Sunday, 14 June 2015
4:40 pm local time (3:40 pm our time)
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne
Reporting from Kyoto, Japan
Introduction
Ciao,
Sono tifare per St Kilda.
On the game day, I started learning Italian. Listening to the language audio from the material I bought was what I did on the train to Osaka to watch my footy. I love the sound of the Italian language.
It is a new and big challenge at the age of 42. Like the mighty Saints, I hope my skills in Italiano is improving slightly.
Frustration
The ball was bounced at the stadium with the closed roof. But my opponent took leads on touching footy. Our rackmen gained fewer clearance. Even we led by 24 points at the second quarter, the score was level at the half time and we allowed Demons to lead at the near end. Watching the game was so frustrating as I had thought that we would win and were better than Demons.
Just after returning to the AFL footy, defender Sam Gilbert got a chance to score a goal, but even he kicked no behind. No good! Also seeing many missing goals added up my frustration. I wondered where our efforts were and if we had good kicking skills or not.
I admit that I had been frustrated at work and at my private life recently. Sadly I seemed to pick the wrong game to watch.
Emotion
The dramatic scene got rid of frustration and anxiety. At only 19 seconds remaining, our veteran Leigh Montagna picked a ball and scored the winning goal towards St Kilda supporters. What a brilliant goal! He brought us a great moment.
Seeing a live camera at the coaches box, our coach Alan Richardson showed excitement. It is unusual to see his emotion for me as he is a calming guy.
Indeed my reaction was the same as Richo’s one.
Also St Kilda players praised Joey’s goal on the field. They were so excited too!!
The siren sounded and our club song was played. What a win and I was so relieved to see the winning end. St Kilda players’ relieving expressions and Melbourne players’ disappointing faces were on the screen. I felt Saints going marching in both inside my emotion and on the screen.
Records
Just before Montagna’s winning goal, the live coverage showed the records how Demons were struggling with winning against us and at Etihad Stadium.
Melbourne Football Club had not won over St Kilda for 10 matches in a row since the Elimination Final in 2006.
The Dees had not won at Docklands since Round 19 in 2007.
We were about to end the bad records but instead extended the numbers. As we were used to give them a priority pick, we need to get rewards by winning the game against Demons. I cannot wait July 26 when we face them again at the MCG.
In additions, the western lady friend has good records in my relations with women. Needless to say, she made my life in Kyoto good, but she has left the country that I am very sad…
Bright Future
Winning a close and tough game creates good winning culture for the future and boys gain confidence, I reckon.
Nick Riewoldt is still a champion and makes great games but young players do wonderful jobs. Jack Lonie is a super youngstar and I am impressed with his performances.
In my personal life, I admit it is a tough time because I cannot see my western woman friend and workloads are a lot including I have been expected so many things in a short period, but I will be improving so that I will gain managing skills at work and confidence. One of big goals of establishing a relationship is not far away. I hope I can see her in the very near future.
The footy match is a great lesson for both St Kilda players and me. I could adopt how to be patient and the best results will come if I keep positive.
Thanks for the great game boys and an Australian pub in Osaka to allow me to watch the footy.
How I want to be with St Kilda and my beautiful girl
ST KILDA 3.5 9.6 11.9 12.13 (85)
MELBOURNE 3.4 8.6 11.9 12.11 (83)
GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Lonie 2, Membrey, Minchington, Ross, Bruce, Steven, Montagna
Melbourne: Hogan 5, Toumpas 2, Brayshaw, Viney, Garlett, McDonald, Howe
BEST
St Kilda: Montagna, Riewoldt, Newnes, Armitage, Lonie
Melbourne: Hogan, Viney
Our votes: Montagna (STK 3), Riewoldt (STK 2), Hogan (MEL 1)
Umpires: Chamberlain, Kamolins, Wallace
Official crowd: 25,187
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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It would be good to have your personal relationships sorted out so you could enjoy the rise of the Saints even more. I think the Saints have caught up to the Bulldogs in their development and it will be an interesting contest between the two of them in a fortnight.
Your best player at the moment is Jack Steven. He was still running hard in the last few minutes of the game against Melbourne and became the match-winner.
It sounds like work is going well and also finding time to learn Italian you should be commended. Expanding your horizons can only be a good thing for your future.
Neil,
Thanks for your comment and wishes for the personal relations.
Yes Jack Steven is the good player. Also David Armitage is doing well but I was not able to find him playing as good as usual on Sunday evening. So many young players are doing well so our developments are well.
I hope your beloved Dogs are competitive and you will enjoy the win this weekend before facing us in a fortnight.
It’s hard to make time to study Italian and not easy. But I have to be patient and need to do everyday even little by little.
All the best.
Yoshi