Almanac Life: Citrus Bueller’s Big Weekend

 

Always a bit of a rush of adrenalin during week one of the ultimate in spectator sport AFL.

 

Out of bed on Thursday morning at 5.00 am catch the plane at 6.30am, arrive Tullamarine 7.30am.

 

Then the fun starts. Have a meeting with Nadine Rabah at the Pies at 9.ooam get there at 9.45am.  So that is nearly 2 hours from Tullamarine to the Olympic Pool (1956).

 

Love catching up with ‘Nads’  one of the best!  She knows how to operate a football club and has a fascinating background (more later).

 

The Pies ‘faithful’ (gee I hate that word) are already at the park to watch the team train. The Café is making a fortune.

 

At my age and for football pre-game I always have a sleep.  It’s the most magnificent day as I wander down to the ground at around 4.00pm and a TV cameraman comments on how his work really does rely on magnificent light and this was it.

 

The security lady knows me and gives me a hug in lieu of waving a wand at me.Then to the library to see David and Trevor who must love the footy season.

 

Grab a copy of the centuries made by the REAL ‘Bradman of the Bush’ Henry Gunstone. Still adding them up but I think it is 129 (story coming). Don’t know how pseudos there are but David hands me a booklet on Reg Miles, the first known Bradman of the Bush.  Fascinating story but not as many tons as Gunno.

 

I asked “who is batting”?  It was such a glorious night.. Much expected of the Bluebaggers and Punt Roadians this year.  Scrappy game and did not notice the four field umpires and the rest of their entourage until half time.

 

With so many of them surely they could be drummed onto the ground.

 

 Ninety odd thousand there to see a drawn game.Eye catchers were former Giants Taranto and Hopper with Tigers, gives them real ground in the middle and give the veterans in Cotchin and Martin more breathing space. NSW recruits in Lewis Young  and George Hewitt starred for Blues while local Mildurian Lachie O’Brien just needed another bounce to win the game.

 

Satisfactory result for both teams to get any points.  Will make the finals.

 

Where I reside during the football could be called  ‘the home of football’. Go to breakfast, yes they supply breakfast and you see a cosmopolitan of supporters from all clubs from around Australia in Melbourne for the weekend.  I catch up with old friends from Queensland, WA and vanilla slice capitol Birchip.

 

Gave a couple of young lads copies of The Record as I thought they might appreciate them.  They were still on their chairs as they left.  Dad could only raise his eyebrows and say “the modern generation!”  Totally agree.

 

I once worked at Melbourne Storm and decided to visit to see if knew anyone.

 

Was greeted with great delight by Craig Bellamy, Frank Ponissi (bloody Collingwood supporter), Peter Robinson and Brian Phelan. Gee they are great blokes!  Wanted to meet Captain Christian Welsh who is a revelation on Offsiders. What an outstanding young man but how come a Christian barracks for the Melbourne Demons?

 

Had lunch with the team and all young men came and introduced themselves to me. It was pure delight and for me further enhanced the Storm as a real team on and off the field.  Let alone having the best coach ever in young Bellyache.

 

I was in raptures.  Even found out where Joel is sitting.

 

Back in bed for pre-match routine.  Snook down in to the bowels of the ‘G’ to wish Captain Pat all the best. Greeted with the usual “How come you are here”?

 

Wonderful tribute to Joel prior to start of the game. Didn’t have his Storm jumper on.

 

The boys looked good in the first half but then the Pies took complete control in a very impressive display.  If only De Goey played like that every week. Brownlow and flag favourites on one package.

 

Young Henry against his old side earnt his stripes.  I saw them on his back after the game. Did well and will be an asset.  Unbelievable crash between Stengle and the competitions highest flyer Jeremy Howe sent the Pie to hospital.

 

Classic game between these two great rivals and was only the sixth time that there has been a match at the G on St. Patricks day.

 

Carringbush have now won 135 matches to the Pivotonians 104 with one draw in their encounters over the years.  Both team set for finals.

 

These night games are no good for Octogenarians and I tossed and turned all night and missing out on breakfast. This proved a god-send as it meant having brunch at Michael’s Corner café just near the lodgings.

 

Just finished my lunch when a woman sitting at the other end of the café called out “go Blues”.

 

Thought I had better react to that and then spent a wonderful hour tail about the *’Axes and Orchids’ of the AFL.  Jan is a rabid Blues supporter ,as against the faithful, and was very insightful about many of the issues confronting the game.

 

It was an hour well spent and of course I had to have the mandatory pic with her dog ‘Paddy’ (Cripps not Danger) that she wanted to send to her mum.

 

Then to Docklands (never ‘whatever’ for us ABCites!)  to see if there is any hope for the Shinboners and the Weagles.

 

Also we could not resist seeing ‘grumpy Al’ in action (Clarkson not Border).

 

Why do I like Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern and Ben Cunnington so much?  Just watching them today for the umpteenth time the same old, same old. No fuss or bother they just get on with the game and do their job in  the good old fashion way.

 

Have North got a ripper in Harry Sheezel!  Even saw someone in the crowd hand him a box of Cheezels to sign after his performance.  Wonder how long Cheezels last?. Will Harry be the youngest player to ever get his own sponsorship?  Questions upon questions.

 

The hyphen was brilliant for North while Nick Larkey is as good as any forward in the competition with 6 of the best. North had a sign which said ‘Closer to a flag than wet toast’ – please explain?

 

North won an entertaining game but both teams have a long way to go in 2023 but a win is a win is a win.

 

Finally orchids to Cameron Guthrie and Ben Brown who confused everyone with their new hair styles.

 

Arrived home at 8.45pm on Saturday night just to see the end of a couple of footy matches and cricket is my favourite game.  How exciting are New Zealand?

 

Footy is back in town even if the cats aren’t (yet!).

 

 *”Axes and Orchids” was the name given to readers of The Listener In the pre-television news on the radio. Readers gave “orchids” to the good stuff and “axes” to some of the drivel that still goes on today (all media!)

 

 

More from Citrus Bob Utber Here.

 

 

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