byrne_rovelli_fan82 for the Rabbitohs
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Moment of humour.
A picture says a thousand words, as we all know and this moment is no different. Let’s see how it all unfolded.
The morning sun was just starting to stir, peeping slowly along the horizon as the late night moved into day. All round the inner city shops began to light up ready for the day to unfold while roads became busier and busier as the minutes ticked past.
Flags flapped in the breeze every available space advertised the up ‘n’ coming event, wherever you looked the familiar signage would catch your attention there was no way to avoid it. Life-sized portraits of players engulfed the harbor bridge accompanied with repeat messages of support from both sides; papers reported on the event, detailing all the down-to-the minute gossip in hopes to increase circulation.
Fans graced the streets dressed in their team colours shouting their support to anybody caring to listen, waved their flags, belted out random songs and began loud chants against their enemy. It wasn’t the fans just soaking up the moment though everyone who knew something about this sport had their own opinions, it was the one time where they were all united, the event was the moment where every single person became an expert.
This year, things had taken a little bit of a different turn. In the past interstate fans engaged in battle over who had the most supremacy. Would power reside up north? Stay central? Or head down south? For years, at this event, that was the only question being asked. Not this time. No. Instead a true test of loyalty had come to the forefront. It was no longer about ‘back your team, and backing your state’ this was the complete opposite.
It was only nine years ago when this exact situation happened though it did not appear to create the same type of nervousness and anxiety as the 2011 version.
The battle for ultimate supremacy this time around saw one nation split over the two teams. The Sydney-based club has made more enemies then it has fans over the years; their over eagerness of wanting to be the best overrides their mannerism in the public domain making them highly un-popular. Their opponents on the other hand, are hard to get a grip on, some days they alarm you while others they can enthral you. It is always a bit of a lucky dip with them; but when they’re around you just know it’s going to be fun either way.
While the rest of the city goes about it’s every day routine, at a secret hotel location one team is getting ready to a big morning, a morning many of their young stars have never ever experienced. Everyone is dressed in their suits making themselves look immaculate and while tired, hungry and confused at all the fuss the team bundled its way onto the Murray Bus and each of them busied themselves with usual distractions.
Upon arrival at another hotel this one far more glamorous then any of them expect, they are ushered off the bus and even in the early hours of the morning attention from a thong of media outlets bombarded them. Smartly dressed uniformed men with walkie-talkies and headphones get the whole team inside to safety of the hotel though it is only for a moment’s peace, as not before long more prying media eyes land on them, but the uniformed men act quickly and shuffle the team on. Within seconds they are whisked away through an endless corridor, before arriving in another large open-plan hallway.
Eyes widen and faces turn emotionless. They were not alone. Standing to one side of a set of heavy-dusty wooden doors that was guarded by two huge bald security men, were their opponents and for a moment there was utter silence no one moved. Even the few lucky cameramen allowed in the area had frozen.
‘Over this way.’ A uniformed man spoke up he lead the team to their position to the far wall, and it was only then did the team relax a little. Smiles returned to their faces, little jokes cracked and the usual seriousness of their coach gave a glimpse of happiness.
Cameramen loaded up their film rolls and began taking the ‘pre-photos’; the moments before the fun ends and the real game begin. The country was about to witness a championship unfold.
I guess nobody told Kevin Locke and his unsuspecting victim…
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744 words between '~' according to official word counter.