Adelaide Crows vs. Geelong Cats
16.07.2010
AAMI Stadium.
I began drafting ideas for this entry on my way home after this tense, tight game of footy. As I sit here much calmer and in a sober state on a grey Sunday arvo I feel much better writing about it and will do so knowing that change is still something that is good. I wrote some notes as I sat on a bus on my way back somewhere back towards my new home in Unley. For those who have not experienced this it is surreal experience when in the middle of winter with all windows fogged you could imagine yourself in some type of Jules Verne novel, being led in to some cloning station in the centre of the Earth. After a wonderful victory the bus was full of happy, contented Crows fans. I was in a blurred mental state, slightly tipsy on watery XXXX Gold, and softened from the mental torture from Crows fans residing at the goalkickers bar in the 2nd half beneath the Eastern wing of Arctic Park 2.
On the bus I was contemplating all the changes that had occurred in my life the last month or so, namely moving back to Adelaide after a great 7 months living in Melbourne where I was much closer to the cattery. Overall change has been a good thing, to return to where family, close friends, a job that felt right and where house prices were (slightly) more affordable. But since I have been proclaiming that change is a good thing, one thing remains – I haven’t seen the catters win live since a comfy win over the dees in late May.
Yes I am a greedy cats fan, but I know the premiership window is only open for so long….
Ahhh change. Which brings me to the game. One thing that has changed is how well the Crows are playing and how they have really turned things around since that pitiful performance i witnessed with my crows obsessed wife back in April at the G.
At the start of the game my mate Matt, my wife and I sat back to take up our seats high in the Northern Stand (where there are seemingly 4 times when you need to show your ticket). And at the start I should have been happy – first 3 goals, chappy looking menacing, the Cats looking like bursting through the Crows zonal defence at will. But I was uneasy even from that early stage maybe it was the first sip of XXXX. The crows got a couple back in the 1st – the basketballer Tippett was looking good and in the 2nd quarter ,the flash but at times brilliant youngster from Norwood ,Taylor Walker kicked a ripper. It was a tight game which wasn’t helped by poor umpiring which actually helped the Cats edge to a 6 point lead at half time.
At half time the 3 of us met with other friends (all Crows fans of course) who had congregated to the goalkickers bar. While Stace and Matt went to go a watch the game I decided that it was better to be closer to the worst beer in Australia and mates. Maybe watching it on TV would help. It didn’t.
The catters nabbed the first goal, achieved after a dubious umpiring decision…but from thereafter the Crows surged, through Bernie Vince (where was he in the 1st half of the season?), Taylor Walker, Graham Johncock and Patrick Dangerfield, who can come back to Geelong anytime. His 45 metre set shot from the tony hall pocket side of the ground was magnificent and very roo-esque. Unlike the first moments of the game the Cats were unable to burst the Crows zone, and the team in red, blue and gold were using the ball far better. Meanwhile whilst getting beers at the bar i was abused for being a so called ‘drug dealer’ (i know XXXX is bad but that was ridiculous or was it my hooded top?) and also for supporting the ‘dirty cheat’ Selwood, who in my opinion was easily our best player.
In the final quarter the cats (led through the previously anonymous Gary Ablett) somehow edged within a goal of the Crows, but the home team held on to take the game out by 11. It was a great win for Adelaide and although the Cats did look a little frazzled , the Crows just seemed to want it more much in the same way that the Demons wanted the win more against the Crows back in round 3. Added to the fact that the Crows played off the blueprint used by St Kilda to strangle us in Round 13 and Geelong were done.
And as for change? Well it can be a good thing – I knew when my mate Tim told me’ the cats’ll be alright mate’ when the final siren sounded that we had made the right decision to come back home. Great mates are more precious than footy clubs. Besides, Geelong is still only a couple of hours away and my local side Sturt have won 2 in a row to keep SANFL finals hopes alive!
Adelaide 2.3.15 4.3.27 8.8.56 11.8.74
Geelong 3.1.19 5.3.33 7.3.45 9.9.63
CROWD: 41,194 & 1 cats fans in a state of flux
VOTES:
3 Bernie Vince (ADL)
2 Joel Selwood (GEE)
1 Taylor Walker (ADL)
About Dan Crane
Hi , I'm Dan. I'm a Geelong, Liverpool, Sturt and Celtic FC fan with soft spots for Richmond, Chester and Leicester FC's as well. I'm an Geography, History & English teacher who adores sport but whatever you do, don't ever start me on music....
Dan – it must have been hard coping that defeat in the clutches of the Crows fans. The Cats were terrible. They seem to be terrible every year about now, but what’s disturbing is our lack of goal scoring ability. I’m sure they’ll lift.
Adelaide supporters do seem a bit strange. Watching on the TV I had to laugh at their ability to boo every decision that went against them. They were booing the umpires when they paid a chest mark to Geelong! Strange lot.
I listened to most of the 2nd half from about 38,000 feet.
Beaten fairly and squarely by a team of resurgent (Vince)ables. Agree with Dips re lack of Geelong goals.
With Haiku Bob’s impending change of circumstance, I’m preparing myself for the distinct possibility of a Madhouse-led flag.
Dan,
I first tasted XXXX Gold at a Rugby League game at the home of the then Gold Coast Seagulls in the early 1990s. Lacked substance. Tasteless. Insipid. Uninspiring. And the beer was the same.
Dan,
If you have to live there go to Unley not West Lakes. South Australian footy has never been the same since they got that joint. (And, Go Bays!)
Love the comment re: XXXX gold Andrew…
Of course it all depends on what you like but norwood oval is the best place to drink at the footy—they serve coopers pale ale (see i am a south aussie deep down).
As for crows fans dips, if there was a footy knowledge quiz amongst members of all AFL clubs i would bet that the crows and eagles fans would battle for bottom.
shame is my wife is dragging me there again on sunday!unley oval is always a better option….
mmm back to the important stuff – best footy grounds to drink at? (quality of beverage, view of game etc)