Round 9 – Richmond v Adelaide: Adelaide perennial underachievers despite their resources

May 12, 2026 by 2 Comments

The Adelaide Crows are perennial underachievers writes Dan Lonergan.

Almanac Footy: What is it about ‘The Bont’?

May 11, 2026 by 1 Comment

While describing his favourite players of all time, Ian Wilson waxes lyrical about his contemporary beloved footballer.

Almanac Footy: Significant Signposts As A Diehard Saints Supporter

March 7, 2025 by 8 Comments

One premiership in 151 years leaves many St Kilda supporters in deep despair laments die-hard Saint Ian Wilson.

SA v WA 1968: Home Ground Advantage

August 22, 2023 by 14 Comments

When South Australia and Western Australia met in Adelaide in 1968 the result went as expected. Both sides were sprinkled with names that were legendary in their respective states, some went on to national prominence but for others it was their only shot at State-level footy. Read what the SA Football Budget had to say about these stars of the 1960s. There’s a treat in store for those with a connection to Broken Hill also.

Almanac (Footy) Profile: Matthew Robran – AKA ‘Son Of’

July 13, 2023 by 31 Comments

Malcolm ‘Rulebook’ Ashwood provides an in depth profile of Matthew Robran, the Adelaide Crows champion and duel premiership player.

1971 SANFL Mobil Cards – Part 10: Woodville

September 19, 2022 by 13 Comments

Here’s the final club of Swish’s SANFL 1971 Mobil Cards series, the Woodville Woodpeckers (as they were). Blight, Holland, Huppatz, Simunsen – what stars they all were!

Almanac Books: A Life Well Fed

July 3, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Ian Wilson reflects on life growing up, initially the influence of persons he wished to emulate, then secondly, the influence of books and their profound effect as he explains.

Almanac Footy: Can the Saints Break the 56-Year Drought?

May 25, 2022 by 4 Comments

Ian Wilson is a Saints tragic! He’s stayed faithful to the Saints for 50 years and awaits the end of their 56-year premiership drought.

Almanac Teams: Fifteen love (1980- )

June 28, 2021 by 2 Comments

For the second number running, there is leadership in spades for Rodney Boyd’s side with a singular talent relied upon to control the forward line. Who would win a clash between the Number 14 and 15 sides?

Trick-or-Treating Malcolm Blight

October 30, 2020 by 18 Comments

From Halloween knocking on the (rumoured) door of one of the greatest ever footballers to chatting footy with God and masquerading with Murali, these are some of Damian Balassone’s treasured tales from decades past.

In search of The Reverse Torp

August 20, 2020 by 10 Comments

Vin M ponders the past and the future of The Reverse Torp. A real kick? A party trick? A furphy? His quest takes him to Woodville, Norwood, North Melbourne, the MCG, Birregurra…

Almanac Reviews: These Treasures – Old Dog on the joy of a book

July 23, 2020 by 12 Comments

Find out why Damian Balassone’s recent book, ‘A Strange Game in a Strange Land’ is a treasure trove of delights for Matt Zurbo.

1981 Revisited – Round 14: ‘Gotta pull myself together’

June 25, 2020 by 5 Comments

Round 14 1981 is best remembered for perhaps Malcolm Blight’s most embarrassing moment in footy. Stainless continues his review of the 1981 VFL footy season.

Almanac Life – Paying Homage to the great DK Lillee

May 5, 2020 by 26 Comments

‘Smokie’ Dawson takes us on a tour of the statues of his adolescent heroes, DK Lillee and Malcolm Blight, and relates a close encounter with the great fast bowler.

Almanac Book Review: 1989 – The Great Grand Final

April 24, 2020 by 3 Comments

Roger Lowrey reviews Tony Wilson’s new book 1989: The Great Grand Final. It’s a tough job for a Geelong fan Like Rog, but he shows a fair deal of good grace.

Barassi and Blight

March 30, 2020 by 4 Comments

One of the many great poems in Damian Balassone’s recently published collection, ‘Strange Game in a Strange Land’

David ‘Malt’ Wildy: Sobers, Richards, Wildy

February 4, 2020 by 40 Comments

League footballer, state cricketer, record breaking commentator, newspaper columnist, fireman – there’s not much David Wildy hasn’t done according to Rulebook.

1968 SANFL Grand Final – Sturt v Port Adelaide: Triple Threats

January 5, 2020 by 23 Comments

Swish has a rummage through the 1968 Grand Final Budget, which included team photos from all ten clubs, a bonus Barrie and lots of late 60s advertising.

Footy Memorabilia : SA Footy World & Team Tumblers

November 14, 2019 by 10 Comments

Swish has restarted some of his footy archaeological activities, with surprising results. We’d love you to share any special memorabilia that you may have.

Graham Miller – Playing the man

October 7, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Scanlen’s footy cards get a good run with a lot of Almanackers as they tap into a cherished age of footy bursting with characters – photographer Graham Miller has taken things to another level with his series “Playing the man.”