Almanac Footy: Sydney Swans – The Black Knight of the AFL

The Sydney Swans have been an extremely successful club at making the AFL finals over the past thirty odd years, being equal second with Geelong (22) to the Eagles (24). Ian Wilson analyses why the Swans have been so successful over this period of time.

Almanac Football History – Regaining respect: Fitzroy’s highly competitive 1992 season

Philip Mendes continues his wonderful and informative historical series and reviews AFL season 1992 of the Fitzroy Football Club.

Almanac Football History – One last tilt at finals football: Fitzroy’s inconsistent 1989

In a high low (or low high) on the rollercoaster that was Fitzroy’s final decade in the VFL/AFL, 1989 resulted in some big wins, a third placing in the Coleman Medal and a Reserves Premiership – but was also marred by injury, heartbreaking losses, merger talk and missing the finals by a slim margin. Philip Mendes has all the ins and outs of the season that was.

Almanac Footy Comment: The brilliance of the Sydney Swans Academy is changing the AFL landscape

The Sydney Swans worked out what best suited their need to retain players – and acted. It’s up to other clubs to do what’s best for them argues Deakin student Chris Mangos.[Interesting – Ed]

Almanac Football History: Fitzroy’s last finals series, the fabulous 1986 season

Following on from his recent look back at 1984, Phillip Mendes revists what was to be the final VFL/AFL finals series for the Roys; 1986. From the smashing of the ’85 premiers to the retirement of Superboot, it was a momentous year.

Almanac Football History: Fitzroy’s Topsy Turvy 1984

Phillip Mendes has an in depth look at the 1984 season from a Fitzroy perspective – a year in the middle of what many consider the great club’s last hurrah in the VFL/AFL.

Almanac Teams: Number 1 Hits (1980-)

Hot on the heels of his last ‘Return to Sender’ side, Rodney Boyd shares his picks for the best team to have worn Number 1 on their backs since 1980.

Almanac Book Review – ‘The Death of Fitzroy Football Club’: Mixed Feelings

Melbourne writer and academic Philip Mendes loves the Fitzroy Football Club. This is his review of Russell Holmesby’s book ‘The Death of the Fitzroy Football Club’.

Stuck On You: A love affair with footy cards

We’ve all grown up with a love of footy and collecting footy cards, and Ed Carmine is no exception as he explains.

So close to the Holy Grail: A personal reflection on Fitzroy Football Club’s 1983 season

Philip Mendes was in his second year at uni in 1983, the year Fitzroy made a genuine play for the flag. Here he recounts the season, game by game, quoting the analysis of the experts of the day, and giving his own commentary. [Fantastic memories – JTH]

Round 23 – Sal’s Preview: Told to Get Stuffed

Sal Ciardulli presents his Round 23 preview and selections, some Friar Time, and with spring in the air, a quick look at the racing at Royal Randwick and Moonee Valley.

The 2019 Josephine Baker Cup

Two Rounds into the season and already Earl has sage advice for fans about their club’s prospects for the year. Alert: you may need to have a fortified snifter close to hand!

Finals Week 2 – Hawthorn v Melbourne: My emotion overwriting analyses

After a wet week in Kyoto, Yoshi was looking forward to watching his team mate Brian Lake’s former club perform well in the final but alas, it was not to be.

Round 20 – St Kilda v Western Bulldogs: No more wasting please!

A few friendly drinks aren’t enough to distract Yoshi from the Saints’ reversal of fortune in this match.

Will zones improve the Game?

Max Hatzoglou ponders the virtues of zones and starting positions and their implications on the style of the game.

Round 8: Sal’s thoughts and selections for this round of footy

Sal expects a number of unpredictable games to select winners from this round, and with the predicted weather conditions that have not been seen this year will make selections even more difficult. 

Importance of open communication

Yoshi discusses the value of open and frank communication.

Almanac Book Review: “Here it is” by Paul Roos

Here it is, Yoshi reviews the thoughts of Paul Roos from the premiership coach’s recent book.

Almanac Footy Teams: Those who wore Number 1

Phil Dimitriadis picks a team of the finest players to have worn the number one guernsey. (Includes a musical interlude – from 1980)

Round 21 – Melbourne v St Kilda: Peeking out from under the veil of negativity

It was a battle to stay in finals contention, and Melbourne were superior against St Kilda. Seventh spot is currently theirs, can Dees fans get excited for September?