PVP Semi-Finals (2005) Bluebags Vs Sharks

[roosterboy60]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Newtown Bluebags v Cronulla Sharks[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Game Thread
Please note - This is a game thread only, therefore only game posts can be made here (Teams, Articles).
Any other posts will result in loss of points and is at the discretion of the referee.
Only original essays, not used in previous games, will be marked by referees.[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Both teams will be allowed 2 reserves.
Rules: http://f7s.leagueunlimited.com/rules.asp[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Full Time: Wednesday 23rd November at 9pm (Syd time)[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Venue: The Front Row Stadium

Crowd: 11,550
REFEREE: Gorilla[/font]

[font=Times New Roman, Times, serif]**Referee Blows Game On!**[/font]

 

[The Piper]

The Cronulla Sharks Forum 7s side

Team
Wal
Mr_Moo
Dread
glockers
GoTheBears

Reserves
Bookie
griffo346

 

[Red Bear]

GoTheBears takes a scoot out of dummy half for the Sharks and gains a good 15 metres

Hoping for Failure?


Negative title for the essay? Maybe, but I’m afraid that’s close to the mark regarding my feelings on the Tri-Nations campaign Australia is currently involved in. Before you go tearing up my citizenship or sending me off to prison under the new terror laws on suspicion of plotting to bring down Australia, just hear me out on this one.



Recently, our world beating cricket side went off to England confident of a ninth consecutive Ashes victory. Hell, most of the country (myself included) thought it was an open and shut case, especially after our dominant performance in the Lords test match. Then suddenly Mcgrath rolls his ankle, our bowling and batting is exposed and we lose. TO ENGLAND! Sure, we had Warne completely carrying the side and almost pulling it off on his own (along with Mcgrath when he played) but we were exposed for an aging side with many faults, one being picking the same old players again and again (Hayden still in the side after a year without a century).



This Loss, however, has been turned into a sort of positive thing as we are finally changing our structure and attempting to bring up youngsters to ensure we are dominate for years to come. Of course, there is the added bonus of making International cricket slightly competitive again.



Now apply this to the Tri-Nations. Once again we have a coach picking his favourites (Tate) or else just picking horribly out of form unfit softies like Willie Mason. Of course there were various players such as Grothe (originally overlooked), Skandalis and Hodgsen who had been brilliant throughout 2005 in their positions, but we are left with the typical side we see over and over again with the token player from the premiers (Scott Prince). This system we have had in place for years of not changing the sides simply because of our winning record is slowly turning around however and it is not long untill, as I’ve heard Andrew Voss say endless times on the Rugby League game, it will come back to bite us on the backside.



Last year was an incredibly close call. We had a team picked of coach’s favourites (Tonie Carroll) and average players (Tonga ahead of Cooper) and we scraped into the Final, despite a draw with NZ and a loss to Great Britain. We managed to turn it on through a few good players (Lockyer and Minichello) but 12 months on the former has been struggling with form and defence and has been behind Barrett on form and fitness yet gets picked once again because of our insistence on always picking the incumbents. Our current side could be so much better with a few subtle changes (and of course some good injury news). Players from teams such as the Tigers and Eels, who have played their behinds off this season to improve so greatly (Skandalis, Morrison, Hodgsen) could easily fill the places of players such as Willie Mason, who spent the majority of the year on the sideline before playing with possible the smallest heart known to man for the rest of the season yet somehow made the Australian side!



As we have seen with the cricket, this selection criterion of coach’s favourites and incumbents almost guaranteed a spot on the next tour until they are over 30 will keep happening while everything is rosy. However, a loss is on the cards eventually. It may have been 30 odd years since we lost a series to anyone but the gap is constantly closing, as evidence by 2003’s Ashes, 2004’s Tri Nations and the current series. New Zealand could well win this series whilst Great Britain came damn close in last years. We may not think it will happen but, once again, look at the Ashes this year. All good things come to our end but a series loss for the Kangaroos could bring a bad thing to an end.



Now, I certainly won’t be jumping up 'n' down supporting Great Britain and Ireland, or god forbid the sheep shaggers from across the ditch, but I can see beyond a series loss to what could ensure our dominance for even longer than this current period. It’s as simple as blooding our new players and letting the form guys loose in the north of England.



Although at least our current selection policy from the powers that be ensure a great, competitive international rugby league series!


743 words including title

 

[The Piper]

Wal for the Sharks

How can we make international Forum Sevens work?

I tend to write my better Forum 7s articles when I'm inspired or dishearten by a current topic in rugby league. What I am inspired by at the moment is the tri-nations. But not the series that involves the injury woes of Andrew Johns and the marvels of Stacey Jones; I'm passionate about the three games of Forum 7s being held in the post-season that includes the Australian, New Zealand and Great Britain/Ireland teams.

But, similar to the great debates about the footy series, there are now growing concerns over how popular, or useful, the F7s internationals have been this year.

I didn't play in the first of Australia's representative matches for 2005, but unfortunately the green and gold were unable to field the seven players required. This is no fault of anyone, and this review is not designed to bag anyone. But, naturally, we all would have liked to have seen a seven versus seven match against the Lions, but out of a possible ten players, only six could post for the Kangaroos.

Just completing the Australia v New Zealand clash in which I did play, (and we won!) all were disappointed by the end result for the players who turned up or could not be involved. I have taken the names away, as I mean not to offend any player, as I know that there are many things going on in that little annoyance called "life." But again, these players stuck their hand up to wear their country's colours and this was who played -

1. - IN
2. - IN
3. - IN
4. - OUT
5. - OUT
6. - OUT
7. - IN

Reserves:
8. - By proxy
9. - IN
10. - By proxy

At this time in the year, more than any other time, people have got lots on in their lives. Christmas coming; getting their work up to date before the holidays. These are the main reasons that players are unable to play international F7s. So, are we doing it at the right time? Last season there were the three representative matches throughout the F7s season and all seven posts were made by all the teams, each match. All players are involved in the game during the season, so the international teams would get more interest from players wanting to be involved in these games. There would be more players to choose from. The players that people want to see play together and against each other will be available to do so.

We could then possibly pick the players from the season, which, through their dedication and exceptional writing skills, deserve to be nominated to play for their state or country. Maybe its a case of don't fix what's not broken, and asking for players to put up their hand did work in 2004 when the rep games were played mid season. But a player recently said, "the cream rises to the top in a representative game," that made me think. Is this the case? Certainly, if all players were keen and able to play rep games, we could have the best of the best battle it out each State of Origin and International. That would be great for the game.

Talking to people when evolved in the Awards Night preparation, it was apparent to me that all these players, the most dedicated in playing and running the Forum Sevens, were over the moon to be selected for internationals, as well as congratulating myself on making the team with full sincerity. You may find that amusing, as you may feel, 'it is only an internet writing competition'. But to these players, they were going to represent where they were born, raised and proud to live. And they are involved in a game that they can play, are good at and are getting rewarded for, by playing it at its highest level. They could be rewarded more so; maybe the awards night can involve representative players of the year banners, next year?

Its a known fact that Kiwi captain Robster would like to one day have a whole international squad of New Zealanders for his NZ team. All the luck to him with that. I would love to see one day, the Forum Sevens comp have enough talented New Zealand players to make up the ten man side, like he does. If that happens, we will know that the F7s concept is stronger than ever.

750 words including title

 

[Mr_Moo]

Now Mr_Moo has the ball and run 30 metres.

The History of the Redcliffe Dolphins Part 2





Before the Dolphins first ever match at Dolphin Oval was played, The Redcliffe Old Boys Club led Neil Okamura paid $2,780 for perimeter cyclone fencing around the main oval and contributed $5,000 as a grant towards suitable floodlighting. After the club accepted the grant, they let the Old Boys build a can booth at the northern end of Dolphin Oval and allowed to sell liquor on a commission basis from the booth. From the income the Old Boys generated they put it into building more facilities for Dolphin Oval and for buying jerseys for all the schools in the district.



With the club now having acquired their own tract of land, that could be developed through the years at the clubs own pace for use by the senior and junior members of the club, with them also taking control of their own destiny. In January 1979, the clubs committee proposed to name the main oval the “Don McLennan Oval”, but after a recipients request, the main oval was declared “Dolphin Oval” located within the sporting development area of Talobilla Park.



The club had been looking at the quick rate of development of the urban area, in 1979, the club applied to Redcliffe City Council for building permits to build new licensed club facilities at the southern end of Dolphin Oval. The forward thinking the club undertook had precluded objections for the years ahead, when the club would eventually build their leagues club and served to notify the intending housing developers that a licensed club was on-line in that particular area.



In 1980, after only being in independent operation for 15 years, the Redcliffe Junior League was brought back in under the control of the senior club. Under the circumstances for which this took place were not at all pleasant, but the senior club undertook this with compassion and for the welfare of the junior players, they were the club’s only concern. At the time, President of the juniors, Noel McGrath, felt the control of club was not going forwards, but backwards and the seven other signatories of his committee requested that the senior club assess the take over situation. After the investigations were complete, the juniors learned that show cause notices were about to be issued to them by the Redcliffe City Council and the Liquor Licensing Commission Queensland for excessive noise and for numerous breaches of the liquor act. There was no sign or suggestion of any misappropriation, but unfortunately in many cases involving clubs, they were not prepared to abide by the law and naturally had their neighbours as opposition.



The senior club then called a special meeting of the juniors and informed them that the Queensland Rugby League had given them powers to take full administrative control of the juniors and bring it in under the seniors, under the new name “Redcliffe Leagues Club Limited”. A sub-committee of senior representation was formed, and the members of that sub-committee were; Dick Boxsell, Fergie Ebert, Des Cornish, Ernie Kirkgaard, Mick Cronin and Norm Frost. These men assisted greatly in the complete revamp of the juniors club, and in 1981, the club had all its teams sharing the facilities at Dolphin Oval. And under the control of full-time co-ordinator Bob Crossly, the transition period was a success with as little disruption as possible and concrete policies were put in place to guide the coaches and managers.



With the club now needing to move its administrative offices and leagues club to Dolphin Oval, the club’s management called for the all systems go policy. And without the help of the then federal member for Petrie, The Honourable Dean Wells MP, contributed funding towards the move with the federal governments C.E.P. fund, combined with the Dolphins own financial arrangements through the Commonwealth Bank, without their finances, the project wouldn’t have gone ahead. Dick Turner and John Fulton arranged with the Commonwealth Bank to borrow the commercial finance needed and Kevin Benson was responsible for the club’s application for funding through the C.E.P. fund. One of the conditions for applying for C.E.P. funding was to provide jobs to the long term unemployed. 12 months after the turning of the first sod ceremony, the new leagues club building was ready to opened by Redcliffe Mayor and former Redcliffe Football Club President, Alderman Alf Charlish.



The payments of the loans the club borrowed could be maintained even while providing an excellent facility for the club’s members and guests.

Word Count: 750 words

http://redcliffe.leagueunlimited.com/history.asp

 

[glockers]

I guess I am a Traitor

Cheering against your country seems like an obviously unpatriotic act and should feel a person with disgust, unfortunately I have not felt this disgust this year, and somehow this concerns me.

Many will think I am a nutcase for even complimenting such an action but then they don’t really matter to me in the least.

I did question my actions and how I could even consider this action and these thoughts kept floating through my head in April in the week approaching the ANZAC test. My reasons were sound though.

I was sick of the Australian team dominating the scene and having any competition. They just ended up winning every Test and it was exceedingly boring.

I guess I was tired of international football being a joke. I wished for the day that other teams fielded strong and competitive sides. I hoped that the World Cup would be a contest.

It was annoying that no Tigers players were picked and the last we had in the team was Tim Brasher. I was at my limit of supporting a team picked on reputation rather than form.

Despite all these worthy reasons, a much more selfish reason emerged when Benji was selected. With his selection suddenly all the above reasons became more than complaints that were mumbled as I waved the Australian flag, they became legitimate arguments. Mr Marshall made me want to scream Kiwi.

This was not a mere liking of a player, past New Zealand internationals enjoyed my support at a Club level. Gary Freeman, who I loved in a Tigers jersey, was hated in a Kiwi jersey and the Cayless brothers, despite my respect, also had anger poured out towards them.

Our little cousins had so much more going for them. Not only was the savior of the Tigers named in the number six, three other Tigers were involved. Harrison made the squad, Whaturia was on the run on team and Halatau coming off the bench. It felt right to cheer those lads, as per normal and like any other week.

On top of this I felt the injustice of the Australian team. The Australian selections actually made me feel dirty.

Hodgson was denied a rightful place as Australian Fullback and Skandalis, not surprisingly, again overlooked.

As much as I love my country, I was disgusted and my Tigers were the core of the New Zealand team.

The agony and pain of cheering for New Zealand should have existed but it didn’t.
Once I made my decision, my only concern was in fact my lack of concern. Why wasn’t I feeling torn up about this?

After the ANZAC test I swore never to do it again, to never barrack for the opposition, to always be loyal from that day on.

I really tried to, I did, despite stupidly denying both the grand finalists spots in the Tri Nations, despite picking players who were riddled with injuries all season, despite picking non finalists, even despite picked out of form players it somehow sucking it up and supporting them despite the injustice seemed fine. Especially considering Marshall and Halatau were not even playing and Scott Prince had made the team.

Prince’s selection seemed to be a small consolation for the stupidity of the selectors.
Then I sat through a loss to New Zealand, poor team line-ups and Prince bench warming. I swear I was near breaking point when a slight cease-fire was declared when Prince was given a chance.

Then after waking up early and sitting through the test I witnessed the worse coaching move of my life. Prince being taken out of the game with 10 minutes left.
His only crime was not being Andrew Johns.

Coach Bennet made all sorts of claims about his defence but in the end there was nothing wrong with Prince.

Dropping Prince for the next test was the worse piece of scapegoating I have seen.
This is not to mention that he was not only dropped but also replaced by the shocking Craig Gower. Gower is not a halfback and played terribly for Penrith all year.

It must be something about Craigs, they are always garbage.

Prince took the fall when we had no wingers, a terrible forward pack, and a hooker that is past his use by date.

So approaching the Tri-Nations Final I am finding myself again considering a switch of allegiance and might end up cheering the sheep shaggers.

*My count says 745 words*

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

The Nominees for the Bluebags Forum 7's in this clash with the Sharks are...


Bring back John Fifita (c)
...Morticia...
JoeD
The Phantom Biter
Hoggy

Reserves:
Willow (vc)
Dragon_psa

See you sharks on the paddock soon.

 

[Dread]

Dread for the Sharks.

---
I’m sitting here, listening to Bjork, wondering what on God’s earth I can write about rugby league. All of the contorted wailing probably isn’t helping with my thought processes, but I battle through the piercing screams and odd warbling because I’m stubborn… and because I like it.

Yeah, I'm a sucker for pain.

It’s not helping though. It also doesn’t help that it’s the off season, and absolutely nothing is happening in the rugby league world.

Oh, sure, there’s a Tri-Nations series going on, but it’s just going to schedule. Britain has capitulated spectacularly, the Kiwis have been inconsistent and the Aussies have gotten off to a poor start only to overcome injuries to storm into the final. Nothing out of the ordinary there; I could be watching any international series from the past five years.

About the only interesting thing to arise from it was when Nigel Vagana smacked in some Pommy lad's face. Literally. Otherwise, it’s been a total snooze fest, and I’m glad that I haven’t been dragging myself out of bed at some ungodly hour in the morning to endure some monotonous incarnation of our glorious game… but I suppose that’s what you get when you fill the national team with over rated superstars.

Right then. What else might I write about?

Lance Thompson has been sacked by the Dragons. That’s not surprising really, though. These things happen when you’re an ageing member of an underperforming squad with a penchant for arriving at training still smashed off your face after a big night on the town. Some might consider the sacking controversial, or unnecessary. Me? I’m just surprised it didn’t happen sooner. What more is there to say?

I guess I could work it into a piece about the extinction of loyalty in the game. That could work. Actually, that sounds like a swell idea. Three hundred words in, and I’ve found myself a topic. Whoop-de-doo.

Actually, what referee in their right mind wants to read about loyalty… again? I think I need to aim for something a bit more original, or controversial. Bugger. Scrap loyalty, that doesn’t fit into either category.

Bjork’s eardrum piercing tones fade, replaced by the Beastie Boys. Finally, I might be able to concentrate. What else might be worth writing about?

The hot rumour at the moment is that Danny Nutley is being sent packing by the Sharks. The man has been, without a doubt, our most consistent player over the past two years. He ascended to State of Origin last season. So how do the ever so spectacular Cronulla management (note: intended sarcasm) reward our beloved Nuts? They tell him to pack his bags, he’s off to play in England. I can only shake my head.

But then… that can’t be the topic. What if the rumour is false? Then I’ll just look like a top level mental case, firing up over some nonexistent truth. Sure, I might actually be something of a mental case, but I don’t want the general Forum 7’s public to know about that. Let’s just leave it there, eh?

This is too difficult. I could make a decent fist of an article for a soccer (football?) Forum 7’s. Now there’s a sport that’s making an impact during this off season. Isn’t it incredible? A new management strolls in, completely reconstructs the club competition and then launches a new look national team which captures the heart of Australia and rips a thirty one year old monkey off its back. You could write about it for days. I’d struggle to keep it within the covers of a novel, let alone within this meagre 750 word limit.

Maybe I could do a comparison between the new soccer administration and the NRL? Hey, that could work actually! How many words do I have to work with?

Sh*t. Only fifty four words left. Scrap that idea, there’s just not enough room.

The Beastie Boys fade. I’ve exhausted two albums and still don’t have a topic, or a title. This is getting beyond ludicrous.

Bam. It hits me.

Hold on a second. How many words was that? About 700 words? Beautiful. Reading it over, it seems obvious. I’ve got an article self made. All it needs is a title. I hereby present to you…

A Rugby League Stream of Thought a.k.a A Cynical Man’s Guide to Writing a Forum 7’s Article in the Off-season

----

733 words by the official counter.

 

[JoeD]

JoeD for the Bluebags

Preparation

How does the preparation of your game day go? Mine depends on the game of course. Home, away, morning, afternoon, evening, so many variables. At this time of year game day is usually a Sunday morning so I prepare the night before and set the alarm clock. This can be a difficult thing to do depending on the events of the Saturday. Not much time for preparations in the morning so they are usually done on the go. Making the tea is also a good excuse to get out of the room when the kiwis are defending their own line.

Their own line. The Warriors in 2005 were too often standing behind their own line, watching conversions fly over. Nowhere to escape to when you’re at an afternoon home game stuck in the Eastern stand of Ericsson Stadium. Even the toilets have TVs so when the team isn’t going well there is no escape. The sun is still hot in March and the players and fans are still finding their match fitness. Preparation for this kind of game includes a big lunch before hand, sunglasses, hat and sunscreen for during. Some people might say beer as well but like I said before the match fitness of the fans still isn’t up to scratch in March so beer might cause a premature exit from the game.

A premature exit from the game is something I’ve only done once. Normally those performing the Ericsson shuffle are treated with the scorn they deserve. None more so than those who leave early even when we are winning and their main aim is to beat the traffic. On this fateful game day it was an afternoon in midwinter although the weather before hand belied this fact. The skies were clear and it was not cold. The weather during the game not only proved it to be true but also exposed our preparation as woefully inadequate. Minutes into the game the heavens opened and there was downpour the like of which I have never before experienced. The rain was so thick I could hardly see the pitch. Later we were to learn they considered calling the game off such was the ferocity of the precipitation. By half time someone obviously felt sorry for us and the ground announcer declared we could take shelter in one of the covered stands. It was too late. We were soaked to the core, our preparation let us down and we performed the Ericsson shuffle for the one and only time.

The one and only time I’ve been to a game on foreign soil also just happened to involve the most preparation. It started seconds after the Warriors win over the Sharks in the 2002 Qualifying final. Straight onto the computer to search out flights and tickets. The next day tickets were purchased in person by being the first in the queue at Ticketek and the airline tickets not long after. We invaded Sydney a few days later and proceeded to check out the battleground and perform a dry run of our travel plans with a cruise up the Parramatta River on a tour of Telstra Stadium. Feeling comfortable about what we had planned the next few days were spent on R&R. On the day it all went smoothly. Armed with a black flag, black t-shirt and black sunglasses we made our amphibious assault upon Homebush. One final preparation before heading into the stadium was the purchase of a black cap and a giant inflatable black finger. It was all going so well. We were leading going into half time and had been unlucky not to have scored more points. Then it all went wrong. I can hardly remember what happened after that except thinking that maybe I should have worn black pants as well.

Well what can I say about preparing for the game? Sometimes you just need a break from the stress of the game. Sometimes get soaked but your team still wins. Sometimes you plan well and it still all goes awry. Sometimes there is just no way you can fit ‘black pants’ into the opening line of the conclusion of your article. Sometimes you get lucky and a lack of preparation goes unpunished. I’m certainly hoping that this is the case in the game today.


--------------------

719 words by official counter

 

[Bring back John Fifita]

BBJF (c) on for the Bluebags.....​

Lance​

As we all now know, he’s no longer a dragon. Much speculation surrounds his departure. Where the truth actually lies is anybody’s guess and I dare say that even the man himself doesn’t truly know. If anything that secret is with the Board of the St George Illawarra club and that’s where it will stay.


It is my firm belief that there is much more to the story, but equally that the management of this “saga” by the Dragons club has been nothing short of disgraceful.


We do know this. A Hurstville United junior, Thompson made his first grade debut for the Dragons at 17. He played a total of 201 first grade games over 11 years of service. At 27 and with one year to go on a 3 year deal with the club, his contract was terminated. Where his future lies in rugby league is uncertain.


Rumours had surfaced mid-season that the club wanted to release Thompson, so much so that the Tigers made enquiries about signing him. Thompson approached the Dragons to discuss these rumours the club denied them. In hindsight it would be reasonable to assume these rumours had foundation. So where did these rumours come from?


The only conclusion, boardroom leaks.


4 Months later, Thompson is requested to front the board, to show cause why his contract should not be terminated. Why?


(i) He allegedly sent threatening text messages to Justin Poore prior to the Tigers semi-final.


If true, why weren’t Thompson and Poore summoned immediately to explain this to the club, and (if necessary) diffuse the situation?


(ii) He prematurely left the annual club awards, before receiving an award honouring his 200th game with the club.


Given that a Dragons board member had just told him he had played his last game for the club (i.e. another leak), wouldn’t his actions seem somewhat understandable at the very least?


(iii) The club felt that Thompson had been publicly critical of them.


Yes, some of Thompson’s side of the story was made public through the press, but none of it was a direct attack on the club, more-so expressions of disappointment. Also, the Dragons club is (at least) as equally guilty of publicising the issues and viewpoints they held.


Given Thompson’s loyalty and service do such reasons (assuming they are legitimate) constitute terminating his contract?


The Dragons were under salary cap pressure and had to release players to remain compliant - fact. The only way to achieve this would be to release current players on the roster. So what?


All clubs are in the same boat and should be acutely aware of what their roster is worth.. It has been suggested that inflated values of Dragons’ representative players were unforeseen. Perhaps, but why sign departing players to one-year contracts (eg Greenshields), or even bring in new signings (eg Bickerstaff) if this is the case?


Essentially Greenshields & Bickerstaff are players who essentially would not be in the Dragons full-strength 17. We’ve got miles of depth and don’t need any more. And all this before the Thompson saga was apparent. The timing doesn’t add up with the “reasons” for dismissal given by the club either.


Inaction by the club meant 6 weeks had elapsed from the alleged text messaging incident to Thompson’s contract termination. In this time the issue festered, rumour and innuendo flourished, reputations suffered.


Finally, during the recent press conference announcing Adidas as their new uniform supplier, Peter Doust & Nathan Brown were questioned regarding the Thompson saga. Amongst other statements Brown said "She's all going to be 'fish and chip paper’ in a few days."


Complete disrespect. The career of a player who busted a gut for his club for the last 11 years equates to fish and chip paper. A dignified ending is something a man of Thompson’s stature deserved at the very least.


No man is bigger than any club or the game itself. Perhaps the club was right to dismiss Thompson for reasons we are not aware of. Perhaps not. Whatever the case may be, from start to finish the way they went about it is one of the most inept displays of club management in my memory.


Lies, Leaks, Inconsistencies, Procrastination, Non-communication, Betrayal.



Embarrassing.


Every club has had a player like Lance. I ask you to think about a lifelong player from your club. Replace Thompson’s name with that player, consider the facts of the case, ignore my opinions above and form your own. How would you feel?

______
http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200511/s1508271.htm

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17266803%255E23214,00.html

749 words by F7's Word Counter

 

[Willow]

For the notice of the referee...

Interchange:
Hoggy out
Willow in

 

[Willow]

Willow runs on for the Bluebags...


Millie on the bench

Gundagai Jack was a fine footballer. He could side step and weave better than anyone. It has been said that he could find a gap in a perfect set of teeth.

Every Saturday, Millie would take up residence on her favourite bench. The occasional splinter wasn’t a problem. A familiar sight around Gundagai, Mrs Jack would belt out a cheer every time her hubbie got within coo-ee of the ball.

Some evenings, the happy couple would hop into their old brown lorry and head off to the local cinema to watch newsreels. They talked about planning for a family and Jack told Millie about a block of land near the football field.

“I've done my share of shearing sheep… of droving and all that,” said Jack.

”You’re dreaming again,” laughed Millie.

“It’s the future Millie. I reckon it’s a beaut place to set up a tourist attraction!”

The next weekend, Jack hit the footy field again and it was an important match. One more win would see the Gundagai lads into the grand final. Right on time and loyal as ever, Millie took up her favourite possie on the bench. It was great sight for Jack and for the whole team who took inspiration from Millie’s barracking.

But things didn’t go right that afternoon. After receiving a ball from his captain, Bill ‘Tucker’ Wilson, Jack was pole-axed by some scumbag from Yass. Shaking off the dizziness, Jack was weaving his magic again, stepping through some slow defence just wide of the ruck, setting up his outside men and dazzling all in attendance. He set up a try and gave his side a winning lead.

But Jack was being targeted and moments later he took the bait and copped a dead-set spear tackle. After some anxious moments, he got up and vomited.

Millie stood resolute. She was a strong young woman - country life made sure of that - and she had seen Jack cop injuries since their schoolhouse days.

That evening, Jack complained of headaches and vomited some more. His coach, Frank ‘Boxhead’ Hume made a point of visiting Jack and Millie after a win. He reckoned it was normal for a bloke to chunder after a copping a knock. But Frank still hung around until late in the evening.

Jack slept in the next day, finally waking up after 8:00am. He held his forehead but didn’t complain. He went to church with Millie and in the afternoon, Jack dug a few holes and put in some posts, readying the yard for a fence to be completed the following Sunday.

Then he collapsed.

Calling Jack in for lunch, Millie wandered over Snake Gully. Devotion turned to panic and she screamed out his name… but Jack never got up.

Two days later people came from far and wide to pay their respects. Jack’s funeral was a big item in Gundagai that week. Millie was inconsolable – no amount of support could ease her grief. For the days that followed, Millie went into a shell. The local greengrocer and butcher noted her absence and she missed her regular Thursday night CWA meeting.

Jack’s team mates were shattered. Black arm bands were the order of the day but they knew they were up against it. More than that, they knew they stood next to no chance without Millie cheering them on.

‘Tucker’ and ‘Boxhead’ did their best to raise the team spirit but they themselves were mourning the loss of their mate. Looking over at Millie’s empty bench made it a battle just to lace up the boots.

With the referee on the field, the Gundagai lads trudged on, heads hanging low. The despair was in their eyes and the other mob could smell a grand final victory even before the ball was kicked off.

But then it happened. From a distance, an old brown lorry was making its way up the path to the field. Jumping out of the driver’s seat, Millie raised her head and took up position on her bench. The players went silent as they saw their number one fan on the sideline. Millie smiled back. “What are you looking at boys?” she yelled. “Kick it off and let’s do it for Jack!”

History doesn’t record who won the grand final that year and no one is even sure of the location of the football field. But the legend of Millie on her bench endures and the town of Gundagai was never the same again.


*750 words*

 

[The Phantom Biter]

‘BUDGIES’ AND ‘REGGIES’ IGNITE FINE COTTON DEBATE

A lively debate has been simmering for several years now over the similarities and the subtle differences between underpants and swimwear in rugby league along with the problems players can face when discerningly making their choices in personal apparel. From time to time the situation arises when we all need to revisit these critical issues that face the game today.

Last Monday night I happened to be watching the Channel Nine News and during the sports coverage I noticed Trent Barrett parading by the poolside at a recent Kangaroos training session in his budgie smugglers. With his family pride and glory there for all to see, no comment or ado whatsoever was made about the matter in the media. I was aghast with astonishment as not quite three months ago some elements of the great media throng were beating themselves into a lather of sweat over Trent doing a few harmless push-ups by a pool table in his Reg Grundies.

According to the St George Illawarra club the wearing of Reg Grundies to undertake the activity of push-ups in a ‘public bar’ constitutes “unruly behavior”, whereas the wearing of budgie smugglers at a public baths is not remarked upon in the least. According to our media moral standards commission the wearing of budgie smugglers is nothing more than a harmless pastime and an open expression of left-wing freedom.

We recently bore witness to some of the beat-up headlines this issue conjured up and let’s not forget that Barrett was ultimately fined $2000 by the club as a token gesture in order to satisfy the veracious appetite of the chasing pack of media hyenas. Meanwhile the media had their time in attempt to publicly humiliate the player.

It appears that the moral high standard prescribes that whilst wearing budgie smugglers one can get away with almost anything in the most public of places whilst in stark contrast when the personal choice of coverage turns to Bonds Holeproof of course, one can no longer harmlessly and innocently partake in a few standard push-ups amongst friends in some backwater bar at 2am on a Tuesday morning because contrary to the sustained brainwashing we have all endured throughout many years of tedious advertising campaigns, the press are now telling us that the wearing of Reg Grundies in public is akin to getting caught with your pants down.

We could interpret the media’s over-reaction in this affair by suggesting that this issue all boils down to a simply case of lycra versus fine cotton and the players need to carefully consider the appropriate time, place, and the activity being undertaken before tactfully deciding which jock to wear and for what occasion.

It is safe to conclude from what we have witnessed over the past few years in this progressive game of rugby league that many players now actually prefer to wear budgie smugglers when playing the game as part of their standard kit. Along the same vein it is reasonable to entertain the notion that some players may also partake in the wearing of budgies on a casual basis and when entertaining friends and then who’s to say that Trent was not in fact wearing budgies on that fateful night. It is highly possible that the media have been half-cocked in this affair all along and what we may in fact have is nothing more than a simple case of mistaken underwear.

The clubs need to take a leading role in the defence of players and their personal choices of underwear for all occasions in the face of this type of media adversity. Perhaps Gus Gould gave the best appraisal of the situation by suggesting…“The first club with the courage to tell the media to go to hell will get a standing ovation from the general public, which isn't stupid when it comes to knowing right from wrong”.

At the end of the day it appears that elements of the media have defined the fine line of righteousness in the budgies versus reggies debate in rugby league although it remains plainly obvious that the only thing that truly distinguishes these two items of apparel from one another amounts to nothing more than a piece of string - and not what the budgie is wrapped in.

 

[antonius]

Ref Blows Fulltime.

 

[Willow]

Thank you time keeper.

We rallied late in the piece but it looks like the Bluebags have fallen short. Well done Sharks :thumn and best of luck in the PVP Shield Final.

 

[The Piper]

Thanks Antonius.

Thanks Willow and the Bluebags for the match.

Congratulations to my fellow Sharks. Very proud of your essays and commitment.

Thanks to Gorilla for marking - in advance.

 

[gorilla]

Sharks

Wal

A sincere post looking at problems with limited solutions offered

80

Mr_Moo

Cut and paste paraphrasism – check the source/reference – not quite plagiarism, but as close as one can get

50

Dread

Pipal tree stuff. Introspection on top of introversion

72

Glockers

An insight into one poster’s views on club and international league

79

GoTheBears

Simple points well put

81



Bluebags

JoeD

Hard to remain unpunished when you draw attention to it. Could do with a visit from Mr Paragraph

79

Bring Back John Fifita

Well written simple story, trying to deal with facts

82

The Phantom Biter

A nice old clear dichotomy, only hygienic reasons left for consideration between choices.

83

Willow

Love the story – true or false, who cares

92


Result

Sharks (362) d. Bluebags (336)

A closer match than the 5 v 4 ending would have thought - there was a severe problem with the content of one Shark's post. This material source has been used previously with similar stylistic and linguistic manner. I was not about to inspect previous content but the content here is close enough to warrant severe penalty.

POTM: Willow (92)

 

[The Piper]

Thanks Gorilla for marking and your comments. We will take all of them on board.

It was always going to be close, even with 5 v 4. Cheers to Newtown for the match. Well done to Willow on Man Of The Match, I loved that post.

Congrats to my boys, we'll learn form this game and be better for it in the future.

 

[Willow]

Good grief Goz! That one has been sitting in the freezer for ages. :lol:
Just shows that you never know what's going on in the mind of a referee. ;-)

Thanks Gorilla for marking - completely true story, offcourse. ;-)

Congrats to the Sharks on your victory... the juggernaut continues. Good luck in the PVP Shield final.

Looks like we Bluebags made a game of it after all but this match shows the importance of getting all five posts - as they say in the classics, you can't win the game without the ball.

 

[glockers]

Willow, as a Sharks player I only know too well what it is like to not get five posts in.

Well played and yeah I deserved my mark, it was no where near what I planned it to be.