Sometimes the little things help you see bigger pictures. The Old Dog watches Sydney play Footscray (as he calls them) in Sin City, from an empty Tassie pub… for friendship and footy.
Martin Flanagan on Matt Zurbo (from The Age)
December 17, 2016 by 4 Comments
Martin Flanagan’s recent column from The Age on Almanac favourite, Matt Zurbo. Matt’s book Champions All is out now.
Local Footy and Mighty Wallpaper
December 17, 2016 by 6 Comments
Matt Zurbo is the subject of Martin Flanagan’s column in The Age today. Here is a piece he wrote in July 2012.
Off Season Odyssey – Part 42: South or West
December 17, 2016 by 13 Comments
The road is a hungry thing, calling, even when it’s made of nothing but sand.
[This piece was first published in late 2012. It was part of a series where Old Dog jumped in the ute and travelled from the south of Tasmania to far north Queensland and west to the Mallee in South Australia. Read more of Matt’s pieces by clicking on his name in the left sidebar.]
Local Footy: The club where Blunnies mattered
November 28, 2016 by 6 Comments
Matt Zurbo’s first footy club (many years ago) was a suburban club where the blokes worked hard and played hard. Young Matt Zurbo was made welcome because of his Blundstone boots. Not footy boots. His work boots.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – Players on Players
October 19, 2016 by 3 Comments
What do players say about other players? Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt from the Chapter: Players on Players 2010s.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – 1976 Grand Final
October 5, 2016 by 2 Comments
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt featuring the 1976 Grand Final.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – 1970 Grand Final
October 3, 2016 by 3 Comments
Continuing our highlights from Old Dog’s book, Champions All, an excerpt featuring the 1970 Grand Final.
Almanac Books: Champions All extract – Grand Finals 2000s
September 27, 2016 by 2 Comments
Champions All is finally out. 700 pages of punchy stories from 171 legends of the game over 8 decades of AFL/VFL footy. Today’s extract has players discussing the Grand Finals in the 2000s.
Almanac Books: Champions All Extract – Ken Hunter on depression
September 25, 2016 by 4 Comments
Old Dog’s book, Champions All is finally out. 700 pages of punchy stories from 171 legends of the game over 8 decades of AFL/VFL footy. The honesty in it is often overwhelming. History often looks very different from the inside. Today, Ken Hunter on Depression.
Sound. (or This is still Australia: they’re utes not trucks)
September 7, 2016 by 11 Comments
Matt Zurbo thinks his way through some recent footy moments – life moments – and listens for the sounds, and observes the silences.
Almanac Authors featured on Sunday’s ABC Grandstand
September 5, 2016 by 8 Comments
Listen to a replay of Matt Zurbo and Jan Courtin on ABC Grandstand.
Almanac Books: Champions All – A History of AFL/VFL Football in the Player’s Own Words Part 2
September 2, 2016 by 1 Comment
Part 2: Champions All – A History of AFL/VFL Football in the Player’s Own Words by Matt Zurbo. In this extract players talk about the clubs in the 2010s from Hawthorn to Western Bulldogs.
Almanac Books: Champions All – A History of AFL/VFL Football in the Players’ Own Words – Part 1
September 1, 2016 by 10 Comments
Matt Zurbo has a new book published called Champions All – A History of AFL/VFL Football in the Players’ Own Words . In this extract players talk about the clubs in the 2010s from Adelaide to GWS.
Almanac Local Footy: Small Time
August 20, 2016 by 4 Comments
With his book completed and footy season at a close, Matt Zurbo keeps his AFL watching to one game a week.
Round 13 – North Melbourne v Hawthorn: You open your mouth one week
June 20, 2016 by 14 Comments
Old Dog watches Friday night footy and has some observations about physicality, umpiring, electric energy and bar crowds.
Round 12 – Greater Western Sydney v Sydney: Giant Swan Dicks
June 14, 2016 by 8 Comments
Old Dog is in a Melbourne pub with his girlfriend. He’s impressed with the Giants but less impressed with how self-absorbed footy fans are in the city. [Interesting life and footy observations – Ed]
Almanac Umpiring: A Tough Gig
June 9, 2016 by 4 Comments
Matt Zurbo loves it when umpires come across as real and genuine. [And he’s inviting them to pop in for a beer – Ed]
Everyday Obits: Foundation Blokes
April 20, 2016 by 20 Comments
Bryan, a mate of Matt Zurbo’s, died in an accident the other day. He was a great fella as Old Dog explains in this tribute.
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