Round 10 – Western Bulldogs v St Kilda: Huge Loss, disappointment and now only seeking success in 2022
Saturday 22 May 2021
7:25 pm
Marvel Stadium, Docklands
Unlike the previous week against Geelong, St Kilda’s efforts were gone. Ryder hit out well, but Libba and Bont were so great in the centre clearances. No pressure was put on Dogs’ strong midfield. They just demonstrated their sexy footy again.
At the last minute of the first term, Josh Battle giving away a 50-metre penalty to Lachie Hunter was awful. Maybe that was the sign of the huge loss.
Nothing improved afterwards and pains hit me on Saturday prime time. Even I turned off my Watch AFL app at the quarter left of the third term.
The rematch of the Preliminary Final in 2020 ended with the 111-point loss. My soft spot are a strong side this year, while my favourite side faces many injuries and are downgraded.
Club President Andrew Bassat emailed members his message on Monday night. Some Sainters complain about his message, but I sense how he tries to fix the issues lying at the club. At least his awareness of fans getting frustrated is better than nothing. Sadly, same as what Bassat says, expecting to play final footy in 2021 is unrealistic. I just hope 2022 is the year to bounce back, not only St Kilda do, but also the mighty Dingoes get opportunities to play games and I bag goals.
Even I have not joined a team training this year and our planned match and tournament have been postponed. State of emergency has been declared in the major prefectures of the Kansai Region (Osaka, Hyogo and Kyoto) twice for almost four months in total this year. I admit that I get frustrated for many reasons. It’s really hard for me to get the right access to mental health issues too.
And the Government and IOC pushing hard to hold the Tokyo Olympics is frustrating and intolerable while Japanese citizens have to limit their activities.
Victoria is facing another tough time because of bloody COVID and will be imposed a lockdown at midnight on Thursday. I feel sorry for Victorians to experience such a hard time again.
Seeking positive is the only way to tackle frustrations, I know, although it’s so hard to do. This attitude applies not only to cheering the mighty Saints up but also to playing hard for the Osaka Dingoes and to striving for what I want for income (I am planning to switch from being employed to establishing my own business in the next five to seven years as chasing my childhood dream in the media).
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.5 10.10 15.13 21.18 (144)
ST KILDA 2.0 3.1 4.2 5.3 (33)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Naughton 5, Bontempelli 4, Bruce 3, Dale 2, Weightman 2, Hannan, Hunter, Johannisen, Liberatore, R.Smith
St Kilda: Membrey 2, Billings, Butler, McKernan
BEST
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Macrae, Dale, Liberatore, Smith, Daniel, Naughton
St Kilda: Sinclair: Byrnes, Steele, Membrey
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Treloar (ankle), Scott (head knock)
St Kilda: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Young (replaced Treloar in the second quarter)
St Kilda: Highmore (unused)
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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.
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Wishing you all the best Yoshi in this difficult time. Do what you need to do to look after yourself. Interesting insight on the Olympics and the Japanese people. Also, for what it’s worth, I watched the last quarter of this match from a distance with no sound. I observed a team that never let up one iota even when they were miles in front. They must have worn themselves out based on last night’s result.
Yoshi, your beloved Saints are certainly breaking your heart and those of the Moorabbin faithful.
I’m sure the Sainters will produce a much stronger effort against North Melbourne later today, but the Kangaroos will also be seeking redemption.
Hoping that the Osaka Dingoes are back on the park soon, with you kicking bags of goals for the team.
I’ve heard that 70% of Japanese people surveyed don’t want the Tokyo Olympics to proceed, so it will be interesting to see if they’re postponed until 2022.
Good luck with your career-change decisions.
G’day Daryl and Pete,
Thanks for your comments and I apologise for not getting back to you sooner.
Daryl – I watched the Dogs vs Demons, but couldn’t stand seeing the Doggies losing to Dees. Bulldogs are my soft spots and I don’t like Melbourne because they tanked at the game against us in 2009. I hate Saints losing to the non courage team (my inner rival).
Pete – Cheers for good insights and warm words on my footy career. Even medical expert team at the Government insists that holding f***ing Olympics is risky. Then LDP led Government pushes the Olympics without providing reasonable reasons and detailed policies. It’s so frustrating. I want it to be cancelled. Footy in Japan should be prioritised rather than risky event.
Cheers
Yoshi