FEARLESS 2020 Round 10: The AFL’s Rodeo Road Trip equivalent is well underway

August 12, 2020 by Fearless Leave a Comment

Hi All,

Death threats to players are a worry…hope we don’t hear of them again. Well versed rationale that it’s only a game…

Rather than focus on the negative, we’ll stick to a positive and it comes from the NBA. The current festival of footy (AKA 4 rounds in 20 days) reminds me a bit of the NBA Rodeo Round Trip, where the San Antonio Spurs have to play all games on the road as the T&T Center becomes the site of the San Antonio Rodeo. Aussies will be familiar with the Spurs due to veteran Patty Mills from Canberra, who’s also an Aussie multiple Olympian in basketball. Games are played every two or three days in the NBA, so resting players is not uncommon. Mills had a 6 day break and decided to do the remarkable thing and fly home with other members of the Spurs entourage and help out with relief work associated with the bushfires. This in an era of soccer clubs all over the world refusing to let players play for their countries. Mills’ visit for 4 days plus travel time was ok’d by coach Popovich on the basis that he was ready to go upon his return. At this stage, Spurs were staring down the barrel of missing their first playoff season in 21 years. In his time down under, Mills and friends helped out at animal welfare centres, communities and businesses all affected by the bushfires. Batemans Bay, Cobargo, Mogo and East Lynne were among the towns visited. This was a truly extraordinary effort by Mills and contemporaries.

In keeping with the core values of the San Antonio Spurs, Mills made it back and the season continued until COVID lockdown. July 30 saw the restart of the NBA season. Fortunately the Spurs have found some form and Mills is back in action.

I have to say that every time I hear of sportspeople being precious and unhelpful, I will think of Mills’ efforts in this period. The example set should give everyone hope that not all are only thinking of themselves, but of others and how they can help.

2020 FEARLESS RD10: The AFL’s Rodeo Road Trip equivalent is well underway…

Adelaide Hub Game Number 4: Worongary Bulldogs travelled to the City of Churches to play Port Adelaide. Due to the 4-day break, Coach Kenny reckoned the Power started by stop stop stopping. The Dogs however, keen to atone, hit the ground running to take a 3 point lead at the main break. Butters led the Port renaissance after the break, en route to a rather scrappy 13 point Port win. It was Ladhams’ breakout game in the ruck.

Queensland Hub Game Number 30: Red Hill Tigers hosted the Brisbane Lions at Metricon and it doesn’t matter who you are, a final score of 4.17.41 isn’t going to win you much. The Tigers held the upper hand for most of game, retaining their psychological edge over Brisbane, a hoodoo game since 2009. Dusty and Liam Baker led the Tiger mids and the Lions maybe were poor due to the 4-day break? Maybe. Tiger time!

Queensland Hub Game Number 31: The Gabba hosted the first of the double headers between the Gaven Cats and the Nerang Roos on Wednesday Night. G-Brian Miers kicked 4, after junior Roo Mahoney got the Roos off to a flyer. From there, the Roos were on struggle street, losing Ben Brown to injury, skill errors and a superior opposition allowed the luxury of having Dangerfield play out of the goal square. Cats 33 points.

Adelaide Hub Game Number 5: Adelaide hosted the Maroochydore Demons at the Adelaide Oval in part 2 of the Wednesday night action. The acid had been on the Demons all week from the Prez down. Hard to escape. To rectify the tensions, a 51 point win might help. The Crows were within 2 goals at the last break, before the Dees, inspired by Simply Red Oliver and Viney junior kicked away, 7.3 to 1.0. Crows better but just ok!

Queensland Hub Game Number 32: As the Currumbin Magpies took the stage against the St. Lucia Swans at the Gabba, the first quarter couldn’t have been any less of a spectacle. Suddenly, goals to debutants Pie Ruscoe and Swans Wicks and Stephens and the game was alive as per recently between these two teams. Daicos turned back the clock. A Pies win by 9 points but with 3 players down. Quaynor’s leg looked like a shark bite.

Queensland Hub Game Number 33: Gold Coast Suns hosted the Sunshine Coast Saints at Metricon on Thursday night and what a cracker it was. The King Brothers finally went head to head and the two teams continued their habit of close finishes. Save for Rankine’s last goal, the timing of Dan Butler’s fourth and last goal was superb. Recruit of 2020? Billings 27, 4 Suns 20+ disposals. Sun Ben King’s 3 goals won the day. Saints by 4 points.

Queensland Hub Game Number 34: Eagleby Bombers hosted the Gilston Giants at Metricon and after a 0.2 scoreline each at quarter time, the Bombers kicked away to a match high lead of 29 points just after half time. Not bad, given injuries had robbed them again as Townsend’s concussion kicked in. Then the Giants came storming back to lead mid fourth quarter. An arm wrestle, a head high, late goals, death threats. Giants by 4 points.

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