Almanac Life: A Malarkey moment in Morocco

 

Almanac football world

A Malarkey moment in Morocco

by Graeme Willingham

 

 

There are some 9,000 winding narrow alleys in Fez’s ancient medina, about 2,000 of which are dead ends. Tourists should be cautious in the laneway maze, as it’s easy to get lost—especially in dead ends where Google Maps may not help. A local trader, though, might be prepared to guide you out, for a price.

 

In any case, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the medina is a must-do Morocco experience.

 

It was on our way from the Riad Sayeda Al Hora within the Fez medina to our Intrepid tour bus outside the massive city wall when one of those dead-end laneways stopped me in my tracks. Admittedly, it was straight, and only 30 metres long. Impossible to get lost there!

 

 

 

 

But daubed on the right wall was ‘Tigers’ in yellow, on black backing, in lettering about 50cm deep. At the end of the lane, the wall was painted yellow and black. What the?

 

Of all the alleys and laneways we had explored thus far in Casablanca, the Moroccan capital Rabat, the blue city Chefchaoun and Fez, none were decorated, or defaced, in such a manner. Certainly, none with a reference to an AFL club, to wit viz the Richmond Tigers.

 

In our tour group of nine, a Brit couple and a Dutch-Kiwi woman were AFL agnostics. The remainder were Aussies, four of whom were jointly Season 2025 losers … supporting Blues, Demons, Bombers and Tigers … while the other couple were Lions followers, “but on a part-time basis.”

 

Maree, from Brisbane, born in Sea Lake, Victoria, was the Tigers ambassador.

 

“Hey Maree! Quick, have a look at this?” I called from the lane entrance.

 

“Wow!” she said. “I wonder what’s the story behind this … never thought there’d be a Tigers fan here!”

 

I clicked just once because we were in a hurry.

 

In the next few minutes’ walk to the bus, Maree and I (the Blues fan) shared Tigers stories.

 

I told her I had played basketball against a team of Tigers which included Brendon Gale, Paul Broderick, Matthew Knights, Wayne Campbell, Steve Alessio, Chris Naish, Nathan Bower, Daniel Harford, Mark Graham and few others, who, not surprising, played a crash-through football style of basketball.

 

Maree said she followed her mother’s love of the Tigers. She recalled the 2017 Tigers Flag won on the same day as her nephew’s fortieth birthday held at the iconic Breakfast Creek Hotel. “We were all watching the game on the tele so my poor nephew never became the centre of attention.”

 

What about the 2019 flag? Have you heard of the Footy Almanac? She said No.  I explained. Have a look at this!

 

 

 

I opened Photos on my phone to retrieve an image of the cover of the Almanac’s 2019 season book featuring Marlion Pickett.

 

“He was just sensational, wasn’t he?”

 

 

 

“And this video, which was shot at the book launch, held at the North Fitzroy Arms. It features the then principal conductor of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Benjamin Northey, who happens to be a nephew of the great John Northey.”

 

“John Northey played in two Tigers premierships.”

 

“And coached Sydney Swans, Melbourne, Richmond and Brisbane. Ben Northey was wearing a Tigers jumper to launch the Almanac book and he admitted he often wore yellow and black socks when conducting the orchestra. Maree, take note what Ben uses to conduct the singing of the Yellow and Black Anthem … his baton is a black plastic drinks straw he suddenly retrieved from over the bar. Hilarious. It was a great book launch. Here, look at this.”

 

She took the phone and watched the 46-second video with her partner Peter, the Bomber, as they continued towards the bus.

 

“Brilliant! Never thought I’d be listening to The Tigers song in September 2025!”

 

She handed me the phone as we arrived at the bus.

 

I showed my Tigers laneway image to tour leader Mohammed and told him of Maree’s affinity with the Richmond Tigers football team, back home. Is there a connection here? Mohammed produced his own phone and within seconds said: “The Fez Tigers is a local football team! Can I fill your water bottle, Graeme?”

 

Maree laughed. “So much for that theory, eh Graeme, but can you send me the video and cover shot please?”

 

“Sure, and the link to footyalmanac.com.au.”

 

PS

Experienced world travellers, Maree and Peter carry stubby holders with them, one a generically-branded The Bombers and other recognising The Tigers 2017 premiership. Peter used his Bomber holder, and I readily accepted the loan of Maree’s Tigers holder for a cold beer at the end of several hot Moroccan days.

 

 

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