2011 Round 21 – Lions v Suns

One of the advantages of being back in Brisbane is being able to go to the ‘Gabba with mates and watch the Lions live. I know they are playing pretty poorly, and certainly struggling to put four quarters together, but on the plus side they haven’t been flogged all year, not like the touch-ups that Port have copped from Collingwood and Hawthorn in the last few weeks – both defeats by 25 goals +. Ouch!

I think the Lions are playing a reasonably attractive style, albeit without the execution that they would prefer, and need in order to win more consistently. Anyway, on Saturday night, Jack and I went to the local derby versus the Gold Coast Suns – ‘Q Clash 2′ for the marketers – with Briggsy, Patrice and Christopher. The first local derby was Round 7, and the Suns conjured a victory by 8 points in a quite high scoring affair. There would be no repeat of that nonsense this time around  this around – the Lions never really looked like losing, and the Suns were quite awful.

It was interesting (perhaps perplexing?) to see the Suns deploy a similar tactic to the Crows –  Jack and I went to watch them play the Lions at Footy Park months ago (I cant believe I didnt write about that one!). Like the Crows, the Suns default tactic was often to kick the ball backwards and or across the field to change the angle of attack (I suppose? What do I really know about this?). The result is that the game slows down and everyone from both sides is stacked in the same half of the field. The Crows were so down on confidence that on a couple of occasions they would return the ball from their half forward line to the full back in a series of mostly short defensive kicks, which drove the crowd into a frenzy of groans and general swearing – “Kick the fucking thing forward!” The Suns opted for more across-field kicking but in the majority of cases it all came to nought because as soon as they entered their forward line they would turn the ball over and then the Lions would break and sprint upfield to (often) score. If the Suns had surer hands in their forward line I guess the tactic would work, but it didnt.

In general play the Lions were pretty good, although did have 9 or 10 out of bounds on the full! Is that a record? Leuenberger was great in the ruck, and would have been best on ground if Simon Black hadnt been playing. The game was a night affair and there was quite a bit of slipping and sliding on the dew, but Black’s hands were incredibly assured – his clean catches, quick handballs and kicks were outstanding. Staker played well, so too Mitch Clark (I do hope he re-signs for the future) and Banfield also (despite inaccurate kicking). For the Suns, Ablett was the stand out. 2010 Lions Club Champion Rischitelli was strong (pity he left Brisbane) while the other former Lion, Brennan was roundly (and unfairly) booed every time he touched the ball. He was well marked by Brisbane Captain Jed Adcock (Brownie being out of the season with his cheek plated for the second time)

The win was great, but not as great as seeing the smile on Jack’s face as we entered the playing arena for a post-match kick. It was a genuine look of joy, something like, “Dad, all my dreams have come true – I am kicking a footy on the ‘Gabba’!  Gold.

Brisbane Lions              5.2    7.5    10.11   18.15  (123)

Gold Coast                        1.4    3.6    4.9        8.13    (61)

Brisbane Lions: Staker 2, Clark 2, Polkinghorne 2, Sheldon 2, Banfield 2, Leuenberger 2, Black, Raines, Adcock, Hanley, Stiller, Karnezis

Gold Coast: Rischitelli 2, Shaw 2, Ablett, Fraser, Stanley, Bennell

 

Tour de France 2011

The Lions lost today to the Kangas. I watched a bit, they showed periods of fabulous play, especially Simon Black, he was sublime, but they couldn’t kick straight and are still suffering from a big injury toll – Merrett, Rich and, of course, Brownie, who knocked himself out last week just as the Lions were giving the Cats a massive scare. Apparently he shifted some of the existing plates in his cheek from his clash in Round 1. The guy is as hard as nails.

The Lions season has been pretty terrible, they struggle to put four quarters together, but they have lots of young players, so perhaps next year will be better. I have a draft blog post from the match which Jack and I attended v the Crows, I’ll get to that sometime… That was fun, especially because the Lions won. My key memory of the day was Jack screaming ‘C’mon McGrath!’ to encourage the (sometimes brilliant, sometimes careless) back pocket to escpae the clutches of a Crows player. He did, by the way…

But for me, the AFL has taken a big back seat to le Tour de France. Tonight is stage 20, the individual time trial. 58. That is the golden number. The riders have already spent 80 hours racing 3000+ km and now Cadel Evans has 42 kms to get 58 seconds on Andy Schleck to win the Tour de France. It seems inconceivable that an Australian has a really serious shot at winning the biggest cycling event. The pundits are split about who is favourite. SBS are overly, but perhaps understandably, parochial. The fans on the SBS website even more so. I imagine the Luxembourgers are exactly the same in favour of Schleck.

I have watched quite a few stages in some shape or form. How can one not love this event? Look at the scenery for goodness sake!

My absurdly modest cycling adventures have put me in occasional bouts of pain, but the Tour riders are cycling (at least) twice my speed every day for 3 weeks. They are the supreme athletes and the pain they endure is amazing.

Evans has looked fantastic, so much better than in previous years, especially in the big mountains where he has seemed to labour heavily against the likes of the Schlecks, Contador, and Basso in last year’s Giro. On that basis it would easy to say he is in career best form. But Schleck wears yellow and a minute seems a handy lead, but what would I know.

Evans slides off the ramp at 12.12 a.m. I feel a bit ill in anticipation – I want to watch and for it to be over, but I feel tired from too many late nights. Why invest so much emotion in these silly sports events? This has been common theme of the blog. Wouldn’t it be better to get a good nights sleep and wake up to watch the video highlights?

I channel flick. ABC4 – 80 or 90 Norwegians got killed today as a man went crazy with a gun. What does it all mean? Too much. I bypass and flick to ABC1. RAGE is on. Hell. I haven’t watched that for years. Radiohead ‘Paranoid Android’ is on. This could be a good set. Ch 9 – Gran Torino. Eastwood acting, directing and producing. Shot the whole thing in 6 weeks. Great.  I have a thing for Eastwood – I have a vivid memory of watching ‘Dirty Harry’, I think at the house in 9^th Avenue, so I guess that’s 1983, feeling quite grown up, probably after feasting on a take away Friday night dinner from Chez Tessa.

But now back to Evans. He’s off in minutes. At this point I think Schleck will do it.

12.12 a.m.  He’s away. Looks fast. 3 minutes later, Frank Schleck, probably no show in a time trial. 3 minutes later, Andy Schleck. Flying and resplendent in yellow. The first time check is at the 15 km mark. Contador and Voeckler are somewhere up the road, the former is probably a show for winning the stage. Tony Martin the fastest so far overall. Even faster than ‘Spartacus’ Cancellara. Contador was apparently booed off the start line, the smell of the drug charges from the 2010 TdF still linger.

Evans is through the 15km check at 20.33, same as Contador. Schleck is through at 21.09. 36 seconds gained. My heart is pumping.  Evans needs 21 seconds to take yellow. Now they say it’s 13 seconds. Holy fuck! This is serious. Now it’s 2! But has Evans gone out too fast and blown up on the steeper bits? Evans hits the lead, 2 seconds! Back to 1! Farrkk! He’s crunching up a hill, where is the fast cadence of the last few days?  This is unbearable. They say Evans is up to 17 seconds up.

Through the second time check at 27.5 km. Evans at 40.34, 7 seconds behind Tony Martin’s fastest time. GO! He is motoring! Flying down the hills, oh please don’t crash! Schleck hits the second check 42.15. 2 min 18 behind Evans!  If Evans stays upright he’ll win.

Contador finishes second fastest at 56.38.

Evans up by a minute! Can he win the stage? 3km to go.

Voeckler is murdering the bike, comes in 12^th best.

Evans in the home straight. 55.40! Second fastest, just 7 seconds behind Martin. BUT HE HAS WON THE TOUR DE FRANCE! (assuming he doesn’t crash on the road to Paris tomorrow!). The eventual lead over Schleck is 1.34.

Amazing!

Results: Stage 20, 42.5km Individual Time Trial, Grenolbe

1 Tony Martin (Ger) HTC-Highroad 0:55:33

2 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:07

3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard 0:01:05

4 Thomas De Gendt (Bel) Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team 0:01:28

5 Richie Porte (Aus) Saxo Bank Sungard 0:01:30

6 Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:01:32

7 Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 0:01:37

8 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Leopard Trek 0:01:429

General Classification After Stage 20:

1 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team

2 Andy Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:01:34

3 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Leopard Trek 0:02:30

4 Thomas Voeckler (Fra) Team Europcar 0:03:20

5 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard 0:03:57

And that other event…

North Melbourne: 17.20 (122) – C Pedersen 3 D Petrie 3 A Edwards 2 D Wells 2 K Harper 2 R Bastinac 2 T Goldstein 2 B Warren.

Brisbane: 11.11 (77) – A Cornelius 2 P Karnezis 2 J Hawksley J Polkinghorne L Power M Clark S Black T Banfield T Rockliff.

 

2011 Round 9 – Lions v Kangaroos

Is it wrong to dream too much? I say NO, what have I got to lose? Especially since it is judgement day today. I thought it was end of the world, but apparently that’s not until October.

I check the scores on the iPhone at various points during the evening. It’s not looking good. After dinner and washing up I turn on the online radio. As if on cue, “Brown kicks his 4th goal in a row. It’s all tied up at 58 a piece, seven minutes into the last quarter!” This is judgement day for the Lions!

Brisbane has a sniff. Brown is the target for everything, until Banfield slams one through on the run from 50m, it sounds like a ripper. Lions by 8 points at the 14 minute mark.

“The Lions are dominating,” according to the commentators. I think I have mentioned before how much I enjoy listening to the footy on the radio. I sit, waiting for a Lions player to be mentioned with the ball in hand. There seem to be swathes of time when I dont recognise a name and the ball is in the Kangas forward pocket. It’s rather nerve wracking… “Banfield is having a term and a half!” The ball skips up the other end. North have it, and errand handball. Goal! Redden kicks it! 22 minutes gone, Lions by 13. Kangas havent scored since the 18 minute mark of the 3rd term, Lions have kicked 5 goals.

Black has a shot from 50m “Will his ailing hamstrings manage it?”. Behind. Lions by 14. “Kanga’s need a goal quickly”.

LIONS WIN!

“Brown is back and the Lions, coincidentally or otherwise win the game. The players run from all over the ground to mob Brown, it’s great to have you back mate!”

The return of Brownie meant there had been a fair bit of build up in the media during the week. The ABC reported on Monday “Fed on soup for a month after surgery, the 29-year-old initially lost five kilograms but has put it back on and is looking at the positives of being fresh as a daisy when his rivals are starting to tire.  Brown’s expecting no let-ups from the Kangaroos, who he kicked eight goals against in their last Gabba clash, but warned any defender intent on testing his jaw, cheekbone or eye socket would be in for a nasty surprise. “I don’t think they’ll back off,” he said. “I’ve got plenty of metal in my face and I’m sure they’ll have a sore fist if they whack me but I’m looking forward to the challenge.” I know I have commented on this before, but really, how hard is this bloke?

Meanwhile, youngster Tom Rockliff got the wrong end of the stick. Bugger me if the Lions havent been trying TOO hard this year!? “All the boys have been putting in 110 per cent and that is what has been costing us – our effort is too good.” I have no fucking idea what that means but I dont think Rockliff will be presented to the media by the Lions hierarchy again in a hurry.

I have previously blogged on the perils of investing too much energy on sport, but at least it’s a whole lot more sensible than investing time in politics, especially US politics. The absurdity and downright hypocrisy of US democracy was on show again, this time it was Newt Gingirch at the centre – watch Jon Stewart  to get the full picture. Little wonder people are disenchanted with politicians.

Brisbane: 10.13 (73) – J Brown 4, B Retzlaff, J Redden, L Power, M Clark, S Sheldon, T Banfield

North Melbourne: 8.11 (59) – A Edwards 3, D Petrie 2, L Thomas 2, B Harvey

PS. Adelaide played Collingwood in Melbourne today. Apparently they led by 23 points mid way through the last quarter and then lost, by 43 points. In the final quarter the Pies kicked 11.3 to the Crows 2.2. The ability to ‘switch on’ and demolish any side from any position reminds me of an interview I heard with Simon Black discussing the 2001-2003 golden era – he reckoned no matter what the position the  Lions thought they were a show at winning. The Cats could do that also a few years back. The Pies work today is an ominous sign for the rest of the competition.

 

Round 7 2011 – Lions v Suns

In Adelaide, the match between Port and the Crows is called the ‘Showdown’. They are up to Showdown XXI, or something like that. Note that some genius (dickhead)  has adopted the US Superbowl use of Roman letters, as if most Port supporters would know what that means? Actually, I have to remind myself that I have changed my views about Port – they are club with tradition, more than 100 years, as opposed to those pretty boy blow-in Crows. Sorry Margaret. It’s not that I actively support Port, I couldn’t care less about either side, but I have reduced my outward bagging of them. Anyway, everywhere else on the planet the much anticipated clash between neighbouring teams is referred to as a ‘Local derby’. Call me a traditionalist, but I like this. So what the fuck is the ‘Q clash’ supposed to be? Jeez, marketers give the me the shits.

Last weekend the Bombers had a 93 point lead over the Suns after the first quarter. NINETY-THREE POINTS IN ONE QUARTER. That is completely ridiculous. If the Lions dont flog the Suns I feel sure coach Voss is going to blow a gasket. And so he should. Not that he is without blame for the mess which the Lions are in – the signing of that idiot Fevola was the catalyst for blowing the salary costs sky high, which in turn (must have) contributed to the departure of seriously good players – Rischitelli, Bradshaw and Brennan. The Suns are complete crap. But at least they have won a match, against Port, much to the apparent embarrassment of all the Port players.

I have snatch a look at the score Suns 3.2.20 Lions 0.0.0. Sweet Lord Jesus, this cannot be true. Deep breathing. In. Out. Come on boys. Briggsy will surely jump the fence and tonk someone if the Lions lose. I remember a match I played for the (mighty) Western District Bulldogs circa 1977 when we played so badly that the coach denied us oranges at half time. On another occasion the performance was so insipid we had to run laps after the game. Would that be enough shame for these so-called professional footballers? Update, Suns 6.3.39 Lions 2.1.13. Fuck me! Where is Brownie when we need him? Ah yes, probably in the dressing room waiting to give his teammates a bollocking.

I switch focus to watch the French Connection, what a cracking film from 1971. Very gritty, and the scene when Gene Hackman confiscates a car in order to chase the bad guy who has hijacked the subway train is terrific. I have another peek at the footy score, it’s not good…

Sunday dawns. The kids have been told that under no circumstances is Lisa to be woken up before 7.00 am, on account of it being Mothers Day. They comply, it’s a miracle.

The Lions lost by 8 points. Voss is not happy. I watch the highlights. Jack too. He comments that the main reason they lost was because they were wearing that insipid white Away jersey. It actually looked like a pretty good match, Lions were behind all night but drew level with 5 minutes to go. Gold Coast look to have received a favourable penalty in the dying minute or so and kicked a goal, but perhaps the highlights are misleading. The Lions are planted at the bottom of the table, but at least they are not being beaten by 50 points every week. Some consolation…

The other event of the weekend was the death of the great Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros. Often the nemesis of the Shark (who was my hero) in the 80′s Seve played like no one else. He hit impossible shots, had superb touch around the greens and when he was on-song he was unbeatable. I love this pic of him, having an absolute slash at a shot in the 1988 Open – he shot 65 in the last round to win by 2. RIP

Readers may also be interested in the 21st Century blog reflections of my niece, Lucy, aka the dresser upper who I think has a terrific knack for story telling, which her Pop, Dad, would be proud of. It was his birthday yesterday, by the way, happy birthday Dad, you are much missed.

Gold Coast: 18.16 (124) – N Krakouer 5, B Matera 2, L Patrick 2, T Lynch 2, D Harris, D Stanley, J Brennan, J Daye, M Shaw, S Iles, T McKenzie

Brisbane: 17.14 (116) – A McGrath 6, D Rich 3, M Clark 2, T Banfield 2, C Beams, J Adcock, J Polkinghorne, S Black

 

Round 1 2011 – Lions v Freo

“Dockers hand Lions early pain” – ABC

“Fremantle sneak past unlucky Lions” – Foxtel

“Loss adds to woes for Lions” – The Age

“Dockers give Lions a bloody nose” Courier-Mail

“That really fucking hurt. We just didnt deserve to lose that one” – Mark Briggs

“Browny got knocked out, Dad. Seriously, he did, Dad!” – Jack Hogarth

A new season has dawned. I feel a little underwhelmed by the occasion. From my perspective, as a mildly enthusiastic supporter residing a couple of thousand kilometres away from the ‘Gabba, it seemed to me that all of the issues associated with getting rid of that idiot Fevola over the last 6 months diverted attention from the day to day activities of running a football club. I was never especially pleased that Fev was a Lion, despite the occasional miracle goal in 2010. My ever lasting memory of Fevola will be the post-match image of him sitting on ground as a Carlton player following the Lions miracle Qualifying Final win in 2009, sooking, rather than shaking the hands of the opposition and hanging out with his team mates. I thought, there is a fella who only looks after himself, glad he’s not one of ‘us’! Little did I know…

Anyway, that’s all done, and so is the first match of the year, a 2 point loss to the Dockers. I don’t mind them, nice jersey, perennial surprisers, good battlers. Jeez, I hate Collingwood though, and think it might be a long season of disappointment for me watching them win lots. The Cats could be strong though, perhaps the Dogs. St Kilda maybe? Nah, too much pain from previous losses, I can’t see them coming back.

What do you think?

Dockers: 13.16 (94) – C Mayne 2, M Walters 2, A Sandilands, D Mundy, H Ballantyne, J Pitt, K Bradley, N Fyfe, N Lower, N Suban, S Hill

Lions: 14.8 (92) – J Brown 3, C Beams 2, D Rich 2, T Banfield 2, J O’Brien, J Polkinghorne, M Clark, R Bewick, R Lester

 

Ashes to Ashes, the Aus XI are toast

Half of Queensland is underwater. It’s a complete nightmare for thousands of people across the State who have been evacuated and lost everything except their proverbial shirts. The Australian cricket team will surely be hoping the rain continues, and that once it stops there is a catastrophic bushfire, tsunami or similar natural disaster. Anything, just to keep the spotlight from shining, as it inevitably would if it was a quiet news week, on the terrible form of the Aus XI.

The final Ashes test at the SCG ends tomorrow. Australia has been completely outplayed. For the first time in 134 years the national team has lost three Tests in a series by an innings. The team has plunged to depths which I have not seen the 1980′s. The nation’s sporting public will not stand for it and the floods are the only reason the lamentable form will (most likely) not be plastered over every newspaper front page tomorrow with ‘in-depth’ analysis and critique etc.

This got me thinking. Pondering in fact. Winning and losing. In the current circumstances I am not sure they are different sides of the same coin. Perhaps it is because the Australian cricket team has won so much, won everything, for almost two decades, that the whole of idea of losing in cricket, especially test cricket, so badly, seems, to me, well, unreal. Not possible. Australia just doesnt get beaten so badly.

I was hanging out the washing, as you do, and remembered all those stories about the Aus XI having beers with the opposition teams after a match, and how I use to think ‘Gee, that’s great sportsmanship, having a beer with the blokes you have been battling against in tough, hard Test cricket.’ But then I thought, hang on, much easier to invite yourself to the opposition sheds for a beer when you have just flogged them for the umpteenth time in a row. What’s it like for the losers when the opposition knock on the shed doors, ‘Gday fellas, fancy cold one?’ ‘How about you and your cold one go fuck yourselves’ wouldnt be an inexcusable response. That this idea only dawned on me today is ridiculous, I know, but in my defence I guess I had never had to think about what it might be like.

So, where does that leave us? Me? The followers and fans? Who is responsible? (The ABC has a poll on this one and the Selectors are looking shaky!) Whose head(s) will roll? What next? What spin and gloss will the ACB put on it all? (On the topic of ‘spin’ is it just me or does anyone else read the Lions website and newsletters and think they are talking about another team, not one getting flogged each week with certain dysfunctional players on the list who seem to remain unmentioned i.e. Fev??) And will anyone turn up to the one-day and 20/20 games? And why wasnt the captain responding to the good questions from the ABC – the team management trotted out Shane Watson who was ‘on message’, what fucking drivel, including a repetition of the reasons why England swing the ball all over the place whereas the Australian bowlers are gun-barrel straight – it’s all about the pitch scuffing up the ball, apparently. What shit. Appalling responses. When the ship is going down, the captain must face the music. Seriously ordinary.

But I promised myself I wouldnt get abusive or angry about a sporting result. It’s just a game. Deep breathing… I wish the Australian team members well. They have all worked hard to get a baggy green, and strived to the reach the top, it’s just that the top is really pretty close to the bottom nowadays. So be it. I hope they welcome the victorious Poms to their dressing rooms tomorrow and while drinking their  beer reflect on how the fuck they are going to survive the media and public cyclone that is headed their way. Dont be surprised if they try a rain dance.

 

Sporting dispatches

There have been three recent events worthy of some notation. Last weekend the kids had a ice skating birthday party. On the drive home I mentioned that I had chatted with Briggsy about the state of the first Ashes test at the ‘Gabba in Brisbane. ‘Who’s Briggsy? asked Jack’s mate, Henry. Jack thought about this for a moment. ‘Who’s Briggsy?’ Henry asked again with some urgency. Jack responded, ‘He’s kind of an athlete’.

Yesterday was Milo Cricket. Kids everywhere, aged 5 to 7. They got in to groups of 5 and played a mock game with a parent bowling and kids rotating through wicket keeper, batsman and fielders. Jack tonked the ball all over the place and made three run-outs with direct hits from 20m or so. Parents did a doubletake!

Finally to this morning and a game of backyard cricket. This followed a session in the nets at Rose Park State School. The kid is keen… Perhaps he could get a call up for the Aus XI, they are getting plastered all over the Adelaide Oval at the moment. Anyway, Jack commented how much the ball bounced when I did spin bowling. I was curious. ‘How do you know it’s spin bowling?’ I asked. ‘Because your hand is different at the top’. A 6 year old watching a ball from hand – that’s pretty impressive.

 

New arrivals

No, this is not about refugees and the (so-called) immigration debate, although I have a story about that too. No, this is about the much anticipated arrival of the three new girls into the chicken coop, previously known as the toolshed. Witness thy transformation…

Our three new friends are Scarlett, Rocky (named by Jack and the bully of the group) and Charlotte (the chicken formerly known as Alice, Annabelle changed her mind after an hour or so). No eggs yet, make take a week or two. Ruby seems a bit mesmerised by them, she races up to the wire wagging her tail, the girls have already sussed out the purpose of the fence and seem quite relaxed.

 

Round 22 – Lions v Swans

Time: Saturday, 28 August, 2010, approx 10.00 p.m.

Place: Corner Dulwich Avenue and Stuart Road, Dulwich, South Australia

“What’s the moron doing?”, says Annabelle, aged 6.

“He’s a disgrace”, continues Jack, also aged 6.

Wild and unadulterated laughter follows from both, plus their mother, aged, a little older.

The circumstances which led up to this event are a little hazy for your faithful scribe, but include, in (mostly) chronological order: a lovely 50km afternoon cycle in the Adelaide Hills; quick shower and freshen up; attendance at our chums’ Shane and Helen’s house; beer; another beer; yummy dips; lovely snappy riesling; wife finds her iPhone submerged in a sink full of dirty water (not quite up to Lucy’s high standard of putting it through the washing machine, but it was underwater for 45 minutes – and STILL WORKS!); several glasses of 18 year old red; dinner; dancing to various iTunes; further wine; more dancing; indoor soccer with over-tired children; car ride home by sober wife; departure from the car on the drive home on the corner Dulwich Avenue and Stuart Road, Dulwich, South Australia on account of feeling a little ‘whoozie’.It’s not that I was going to throw up, it’s just that I thought some fresh air and a wander home for the last kilometre would do me good. And clearly it provided the rest of the family with some amusement. I think I was probably a little dehydrated from the afternoon ride. Yeah, that’s it, I am sure…

Worse was to follow as I awoke at 3.15 am barely able to move my right leg. What the? The dancing had got the better of me and I spent the next 2 days hobbling around like a 95 year old, banging away Nurofen. It even kept me off the bike and I had to get a lift in a car to work, eek, third time in 4 years. My dancin days are officially over.

Oh yeah, the football. Last game of the regular season, Lions v Sydney. Didnt see it, dunno much about it, but Brown was out (not sure why) and they lost by 38 points. Briggsy commented that it was a lacklustre affair and was glad that the season was over. Not really a rollercoaster season, more like falling slowly, but inevitably, off a medium sized hill, from near the top to near the bottom. The highlights for me, regarding the Lions at least, were Round 1 live at the ‘Gabba with my mates, and Round 10 versus the Pies.  How sweet that one was.

Anyway, that’s me for the Lions this year. Been great writing about it and getting your views and comments. Top 8 in 2011 would be a big achievement. A few positives – Brown still a giant, but injuries an increasing worry; Mitch Clark seemed to mature; Merrett inconsistent and subject to increasingly regular brain explosions; McGrath inconsistent; Staker mostly up, but needs a haircut, according to Jack; Black and Power slowing down; Rich and Sherman getting better; Banfield and Rockliff up and coming; Brennan sublime sometimes but needs to step up as a senior player; Rischetelli terrific; Maguire looked good in parts; Drummond missed; Trav RIP; and Fev a complete goose.

Thanks for the memories…

Sydney: 16.10 (106) – K Jack 3, T Dennis-Lane 3, A Goodes, B Meredith, J Bolton, J Kennedy, J McVeigh, L Jetta, N Malceski, R O’Keefe, R Shaw, S Reid.

Brisbane: 10.8 (68) – J Brennan 2, A Proud, B Staker, J Adcock, J Polkinghorne, L Power, P Hanley, T Banfield, T Collier.

 

Round 21 – Lions v Bombers

A victory of sorts.

Last weekend was very difficult for me. Nothing to do with football, all to do with the election. At times I felt scared, despondent, hollow, alone and angry, especially angry. Angry enough to toss the mobile phone wallwards. Miraculously it continued working, but the screen is stuffed. It’s a bit like carrying a small version of a 1970′s home phone, one with the number dialling device, I can receive and make calls but have to refer to a paper address book, or memory, for a phone number. SMS is a dud. It beeped a few times late Saturday night, but I couldnt respond. Not that I didnt want to. I was perplexed at the Labor seats falling one by one. At the prospect of Tony Abbott becoming Prime Minister. I shudder, heavily, at the thought. I wondered if the beeps were comrades with condolences, or Lib mates having a sledge. Even without being able to access them I have some inkling of Mum’s annoyance at me phoning her after the Keating victory all those years, Jesus, that seems a lifetime ago, oh for a leader with any vision beyond the current budget cycle. Through the anger I have decided to boycott ALL media sources for election ‘analysis’. I just cant take it. It’s not the ABCs fault per se, it is the lacklustre and uninspiring political ‘leaders’  and the focus on personality and pettiness over policy and substance. I feel robbed. Robbed by spin and crap and mediocrity. And avoidance seems the best medicine.

As for the footy, Jack and I had a beautiful time watching the Lions defeat the Bombers. He slipped out of the room during the second quarter and returned wearing every piece of Lions clobber he could lay his hands on! Cute boy.

Brown, playing his 200th game, was imperious, especially in the first half. He monstered his young opposing backman. Dustin Fletcher was out of the Bombers, would have been interesting to see the old veteran against Brown. He slowed down in the second half, the whole side did mostly, but by then they had the game wrapped up. What a novelty! Rich and Rischitelli had blinders (hope the latter doesnt go the Gold Coast), Power, Clark, McGrath and Black also very good. Even Merrett got through a game without completely fucking something simple up. The Bombers were ordinary, but I dont mind. Jack commented ‘Dad, Stephen in Byron Bay wont be happy’. ‘No, son, he wont. But I’ll buy him a consoling drink we visit in September’.

The other highlight was Annabelle’s pony party, cancelled from the previous wet, windy and awfully cold weekend. Sunday was cool but clear blue skies, hooray. The kids had a ball.

Lions: 14.11 (95) – J Brown 4, T Banfield 3, M Rischitelli 2, J Adcock, J Brennan, J Polkinghorne, J Redden, M Clark

Bombers: 10.8 (68) – K Reimers 2, A Monfries, B Howlett, B Stanton, D Hille, D Myers, J Carlisle, J Neagle, M Marigliani

PS Throughout this election nightmare I am pleased to report that The Smiths have copped a flogging. Morrissey’s tones and Johnny Marr’s guitar get me through anything.

PPS The only thing I miss from the election is the Gruen Nation. Brilliant!