Under 9 Gold (Kenny - Colts)
Round 12 - The Local Derby for Sheep stations
“Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face.”
Mike Tyson, Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
It’s not like it’s important – it’s only a game, right? A game between two teams of little boys who just want to run, kick, play, and to be….. boys.
But this game just happened to pit two former Auskick coaches, mano e’ mano, on the big stage where there’s nowhere to hide, and……no……second……chance!
I’d noticed a little banter leading up to the local derby…the odd verbal jibe here, the titter of uncertainty there – but with the ever present knowledge that the biggest prize of them all was up for grabs…bragging rights. Training on the same night of the week in the same conditions - two wins each, and those wins coming over different teams that had each beaten the other - they could not be separated on paper. One team, thoroughbreds that had been groomed to play together since mothers group it would seem – one team, thoroughbreds who found themselves in the same place together after a different journey, but obviously still destined to play together, because they were well, playing together, so…yeah.
Your faithful correspondent took some time on Friday night last to observe the respective training regimes and it was clear – one was structured, focused, neat - the other messy and a little dangerous. I pondered on those differences as I ponder all things….coming up with nothing tangible and wasting my time.
The Saturday morning Auskick disturbingly saw some of our young charges in the hands of the opposition coaches, Warren “No, nothing’s going on Kev’….Why?” Dailey and Rob “Dick Dastardly” Wright, who threatened an around the bay in a day training session for all Gold attendees…as a warm up. Both Stu’, Matt and I had deployed spies to keep everything above board during that session – and a Magistrate on call for an emergency restraining order if needs be, but I digress.
That’s all I remember up until the siren sounded for the first bounce – except that every time I spoke to a White team manager, they were different. What gives guys?
Right from the first it was clear that the 73 knot West Nor’ Wester would see one side of one pocket host 99% of the play, with a 1% chance of scoring. Right from the start the Gold got a good omen – Finn ‘sticky mits’ Kenny marked as surely as Jack Riewolt being his first for the year. Coach Matt swelled. Forcing play into the 1% zone was the instruction, and it was followed to the letter with Jordan ‘White crow’ Hesline, Harry ‘The Truth’ Knopers and Lochie ‘The Ghurka’ Sargeant putting in place a flank and pincer move that will surely be the subject of an up-coming SBS mili-doco’. It was all close quarters and hand to hand (just the way I like it), until a surprise breakaway created by Corey ‘Shakespeare’ Barden. I say surprise, because his recovery from that Don’t Argue from team-mate Dan ‘The Man’ Hayes on the Friday night was remarkable. On the end of the breakaway was Will ‘The arrow’ Skinner who was thwarted by physics alone from scoring into the hurricane – it was the only chance given for the entire game at the Brisbane Terrace end.
The second term saw an opening passage of play that thrilled the crowd and represented the culmination of 11 and a ¼ rounds of football for the Gold – Delahunty out of the centre to Hanson, Hanson to Hardeman, Hardeman 6 points…just like that. This was followed shortly by a set shot from the 1% zone by Will that promised little, but delivered plenty as it eased past the inside of the big stick after an elliptical journey on the wind. A short time later and Jacob ‘Stormboy’ Beames went down in the centre after some impromptu Whites’ dentistry, but he popped up again and wanted to pay the bill as soon as possible. Would our 2 majors be enough to keep the Whites out?
Into the third and once again the plan was to lock up the pocket and keep the ball downwind of the goals, but the Whites were not going to go down without a fight, having seen the potential of the fat side. Jack ‘Jonah Lomu’ Webster was up to his old tricks, laying bumps and making goats faint, and Liam and Mitch “Double Trouble” Giannakis were starting to run rampant through the centre, tricking everyone by being in two places at once. The Whites were serving up plenty and getting lots of shots at goal to no avail, but it was only a matter of time, and that time came. But with it came the greatest moral dilemma of 2010 – in terms of intensity, think Marcia Brady trying to ditch her prom’ date, to go to the prom’ with a really cute, but not so nice, guy…yeah, as I said, intense. After a snap came out of heavy traffic that looked for all intents and purposes as though it went though uninterrupted, slowly, hesitantly, up came the Whites Goal Ump’s single finger with a look of resignation that said, “As a role model I will do the right thing. I will not give in to my urge to make my boys happy, with them knowing that it was by trickery or ruse. I am a man, and it pains me, but the endeavor should be the reward, not the endeavor that may come up short. Is not the contest the victory in itself? I will make my son, my family, and my team proud…...and I think Stuart might have seen the touch too. Damn!” Seriously – kudos to you man. The karma bus was now filled up with petrol, and ready for its next stop – first goal for the season and the club to Whites’ trier, Aaron “Jackknife” Johnson, who scratched one out of the Gold solid defensive structure.
When star performer Lucca “Snappy” Parkinson came hobbling towards the bench, we all thought tragedy had struck – broken leg, rolled ankle, an amputation? Oh my God!! It looks horrible… aaargggh…..his foot is flapping around, you can see the bone…. someone fainted. Truth be known the Slazenger had given way halfway up the mould, and the white stops flapping at the front looked like he’d stuck his foot right up the arse of a small but angry crocodile that was less than impressed with the intrusion. Tragedy averted, and Dad off to Rivers for emergency footwear at a discount price during the third break.
Coach Matt’ didn’t need to say much ‘cause the hard work had been done – the wind was with us and only one point in it. The last quarter of the home and away season was a lovely end to a great first season for the Gold. When Walter ‘Junior’ Delahunty burst clear of a clawing and clutching White scrum to get his long legs pumping, ball in hand and hair streaming, your faithful correspondent held his breath and felt that feeling that all dad know too well, “I hope he doesn’t lose his hair.” Rabbit Skinner goaled again on the run, and Plugger Barden channeled the big fella with a beautiful snap out of a melee. It turns out Snappy Parkinson didn’t even need stops on his boots, such is his poise and balance in defence. Jacob “the blanket’ Beames was determined to get one on the board and after many smothers and hard work, clocked on with a beauty. Special mentions were being tallied up all around the ground: Captain Max Goody was giving it heaps, Chainsaw Charlie McManus was making grandpa’s trip up special, and Rocco “Saturday Night Fever” Angelone danced up a storm. Andrew “Gluey” Young was once again having a crack at goal, and notched up a run, carry and bounce of pure elegance. Jumping Jed Polglaze had the hands on the knees at the end of each quarter, having given his all through the centre. Even pocket dynamos Jacky ‘O’, Luke “In it to win it’ Plaisted and DJ “the pearl” Jothiravi were hanging off anything that came by, and not letting go – no respect those boys, and I love that. Big Mac Macdermid was all over the ball, fighting his way out from the bottom of endless packs with the agate, smiling the whole way.
A sweet win to the Kenny Colts in the end who made the most of the windy conditions – possibly because Matt is more acquainted with wind than Warren, but who knows.
Congratulations to both teams who all tried hard for their teammates and the club – the future is oh, so bright, down in Mordi’ town.
MBJFC Colts 5-7-37 defeated MBJFC White 1-11-17
*Note - same number of scoring shots per team
Goal kickers: W. Skinner 2, J. Hardeman 1, C. Barden 1, J. Beames 1
AWARD WINNERS:
Grill'd Awesome Effort Award – Max Goodchild
Maros Pizza Play of the Day Award – Charlie McManus
Macca’s Springvale Encouragement Award – Liam and Mitchell Giannakis
Canteen Award – Will Skinner
“Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the face.”
Mike Tyson, Former Heavy Weight Champion of the World.
It’s not like it’s important – it’s only a game, right? A game between two teams of little boys who just want to run, kick, play, and to be….. boys.
But this game just happened to pit two former Auskick coaches, mano e’ mano, on the big stage where there’s nowhere to hide, and……no……second……chance!
I’d noticed a little banter leading up to the local derby…the odd verbal jibe here, the titter of uncertainty there – but with the ever present knowledge that the biggest prize of them all was up for grabs…bragging rights. Training on the same night of the week in the same conditions - two wins each, and those wins coming over different teams that had each beaten the other - they could not be separated on paper. One team, thoroughbreds that had been groomed to play together since mothers group it would seem – one team, thoroughbreds who found themselves in the same place together after a different journey, but obviously still destined to play together, because they were well, playing together, so…yeah.
Your faithful correspondent took some time on Friday night last to observe the respective training regimes and it was clear – one was structured, focused, neat - the other messy and a little dangerous. I pondered on those differences as I ponder all things….coming up with nothing tangible and wasting my time.
The Saturday morning Auskick disturbingly saw some of our young charges in the hands of the opposition coaches, Warren “No, nothing’s going on Kev’….Why?” Dailey and Rob “Dick Dastardly” Wright, who threatened an around the bay in a day training session for all Gold attendees…as a warm up. Both Stu’, Matt and I had deployed spies to keep everything above board during that session – and a Magistrate on call for an emergency restraining order if needs be, but I digress.
That’s all I remember up until the siren sounded for the first bounce – except that every time I spoke to a White team manager, they were different. What gives guys?
Right from the first it was clear that the 73 knot West Nor’ Wester would see one side of one pocket host 99% of the play, with a 1% chance of scoring. Right from the start the Gold got a good omen – Finn ‘sticky mits’ Kenny marked as surely as Jack Riewolt being his first for the year. Coach Matt swelled. Forcing play into the 1% zone was the instruction, and it was followed to the letter with Jordan ‘White crow’ Hesline, Harry ‘The Truth’ Knopers and Lochie ‘The Ghurka’ Sargeant putting in place a flank and pincer move that will surely be the subject of an up-coming SBS mili-doco’. It was all close quarters and hand to hand (just the way I like it), until a surprise breakaway created by Corey ‘Shakespeare’ Barden. I say surprise, because his recovery from that Don’t Argue from team-mate Dan ‘The Man’ Hayes on the Friday night was remarkable. On the end of the breakaway was Will ‘The arrow’ Skinner who was thwarted by physics alone from scoring into the hurricane – it was the only chance given for the entire game at the Brisbane Terrace end.
The second term saw an opening passage of play that thrilled the crowd and represented the culmination of 11 and a ¼ rounds of football for the Gold – Delahunty out of the centre to Hanson, Hanson to Hardeman, Hardeman 6 points…just like that. This was followed shortly by a set shot from the 1% zone by Will that promised little, but delivered plenty as it eased past the inside of the big stick after an elliptical journey on the wind. A short time later and Jacob ‘Stormboy’ Beames went down in the centre after some impromptu Whites’ dentistry, but he popped up again and wanted to pay the bill as soon as possible. Would our 2 majors be enough to keep the Whites out?
Into the third and once again the plan was to lock up the pocket and keep the ball downwind of the goals, but the Whites were not going to go down without a fight, having seen the potential of the fat side. Jack ‘Jonah Lomu’ Webster was up to his old tricks, laying bumps and making goats faint, and Liam and Mitch “Double Trouble” Giannakis were starting to run rampant through the centre, tricking everyone by being in two places at once. The Whites were serving up plenty and getting lots of shots at goal to no avail, but it was only a matter of time, and that time came. But with it came the greatest moral dilemma of 2010 – in terms of intensity, think Marcia Brady trying to ditch her prom’ date, to go to the prom’ with a really cute, but not so nice, guy…yeah, as I said, intense. After a snap came out of heavy traffic that looked for all intents and purposes as though it went though uninterrupted, slowly, hesitantly, up came the Whites Goal Ump’s single finger with a look of resignation that said, “As a role model I will do the right thing. I will not give in to my urge to make my boys happy, with them knowing that it was by trickery or ruse. I am a man, and it pains me, but the endeavor should be the reward, not the endeavor that may come up short. Is not the contest the victory in itself? I will make my son, my family, and my team proud…...and I think Stuart might have seen the touch too. Damn!” Seriously – kudos to you man. The karma bus was now filled up with petrol, and ready for its next stop – first goal for the season and the club to Whites’ trier, Aaron “Jackknife” Johnson, who scratched one out of the Gold solid defensive structure.
When star performer Lucca “Snappy” Parkinson came hobbling towards the bench, we all thought tragedy had struck – broken leg, rolled ankle, an amputation? Oh my God!! It looks horrible… aaargggh…..his foot is flapping around, you can see the bone…. someone fainted. Truth be known the Slazenger had given way halfway up the mould, and the white stops flapping at the front looked like he’d stuck his foot right up the arse of a small but angry crocodile that was less than impressed with the intrusion. Tragedy averted, and Dad off to Rivers for emergency footwear at a discount price during the third break.
Coach Matt’ didn’t need to say much ‘cause the hard work had been done – the wind was with us and only one point in it. The last quarter of the home and away season was a lovely end to a great first season for the Gold. When Walter ‘Junior’ Delahunty burst clear of a clawing and clutching White scrum to get his long legs pumping, ball in hand and hair streaming, your faithful correspondent held his breath and felt that feeling that all dad know too well, “I hope he doesn’t lose his hair.” Rabbit Skinner goaled again on the run, and Plugger Barden channeled the big fella with a beautiful snap out of a melee. It turns out Snappy Parkinson didn’t even need stops on his boots, such is his poise and balance in defence. Jacob “the blanket’ Beames was determined to get one on the board and after many smothers and hard work, clocked on with a beauty. Special mentions were being tallied up all around the ground: Captain Max Goody was giving it heaps, Chainsaw Charlie McManus was making grandpa’s trip up special, and Rocco “Saturday Night Fever” Angelone danced up a storm. Andrew “Gluey” Young was once again having a crack at goal, and notched up a run, carry and bounce of pure elegance. Jumping Jed Polglaze had the hands on the knees at the end of each quarter, having given his all through the centre. Even pocket dynamos Jacky ‘O’, Luke “In it to win it’ Plaisted and DJ “the pearl” Jothiravi were hanging off anything that came by, and not letting go – no respect those boys, and I love that. Big Mac Macdermid was all over the ball, fighting his way out from the bottom of endless packs with the agate, smiling the whole way.
A sweet win to the Kenny Colts in the end who made the most of the windy conditions – possibly because Matt is more acquainted with wind than Warren, but who knows.
Congratulations to both teams who all tried hard for their teammates and the club – the future is oh, so bright, down in Mordi’ town.