Confessions of an MCG Pie-girl

After feeling the pressure to find a job, Bridget Schwerdt is employed at the MCG as a Pie-Girl. Here’s the story of the process and of her first sessions on the job when, possibly because of her mathematical skills, she is sent to become a Wiener Girl. [Very funny Bridget. We’ll be looking for you – Ed] [first published in 2015 when our Pie-Girl was in Grade 10]

Almanac Tennis – EDTA Div. 8 Boys’ Grand Final: ETKG v The Drive – Even more sweet

Aidan Hammond and his teammates have experienced that winning feeling, taking out a hard-fought Eastern Districts Tennis Association Grand Final; Aidan’s first after falling at the last hurdle in 2017

Junior Almanac: My first footy season

Jasmine Conrad, who we are so lucky to have on the cover of The Women’s Footy Almanac 2017, tells the story of how she started playing footy and of her first game – where her team received some special encouragement via video.

Juniors Almanacking – Memories of 10-year-olds. Brilliant.

It’s book week. This is David Wilson’s story of volunteering to take a couple of sessions at his children’s school on “the writing of a memory.” A rare privilege.

Almanac Cricket: WHAT. A. GAME!

In a rollicking piece from Oscar Bourke, his team of intrepid cricketers overcome a batting collapse (with Oscar playing a huge part) to defeat Heathmont in the grand final.

Almanac Basketball: The best game ever

Almanac debutant Ethan Stone had a ripper in his basketball grand final, which his team won convincingly. A great story.

Grand Final – Sydney v Western Bulldogs: Tension and excitement

Joey Barnard [aged 9] relives the tension of the AFL Grand Final.

Junior Almanac Round 16 – Western Bulldogs v Richmond: In the thick of the trip

Aidan Hammond continues his big Round 16 with a Billy Brownless sighting in Geelong and a plausible theory about why Carlton have the club song on their changeroom wall.

Junior Almanac Round 16 – Geelong v Sydney: The trip has begun

Former Patrick Dangerfield devotee, Aidan Hammond (aged 10), begins a big weekend of Victorian footy with a visit to the Cattery

Junior Almanac – Poetry: Bombers (by Archie Rawlings – aged 8)

It’s a cold wintry night and I’m not at the footy. I’m at my local primary school’s poetry reading night. And for the first time in his life this little eight year old footy fan stands on stage ready to recite his poem. A poem he’s written about his team. The only team he’s ever loved. The only colours he’s ever worn. Red and Black, in Adelaide. Now that takes courage.

Fronting the microphone takes another sort of courage. So does sharing your eight year old dream. [This is a cracker – JTH]

Junior Almanac: Parkside R v Fitzroy Under 9-S: Photos – Freeze frame on an icy morning

In this photo essay of Fitzroy Junior FC the temperature was very cold, but both teams got the blood flowing and played some excellent footy.

Junior Footy – Preston Bullants v Fitzroy Under 9-S: Roys in good form again

The Roys played well again last Sunday as Joey Barnard reports. [Some beaut photos as well – Ed]

Junior Footy – Preston Bullants v Fitzroy Under 9-S: Roys strong again

Joey Barnard had a lot of responsibilities yesterday when he played for Fitzroy Under 9-S. He was co-captain, first ruck and he was the match reporter. Here’s Joey’s story about another top quality performance from the team.

Junior Almanac: Winning is a plus, good footy is a must

Abby Lennon (11 years old) played in a Grand Final last Friday night, for the Wests Bulldogs. It was the first Brisbane Juniors Under 13 Girls Grand Final ever. [Terrific stuff Abby – Ed].

Junior Almanac: Sandgate Hawks Give Father and Son a Day to Remember

Luke Smith (13-years-old) had the taste of Grand Final nerves ahead of playing in last Saturday’s big one. Could he and his Sandgate Hawks do it?

Kids 3. Body Language

Matt Zurbo’s writings on coaching kids continues. Part three is about body language; “Coaching kids who are losing each week is the best challenge there is in football… You have to speak from your ribs. You have to believe, or there’s no point at all.”

Kids 2. First Give Them Fire

Matt Zurbo on coaching juniors: Part 2. “The biggest mistake you can make is treating them like kids…”

Kids 1

Matt Zurbo begins a 15-part series on coaching kids. Here’s some suggestions which I suspect you wouldn’t have thought of before. [Wish you were my coach Old Dog – Ed]

This series will run Monday-Friday for three weeks.

Round 22 – Hawthorn v Brisbane: The annual trip (Junior Almanac)

Kane McInerney, 11 years old, flew to Launceston for the footy. He’s made keen observations of Hawthorn, of Brisbane and of the travelling life.

Junior Almanac – Footy Days (“My Country” added verse)

10 year-old Oakleigh State School student Abby Lennon from Brisbane’s inner-west has penned an extra verse for Dorothea Mackellar’s classic “My Country.” It has a decidedly sporting flavour.