Almanac Book Review: ‘Stories for Harry & Ray’ by Michael Sexton

February 26, 2024 by 5 Comments

Swish has had a read of Mike Sexton’s latest book ‘Stories for Harry & Ray’. He recommends it highly in this review.

Almanac Footy Memoir: Beloved Barass and how the Blues won the 1970 Grand Final.

May 19, 2023 by 6 Comments

In the lead-up to the Carlton-Collingwood clash on Sunday, Canberra’s Andrew ‘Dougie’ Fraser explains why the clash of these two clubs means so much to him and his family. Fine memoir which explains how the Baggers won the 1970 Grand Final and pays respect to Andrew’s Mum and Dad, and to the big-hearted Ronald Dale Barassi. [Read this – JTH]

Almanac Footy: A Team for all seasons

November 22, 2022 by 13 Comments

Citrus Bob Utber presents his footy team for all seasons made up of players he has watched play over the past seventy years.

Almanac Football (History): Alex Jesaulenko

June 29, 2022 by 2 Comments

A recently discovered three minute, black and white film featuring Alex Jesaulenko in just his fourth VFL game has Michael Sexton enthralled. It took him back to a time full of rich and rewarding memories.

Almanac Teams: Second time, 25 (1980- )

November 22, 2021 by 3 Comments

In the last of his series in 2021, Rodney Boyd casts his selection net over the more interesting names to have run out wearing Number 25 since 1980.

Almanac Footy Teams: A side from behind The Iron Curtain

February 7, 2020 by 7 Comments

Glen! has picked a side of footballers whose parents come from countries behind Winston Churchill’s ‘Iron Curtain’.

Moon Landing – A Football(in)g Space

July 11, 2019 by 7 Comments

Glen! takes us to the moon and back as he contemplates 50 years since the first Moon landing. For old times’ sake, he also reminds us of what was happening in the VFL that week. (Ah, memories… – Ed.!)

Confessions of a Disloyal Almanacker

July 4, 2019 by 12 Comments

Peter Fuller returns to the Almanac’s pages by sharing a contemplation of this year’s ups and (mostly) downs, especially for Carlton fans. But amid the clouds there are also silver linings. (Welcome back, Peter – Eds.)

Round 1 – Richmond v Carlton: Traditions

March 27, 2019 by 2 Comments

Joe De Petro relives the 1972 VFL Grand Final and the rivalry established between Richmond and Carlton, while watching the Round 1 match between the Tigers and the Blues at the MCG.

Almanac Footy History – Extract from More of the Kangaroo: 1985 – The Sharks and Tigers play one of the great QAFL Grand Finals

November 15, 2018 by 2 Comments

From Murray Bird and Greg Parker’s forthcoming book, “More of the Kangaroo: 150 Years of Australian Football in Queensland 1866 – 2016” is an extract about one of the great QAFL Grand Finals.

Turnbull Stakes Preview – The Carnival awaits

October 5, 2018 by 2 Comments

After a final say about the 2018 AFL Grand Final, Sal casts his eye towards the Spring Racing season including a preview of The Turnball Stakes.

Echoes of Dreamland: on footy and footy writing and 2018

August 2, 2018 by 13 Comments

As a teenager, David Wilson (as one of 1200) sang the hymn “Forty Years On” each year at school. Its “echoes of dreamland” live in 2018.
On footy, history, place, story, responsibility. Follow-up!

Vale “Name A Game”

June 30, 2018 by 4 Comments

Adam laments today marks the end of an era for the footy nostalgists and he is not happy. Sports Delivered have officially decided to put an end to their “Name A Game” service, one that has provided home and away, finals and State of Origin matches on VHS and later DVD format since the early 1990’s.

South Australia v Victoria 1973: Nevermore

May 30, 2018 by 30 Comments

Swish relives his first state game via this 1973 Footy Budget, the one where Jezza kicked 10. He’s still going, unlike much of its commercial contents.

Remembering Festival Hall – The Night Jezza and George Walked Out on the Blues

January 29, 2018 by 9 Comments

Reflecting on the loss of another treasured Melbourne venue – Warren Tapner reminds us of some of Festival Hall’s rich history outside of the music world.

AFL: The engineer and the artist

May 25, 2017 by 24 Comments

Dips O’Donnell sees that AFL football now sadly focusses on risk reduction, rather than on individual and collective enterprise. We should celebrate human imagination, art and wisdom.

O what a team! (Or a commentator’s worst nightmare)

October 14, 2016 by 17 Comments

John Mason and mates have picked a team of players whose names end with the letter O. Further suggestions?

Era, era on the wall; 1967-1976

November 4, 2015 by 18 Comments

The late 60s and early 70s are the Golden Years of footy for many VFL fans. In Jeff Dowsing’s latest look at Grand Final eras, the years 1967 to 1976 would see a revolution in how the game was played after Barassi’s Blues and their use handball engineered possibly the greatest comeback in VFL Grand Final history. Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn and North fans; this is your era.