A beer with…Matt Zurbo

Every now and then, Barry Nicholls will have a beer with one our writers and bring us their responses to a series of questions. The first one is with Old Dog.

Almanac (World Cup) Soccer: Aussie, Aussie

Old Dog and co got caught up in World Cup fever as the Matildas overcame France in 120+ minutes and 20 penalties.

Almanac (Footy) Life: Tribute to Old Dog on his 700th game of footy

The Old Dog (Matt Zurbo) plays his 700th game of footy this Saturday 5 August. His long time team mate Sean Maxwell pays tribute to one of life’s great human beings and his incredible milestone. [Well played Old Dog – Congratulations from all at the Footy Almanac family! -Ed]

Almanac (Footy) Life: A Notable Milestone

Old Dog plays his 700th game of footy on Saturday 5 August. The Colac Herald newspaper pays tribute.

Almanac (Footy) Life: Old Dog to play his 700th game of footy

Congratulations to the Old Dog who plays his 700th game of footy on Saturday 5 August.

Round 18 – Melbourne v Brisbane: Keystone Cops

Old Dog battled a laptop streaming like an old Keystone Cops movie to watch the Dees take on the Lions while playing Dad at the same time. It turned out to be quite a night!

Almanac Footy: Old Dog’s overseas footy adventures with the LA Dragons.

The Old Dog and family are on the road – overseas in fact. He managed to keep up his training and fitness regimes with all the sightseeing, and he even played a game of Aussie rules with the LA Dragons as he recounts.

Almanac Life: Happy Days

Pete Johnstone was never, ever going to let hardship stop him. A tribute from Old Dog.

A Christmas greeting, and a gift, from Old Dog and his family

Old Dog and his family send their best at Christmas time and offer you a hand-drawn game which has its origins in Cielo’s grandfather.

Almanac Footy: A photo spread from Old Dog’s 40th season of footy

Old Dog completed his 40th season of playing footy in 2022. Some photos taken throughout the season record his remarkable and memorable feat. [Ed: Well done Old Dog! – Togging up in 2023?]

Grand Final – Geelong v Sydney: Murder in the Centre

Old Dog has a footballer’s and football eye. He casts it over the Grand Final which he watched with his family and an old friend at The Millers Inn in Altona.

Almanac Music: What’s Your Most Iconic Aussie Song?

Elena Zurbo has passed her citizenship test to become an Australian citizen. Husband Matt thought it appropriate to come up with a list of iconic Aussie songs to help celebrate the occasion. He also asks Almanackers to name their iconic Aussie songs.

Round 9 – Collingwood v Footscray: Aaron Naughton is Stevie Winwood

So many footballers have the looks and characteristics of other people observes Old Dog as he presents his thoughts on the Bulldogs excellent win over the Magpies.

Round 6 – GWS v St Kilda: Good luck with the policing of body language

Old Dog is an admirer of umpires, but not of the AFL for expecting their umps to be mind-readers.

Almanac Footy: Old Dog’s the best ever

The Old Dog has played 667 games over 40 seasons and has seen many fine footballers, but Greg Nutting is the best of them all, as Old Dog explains.

Almanac Footy: Season 40 for the Old Dog!

Not too many footballers can say they are pulling the guernsey on for season 40, the Old Dog can! [Congratulations and well done Old Dog, you’re an inspiration to us all!]

Almanac Music: The Fumes

Matt Zurbo shares the story of how he travelled to gigs with The Pretty Littles, until the the lead singer and friend, Jack, turtled up when he was confronted with the opportunity of meeting The Fumes in person at the Espie in St Kilda.

Nankervis

With the appointment of Toby Nankervis as Richmond co-captain, the Footy Almanac reprises Old Dog’s wonderful tribute. The Old Dog knows a thing or two about ruck work. He also knows a few things about Toby Nankervis, who he coached as a youngster. He was very proud on Friday night.

Almanac Life: Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’

Matt Zurbo fondly remembers that great Australian classic song, Spectrum’s ‘I’ll Be Gone’, its effect on him, its relationship to Apollo Bay, and in a moving tribute, on the death of his father. [That’s quite a funeral Old Dog – JTH]

Almanac Footy: The Unconformity Cup – Nowhere Footy

Old Dog goes to Queenstown where he plays a fun (but proper) footy match on the famous gravel oval during the Unconformity Festival. [This is an Old Dog special which was first published in 2016 – JTH]