1981 Revisited – Grand Final: ‘The Winner Takes It All’

A Brownlow Medal is tied, and two of the game’s oldest rivals fight it out for the Premiership in an epic tussle. Sam Steele was among the standing room crowd on the day, and vividly relieves the experience. (This is an outstanding conclusion to a brilliant series – Ed).

Almanac (Footy) Memoir: The day Bruce Doull waved at me

In honour of the great man’s recent 70th birthday, John Baker recalls an encounter with Bruce Doull back in 1985.

1981 Revisited – Round 12: ‘Under pressure’

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.

Flying Doormat

Former Carlton champ Bruce Doull is immortalised in verse by Damian Balassone.

Almanac Footy Teams: A team of Jeffs/Geoffs

Hallelujah! Some decent Jeffs/Geoffs have donned an AFL/VFL guernsey over the years. Anyone “jeffed” and left out of the team? Phil Dimitriadis has come up with a cracker!

Robert Walls in the 1987 Grand Final – A Coaching Master Class

Miles Wilks recently re-watched all four 1987 matchups between Carlton and Hawthorn, resulting in these sharp observations about the tactical nous of Robert Walls.

September Specialists

Phil Dimitriadis has selected his team of finals champions. Over to you for your thoughts.

Great players…Great nicknames

Peter Clark remembers some of the great nicknames of footballers past but wonders why nicknames for current footballers are not as forthcoming. Who can you add to the list?

Almanac Memoir: I bought a Saturday Age from Bruce Doull

Phill Goulding has been Dips O’Donnell’s neighbour for 25 years. He reflects on those years at the time of the passing of Dips’s Dad John O’Donnell and tells the story of what he once said to Bruce Doull.

No. 4 Ronin: Bryce Gibbs & the power of the man-bun

Carlton’s new secret weapon? The Ancient Samurai wisdom, talent and composure sustained from… the man-bun!

AFL Legends Side: 1970-2014

As we get set to draw the curtain on another year, Philip Mendes offers his latest list. This time, his Australian Rules Legends team of 1970-2014. Warning: contains some notable omissions!