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.
