Almanac Footy: SA v WA 1971 – Run Of The Mill

July 2, 2024 by 13 Comments

This between-Carnivals state game between SA and WA in 1971 was full of household names, but is largely forgotten. Swish take us back to the days of Ansett, Golden Fleece, AMSCOL and players with names such as Bob, Graham, George, Len, Terry and Ian.

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.

SANFL 1970 Grand Final – Sturt v Glenelg: A Fistful Of Flags

June 5, 2023 by 8 Comments

Swish was gifted the Budget from the 1970 SANFL Grand Final by Sturt fan Phil Daly, which was the final of Sturt’s five successive flags.

SANFL 1967 Grand Final – Sturt v Port Adelaide: Back To Back Blues

May 16, 2023 by 5 Comments

The 1967 SANFL Grand Final was a rematch of the 1966 decider, pitting Jack Oatey’s skills based approach against Fos Williams’ physical style of football. The bigger, bolder ‘souvenir’ Football Budget says much about mid-1960s Adelaide.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 7: Sturt

February 11, 2021 by 13 Comments

The mighty Double Blues were the kings of the SANFL at the beginning of 1971. The Mobil Footy Cards of that year featured some of their many stars. Swish has a bit to say about each of them here.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 4: Norwood

August 27, 2020 by 9 Comments

Swish brings us the next in his 1971 SANFL Mobil footy cards series. This one features the men of Norwood.

Neil Craig: Elite Performer (Part 1)

May 12, 2020 by 56 Comments

Neil Craig’s career has been so prolific Rulebook is covering it in two parts, all starting with the Yorke Peninsula, Carmel Court and the Norwood Football Club.

SANFL 1966 Grand Final – Sturt v Port Adelaide: First of Five

December 6, 2019 by 16 Comments

Norwood’s Ron Kneebone featured on the cover of the 1966 SANFL Grand Final Budget. The second successive Oatey-Williams Grand Final proved to be the beginning of a Double Blue era of dominance.

SANFL 1976 Grand Final – Port Adelaide v Sturt: Around The Ground

July 18, 2019 by 15 Comments

The biggest ever footy crowd in South Australian history assembled at, in and on Football Park for the 1976 Grand Final. Swish’s Footy Budget from that year helps remember one of the great days in SANFL history, with a nod to ageing Hollywood performers, tyre replacement guarantees, cask wine and egg rings.

Killa: the Alan Killigrew years at Norwood

April 20, 2018 by 7 Comments

“After all, what is a football club?  It is grass in the middle, posts at the ends, and bricks and mortar.  It’s the people that give it soul.  A football club is a living body”. Those reflective words penned by Alan Killigrew, say a lot about the man and his remarkable football journey that had a profound impact on so many people.

SANFL Grand Final – Port Adelaide v Sturt: see ya at the Arkaba

September 29, 2017 by 7 Comments

Dave Brown’s family has history at Port v Sturt Grand Finals. There’s nothing like a happy ending

In the firing line with the ruck rovers

February 1, 2017 by 3 Comments

The role of the ruck-rover is defined by the many wonderful exemplars Carolyn Spooner refers to from teams of the’60’s through to the current day.

Book Review – Kings of the Game

December 12, 2016 by 2 Comments

Modelist reviews ‘Kings of the Game’, by Lachlan Waterman, in search of what makes a great Aussie Rules Football Coach.

Almanac People – 28 John Francis Wynne: my first footy hero

September 25, 2016 by 99 Comments

Rulebook’s touching tribute to a great footballer and even better person – Two Eight – John Wynne

Almanac Footy History: In search of the best roving pairs

August 11, 2016 by 18 Comments

Who are the mightiest mosquitoes ever to have buzzed around the football packs? Some suggestions from Messrs Sexton and Coventry. Thoughts?

Welcome to the 60s, SANFL Style

December 23, 2015 by 12 Comments

Swish is older than this 1960 SANFL Budget, but only just. It looks to have weathered the 55 years better than he has.