External motivation in the form of the prophecies of Amateur Footballer scribe Cosgriff, “The statistics say Haileybury will be victorious but I am not of that opinion”, was just the tonic the Bloods needed as we ventured to play Old Camberwell at Melways page 46 E4. It had been approximately 20 years since the Oracle and the Bloods Throng had ventured to the leafy surrounds of Balwyn. Years of drought have really affected the ovals of Old Camberwell and the much of the playing surface resembled the recent ANZAC dig at Fromelles.
Old Camberwell on paper appeared as an ominous opponent. While ex AFL players Tallis, Hilton. Loats and Kingsley looked impressive in the warm up it was the Bloods who made all the play in the opening minutes. Macca was rebounding off halfback with super support from Thommo and Brew, while Frogger and T.Brown were surging forward at every opportunity. Harro received a free close to goal and converted and Magee soon had another. The OC soon found their bearings and with tall Loats standing like a monolith in the square the ledger was pretty close – 4 goals to 3 as the quarter time bell sounded. Warnesy was competing well in the ruck and Chis was finding plenty of the ball.
During the second quarter we had to play uphill against an improving breeze. The OC banged on a few quick 6 pointers and soon the Bloods were behind on the board. Getting the ball forward was a challenge and despite the heroics of Frogger, Macca and Brew we were finding it hard to convert. Our favourite hyphen, Spencer Roberts (whose name isn’t hyphenated!) stepped up to the plate and conjured 2 mighty goals against the tide. Secc got one over the line and at the half time break there was only a point in it.
At half time the coffee queue was extremely long and the walk back to the playing area resembled an episode of ‘The Amazing Race” The Oracle and the Throng were subdued as Third quarters haven’t been the Blood’s favourite stanza in season 2008 and it was imperative that the boys took full advantage of running downhill with the wind. We got off to a flyer with players really showing great commitment to each other and the ball, motivated by Stef flying the Blood’s flag late in the second quarter. We banged on 5 goals to 1 for the quarter with a fabulous inside out goal from Brew being only one of the highlights. Thommo was standing tall at CHB and Macca was having a day out leading everyone to the contest. Ferg was running Loats around and Stef was wearing Kingsley like a second skin. Laz kicked a ripper after scouting the pack and Harro got his second and T.Brown’s indefatigable performance was rewarded with a most deserved goal. The backline held firm and our much smaller ruckmen were competing well in the clinches. As the three quarter time hooter sounded confidence was high for both supporters and players alike and the coach asked for even more commitment and running as the huddle broke for the final stanza.
The game was still to be won as the breeze was still there and we had to battle uphill on a deteriorating playing surface. Macca continued his fine game and with Chis back to best and Frogger picking up stats at will the Bloods started to break the will and efforts of the OC. D.Brown was on fire in the early minutes and kicked his first. Magee was marking strongly and kick his second. The backs were pushing forward and Jonno kicked a long bomb from the boundary. Critta, while trying to do the team thing in centring the ball miscued and kicked blinder right over the goal umpire’s head. Ferg felt the wraith of the audible obscenity rule but it mattered little as the Bloods ran out easy winners. The spirit shown by the whole team was superb and while statistics and papers demand best players, all who wore the magenta and black could be proud of their efforts. Macca, Chis, Roberts, Thommo and Frog played blinders with Brew and Browny not too far behind them.
While their playing surface wasn’t too great the frosties and sausages put on by the OC were superb and perhaps the season’s best (away from home). Never seen so much red wine being drunk at 5pm in all my life!
Backseat bound for the journey back to the Badlands after an equal share of the Carlton Draught on offer, the Oracle could not help but reflect on the words of American architect Daniel Libeskind who was quoted as saying,” Life it is not just a series of calculations and a sum total of statistics, it's about experience, it's about participation, it is something more complex and more interesting than what is obvious.”
Crikey, perhaps I better drive next game!
Last Modified on 26/03/2009 21:30