Almanac Family History: Tina Ongarello Reminisces

The Footy Almanac community passes on its deepest sympathies to Tina Ongarello and the extended Ongarello family on the passing of Tony. Tina wrote about her family and footy some years ago.

Tina Ongarello remembers wonderful days of family and footy. [First published in 2011]

Almanac Footy (Memory): Sacramental Transcendence

A family at the footy, a boy’s wonder at a big game, the Catholic Mass, away team supporters in hostile territory, and ‘Superboot’ himself, Bernie Quinlan. Shane Reid blends them all into this heart-warming story from when he was a boy.

Maize Gods

Shane Reid remembers his Year 12 English teacher, Ms Dargie, who wasn’t into footy at all. Nevertheless, it was she who helped young Shane understand the links between footy, society and life via the poetry of Bruce Dawe.

Almanac Poetry: Morning Sun, Fitzroy

According to Kevin Densley it is clear that beauty can be found in the most unlikely places; this time the very streetsides of inner-Melbourne.

Geelong’s Record Run – Round 8, 1953: Geelong v Fitzroy – Cats bewilder ‘Roys

Geelong’s dominance of the 1953 season was further established as the Cats ran roughshod over a meek Fitzroy outfit. Peter Clark’s series on Geelong’s record run of wins continues.

Almanac (Footy) Art and History: 1904 VFL Grand Final: Fitzroy v Carlton

DJ Williams continues his series of articles combining art and football history. This time he covers the 1904 Grand Final between Fitzroy and Carlton.

The Merger Trilogy: A Man Walked Into a Bar

It was 25 years ago that one of the most significant and earth-shaking events in the VFL/AFL’s 124 year history took place. William Westerman (author of ‘Merger’) has a three-part series on the machinations around Fitzroy’s path from proud original club to subject of administration and economic rationalisation. This is the first part of the trilogy.

Book Extract – Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996

Another extract from William Westerman’s book, ‘Merger: the Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’. Was this day the worst of a very grim season?

Geelong’s Record Run – Round 16, 1952: Cats race away from Gorillas

With finals a month away, Geelong faced a red hot Fitzroy team at Kardinia Park. Peter Clark’s series on Geelong’s amazing unbeaten run through 1952-53 continues.

Almanac Books: The Fateful Season – Remembering the Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996

William Westerman explains his motives for writing his book about the Fitzroy FC: ‘Merger: The Fitzroy Lions and the Tragedy of 1996’. Details for purchasing the book are provided.

Almanac Books: ‘Merger’ book launch

William Westerman’s book, ‘Merger’, will be launched at the North Fitzroy Arms Hotel on June 2nd. Details here.

Round 4 – Western Bulldogs v Brisbane: The Real Meaning of FitzRoy and the Princely Bulldogs of Ballarat

Shane Reid had all things royal and regal on his mind when he penned this report of the Doggies-Lions joust in Ballarat.

Almanac Football History: Fitzroy’s last finals series, the fabulous 1986 season

Following on from his recent look back at 1984, Phillip Mendes revists what was to be the final VFL/AFL finals series for the Roys; 1986. From the smashing of the ’85 premiers to the retirement of Superboot, it was a momentous year.

Almanac Footy History: The Crapp Chronicles Part 5: Crapp and the Telegram!

Crapp’s Chronicles continue with a brave young lad and a potential passing of the umpiring flame to our protagonist in 1899.

Almanac Poetry: ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn

A poem about the legendary Fitzroy champ, Wilfred ‘Chicken’ Smallhorn, by Stephen Whiteside.

Finals Week 3 – Brisbane v Geelong: Small mercies

After a year of superb Brisbane coverage, Shane Reid used last night’s preliminary final loss to reflect on better games and premiership moments.

Round 18 – Brisbane v Carlton: Remembering tales of yore and beating the Blues

After counselling his pupils on the magic of Quinlan and the old Lions, high-school teacher Shane Reid watched his modern-age Brisbane temporarily rise to top spot following a strong win over the Blues.

Dark Blue, Maroon & White

Old Dog shares a video clip he’s seen of the boys from old Fitzroy, playing at Glenferrie in 1958. It has many characters of the club, colour and movement of the time, fading “What if?” questions and a jumper better than any other in the world. [Magic stuff – Ed.]

1981 Revisited – Finals Week 2: ‘Hold on Tight’

Sam Steele’s recounting of the 1981 VFL season reaches semi-final week. Carlton take on Geelong for a place in the Grand Final, whilst Collingwood and Fitzroy fight for survival.

1981 Revisited – Finals Week 1: ‘To Cut a Long Story Short’

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.