Almanac (Sporting) Life: Lyndon ‘Beefy’ Andrews – A Lifetime Watching

 

Following the writing of my article A Football Journey, a third period of COVID 19 isolation gave me the time to record the many sporting events I have had the pleasure to see. I have been lucky that Marilyn (my wife) has helped make many of our travels to these events possible.

 

I have always loved going to sporting venues to not only see sport but to look at facilities and watch the other people attending. As I write this, I will attempt to judge my best 10 events or days and record this at the conclusion. You may wish to make your own judgements.

 

Test Cricket

 

 

Whilst I played very little competitive cricket, Test matches have always appealed to me. I have seen countless matches at Adelaide Oval. Whilst playing football I got to know Barry O’Brien, a photographer for the Advertiser. Barry spent every minute of a Test match on a platform under the Moreton Bay fig trees and invited me to join him. From this magnificent platform I had the absolute best view of a Test v India. His only condition was I was not to move while a ball was bowled as this may cause Barry to miss the money shot.

 

Later on, the family attended with me and we arrived early to get a spot on the hill to the right of the fabulous Oval scoreboard. We had a beach umbrella chairs and rugs and had magnificent family days. The crowd out here was always fascinating as played in late January many of the crowd were rural people who had finished harvest.

 

Unfortunately, in later years this area had become often unruly.

 

Since 2000 we have watched from the Members Stand where behaviour is much better. We nearly always get there early and with the car close to the gates, we visit it at breaks for food and refreshment.

 

The area at rear of the Members Stand is unique in that it a broad space where groups can socialize and watch cricket on big screens. In all other Test venues, I have visited I have never seen anything to match this. For some it is so good that they attend a whole day and never see a live ball bowled.

 

The Test in 2006 where Shane Warne bowled us to victory is probably the most memorable match.

 

 

The development of Adelaide Oval has made it an even better venue in that it provides excellent viewing but still retains much character and charm (unlike enclosed stadia).

 

Other Test venues

 

Darwin

 

We were visiting the Marshall family who were living in Darwin at the time. Australia played Sri Lanka. The Indigenous residents have never been enthusiastic about cricket and it is still on the bucket list to attend an AFL game in NT, where I have seen from TV the crowds are most enjoyable to watch.

 

Sydney

 

With Kirsten (my daughter) living in Sydney a visit coincided with the New Year Test and using Brett’s (son in law) member’s guest pass I attended the day Michael Clarke scored his 300. We have attended AFL games here also and will record those later.

 

Lords

 

 

In 2001 we were on a 12-week trip to Europe. This gave us the opportunity to watch cricket at Lords. We had previously done a tour of this famous ground and although play was much interrupted by rain, it was as interesting during breaks where we viewed catering – Pimm’s tents seemed to the drink of choice.

 

Headingley

 

On our visit to Leeds, we stayed with a Whyalla friend’s family who lived and worked in a pub. It gave us the opportunity to see a days play at Headingley. It was not a good day for Australia and on returning to pub we were the subject of some ribbing by the patrons.

 

MCG Boxing Day

 

This is an iconic day in the Australian cricket calendar, so we planned a visit with family staying on the lovely Mornington Peninsula. It had always been a dream of Nigel’s (my son) to attend this day and although his illness was starting to take hold, we managed to have a great day.

 

West Indies

 

These players always captured your imagination, so l had a long-held dream to attend a Test match in the West Indies. Bridgetown ground in Barbados was one we managed to get to and attended all five days play. We had arrived early so we visited a ground where Australia was playing a warmup game. Here we managed to meet and chat to Darren Lehmann who I had known from when the boys played at Salisbury Cricket Club.

 

 

We visited the ground on the day prior to the game and were amazed at the lack of security. We were able to walk out onto the ground very near the pitch and watch a groundsman water the area with his finger over the end of the house creating a spray.

 

 

Unlike Adelaide there is little room inside the oval so much activity is outside the oval itself. Spruikers with huge sets of speakers entertained us as we walked to the oval for each day’s play. Coincidentally my niece Lisa and her husband David were also attending this game. Catering in the stands was done by lads carrying their goods in what we used to call ice-cream trays. We took a chance on their hygiene practice and partook of their beaut tasting fish cakes on a few occasions.

 

We were later to return to delightful part of the world for World Cup matches but will get to that later. The Barbadians were always friendly and would talk fanatically about their cricket. Like Australians they often said the selectors were not picking enough of their players (in this case Barbados).

 

Whilst visiting New Zealand we had a look at the cricket grounds in Wellington, Auckland and Dunedin but to view some cricket here is still on the list.

 

Cricket World Cup

 

Having enjoyed the West Indies so much we were attracted to attend the cricket World cup when it was scheduled to be played here. With many islands and flights to contend with we chose a cruise where we would attend two finals games. We had invited the family to join but only Nigel (son) and Annete  (Nigel’s partner)) managed to join us. Much to Brett’s disappointment an election in NSW made Kirsten and Brett unable to come. The cruise was specifically for cricket so was full of 1100 Australians on board. The crew were unfamiliar with Australian drinking habits so initially getting a cold beer was a challenge. The best deal was 5 coronas served in ice bucket shaped like a cricket helmet. Many of these were souvenired and worn at the matches.

 

 

The first final was at St Lucia where we managed to clean up the South Africans. This was a great victory as it now meant we would be in the Final that we were to see. When we revisited the Bridgetown ground it was totally reconfigured with an extended outer fence so this time all catering etc was inside the ground. It was extremely hot and luckily we had brought hand towels from the boat which soaked in water provide relief. The game highlight was Adam Gilchrist, swashbuckling innings. Australia won the game in a farcical ending with play continuing in the almost dark.

 

Melbourne World Cup Cricket.

 

 

With the cup played in Australia it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. With Nigel’s health deteriorating we undertook the challenge to attend. It was an exciting game and when we recall particular sporting moments the roar of the crowd when Brendan McCullum was bowled was the probably most the intense noise we have heard at a sporting venue. Nigel purchased a memorabilia picture showing the winning run. This now hangs above my desk as I am writing this.

 

Two other cricket games of note involved our boys.

 

In 1985 Nigel made The State SAPSASA side and the family journeyed to Sydney watch him play. We watched nervously as he came on for his first over. Wickets with his first and fifth ball will always be a magnificent memory.

 

Ryan also played cricket and was in an under 16 Grand Final. Things were not going well, and it started raining. The opposition were given the option of coming off but declined as they were well on top. If they had come off and no further play possible they would have won as they had finished top. As they had chosen to play on (in light rain) they had to continue, and the tide turned with Salisbury eventually winning in a climatic finish.

 

Australian Football

 

We have watched AFL games at the following venues: Adelaide Oval, Football Park (AAMI) ,Princes Park ,MCG, Etihad, Subiaco, Sydney -SCG, Giants Stadium -Olympic Park, The Gabba, Metricon (North Mel and Gold Coast), Launceston and Ballarat.

 

 

We have toured the new Optus Stadium in Perth but we hope to attend a game there soon.

 

Our first away AFL game was to Carlton’s home ground Princes Park. This was Crows first year in AFL and we were not sure how Victorians would receive us. We went in low profile and keeping our Crows gear almost out of sight. Nigel had his Crows guernsey on but covered by a denim jacket. Soon after John Klug had kicked a few goals and the Crows took the lead Nigel quickly peeled off his jacket and become very enthusiastic in his barracking. We have attended many away games since and never had any real trouble from opposition supporters. The only real conflict we had was when Marilyn had to tell off a Crows supporter who in his barracking was using foul language. After Marilyn gave him a blast the supporter’s wife told him off also.

 

We have been lucky enough to attend 4 AFL Grand Finals, three in which the Crows were playing and one neutral where Hawthorn played West Coast.

 

The two finals in 97 and 98 rank very high in the memory, as very little is more exciting than when your team wins a premiership. On the reverse side there is little joy when your team lose as we did against Richmond.

 

I have continually said that Preliminary Finals are better spectacle in that although slightly smaller crowds, the spectators there are generally barracking for one of the two sides which in my opinion generates a better match atmosphere The Preliminary Final in ’97 will never be forgotten by me. In this game we edged out the Bulldogs after Liberatore missed what he still claims was a goal. The fact that Hungry Jacks were our hosts helped a great deal as Warren Honkey, an American who had little understanding of the game, made sure we were never short of a beer during the match.

 

 

Watching a Grand Final in which your team is playing is stressful. In discussing this with Nigel he encouraged us to go to a neutral game. For this to happen Nigel organized catering package which include tickets to the game and a lunch on day prior at the Carlton Football club. He also added his mates Nic, Adam, Cal and Bronnie to the guest list. The luncheon was great, but the game was a disappointing clash in that Hawthorn easily disposed of West Coast. This also reinforced my belief that Preliminary Finals are better events as many spectators at the Grand Final were on corporate packages and were more interested in getting drinks then ever watching the game.

 

 

Football Park, known sometimes as AAMI, has always been a favourite venue. This stems from my playing days which are recorded elsewhere. However it was at this venue when in 2000 Central won their first premiership after 37 years in the SANFL. We also attended another memorable Grand Final there (Port v Sturt 1976) when a record crowd poured into the game. Officials even allowed spectators to sit inside the fence to prevent overcrowding.

 

Sydney deserves a special mention in that we were there when the Swans were celebrating twenty years in the AFL. Once again, we were guest of Coke and Kirsten had joined us as she was then living in Canberra. Kirsten had entered some competition and at half time had to go onto the oval and answer some quiz questions. They politely asked if she would take off the Crows scarf and this was good because when they asked her questions the crowd yelled out the answers. Having answered all questions, she won $10000.

 

SANFL

 

 

After playing I have not watched many SANFL games. But as the AFL has become a more and more compromised comp, SANFL seem now to have much more appealing. I think I attended most of the SANFL Grand finals in the early 60s and remember them as great contests.

 

Race Meetings

 

Melbourne Cup

 

 

I have not been a keen follower of horse racing, but the Melbourne Cup has always been on the bucket list. When Tony Osborne, a friend from Whyalla days asked if we would like to join them for a trip to the cup we jumped at the chance. To ensure we had good seats I contacted the VRC to see when stand tickets went on sale. I was shocked when they said next Monday, and this was in March. Our other friend from Whyalla days, Trevor Robertson (who owns horses) told me the Hill Stand was the best place to view the cup. On the stroke of 8.30 on Monday morning Marilyn was on one phone me on another and each purchased 8 seats for the 16 of us attending. This resulted in us having the best seats in the house. We had a few tips and following these the boys betting group picked the trifecta and were very pleased to win nearly $800. This led to making a good day even better. Our joy was tempered a little next day to find out that with our selections we had the first four past the post so if we had backed a first four and not trifecta we would have won thousands.

 

Iron Knob/Kangaroo Island

 

This was our first experience of a bush race meeting. The venue is stark and dust makes picking jockeys colours difficult as they come round the final turn, however a great social day. Coincidence played a part in attending two more bush meetings.

 

Meekathara

 

 

We had undertaken a van trip around Western Australia and made Meekatharra our staying point as it was AFL Grand Final day so watching this in a pub was planned. On arrival we found out it was Meekatharra Cup day. We were assured there would be TV’s at the track (for AFL fans) and so off we went. The AFL final was a fizzer so we joined the cup crowd and they even had fashions on the field. We met the winner in the pub later that night to top off another great bush meeting.

 

Oakbank

 

For many years we were regulars at the Easter races at the beautiful Oakbank course. The Andrews family often went there as a group and later our vintage would gather for the day picnicking in the centre of the course.

 

Ascot

 

Whilst in Leeds we stayed at a pub in Pudsey where the publican was related to Whyalla friends. As soon as we had arrived in Leeds some Brittania pub clients (friends of the publican) asked if we were interested in going to the Ascot Cup. This event is naturally normally held at Ascot but because of renovations in this year it was to be run at Leeds. We had brought few clothes suitable for such an event but by borrowing a few items we felt suitably attired. It certainly was a grand day with the Queen and the Duke arriving and driving down the straight. We claimed she saw us and gave us and gave us colonials a special wave.

 

Kangaroo Island

 

KI had always been on our ‘gunna’ list. We finally got around planning a trip to Kangaroo Island in 2019 and we were delighted to find that the KI Cup was being run that weekend. The locals really turn out for this day and many visitors make the trip to the island. Despite not picking a single winner it was a most enjoyable day.

 

Camel Cup

 

We ventured north to see Lake Eyre in flood and took a plane flight over the area. Quite magnificent. On arrival in Marree we were told the Camel Cup was on. An intriguing day was in store. To see these huge ungainly animals hurtling down a track was quite a spectacle.

 

A subsidiary event on the programme was a dog race. Dogs and their owners lined up one and a colleague was positioned at the finish. Once started these dogs flew down the track. Would you believe that the dog with only three legs was a clear winner. In the trophy cabinet was a huge bone obviously for the winner of this race. Apparently, this dog wins every year.

 

Toad Racing

We have a timeshare place on Magnetic Island which is just off Townsville. When we stay, attendance at the toad races is almost compulsory. this event is held on a large space alongside the local pub It is a fundraiser for the local lifesaving club, so people join in enthusiastically. Toads of various sizes are introduced to the crowd who then bid for them. Once all are sold, they are placed in a large plastic circular drum with eight sections. The race starts as the drum is lifted and the winning toad is the first one to cross an outer ring. Some do not move; others hop quickly and some stop agonisingly close to finishing. A fun night and raises money for a good cause.

 

Tennis

 

I began playing tennis a Junior whilst at Gawler Blocks Primary school. A local identity Stan Coles fostered this so tennis became a regular part of my life both socially and competitive. The Lawn Courts in Gawler were a delight to play on. The Saturday games in Melrose were always most enjoyable affairs as almost every game finished in a pub somewhere. I finished tennis only three years ago. Even though playing socially in a comp at Henley on Wednesday night, the strain on my dodgy knees became too great.

 

With this lifelong interest it was inevitable we would go to some major tennis events.

 

We have attended the Australian Open in Melbourne on two occasions. This event does Melbourne proud in that transport, ticket entry and excellent facilities make for a most enjoyable day. Watching Hewitt win in five sets was a match of epic proportions.

 

Wimbledon was even more spectacular. We caught the first train out there in the morning and lined up in a park some distance from the courts. On arrival we were given a beautifully printed gold numbered ticket. You had to hold this as without it you could not buy an entry ticket. It meant there was no queue jumping.  Later we were marched to the gate for our entry. We had toured the facility on an earlier trip but seeing the event live was most memorable. We did partake of the famous strawberries and cream.  Like Melbourne you can get up real close to most of the outside courts to get a great perspective on the game. We did see a young Sam Stosur play in one of these.

 

Baseball

 

With tennis and football seasons overlapping I was tempted by Barry O’Brien to have a crack at baseball.  Having coached school softball, the rules were familiar to me. My fielding was good, but I never really mastered the batting process particularly at League level.

 

Norwood Oval

This is the renowned centre of baseball in Adelaide. Attending games at night here is always an enjoyable occasion.

 

USA

 

 

However, attending games in the US gave us the opportunity to see games at the highest level. On trips we saw games at Boston, famous for its Green Wall, The Yankee Stadium in New York and also saw at games in San Francisco and Houston.

 

Watching crowds adds to my attending sporting events. It amazed me that the baseball crowds are constantly on the move. A family in front of us arrived late, left early and were constantly up for drinks and food. I suppose not having quarter time breaks makes this inevitable however, the 7^th innings stretch where Sweet Caroline is sung is joined in by everyone. The game in Boston ended was a close game with an exciting finish.

 

 

A remarkable coincidence occurred coming home from the New York game. On a crowded train I saw a man wearing a West Coast T shirt and began a conversation with him re AFL news. When I mentioned that the Richmond coach (Gieschen) had been sacked, the fellow next to us sought more info as he was from Melbourne and a Richmond fan. So here we were thousands of miles from home and three Aussies, strangers to each other standing together.

 

Rugby

 

 

As a franchisee of a Hungry Jacks store, we were good customers of Coca Cola. When the Rugby World Cup was held in Sydney a Coke rep said if you can get to Sydney we will get you to a game. Not an opportunity to be missed. The company bussed us to the game from our hotel and entertained us in their hospitality suite then led us to seats to watch the Semi-Final between England and France. As luck would have it, we were seated next to a referee who explained the finer points of the game. Having had this experience, we then later went to the Rocks area and watched the other Semi-Final (Aust V NZ) on a huge screen with hundreds of others. I still remember Stirling Mortlock making a fabulous solo run.

 

Yachting

 

 

Marilyn’s golfing mate Pam Matheson told us of an experience they had had on the Commodore’s boat watching the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. With us scheduled to be in Sydney for Christmas it a was no-brainer to see this iconic event live. The family joined us, and we dined on the boat as we glided around this beautiful harbour. A commentator on board kept us to date of race details and explained some of the tactics involved. A day to remember.

 

Cycling – Tour Down Under

 

This bike race starts on a street circuit in the Adelaide Parklands. World renowned riders come to Adelaide to participate in this as a start to the cycling season. Over the next few days, the riders race over courses through some of the most scenic places in South Australia. One year we watched the race on the veranda of the Willunga hotel. They raced past several times before tackling the tortuous climb up the steep Willunga Hill.

 

Possibly the best cycling we have seen was when friend Daryl Beale invited us to see action at the velodrome in Gepps Cross. I was fascinated how riders negotiated the steep slope and the races following a small motor bike also held my fascination.

 

Car Racing

 

Rowley Park

 

This tight little circuit was to be place to on a Friday night. Speedcars, solo bikes, stock cars and sidecars raced around this small circuit. At times we would clamber on the safety fence and be sprayed with racetrack dirt. I was there when one of my favourite drivers Arn Sunstrom was killed in an accident. Jack Young was my favourite solo rider with Don Willison my favoured sidecar rider, probably for no other reason than that he came from Gawler. Demolition Derbies were an exciting night on the calendar.

 

Many years later The Grand Prix came to Adelaide and as a world event I had to go. The noise was deafening and the speeds reached on the street circuit were tremendous. The publicity generated for our state was very significant. So much so that those nasty Victorians pinched the race from us.

 

The Grand Prix was eventually replaced with the Clipsal 500 where street cars took over the circuit. Kristian Appelt, a son of one of our long-term friends wanted to do something for Nigel who by this time was restricted by getting around in his little scooter cart. Kristian knew this stunt ute driver Matt Mingay and he arranged for Nigel to a circuit around the track. Despite him coming back gasping he really enjoyed it. After this we did not stay long at the track but had seen enough to know that car fans enjoyed the event immensely. Although not being a great car racing fan I am disappointed the current government seems to be keen on getting rid of the Clipsal event.

 

Soccer

 

 

On our England tour we toured the Manchester United ground. Access to change rooms and ground surface made a very interesting tour. Seeing the immense size of the memorabilia store made me realize how many followers this club must have. Later in this tour we stayed with Michael Lee who had been an exchange teacher on Marilyn’s staff. We had taken Mike to a Crows game here, so he returned the favour by getting us tickets to an Ipswich  v Leeds game. In his class Mike had a student whose father was the groundsman at the Tractor boys home ground, so we had prime seating. Harry Kewell was playing for Leeds at this time and Mike advised us it would be best if we barracked for Ipswich.

 

When he attended the Crows game Mike was amazed that supporters of different teams were not separated. I seem to remember that opposing supporters even used different stairwell at the Ipswich game, I think the thing I enjoyed most was that with a smaller playing area you always seem close to the game.

 

In Adelaide we have seen Adelaide United play at Hindmarsh. Soccer fans are passionate who seem to chant for most of the game. It certainly brought back memories of Central supporters whose long drawn out chant of CEEEENTRALS often irked the opposition.

 

Olympic Games

 

When these came to Sydney we should have gone. My excuse was the store needed me but now I know I missed a great opportunity. However, my interest in stadia has taken me to many Olympic venues. Sydney is now a concert venue where we saw a Paul McCartney concert. On a tour we were fascinated by the Berlin games venue which is now a huge soccer stadium. It was pointed out to us the spot Hitler stood and was offended when the black sprinter Jesse Owens won the 100 metres. Walking around the Munich venue was also interesting with the swimming pool intact and still in use. In Greece we visited the site of the first Olympics and its athletic track.

 

Basketball

 

On returning to Adelaide from our first stint in Whyalla we were attracted to seeing the 36ers play. We attended quite a few games, but I think we eventually tired of the American style hype and have not attended any games since.

 

Netball

 

Kirsten began playing this game for Warriors in Whyalla, so we got to watch most of her games. I later played in a school staff comp and enjoyed it immensely but did have difficulty with the contact rule. Whilst living at Salisbury Heights the family entered team in a netball comp at Smithfield. Kirsten, Nigel and I played, and we co-opted a few of their friends to fill out the team. The umpires referred to me as THE DAD as once again I had difficulty with contact rule.

 

Golf

 

We are both members of the nearby West Lakes course and play there regularly. Recently the women’s Handa championships haves been played on courses near us. Watching these ladies play is fascinating as most are slight in build but despite this can hit long distances. Whilst attending we indulged in the corporate packages at Kooyonga and Royal Adelaide. The latter was outstanding as the luncheon was magnificent and the final green was able to be watched from the veranda of our dining area.

 

 

I completed a volunteer stint at the recently held LIV golf tournament. This enabled me to be up close to action and all players. The skill of these players is amazing.

 

Rowing

 

 

I have had no contact with this sport at all until we moved into our apartment at West Lakes. Our balcony overlooks the rowing course, and we constantly see crews train and compete. The Head of the river where high schools and colleges compete creates a huge crowd.

 

Hockey

 

Although Marilyn has played this game extensively, I have to admit I have rarely watched any of her games. She has told me she was a crafty forward so maybe I should have watched more. I have watched Elise Appelt play at Gepps Cross but as I do not understand the rules, the game confuses me.

 

Another game that confused me was Hurling. We did not see a game live but when in Ireland we were in a restaurant when a game was on TV. The people at the next table saw our interest and kindly spent time explaining how this rather vigorous game was played.

 

My Top Ten

 

I have selected my ten best events from the above. This is not easy as some are over a day or days. Others are a highlight over a short time. If you care to respond you might like to rate my top ten as if you had seen them or maybe send me your best top ten sporting events that you have seen.

 

1. AFL Grand Final Adelaide v North Melbourne
2. AFL Grand final Adelaide v St Kilda
3. SANFL Grand Final Centrals first premiership in 2000
4. AFL preliminary final Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
5. Melbourne Cup
6. Sydney to Hobart race start
7. Cricket Australia’s World cup win in Melbourne
8. Adelaide Oval Test Match v England 2006
9. Australian Tennis Open- Hewitt match
10. Boston Redsox game Fenway Park

 

 

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