Shark asked in another thread if this little gem could be reproduced here, well after a hour or so re-typing it off the framed copy on my office wall, here it is !
-------------------------------------------
THE ETTINGSHAUSEN ERA
By Rupert McCall
IN the shadows of the dressing room, one man takes his time
Struggling to come to terms-emotion starts to climb
The game had been a friend to him-he loved it from the start
Now the full time bell has sounded and it hits hard in his heart
It echoes with an emptiness he's never felt before
The final piece of strapping tape goes crashing to the floor
That sweet, sweet smell of liniment-by God, he'll miss that smell
And he never thought he'd say it, but he'll miss the bumps aswell
He'd rather not confront it but he looks around the shed
Never has he felt it more-Cronulla born and bred
Bloody rowdy bunch they are-the boys that played beside him
That's what chokes him up the most-the memories inside him
For it only seems a day ago-from De La Salle, he came
Just to have a run for fitness-maybe even play a game
He was seventeen,a trifle green and though he had the dimples
They existed with a mop of hair and a half a dozen pimples
but there was something in his manner,there was something in his gaze
and the better judges knew that there was magic in his ways
No, he won't forget the moment when he first pulled on the colours
Then in league forever after that, the glory was Cronulla's
The jersey still adorns him, now he wants to leave it on
He doesn't want to take it off,for then it will be gone
Three hundred matches later-still-the blue, the black , the white
That record may not always stand, but then again it might
And for what they were a part of in the Ettingshausen Era'
His teammates feel the sadness for the fact could not be clearer
That the world will be less fortunate for people in the stands
without those things that happened when the football graced his hands
THat customary explosion breathing freakish waves of flair
into legs that fed on lightning and electrified the air
to be entertained consistently in every major sense
The step at pace, the kick and chase, the passionate defence
Yes, it's hard for them to think of life without him in their sport
he was just so good to play with-always looming in support
Always there to make the tackle,never missing in the toil
He was just so damned reliable, resilient and loyal
In the same respect , the past is decked with scenes of inspiration
WHen he proudly took the paddock for his state and for his nation
Posting twenty-seven stations as a record breaking blue
Earning twenty five ovations as a mighty Kangaroo
That is more than just a player with some wonderful ability
He'll be written as a champion and one with great humility
A man who now lies destined for a field of different clover
In the shadows of that dessing room, he knows the game is over
But the other thing he knows is what awaits him when he leaves
The girls that mean the world to him and all the he receives
From what will always be his guiding light, his precious little clan
Monique, of course, the kids and from his first day-John and Fran
The parents of the little bloke who spent his childhood wishing
He was out there with his Poppa doing nothing else but fishing
And she is waiting for him too-to shower him with love
The Author of his scrapbook-watching proudly from above
There is yet another chapter in the tribe of fans departing
He doesn't know the young boys name or what this kid is charting
He didn't know- the night before, this six year old was dreaming
Of the day HE'D take the football field with sharks supporters screaming
He doesn't see the father who accompanies his charge-
The day before ,with eyes aglow and aspirations large
playingin the yard, these words were spoken by the lad
"when I grow up, I wanna be a footy player Dad ! "
Well his father bought the tickets never needing better reason
For he knew the youngster's hero would be catching fish next season
Waiting Sunday to surprise the boy, he rattled off with glee
"Go and get your sharks scarf son-we're off the see E.T"
Now from the shadows of that dressing room, one man walks away
But the football world he leaves behind is better for his stay
Because,for how the man inspired us, it echoes to the core-
His legend and his legacy remain forever more
-----------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
THE ETTINGSHAUSEN ERA
By Rupert McCall
IN the shadows of the dressing room, one man takes his time
Struggling to come to terms-emotion starts to climb
The game had been a friend to him-he loved it from the start
Now the full time bell has sounded and it hits hard in his heart
It echoes with an emptiness he's never felt before
The final piece of strapping tape goes crashing to the floor
That sweet, sweet smell of liniment-by God, he'll miss that smell
And he never thought he'd say it, but he'll miss the bumps aswell
He'd rather not confront it but he looks around the shed
Never has he felt it more-Cronulla born and bred
Bloody rowdy bunch they are-the boys that played beside him
That's what chokes him up the most-the memories inside him
For it only seems a day ago-from De La Salle, he came
Just to have a run for fitness-maybe even play a game
He was seventeen,a trifle green and though he had the dimples
They existed with a mop of hair and a half a dozen pimples
but there was something in his manner,there was something in his gaze
and the better judges knew that there was magic in his ways
No, he won't forget the moment when he first pulled on the colours
Then in league forever after that, the glory was Cronulla's
The jersey still adorns him, now he wants to leave it on
He doesn't want to take it off,for then it will be gone
Three hundred matches later-still-the blue, the black , the white
That record may not always stand, but then again it might
And for what they were a part of in the Ettingshausen Era'
His teammates feel the sadness for the fact could not be clearer
That the world will be less fortunate for people in the stands
without those things that happened when the football graced his hands
THat customary explosion breathing freakish waves of flair
into legs that fed on lightning and electrified the air
to be entertained consistently in every major sense
The step at pace, the kick and chase, the passionate defence
Yes, it's hard for them to think of life without him in their sport
he was just so good to play with-always looming in support
Always there to make the tackle,never missing in the toil
He was just so damned reliable, resilient and loyal
In the same respect , the past is decked with scenes of inspiration
WHen he proudly took the paddock for his state and for his nation
Posting twenty-seven stations as a record breaking blue
Earning twenty five ovations as a mighty Kangaroo
That is more than just a player with some wonderful ability
He'll be written as a champion and one with great humility
A man who now lies destined for a field of different clover
In the shadows of that dessing room, he knows the game is over
But the other thing he knows is what awaits him when he leaves
The girls that mean the world to him and all the he receives
From what will always be his guiding light, his precious little clan
Monique, of course, the kids and from his first day-John and Fran
The parents of the little bloke who spent his childhood wishing
He was out there with his Poppa doing nothing else but fishing
And she is waiting for him too-to shower him with love
The Author of his scrapbook-watching proudly from above
There is yet another chapter in the tribe of fans departing
He doesn't know the young boys name or what this kid is charting
He didn't know- the night before, this six year old was dreaming
Of the day HE'D take the football field with sharks supporters screaming
He doesn't see the father who accompanies his charge-
The day before ,with eyes aglow and aspirations large
playingin the yard, these words were spoken by the lad
"when I grow up, I wanna be a footy player Dad ! "
Well his father bought the tickets never needing better reason
For he knew the youngster's hero would be catching fish next season
Waiting Sunday to surprise the boy, he rattled off with glee
"Go and get your sharks scarf son-we're off the see E.T"
Now from the shadows of that dressing room, one man walks away
But the football world he leaves behind is better for his stay
Because,for how the man inspired us, it echoes to the core-
His legend and his legacy remain forever more
-----------------------------------------------------
