Rain, Rain and a frolic in the rain
The weather
Again the East Coast Low, which your writer thought was a new designer brand or party drug (such was the level of media attention); has washed all before it in Sydney footy. This weekend the long awaited Bendigo Bank Cup Round was disrupted and only the Premier Division and the Reserves got a game. That game could not be at Weldon, but rather caused players and supported to head West to Blacktown International Sports Park.
The Reserves
First up were the Ressies, boldly lead by Razzle, who showed great commitment in flying back just for the match, arriving on the morning of the game and flying out that afternoon. However, it is not one player that makes a team; and in the wet it requires all 22. Fortunately the boys were kicking with the tide and kicked some early goals. It is difficult for those that were no present to understand how heavy the rain has been. To deliver some idea, Russell Crowe has tried to rush a sequel to Noah into production and players have been wearing gum boots to training. By half time the GIANTS had generated 8 scoring shots to 2, but lead by on 11 points. The boots however appeared to weigh a ton, the ball was similarly both heavy and behaving like a greased pig.
Neither side did their best work after half time, save for the extra effort put in by the GIANTS in Defence. Northshore slid in a goal to bring them within 5 points with a couple of minutes to go, but could not bridge the gap. The GIANTS score one more point to ensure the worst result was a tie. It was not needed and we got across the line by virtue of the 6 additional scoring shots.
Sgt Schultz looked strong in the back half, and the published awards accurately reflected play, save the absence of an academy award for Razzle’s life threatening injury late in the last quarter.
The Seniors and Robbo gets 100
So as the clock approached 2.10 the bedraggled (but victorious) Ressies formed a corridor of exhaustion and relief through which the Seniors entered the field. Dry and full of energy the difference was stark, for about 3 minutes, when a light drizzle turned into a heavy downpour and while the energy remained nothing was dry. For the avoidance of doubt when I say everything was wet, such as the force of the rain and the state of the ground I am confident the bottom of the socks and underwear was drenched inside a minute.
Northshore are a proud Club and the record between the two sides since promotion has been all maroon and white. No one at the GIANTS had any plans to change the record and despite the relocation of the game and the weather the commitment was obvious. Despite having a few players out, the GIANTS went flat chat from the bounce. The ball handling was excellent for the conditions and some passages of play were looking (through the rain haze) like dry weather footy. Northshore only secured about 3 entries into the fifty for the first quarter but an excellent mark and conversion delivered them a goal. At the other end the ball pounded into the fifty and the GIANTS whacked on five goals, two behinds and a couple of clear misses.
The ball got heavier, the conditions did not improve but the pattern was set. Better through the centre of the ground, resilient in defence and with better numbers at the contest the pattern of the game did not change. Despite some serious head injuries to Mick Atkinson (a few stitches and a scar adds mystery to a fella), a split to James Brain (the Elastoplast headband is always attractive) we played the game out strongly. Cal Johnson is a concern with a knee but no other significant injuries. The GIANTS moved ahead and the small brave crowd cheered them on.
The GIANTS won every quarter and kept the Bombers goalless for the rest of the game. Robbo was great in his 100th game for the Club (he must have an unbelievable winning percentage), and the team generally was good. Special mention must go to Damian Bonney whose ball use by foot was a joy, James Brain’s tireless work in the clinches and Brayden slotting a few to record 4 for the day. The group are still not converting at the percentage we would hope but 10 goals 10 behinds is a fair return in the conditions.
This Weekend
The Club has five games in five locations this weekend, a really tough administrative task. The question will be can we bring home five wins. The Senior’s play another traditional rival in UTS who were very difficult in the mid 2000s.
Last Modified on 08/05/2015 10:23