a good report, which features his 2024 innovation: Wine of the Week. [And gets a pie mentioned in there as well – Ed]
1964 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 1: Central District
February 22, 2024 by 17 Comments
‘Swish’ launches Part 1 of his 1964 SANFL Mobil cards series with Central District, one of the two new additions to SANFL League ranks in that year. You may know of Gary Window and Ken Eustice, but Sam Donovan and Jock O’Brien had colourful careers too.
Almanac Footy: A great Football Rivalry – Fitzroy v Hawthorn 1978-1986 by Philip Mendes
January 24, 2024 by 3 Comments
Philip Mendes presents an in-depth analysis of the great footy rivalry between Fitzroy and Hawthorn between the years 1978 to 1986.
Almanac Footy History: Starting to Rise – Fitzroy FC’s promising 1978 day and night season
July 9, 2021 by 8 Comments
Philip Mendes recounts Fitzroy FC’s 1978 home and away VFL season, a season of new beginnings and promise for the future but one ending in disappointment after losing eight games by less than two goals costing them dearly.
On the rise but just short of finals action: Fitzroy’s promising 1982 season
April 7, 2021 by 8 Comments
Philip Mendes provides us with an epic re-cap of Fitzroy’s 1982 season
Almanac (Country) Football: The incredible story of the 1952 South Gippsland Football League Grand Final
February 6, 2021 by 10 Comments
Kickittotim recounts the sensational 1952 South Gippsland League Grand Final between Fish Creek and Meeniyan and the incredible aftermath when the goal umpires discovered they had different scores. Read on and find out what happened next. [Fantastic read! – Ed]
Almanac Football History: Fitzroy’s Topsy Turvy 1984
December 28, 2020 by 7 Comments
Phillip Mendes has an in depth look at the 1984 season from a Fitzroy perspective – a year in the middle of what many consider the great club’s last hurrah in the VFL/AFL.
From the foot of the table to the Final Five: Fitzroy’s exhilarating 1981 season
July 8, 2020 by 9 Comments
Philip Mendes presents a meticulously researched look at the meteoric rise of Fitzroy in the 1981 VFL season. A great companion piece to Sam Steele’s week by week coverage of this season.
Almanac Rugby League: Excerpts from a rugby league lover’s diary – The Early Years
May 7, 2020 by 4 Comments
Imagine an Adrian Mole-type character thinking back over the childhood competitiveness of two brothers supporting rival teams. Actually, Paul Connolly has already done it for you!
Rising from the cellar: Fitzroy’s outstanding 1979 season
April 20, 2020 by 18 Comments
A teenage Philip Mendes watched his beloved Lions break a 19 year-old finals drought in 1979. He recounts every game of that breakthrough season. [Sit back and enjoy – Ed].
‘Robbie Reminisces………’ by KB Hill
January 16, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Rob Worthington has given a great deal to Victorian country cricket over the decades. KB Hill profiles another local legend.
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