Parki
Bench
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Sunday 7th September 2003
Newcastle Knights vs North Qld Cowboys
It all comes down to this
26 excruciating rounds of football. Heartbreaking losses, like the one at Campbelltown and Penrith, counter balanced with some brilliant wins like the grinding 12/6 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, and the conversion after the siren by fearless leader to give us a win over the dragons. The joy of once again being in the finals, coupled with the earth shattering reality that Andrew isnt going to be there. Welcome to finals football.
The regular season ended today in a rather mundane fashion. We couldnt improve our position nor could we lose any ground, so we were basically stuck. But today was significant for other reasons. The last ever game sitting on the dirt ( thank god) was tinged with sadness, because in all the years me and my mate have been sitting there, we have grown to like our little piece of dirt. Every week it is left bare by the ladies that sit behind us, so that if by some reason we are not there on time, we still have OUR spot. Its nice to have that, but in saying that next year when we get some seats, it will be much more comfortable and a fair reward for our great teams fans, including myself. So I wont complain.
Moments like these though only come along once every so often, so saying goodbye to something that your so fond of is going to be hard, no matter whether it be an old car that no longer works, or a footy stadium so old the corrigated iron is blowing off the western grandstand, as if you tell you, Cmon mate isnt time you fixed me up? And I think its that time.
Today also marked the final game of a hard worker by the name of Sean Rudder. Now lets be honest guys, Sean wasnt ever going to be an Australian international, but he always busted his backside off for the good of this club, and did put up one memorable kick two years ago to send us to a grand final. Champions dont always go out and take the game away with a magic bit of inspiration. In the case of Sean Rudder I see his ability in the fight and determination he always put forward. He would always try that miracle pass that often never came off, but every now and then when a magic ball was thrown or that kick was put up two years ago, it made the knights fans sit back and go hey, maybe hes not such a bad player after all, and he will be missed. Guys like Sean Rudder are invaluable to a team like the knights because of the simple reason that the knights mean everything to them. And it is such a shame that only now, with the departure of Sean Rudder do I see that.
So we beat the cows, and it wasnt all that convincing, but like I said, it wasnt that big a game anyway. Nothing lost, nothing gained, and September 2003 is upon is. Another trip to Aussie Stadium to face our arch nemesis, the Sydney Roosters, and once again, its backs against the wall. No second chance. No Joey to lead us to glory, only a young fella by the name of Kurt Gidley. And a new breed of champions led from the new raging bull Josh Perry, to the ageless gladiator that is Ben Kennedy. A mix of youth with Timana Tahu, coupled by the wisdom of Robbie O Davis.
Champions are rarely born. They are often built up through years of training. The nights the younger generation will stay back after training to gain some sort of insight into how they can make the game better, how they can improve their play. Premierships too are won off a similar mentality. Ive never heard a player go through thirty rounds of football, and say that it was easy, that he could go another ten rounds of football. Because its NOT. If the Sydney Roosters think we are going to lay down and die then I have this message for them:
They said after Joeys injury, that we wouldnt win another game without Joey. We have won three. We have beaten the Warriors and sent the Dragons Crashing out of the Finals, and displayed pride power and passion. Passion that you think we do not have. Guess what? On Saturday night we are coming. We have no fear. No expectations. No regrets. You were warned.
Thank god for Finals Footy.
Newcastle Knights vs North Qld Cowboys
It all comes down to this
26 excruciating rounds of football. Heartbreaking losses, like the one at Campbelltown and Penrith, counter balanced with some brilliant wins like the grinding 12/6 win over the Canterbury Bulldogs, and the conversion after the siren by fearless leader to give us a win over the dragons. The joy of once again being in the finals, coupled with the earth shattering reality that Andrew isnt going to be there. Welcome to finals football.
The regular season ended today in a rather mundane fashion. We couldnt improve our position nor could we lose any ground, so we were basically stuck. But today was significant for other reasons. The last ever game sitting on the dirt ( thank god) was tinged with sadness, because in all the years me and my mate have been sitting there, we have grown to like our little piece of dirt. Every week it is left bare by the ladies that sit behind us, so that if by some reason we are not there on time, we still have OUR spot. Its nice to have that, but in saying that next year when we get some seats, it will be much more comfortable and a fair reward for our great teams fans, including myself. So I wont complain.
Moments like these though only come along once every so often, so saying goodbye to something that your so fond of is going to be hard, no matter whether it be an old car that no longer works, or a footy stadium so old the corrigated iron is blowing off the western grandstand, as if you tell you, Cmon mate isnt time you fixed me up? And I think its that time.
Today also marked the final game of a hard worker by the name of Sean Rudder. Now lets be honest guys, Sean wasnt ever going to be an Australian international, but he always busted his backside off for the good of this club, and did put up one memorable kick two years ago to send us to a grand final. Champions dont always go out and take the game away with a magic bit of inspiration. In the case of Sean Rudder I see his ability in the fight and determination he always put forward. He would always try that miracle pass that often never came off, but every now and then when a magic ball was thrown or that kick was put up two years ago, it made the knights fans sit back and go hey, maybe hes not such a bad player after all, and he will be missed. Guys like Sean Rudder are invaluable to a team like the knights because of the simple reason that the knights mean everything to them. And it is such a shame that only now, with the departure of Sean Rudder do I see that.
So we beat the cows, and it wasnt all that convincing, but like I said, it wasnt that big a game anyway. Nothing lost, nothing gained, and September 2003 is upon is. Another trip to Aussie Stadium to face our arch nemesis, the Sydney Roosters, and once again, its backs against the wall. No second chance. No Joey to lead us to glory, only a young fella by the name of Kurt Gidley. And a new breed of champions led from the new raging bull Josh Perry, to the ageless gladiator that is Ben Kennedy. A mix of youth with Timana Tahu, coupled by the wisdom of Robbie O Davis.
Champions are rarely born. They are often built up through years of training. The nights the younger generation will stay back after training to gain some sort of insight into how they can make the game better, how they can improve their play. Premierships too are won off a similar mentality. Ive never heard a player go through thirty rounds of football, and say that it was easy, that he could go another ten rounds of football. Because its NOT. If the Sydney Roosters think we are going to lay down and die then I have this message for them:
They said after Joeys injury, that we wouldnt win another game without Joey. We have won three. We have beaten the Warriors and sent the Dragons Crashing out of the Finals, and displayed pride power and passion. Passion that you think we do not have. Guess what? On Saturday night we are coming. We have no fear. No expectations. No regrets. You were warned.
Thank god for Finals Footy.
