Wrote this at the ground yesterday.
Here I am at the SFS.
Gasnier is a short 10 yards from me practising goals.
Saw all the old legends come out and were awarded some goody bag.
(They came my way ripe for photo ops but veered off unfortunately.)
The players are all here in front of me - J. Morris, Woolford and Young.
Young's only 'bout 5ft is he?
(That's like seeing that Bulldogs player in person.....what's his name? Ryan? Should see how skinny his forearms are.)
I'm sitting in what feels like 32 degree heat.
Christ it's hot.
I'm also sitting near the main bulk of Dragons fans.
I ate a cheese burger and drank a
$4:90 coke awhile ago near them in the shade too and contemplated going in front of them/amongst them and orchestrating a hand-waving tune of St. Helens but didn't have the balls.
They're all in full voice lyric's, horns and all.
It's a toss up between Farrah and Marshall who got the biggest pre-game introduction cheer.
"Oow arghh Gasnier" is a blatant rip-off to the Glen McGrath chant, Dragons fans!!!!!!!
There's a 20 minute heat break.
I'm not surprised.
St. George are feeling the heat more so than the Tiges in this 1st half.
They look buggered and not handling this heat at all.
They have the wind behind them too.
I wish there was more intercom commentary at the ground as you don't know who is who.
(I didn't even know Marshall was injured and off the field.)
Half time.
Tigers 18-4 up.
Not only are The Tigers hot but it's also 10x's hotter sitting out in this than when I first got here.
Half time entertainment isn't much.
2 minutes of little kids dancing.
Even they aren't stupid to stay out in this sun for too long either.
This is hotter than when I went to the Dogs Raiders game last year at Homebush. (ANZ my arse!)
Holy crap.
I really have to get a drink.
Second half.
It may sound strange but the camera keeps going on Brown and I believe the faithful Dragons supporters behind me are booing?
I over-heard 4 old men in the sh*tter say, "Our season's gone already!"
Tigers are hitting a brick wall with 20 to go.
There's also a second half 20 minute heat break too.
(This heat break broke The Dragon's momentum I believe! They were on a roll up until this break came and it stopped them in their tracks and broke their hold on the second half)
They
were coming home strong until this heat break came.
14 point game 18 minutes to go.
24-10 now. The Tiges and that heat break just then killed any hope of a Dragons come-back.
The Tigers have scored virtually right after that heat break, just before the Dragons were coming good.
I hate to say this...but I'm still seeing Tigers Magpies fans divided! There's still bickering among the 2.
Two west/tiges fans debated this very issue over a drunken song.
I'm really lovin' this Dragons fan in the Penfolds jersey cursing Gasnier all game.
"All those F'n millions Gasnier and I'd do better on the field!"
"You're not in F'n Kings Cross now Gasnier!"
"Fire up Dragons! What the f**k is Gasnier doing out there? You're not worth the millions they're paying ya."
The Tigers appear to be shot here with 13 to go.
Cramps and fatigue are getting to 'em.
Number 5 for The Tiges has spent this entire second half on his hornchers.