Round 12 – St Kilda v Sydney: Love and Pride

 

St Kilda versus Sydney
7:25 pm, Saturday, June 9, 2018
Docklands Stadium, Melbourne

 

The Pride Game came back to Melbourne. As always, I admire St Kilda and Sydney Swans for having such meaningful matches.

 

On Friday evening, girls at work grilled me in the kitchen and then on the upstairs. It was a funny experience. Even I am single, I feel being loved.

 

Then I went to a Starbucks cafe near my home to get free wifi so that I could watch the Port Adelaide versus Richmond game.

 

Saint Nick’s cousin Jack Riewoldt played well and I was happy with his on field performances. He is the most adored Tiger for me. But his club lost to the home side, unfortunately.

 

After their loss, I got emotion.

 

We hit a pub in Kobe two weeks ago after the Dingoes’ footy training, and talked to a young Japanese woman. At the end, we exchanged contacts.

 

Just after the Friday night footy, she messaged me telling me we would not meet again. I sensed she was not willing to be my friend.

 

It opposes to the love that is the theme of the Saturday night blockbuster. My worry started again and I pressed panic buttons that I continued until Saturday afternoon.

 

My feelings on Saturday morning were indeed far from being loved. I felt pains inside me.

 

I wanted to practise footy in the morning so that I had an opportunity to watch the Geelong versus North Melbourne in the afternoon. But rains on Friday stopped me to do; otherwise footy got wet and I wouldn’t be able to run well. Also it would risk me getting injured.

 

However I needed to concentrate on something else and to reduce my worries. And I can’t waste the sunshine because of the rainy season (tsuyu in Japanese).

 

My training home of Umekoji Park had an event on the grass field on Saturday that really annoys me (it should not be dominated by groups and open for individuals to relax and play sports at weekends), so I chose my second home in Arashiyama.

 

 

Soon after I started paddling a bike, my right ankle was sore. But I kept riding a bike reflecting on my love of the sport as well as my proud of a footy player.

 

Closer to the suburb, a couple was staring a phone. I offered them to help and found out they were heading to the same place. I told them to keep going. Then I found that the guy was a St Kilda supporter while his partner barracked for Collingwood.

 

My kicking session was okay. It was a light one because of my ankle, hot weather and a small park.

 

Like last week, I had to work while the game was played. To show the love and pride towards the Saints, I was wearing the Saints in New Zealand T-shirt under the work uniform.

 

A lovely couple sat down in the bar at the restaurant. I cooked deep fried beef for them and my young colleague took the meal to them.

 

They asked her about the bus to Kyoto Station in English and she couldn’t answer because of her poor English skills. I answered over the bar and we started talking.

 

I found out they were from Perth and West Coast supporters. Indeed we talked about footy including last week’s match played by their Eagles and my Saints.

 

The front house was quite busy and most tables were occupied, but a colleague was still outside the premise trying to attract public into the restaurant. I had to do food preparation while I serve small plates for the existing orders. I was not happy as thought he should help waiters or kitchen rather than attracting the public.

 

The very young manager argued. It was like the umpire’s wrong / controversial decisions, especially free kicks. Like the beloved Saints, I get much fewer ‘free kicks’ including in romances.

 

I tried to be naughty and to check scores, but missed an opportunity once because I was unable to leave the sink as was asked to wash dishes. It was like how we missed opportunities scoring goals.

 

After having reported to out, I only found out we were defeated massively.

 

Another emotional moment arrived. A decision not to watch the replay was made.

 

We had been competitive for the previous two weeks against Richmond and West Coast at our away games. Sydney won over Carlton only by 30 points at SCG last week.

 

Then I had expected the Saints to upset the Swans. My efforts to bounce back on Saturday afternoon or emotions that I wanted my boys to answer me didn’t deliver positive outcome.

 

My dating issues / status reflected the game’s result. Both the footy club and I are on the tough roads and struggling with getting a flag (for the Saints) and a partner (for me).

 

I am sick and tired of being suggested to hang in there all the time, but unfortunately patience is required and only the attitude I should have; otherwise the best outcome doesn’t follow.

 

My love and pride go towards the St Kilda Football Club and the Osaka Dingoes Football Club. And my appreciations are given to the Saints’ commitment to New Zealand, Yvette having brought me into this wonderful Almanac community, and Matt having invited me to the great Dingoes.

 

ST KILDA 1.1 3.8 4.10 7.13 (55)
SYDNEY 9.1 14.3 17.7 19.12 (126)

 

GOALS
St Kilda: Battle 2, Sinclair, McCartin, Weller, Membrey, Gresham,
Sydney: Franklin 4, Sinclair 3, Papley 2, Hayward 2, Rohan 2, Parker 2, McCartin, Heeney, Jones, Kennedy

 

BEST
St Kilda: Webster, Ross, Dunstan, Battle, McCartin
Sydney: Kennedy, Heeney, Franklin, Hewett, Florent, McVeigh, Sinclair, Grundy

 

Umpires: Dalgleish, Nicholls, Gianfagna

 

Official Crowd: 27,569

 

P.S I am disappointed with the small number of spectators, as it was a Saturday night prime time blockbuster…

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.

Leave a Comment

*