The Footy Almanac

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ALMANAC (MAY) LUNCH: 12.30 for 1pm, Friday May 25, All Nations Hotel Richmond. With guests Mark Yeates and Handsome Steve Miller. RSVP please: j.t.h@bigpond.net.au

BOOK LAUNCH: Local footy legend Max Brown will launch the 2011 Footy Almanac in Tasmania at the Wynyard Football Club on Friday, June 1. Details

 

ANOTHER ALMANAC CLASSIC: Barry Dickins continues his quest to write the Fitzroy Football Club back into existence.

AFL ROUND 7 – ST KILDA v CARLTON: Like Mel Gibson in his finest role, David Downer witnesses the unshackling of his Saints and cries Freedom!

FINALS FEVER: In the wake of Manchester City’s victory, Dennis Gedling explains why May is the other September.

FOOTY JUMPERS: Craig Dodson asks what has happened to the long-sleeved jumpers, then rattles off his Top 10 sleeve-bearing players.

FOOTY GODS: A certain senior coach reminds Ian Latham of Hebe, the Greek god of youth. Can you guess which one?

FOOTY DIARY: John Kingsmill would drop Nic Naitanui but stick with Kurt Tippett this week – don’t worry, he has his reasons.

ROUND 8 PREVIEW: For those tipsters floundering after last weekend’s upsets, Sal Ciardulli has come to your rescue. He’s also thrown in some free advice for the Doomben Cup.

CRIO’S RACING: Crio dreams of country race days in warmer climates as the cold reality of the Flemington betting ring looms.

NUMBER 56:  James Grapsas reveals the triple premiership captain who started in the number 56 in the 6th chapter of this 10-part series.

AFL ROUND 7 – BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD: Hamish Townsend, nestled among the Queensland Collingwood fans the image of Monty Python’s Yorkshiremen,  saw some encouraging signs for Brisbane at the Gabba.

AFL ROUND 7 – ST KILDA v CARLTON: A St Kilda team with pace? Yvette Wroby can’t believe her eyes. This Saints fan is daring to dream…again.

HAIKU BOB: A unique take on the Carringbush’s win over the Lions.

PROFESSIONAL SPORT: It’s easy to be cynical towards professional sport,  Andrew Starkie certainly is, but even he has examples of when it has risen above itself and subdued his cynicism.

DEAR GOD NO: If you’re looking for an apt metaphor for the cultural malaise we appear to be in the middle of, then tune into Ricky Nixon’s new reality show, says Craig Little.

NUMBER 55: There are times Melbourne coach Mark Neeld probably wishes he was still running around for Geelong in the number 55. James Grapsas reveals another Geelong cult figure who also bore the number.

NOT HANDBALL HAPPY: Dips O’Donnell is shocked how much throwing of the Sherrin is happening in today’s game. Chris Judd, Stevie J…you all stand accused.

OFF SEASON ODYSSEY – PART 43: The old ute gets Matt Zurbo to Lightning Ridge where he meets Larry and enjoys the restorative powers of the local spas. Only one long drive and it’s home to Tassie.

AFL ROUND 7 – CARLTON v ST KILDA: Craig Little is so disgusted with Brett Ratten’s solution to the Euro crisis that when that [insert adjective] Milne registers another major Litza is moved to turn the TV to The Voice. See whether that helps at all.

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: After a decade, The Handicapper finally breaks her silence, on what really goes on in the Harms household.

1980 – A PERSONAL FOOTY ALMANAC: “Blockbusters” in the VFL era weren’t contrived, they were organic and visceral. Melbourne footy followers were acutely aware of games of real significance and descended on them en masse, as Sam Steele did when he saw his Tigers take on the Blues at the MCG.

DA’s PUZZLE OF THE ROUND (8): David Astle of Letters & Numbers fame will test you more than a K.Hunt shirtfront with this week’s offering.

EARLY CROW: Stephen Cooke thinks any talk of premiership favouritism in May is best saved for the school yard.

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Adam Ritchie says both Port and Brisbane are in a battle to pry the “worst team that can’t hide behind the word expansion” title away from Melbourne in an entertaining wrap of the round.

NUMBER 53: In the fourth of this 10-part series, James Grapsas reveals a Geelong champion was once the custodian of the Number 53, as was a West Coast premiership player and one of the game’s greatest hyphens.

AFL ROUND 7 – CARLTON v ST KILDA: From his vantage point in Warburton, a perplexed Jim Young wonders what’s happening in footy.

THE ‘MOPSY’ FRASER CUP – ROUND 7: Earl O’Neill picked nine winners on the weekend – in hindsight. See how he managed to do it.

THE VIEW FROM SHEPPARTON: It’s bad enough when your team fails to have a Red Hot Go, says Peter Schumacher, but it’s the proverbial salt in the wounds when it’s Collingwood’s percentage they help boost.

BUSH FOOTY: Glen Davis watched Donald play Charlton up the bush and liked that despite the similar colours the white and black shorts were enough to tell them apart.

AFL ROUND 7 – ADELAIDE v GEELONG: Anne Fedorowytsch was desperate to toast a Crows victory with a taste of Black Caviar and ran a good race to make it to Morphettville in time.

AFL ROUND 7 – CARLTON v ST KILDA: Jerry Rinse bites his finger nails to the quick every time Carlton plays, but in contrast to fellow Blues fans, he’s sticking by Ratts.

CRIO’S Q: It was a cold Mother’s Day on Sunday but there’s plenty of warmth from Crio who asks for your favourite anecdotes about mum.

LAST DRINKS: Whoop it up Geelong and Manly fans, says Jeff Dowsing – and jubilant Sky Blues for that matter. You may never see your team win the big one again!

AFL ROUND 7 – GWS v GC: Steve Duffy is another very excited Giants fan.

AFL ROUND 7 – GWS v GC: Pamela Sherpa was at Manuka for the Giants’ first memorable win; an afternoon to stir the soul.

AFL ROUND 7 – BRISBANE v COLLINGWOOD (FLOREAT PICA SOCIETY): The Pies do enough at the Gabba writes Tim O’Leary.

AFL ROUND 6 – SYDNEY v ADELAIDE: Adams Goodes didn’t receive a fairy tale ending in his 305th game but the result was good for Canberra-based Crows fan Peter Crossing.

THE BIG V: With the latest recall for State of Origin, Pamela Sherpa went through her scrap book to find this 1982 article from the Sun’s Tom Prior. A great reality check for today’s footballers.

AFL ROUND 7 – ESSENDON v WEST COAST: Who would have thought a night watching his sister’s school dance recital rather than the footy could have turned out so well for Max Wiggins.

AFL ROUND 7 – NORTH MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS: Andrew Starkie has worked footy out, even if his team hasn’t, and asks Why? Why? Why?

AFL POLICY: Medium Dazza is outraged by a decision on a matter which is central to his family’s understanding of itself, and demands the situation be changed immediately.

UMPIRING: Jamie Gault has some thought on the recent debate over free kicks.

ALMANAC LAWN-MOWING: Noel Mac wants the world to know what cutting the grass can mean, and how being on the local school’s lawn-mowing roster is like playing cricket for Australia.

WAFL: Les Everett reports on Round 9.

JUMPER LORE: A detour on the way to the SCG causes Mathilde de Hauteclocque to reflect on the importance of jumper numbers.

JUST THE STATS: The road to hell is paved with statistics, says Rick Kane.

DEFINING MOMENT: His son’s decision to stop playing basketball causes Darren Dawson to reflect on a lifetime’s involvement with the game.

COUNTRY FOOTY: Richard Jones catches up with Bendigo Football League Hall-of-Famer and Castlemaine legend Peter Fyffe.

SOCCER: Kieron Casey looks forward to the Olympiacos visit.

CRIO’S RACING: Crio has always had a soft spot for Adelaide, but especially now that Black Caviar is racing.

NUMBER 52: Most know the most famous wearer of the Number 52, but can you guess others? James Grapsas reveals a Geelong midfielder who took inspiration from Billy Connolly.

AFL ROUND 6 – PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND: John Carr thought Richmond had learnt from losing the unlosable last year until a Port fightback had him seething. Luckily for his TV, the Tigers prevailed.

AFL ROUND 6 – PORT ADELAIDE v RICHMOND: In an ode to Port Adelaide, John Kingsmill. thinks there is merit in calls for the head of Matt Primus.

ROUND 7 TIPPING: Not sure where to put the hard earned, Sal Ciardulli will look after you.

GOLDEN TIMES: This round marks 50 years since Murray Zeuschner made his debut with Footscray. Mic Rees reflects on the champions he played with and football of the era.

VFL ROUND ANY OLD TIME – FITZROY v ESSENDON: Barry Dickins observes the miracle of Geoff Leak (Leek – I think that ratbag Mr Dickins might be having us on-Ed.)

HARD YEAR’S PLIGHT: It was a long cold lonely winter last year for Tigers (and Beatles) fan John Carr, who is hoping his boys won’t finish this year in position Number 9, Number 9, Number 9…

1980 – A PERSONAL FOOTY ALMANAC: Join Sam Steele on a train trip to the Western Oval where the crowd itself provided an educational experience.

AFL ROUND 6 – GEELONG v MELBOURNE: John Harms’s sense of reality has been altered by a wedding anniversary present, or is it something else? Thank God Johnno straightens things out.

ALL ABOARD: Stephen Cooke has climbed on board the G(WS)-Train and can report there is room for plenty more.

YOUR SHOUT: Kevin Hawkins says the cries of “Ball!” from the outer have gone too far. Will the public get behind his campaign to give the umpires a break?

NUMBER 51: In the second of our 10-part series, James Grapsas reveals the Gun and the Son of a Gun who donned 51 for the Cats, but who was the Collingwood “glove” that wore that number?

AFL ROUND 6 – SYDNEY v ADELAIDE: Anne Fedorowytsch has met a nice young fella but still has time for her beloved Crows, especially after an away victory like this.

RELUCTANT CATWOMAN: It’s taken 20 years but Danny Russell‘s wife has finally thrown her lot in with the Cats. And no, it’s not just about Jimmy Bartel.

COLLINGWOOD’S BEST GAMES: Jeff Dowsing recalls after an emotional three point victory over the Lions in 2002, Nathan Buckley reminded all it was a home and away game and hopefully they had bigger fish to fry. In hindsight, he should have savoured it more.

AFL ROUND 6 – Paul Thomson will leave you ducking for cover in another Fearless review of the round.

HAIKU BOB: The crowd roars under a closed roof.

WAVERLEY PARK: The Friar – aka Bernie Tuck – thinks less than wistfully of Carlton supporters and bleak journeys to Waverley Park.

DA’s PUZZLE OF THE ROUND (7): David Astle changes tack this week and puts out a call for the hyphens of the game.

ADELAIDE EVENT: Cats fans in SA, come and have your photo taken with the 2011 Premiership Cup at The Lion Hotel on Friday, May 11. (JTH in attendance) Details here.

NUMBER 50: In the first of a 10-part series, James Grapsas recalls players who bore numbers 50 and higher in their career with the Cats and other clubs. We welcome recollections of other past champions who carried numbers found at the bottom of the Footy Record. Tomorrow: Number 51.

THE VIEW FROM SHEPPARTON: The AFL missed a giant opportunity when naming their newest team, says Peter Schumacher who fancies the moniker, the GWS Sprawlers.

CAT TALES: An interview with Bill Ryan causes Glen Davis to reflect on gun Geelong forwards from the early 70s.

ALMANAC CLASSIC: Barry Dickins dreams of mud and the place it once had in footy.

JEKYLL AND HYDE: Sporting Capital or International City of Culture? Tony Ward asks who is winning the battle for Melbourne’s soul?

THE ‘MOPSY’ FRASER CUP – ROUND 6: Earl O’Neill watches Richmond smash Port in the Commanding Officer’s cabin of a heavily-armed warship and feels somewhat unsettled.

FOOTY GODS: When Ian Latham thinks of Ajax he thinks of Adam Goodes.

GRUMPY OLD MAN: His son’s love of football is burgeoning but Jeff Dowsing‘s has reached a crossroads. Join him as he vents his spleen on the growth of the game.

FOOTBALL FASHION: The Melbourne Rebels lost a potential member in Andrew Else when they refused to throw in a scarf with his membership. After all, it’s not real footy without a scarf.

CRIO’S Q: Wembley is unrecognisable to TV viewers following the removal of the “twin towers” and the dog track. Crio asks what grounds immediately stand out to you?

AFL ROUND 6 – ST KILDA v HAWTHORN: Yvette Wroby tips with the head, not with the heart, but is pleased to report the Saints showed plenty of ticker.

A LUCULIA WINTER: Almanac gardening guru Dips O’Donnell wonders which will come through winter looking healthier, his newly planted luculias or Geelong. Time to consult the family rabbit.

AFL ROUND 6 – ESSENDON v BRISBANE: Young Max Wiggins finds an old-school option when he realises his Bombers aren’t on free-to-air TV. He pulls out the radio.

AFL ROUND 6: Adam Ritchie visualises what Brett Kirk’s quarter time address would be if he took the reigns as coach in his weekly Winners and Losers column.

AFL ROUND 6 – ST KILDA v HAWTHORN: Paul Campbell says breaking up (with premiership favouritism) is hard to do but Hawthorn’s recent form meant he had little choice.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Almanacker short-listed for the Miles Franklin Award. Read more.

AFL ROUND 6 – WEST COAST v NORTH MELBOURNE: Peter Baulderstone watches the Hardest Working Men in Football, and he feels good.

AFL ROUND 6 – WESTERN BULLDOGS v COLLINGWOOD (FLOREAT PICA SOCIETY): Injustice, cries Andrew Fithall from the corporate box. Travesty. What does Dawes have to do to win a free kick?

LOCAL FOOTY: Nick Kossatch reports that a 60 metre bomb on the run was one of few highlights for the Riverland Superdogs, who were left to lick their wounds after a bruising weekend.

LOCAL FOOTY: George Laslett explains how it’s been a big week in Coober Pedy footy.

ANZAC DAY COMMENT: Historian Bernard Whimpress has sent us his essay ‘Creeping Anzacism’ which adds to the recent discussion.

AFL ROUND 6 – ST KILDA v HAWTHORN: Kelsey Smith holds her ground in a rugby stronghold to give her Saints the support they need against the Hawks.

AFL ROUND 6 – ESSENDON v BRISBANE: Rod Oaten overcomes his dislike of “Emptyhead Stadium” to watch the Bombers. He likes what he sees.

OFF SEASON ODYSSEY – PART 42: Matt Zurbo turns for home but wonders whether he should head south or west.

WAFL: Les Everett reports on Round 8 of the WAFL.

CRIO’S RACING: Our resident expert spots a few familiar punters at the ‘Bool and offers some thoughts for the weekend’s cards.

SNOOKER: Vin Maskell recalls a neighbourhood snooker game and the stories that unfolded.

FOOTY GROUNDS: “What’s in a name?” asks Yvette Wroby.

TWENTY20 TROUBLES: Patrick O’Keeffe looks through the hype and explains why it’s not all rosy in the land of the Indian Premier League.

VICTORIA PARK: Collingwood fans may be fighting amongst themselves over the renovation of their former home ground but Jeff Dowsing‘s photos show how history has been preserved.

OFFICIALLY INGRAINED: Change allegiance to your club? With six generations of mad Tigers before him, John Carr just could not do it.

1980 – A PERSONAL FOOTY ALMANAC: Sam Steele recalls a clarinet exam which upset his Round 6 Tiger experience when they met Geelong at VFL Park.

BIG TIME DEBUT: Jackson Clark pulls on the boots for the Brisbane Lions reserves. (Not often you get a detailed explanation like this from an elite player – Ed)

FAT BOY:On the passing of a former teammate, Michael Howard explains why a good old-fashioned Fat Boy will never be surpassed by a leaner more athletic model.

SAL’S TIPS – ROUND 6: Wondering where to put the hard earned? Then look no further than Sal Ciardulli‘s tips for the round. How can you go wrong?

STARING DOWN MALTHOUSE: Danielle Eid comes face to face with the Master Coach at a sports presser, hoping the decision to wear her Magpies jumper pays off.

OFF SEASON ODYSSEY – PART 41: Matt Zurbo is immersed in the rich culture of rugby league one Friday night on Thursday Island.

HARMS on where you might have the milk money for Round 6.

DA’s PUZZLE OF THE ROUND (6): Think Letters and Numbers is tough? It has nothing on David Astle‘s new mind-melter.

AFL ROUND 5 – GWS v WESTERN BULLDOGS: John Harms takes in the Canberra footy experience which starts with lunch and keeps going.

TWELVE MONTHS ON A POGO STICK: You may not know Tasmania’s Wynyard footy club, but you know the feeling of the opening game of the season. Bill Walker does too.

WAGGA WAGGA: Craig Dodson didn’t put the Daniher brothers in his Top 22 players to come from Wagga Wagga. See why.

AFL ROUND 5 – BRISBANE v GEELONG: It was genuine “garbage bag” weather when the Cats ventured to Brisbane, writes Hamish Townsend.

THE VIEW FROM SHEPPARTON: Peter Schumacher ponders: Are Brisbane the new Richmond?

SA COUNTRY FOOTY: Rob McLean continues his series on footy people with this profile of Moorook-Kingston’s Vandy.

AFL ROUND 5 – RICHMOND v WEST COAST: John Carr is gutted. Absolutely gutted. No prizes for guessing who he supports.

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Adam Ritchie uncovers some previously unseen footage of the Swans press conference in his weekly inspection of the round’s winners and losers.

FOOTY IN CANADA: Stephanie Holt watches footy as it should be when the Boston Lady Demons tear up the field at the AFL Quebec preseason cup.

THE 2012 ‘MOPSY’ FRASER CUP: Earl O’Neill woke up in time to see the “inkpot” get the Pies over the line and thinks the Tigers are coming (no, really).

AFL ROUND 5: Paul Thomson puts Round 5 through the microscope in another Fearless review.

AFL ROUND 5 – MELBOURNE v ST KILDA: Fresh from a losing battle against that evil mastermind Ross Lyon, Yvette Wroby saw elements of The Avengers in St Kilda’s win over Melbourne.

GIGSTUFF: Andrew Gigacz brings you the facts that are more important to you than any others – you just haven’t realised it yet.

THE AFL TRIBUNAL: Medium Dazza Smith is asking for explanations.

ANZAC DAY: While in Villers Bretonneau on ANZAC Day, Bob Utber questions why we glorify the loss at ANZAC Cove instead of other victories on the Western Front.

CRIO’s QUESTION: When the AFL fixture holds no appeal, Crio asks where do you go to get your Sunday footy fix?

MIGRANTS IN FOOTY: Phil Dimitriadis wants first and second generation migrants to share stories about their relationship with footy. He also shares his own experience.

COLLINGWOOD: No sensational games for Jeff Dowsing this week. Instead, he revisits the dark day that was Collingwood”s final game at Victoria Park.

HAIKU BOB: Anzac Day came down to the last second.

PLAYER/FAN RELATIONS: Danni Eid invites you to temporarily tap into her female mind…

WAFL: The ladder remains tightly bunched after seven rounds of WAFL footy. Les Everett reports.

RICHMOND: Jackson Clark considers the torment of the Tiger fan.

AFL ROUND 5 – RICHMOND v WEST COAST: A cosy afternoon of couch-bound football-watching turned into a nightmare for Catherine Durkin, as the Tigers, yet again, fell agonisingly short.

STANDIN’ ON THE OUTSIDE: Tony Robb was sent into a period of deep reflection by Carlton’s loss to Essendon. But a win in the West has fixed that.

AFL ROUND 5 – NORTH v GOLD COAST: Matthew Naqvi was happy for the win, but left fairly unimpressed by North’s display.

AFL ROUND 4 AND THE FRENCH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: Mathilde de Hauteclocque finds an interesting parallel between voting in the French Presidential Election and sitting in the O’Reilly Stand to watch her Swans.

LOCAL FOOTY: Nick Kossatch reports on the ANZAC Day match at Loxton North.

12 MONTHS ON A POGO STICK: Wynyard’s first game looms and a team must be picked. Bill Walker looks at selection sensitivities.

LOCAL FOOTY: Rather than journey to the ‘G on Anzac Day, Mic Rees watched a clash between a couple of giants of western suburbs footy.

BLACK CAVIAR: Almanacker Hamish Townsend considers the implications of travel abroad for Black Caviar for The Global Mail.

CRIO’s RACING: Showdown? What Showdown? Black Caviar is coming to town.

ANZAC DAY: Ian Syson examines the myths that have accompanied the rise of the Anzac Day football commemorations.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER: Ten years on, Phil Dimitriadis re-examines the Wayne Carey “affair” and its fall-out.

GIGSTUFF: With the season 4.111111 rounds old, Andrew Gigacz sorts the facts from the fiction.

THE PRE WRAP V: The Wrapster casts his eye over the remainder of the round before departing for a brief sabbatical.

HARMS with some thoughts on Round 5, where the line may well be a good option in a few games.

FOOTY GODS: Ian Latham thinks Zelus feels highly relevant to Collingwood’s recent controversies.

SAL’S TIPS: Sal Ciardulli thinks it far too soon to be predicting the demise of ‘super clubs’ as he tries to pick a winner or two this weekend.

FOOTY PHOTOS: Peter Argent captures some local footy in South Australia.

MOVING DAY: Events have dictated that Sean Curtain and family must move house. Though they’ve done it before, this time hurts.

OFF SEASON ODYSSEY – PART 40: Matt Zurbo looks for the most northerly footy oval and finds a few Suns players in the district.

SIMON BLACK: As the Brisbane great prepares for his 300th game, Andrew Weiss pays tribute to a brilliant career.

DA’s PUZZLE OF THE ROUND (5): You thought the ANZAC Day contest was tough, try and solve David Astle‘s latest puzzle.

ANZAC TRIGGERS: Harms considers the place of rosemary and football as a reminder of all things ANZAC.

POST-POSTECOGLOU: Lee Hugh McGowan doesn’t expect a statue of the former Roar coach in Brisbane, just some recognition.

BOOK REVIEW: Rob McLean says For Those Who Wait provides a loving portrayal of Barry Jarman, who captained Australia in one Test match.

GWS: Jason Booth sees plenty to suggest that the naysayers may be eventually be proven wrong about the AFL’s newest club.

AFL ROUND 4 – Paul Thomson takes a Fearless recap view of Round 4.

THE VIEW FROM SHEPPARTON: Anzac Day and a great MCG contest have left Peter Schumacher with a lot on his mind.

FLOREAT PICA SOCIETY: Mark O’Connell delivers the FPS verdict on a very big Anzac Day.

ANZAC DAY MATCH – COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON: This game is an occasion for important personal remembrance for Pamela Sherpa.

ANZAC DAY MATCH – COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON: Danni Eid appreciates her Magpies’ good fortune. And a little of her own.

ANZAC DAY MATCH – COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON: What a difference a solitary point can make. Rod Oaten reflects on the Bombers’ loss.

ANZAC DAY MATCH – COLLINGWOOD v ESSENDON: Supercoach Max Wiggins offers a younger perspective on yesterday’s dramas.

ANZAC DAY: A Day Out by Bill Walker

1980 – A PERSONAL FOOTY ALMANAC: Sam Steele reflects on a rising Richmond in an ANZAC Day clash against Fitzroy.

HAIKU BOB: the sunlight’s slant by Rob Scott.

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