by Chris Riordan
As a (much) younger teacher I used to play in some staff v student footy games. We had a fairly fit, active team and, with the Principal umpiring to our interests, scores were often settled. The kids wore the school jumper and we were “others”. One time I wedged in to my bottle green and red V Tooradin wooly – bestowed by the barman after an epic day in the Seagulls’ clubrooms – and entered the staffroom.
“St.Paul’s?”, offered J.P.
“Nah”, insisted Flags, “that’s Tallygaroopna”.
Since then Tally have been my side in the Ky and District F&NL and last school hols, returning from golf at Toc, Tom and I dropped by the Recreation Reserve for a squizz and a kick.
Someone’d obviously had a surfeit of bricks as I was quite taken by the elaborate benches, featuring a few steps and two tiers. Between them is a thin, white sentry box, presumably the shelter for the interchange steward. It’s a lovely ground in a nice little town and this week they host second placed Violet Town in a must win if the Roadrunners – these days wearing red and blue (Redlegs!)- are to figure in the finals, having been pasted last round by ladder leaders and hot flag favourites Lancaster.
Back within the tram routes- my suburban definition – my local League, the EDFL, has 1 v 2 this Sat’dy, with resurgent Strathmore now heading the table and taking on perennial rivals Aberfeldie. This will be a beauty. If the ‘Mores can restrict supply to Mountainous Mal Michael, now owning the offensive goalsquare, they can pinch this at home. Marby Park (now, incredibly, 5th in a logjam ladder) have landed on banana since losing goalhungry Luke Livingstone and now Brodie Holland’s men, purported to have up to 12 out, will hope the Duck can have some impact on an impotent forward structure when he starts – either this week, away at 4th side Greenvale, leapfrogging on the back of Scotty Lucas’ 8, or the subsequent Sat’dy at home to Chris Johnson’s Avondale Heights. Big crowds and good footy is ensured for thye rest of the season.
Let me know of any hihghlights in your district. Many juniors are now starting finals…time for parents to take a deep breath and keep U12H in perspective (and time for cricket committees to get formed!).
Enjoy your local footy this week, at whatever ground and in whatever comp you visit.
VAFA A Grade its 3rd vs 4th, Old Xavs vs Uni Blues. In a tight comp, the 5th and 6th placed teams are favoured to win, so big pressure on the loser. And in B Grade 1 vs 2 Caulfield Grammarians vs Old Brighton. Caulfield have been favourites since Rd 1 but are now looking a little shaky. Brighton are going for their ninth straight.
Such a shame to see Tally in red and green and no longer called the Redlegs…
Long live Neville Hosie!
Don’t know the history Rocket…I only came to them via the red and green.