Almanac Flashback: Off Season Odyssey – Part 37: Blighty!

July 17, 2019 by 27 Comments

With Matt Zurbo lunching at the North Fitzroy Arms this Friday, let’s revisit his 2012 road trip, where he caught up with none other than Malcolm Blight.

The Thread’s Broken (RIP Sisto)

November 13, 2018 by 6 Comments

You need only be in Pellegrini’s for a moment to know Sisto loved his customers. This was obvious to everyone including Adam Fox as he reflects upon an icon within an icon.

Echoes of Dreamland: on footy and footy writing and 2018

August 2, 2018 by 13 Comments

As a teenager, David Wilson (as one of 1200) sang the hymn “Forty Years On” each year at school. Its “echoes of dreamland” live in 2018.
On footy, history, place, story, responsibility. Follow-up!

Vale “Name A Game”

June 30, 2018 by 4 Comments

Adam laments today marks the end of an era for the footy nostalgists and he is not happy. Sports Delivered have officially decided to put an end to their “Name A Game” service, one that has provided home and away, finals and State of Origin matches on VHS and later DVD format since the early 1990’s.

South Australia v Victoria 1973: Nevermore

May 30, 2018 by 30 Comments

Swish relives his first state game via this 1973 Footy Budget, the one where Jezza kicked 10. He’s still going, unlike much of its commercial contents.

Almanac Teams: A team of coaches

April 30, 2018 by 18 Comments

Phil Dimitriadis is at it again – this time with a mighty team of masterminds and motivators. Don’t THINK about checking out this team, DO check it out!

Round 3 – St Kilda v Adelaide: The Noel’s Caravans/Jock Cheese Cup

April 8, 2018 by 10 Comments

Caravans, TISM and housing development; this match report from Mickey Randall has got it all!

Almanac Teams: Citrus Bob’s All-Time Top 20 Players

November 1, 2017 by 24 Comments

Not wanting to miss out on the act, Citrus Bob Utber has come up with his top 20 players of all time. He should know what he is talking about.

SANFL 1983 Highlights – Whimpressive

August 23, 2017 by 18 Comments

Compiling the Grand Final Footy Budget was a big ask in 1983. Swish pays tribute to Bernard Whimpress’ summary of that not so special season. (Contains excess traces of Blighty)

AFL 1997 – Twenty Years On: Introduction and The Coaches

July 21, 2017 by 8 Comments

Can 1997 really be two decades ago? Apparently so, as Swish introduces this pictorial series covering the coaches and players from the 1997 AFL season.

Blighty You Legend

June 24, 2017 by 20 Comments

Peter Baulderstone offers a personal tribute to Malcolm Blight the man; the footballer and newly inducted AFL (should that be Australian football?) Legend.

Martin Flanagan and a reappraisal of 1992

June 16, 2017 by 14 Comments

Adam Fox makes a mighty fine debut in these pages with this piece on Martin Flanagan and perspective. Welcome Adam. And any insight into Frank Zappa would be greatly appreciated.

AFL: The engineer and the artist

May 25, 2017 by 24 Comments

Dips O’Donnell sees that AFL football now sadly focusses on risk reduction, rather than on individual and collective enterprise. We should celebrate human imagination, art and wisdom.

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.

Paul Couch: Giving something of value

March 8, 2016 by 5 Comments

Brutas Mudcake reflects on footy, value and life upon the death of Paul Couch.

Era, era on the wall; 1977-1986

November 9, 2015 by 14 Comments

Jeff Dowsing continues with his fantastic look at bygone football eras. Many think the 70s and 80s where the greatest in footy. Actually they nearly killed but ultimately saved football. A must read for students of the game.

Era, era on the wall; 1967-1976

November 4, 2015 by 18 Comments

The late 60s and early 70s are the Golden Years of footy for many VFL fans. In Jeff Dowsing’s latest look at Grand Final eras, the years 1967 to 1976 would see a revolution in how the game was played after Barassi’s Blues and their use handball engineered possibly the greatest comeback in VFL Grand Final history. Carlton, Richmond, Hawthorn and North fans; this is your era.

SANFL Grand Final – Woodville West Torrens v West Adelaide: Rubbers’ Grand Day Out

September 29, 2015 by 10 Comments

It’s been a lengthy wait of 32 years since West Adelaide won its last SANFL flag. To Dave Brown and many others, the SANFL still has an undeniable appeal.

Round 21 – Adelaide v Brisbane: Unintended consequences

August 27, 2015 by 10 Comments

Dave Brown may not necessarily be a fan of the AFL and what it has come to represent, but he does love the Adelaide Oval and Eddie Betts. A lot! Dave takes the family to see Blighty’s statute, the Crows and manages to nab seven consecutive general admission tickets in one fell swoop. Good times.

Round 21 – Adelaide v Brisbane: “Dunt look anything like him.”

August 24, 2015 by 11 Comments

A statue paying tribute to Adelaide’s favourite son Malcolm Blight, was unveiled ahead of Saturday evening’s clash against the Brisbane Lions. Michael Sexton recalls some classic Blighty stories as the Crows belt Brisbane by 87 points.