Old Dog reviews the Grand Final from the rainswept Otways. With Bourbon.
Almanac Footy Memoir: Fred Wooller and Bowl-o-matics.
October 23, 2020 by 4 Comments
Fred Wooller captained the Cats to premiership victory in 1963. Old Dog caught up with him.
Finals Week 1 – Port Adelaide v Geelong: Yesterday and tomorrow
October 2, 2020 by 10 Comments
The first 2020 final was a brutal clash. Old Dog saw the old and the new. He observes the differing playing styles and how they stood up under finals pressure.
Dark Blue, Maroon & White
September 14, 2020 by 24 Comments
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.]
Off Season Odyssey – Part 14: Kicking Over Wheat Silos
September 7, 2020 by 11 Comments
Remember when we could all travel around?
One of the great troubadours of footy life, Matt Zurbo embarked on an epic tour some years ago. Here’s just one of the many highlights – from wheatbelt country close to the meeting point of three states and a lot of sunshine.
Round 8 – Port Adelaide v St Kilda: A ten minute doorway to football heaven
July 29, 2020 by 5 Comments
A 10 minute period on Saturday night caught Matt Zurbo’s eye. He thinks it represents much about what is great with the modern game. Relive those minutes with him (with a detour into the Friday night efforts of Dusty and Toby Greene).
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.
‘Hawthorn’: In the words of John Kennedy Snr
July 1, 2020 by 16 Comments
From Old Dog (Matt Zurbo):
“I present to you, lovers of footy, in memory of a great coach, footballer and genuine family man, a quote from Ray Wilson, followed by my full, 10,000 word chat with John Kennedy Snr… A transcript I could only title: ‘Hawthorn’.”
This is a must-read.
Life Speeds Up
June 23, 2020 by 15 Comments
Time has changed for Old Dog. But some things remain the same.
Almanac Life (and training): It’s 10.30pm
May 15, 2020 by 5 Comments
Old Dog has been out late, running to get the kilometres into his legs, sharing the night with an owl, also sharing some insights into training in the age of coronavirus.
Nick
March 22, 2020 by 3 Comments
Old Dog has been tidying up his laptop. He found this piece about Nick Kyrgios, written during the Australian Open.
Season 38
March 18, 2020 by 9 Comments
Saddling up for footy season 38, Old Dog has road trips on the mind, along with a few other matters.
Zamora – Soccer and life in Venezuela
December 13, 2019 by 2 Comments
Life in Venezuela can be very tough for the ordinary citizen. It’s sport, especially soccer that people turn to for relief as Matt Zurbo explains.
Almanac Flashback – The Melbourne Cup: Matt Zurbo
November 5, 2019 by 9 Comments
In an Almanac Flashback from 2014, Matt Zurbo reflects on the traditions of racing, from about as far away from the glamour of Flemington as you can get.
Almanac Flashback – A Story-Teller’s Story Can Be A Beautiful Thing
October 22, 2019 by 11 Comments
Here is a fabulous Footy Almanac Flashback from Matt Zurbo about his good mate Bruce Pascoe. Ripper read!
Grand Final – Richmond v GWS: Damage
September 29, 2019 by 15 Comments
Old Dog’s Grand Final thoughts have been a must-read on the Almanac site for years. And this one on Richmond’s thrashing of GWS is no different. He describes and analyses and thinks about what it all means from a shed in south-east Tassie. [Thanks Old Dog – JTH]
Finals Week 2 – Geelong v West Coast: Blind-sided
September 17, 2019 by 13 Comments
When Damien came to Tassie to interview Old Dog for The New York Times, he was given a pair of boots and a training jumper so he could have a kick. Old Dog and Damo (as he became) stayed in contact with each other and got together via the phone to watch Geelong play the Eagles. Old Dog conveys Damo’s observations while making a few of his own.
Half time
Oh to be a fly on the wall in Round 1 – Matt Zurbo takes us into the “fictional” inner sanctum of a club in the time of coronavirus.