Round 10 – St Kilda v Carlton: Unexpected socialising, changes and footy fool

St Kilda versus Carlton
Sunday 26 May 2019
3:20 pm
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

 

 

Unexpected Socialising

 

On Thursday night, I cooked and also was cooked at work. A big patronised night extended my shift for 30 minutes.

 

This extension created an opportunity to meet a fellow St Kilda supporter on the nearby street after work.

 

She was on a holiday with her girlfriends and spotted my St Kilda cap. They were looking for a bar and I suggested them the one close to our storage room.

 

We had drinks together and sang songs including “When the Saints go marching in” (played in the original one and we changed the lyrics to the club song) at karaoke.

 

It was a fun night.

 

Changes

 

I had an appointment with a dentist at 4 pm on Friday night and a plan to watch the full match of Western Bulldogs versus North Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

 

But an unexpected change at work happened on Friday. Being asked to work at another premise between 3 pm and 4 pm caused the amendment on my dental appointment.

 

It changed to 1.30 pm on Saturday. The Saturday afternoon footy starts at 1.10 pm, Kyoto time, so I would not be able to watch whole game.

 

As I hadn’t had an opportunity to watch footy for a while thanks to St Kilda’s painful losses, I felt sad missing the part of the game I love.

 

After my dental treatment, I started watching the game from the second quarter, but Kangaroos dominated.

 

At half time break, I switched to Hawthorn taking on Port Adelaide in Launceston.

 

Back to the Docklands game, I was disappointed with Dogs’ poor performances, so switched to the Tasmanian game again.

 

I was happy to see Hawks winning the game and the margin was narrowed at Marvel Stadium.

 

But the Bulldogs wasted opportunities at last quarter.

 

North won to farewell their coach Brad Scott.

 

Kangaroos chose to change for a fresh start. I want some changes in my life for good.

 

Footy Fool

 

The Osaka Dingoes had a team training while St Kilda were playing. I could have watched the first quarter live, but chose to practise on my own as always before club training.

 

I checked scores while I was on drink breaks, but only learnt Carlton led. I was worried but believed St Kilda would bounce back, like when we faced Essendon in Round 2.

 

During the team training, I checked scores and was happy St Kilda was leading.

 

After goal kicking drills, Matt informed us that Carlton were two points up and the game was all over.

 

I swore a lot and said, “Richo (head coach Alan Richardson) should go and Brett Ratten should take over.”

 

But it was only joking. He showed the final score on his AFL App and I learnt the mighty Saints won by 13 points. I was so relieved.

 

Match Highlights (watched replay on Monday night)

 

Carlton dominated at the beginning of the game.

 

Stoppage and kicks were demonstrated and Gibbons scored the first goal at the match.

 

Essendon great Tim Watson commented great work from stoppage.

 

Parker tried to break the traffic to score a goal, but a pack of Blues blocked the way out.

 

Error handball  by Savage commented by Watson caused second Blues’ goal scored by Newman.

 

I am frustrated with such errors. His kicking is good but needs to pick the right players to lead. That is why I do not rate Savage much but I want him to play better.

 

Brown bleeding from his face and was off to the bench.

 

Phillips took a big mark inside 50 and scored his first AFL goal at 14-minute. Now 22-year-old had a good finish. Happy Birthday Ed and congratulations!

 

But Charlie Curnow answered by kicking close to posts.

 

Then Newnes ran like a snake and kicked for the Saints’ second goal.

 

However Saints couldn’t get over wasting habits.

 

Matured player Parker used the wing to take a position but no score was awarded. Then he was paid a free kick afterwards due to opponent’s illegal contact, but his set shot went through the left scoring a behind.

 

Ben Long needs more efforts to tackle.

 

Even Membrey whose kicks are normally accurate missed. Carlton led by eight points at first break.

 

But Gresham’s selfless kick from 50 metres out at the beginning of second quarter gave Membrey another chance. His set shot delivered straight and it brought six points.

 

Then Dunstan was in the right position to pick footy and shot easily. Saints were in front by two points.

 

Other wastes of opportunities including Savage’s kick hitting a post created five behinds, and meanwhile McKay and Charlie Curnow kicked goals that put Carlton in front again.

 

But the opponent kicked towards dangerous spot and Mackenzie took a mark and kicked towards Bruce.

 

He was in directly in front and scored a goal after siren. Bruce raised an arm to celebrate.

 

Saints were back in front again by three points.

 

At the beginning of third quarter, Kent kicked 67 metres out and Membrey took a mark.

 

He was 25 metres out directly in front and put his body pressure to finish his job.

 

Bruce rolling to take a mark didn’t reward his hardworking. Only a minor score was given.

 

One of our indigenous player Gresham made a good contest, ran and kicked towards Parker. Another indigenous player (Parker) led and took a mark. He’s done his job and had a good celebration.

 

Then we led the footy getting out the traffic and Bruce took a mark on a good angle. His goal widened the margin to 22 points.

 

After us missing opportunities, Gibbons kicked his second goal from the boundary line.

 

Flare up on the field due to a collision and a push up created tensions in the match, and reminded me of the moderate rivalry between Saints and Blues.

 

Even Bulldogs have my soft spot, I always see flare ups at games of Saints versus Doggies.

 

Saints led by 16 points at the last break.

 

Wasting continued in last quarter.

 

Membrey seemed to be knocked down and was paid a free kick but his kick hit the post.

 

Despite 26 disposals, Gresham couldn’t be a goal kicking boy on Sunday.

 

Sinclair crossed over the ball up line and Kreuzer was paid a free kick. His goal narrowed the margin to five.

 

Both coaches were now on the bench.

 

A gang tackle awarded Parker a free kick. His set shot went through main posts with a good angle.

 

It was our last goal and we couldn’t break the ten-goal barrier that placed for the previous four games. Tim Watson mentioned it on his commentary duty on Channel Seven.

 

Sinclair and Bruce kicked a behind each and the game was done.

 

St Kilda won by 13 points.

 

It was a win, but we should have scored more goals.

 

On Monday afternoon/evening, I went to a park kicking the footy, but struggled with set shots. It’s hard for me to jog and kick the footy. I would need to put body pressure in order to kick longer.

 

Membrey’s goal at third quarter is what we all need to do. Now it’s four days left for me to play at Shanghai Cup and five days for my boys to face Port Adelaide in Shanghai.

 

I hope the win brings positives for all and will train hard before flying to China on Friday. And I want my Saints to bounce back to the busy September.

 

See you in Shanghai my boys and our champion, Nick Riewoldt. Also I look forward to seeing AFL Asia players playing at Shanghai Cup and those involve in the AFL Asia event.

 

ST KILDA 2.2 5.7 8.10 9.14 (68)
CARLTON 3.4 5.4 6.6 8.7 (55)

 

GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Bruce 2, Parker 2, Dunstan, Phillips, Newnes,
Carlton: C.Curnow 2, Gibbons 2, McKay, Newman

 

BEST
St Kilda: Gresham, Steele, Dunstan, Ross, Wilkie, Membrey
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, C.Curnow, Walsh, E.Curnow

 

OUR VOTES
3. Gresham (STK); 2. C.Curnow (CAR); 1. Dunstan (STK)

 

Umpires: Fisher, Deboy, Fleer

 

Official crowd: 35,058

 

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About Yoshihiro Imagawa

Love, passion and pride are seen on the footy that is the biggest part of my life. 1. St Kilda Club member: I am a passionate and crazy Sainter. Just hope we will win the second flag soon, especially after Dogs and Tigers having ended long premiership draughts. 2. The Osaka Dingoes Player and Public Relations Officer: Player number 44 that I chose to honour Stephen Milne with my wish being like a small forward like him. Lenny Hayes' hardworking attitudes are adopted on my trainings and practices. Nick Riewoldt's great plays are in my player audiobook too. 3. Writing: Here on the Almanac and also on the World Footy News. My skills utilise on great footy websites.

Comments

  1. John Butler says

    Yoshi, the anxiety of both teams was obvious throughout this game. Both were scared to lose, scared to make a mistake. Which, of course, led to more mistakes.

    Saints deserved the win, but made very hard work of it.

    Cheers

  2. Hi JB,

    Thanks for your comment.

    Fearless of the loss was what I was not aware of. You make a good point.

    I think I am nervous or do worry while on team trainings and at the game. Then I make mistakes and struggle with kicks.

    Your point of view is a good lesson for my on field performances.

    More attacking footy is the best for both, eh?

    Cheers

    Yoshi

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