2009 Club XVIII Preliminary Final v Old Brighton
18 August 2009
When dawn broke on Sunday 16 August 2009, the University Blacks Club XVIII were greeted with suitably apocalyptic conditions. Gale force winds and a foreboding sky created an entirely appropriate backdrop, for this was Judgment Day for the Clubbies – the preliminary final against Old Brighton at Sportscover Arena. For the winner, a place in the grand final awaited. For the loser: oblivion. For the Blacks, regardless of the result, an afternoon of looseness was also assured through the fine efforts of Travis Stringer and Christopher Mackinnon in organising a bus trip.
The team gathered at the Clyde for the bus trip down to Elsternwick. Christopher Mackinnon’s choice of tunes, replete with sitar solos, added to the mystical feel of the day. Arriving at the ground, the heavy wind was now partnered by heavy rain, and the Clubbies knew they were in for a slog. Craig Brook had also partnered a rainbow coloured scarf with a hair band normally reserved for those with hair long enough to get in the wearer’s eyes… for that crime, Craig will be sentenced by his peers at the vote count this weekend.
The mood in the rooms before the game was excellent. Brett Murphy, the wily Blacks stalwart, distributed an excerpt from the Blacks history which recorded a 1907 victory by the Blacks over Brighton, but more importantly highlighted the spirit and attitude of the Blacks from 102 years ago. And this matched the message from coach Lincoln Merlo: have fun and play with the Blacks spirit that had got us this far.
The Blacks won the toss and kicked with the strong breeze, and the first quarter was a good one. After conceding an early goal, the team rallied to put on consecutive majors. The highlight was undoubtedly Edward Smelt (who it was later agreed has the second most masculine name in Australia, behind Stirling Mortlock) pushing forward to claim a mark with a slide reminiscent of Travolta’s finishing move in Saturday Night Fever. With his teammates setting up the zone for the seemingly inevitable kick-in to follow, Edward smacked a perfect drop punt through the big sticks, making a mockery of the conditions and the doubts of his teammates. Ty Menzies, despite having his hamstrings held together by only Clag and saliva, was everywhere in the first quarter.
Kicking into the breeze in the second quarter, a big effort was required and the Blacks delivered. The engine room was superb. Christopher Mackinnon earned a tag with his prolific gathering of possessions. And when the good Lord created Thomas Macfarlane, playing football in a mud-soaked mire was clearly at the forefront of his creator’s mind. Thomas took those tree-trunk pins where angels fear to tread, hitting packs with venom and forcing the ball forwards with the technique of a tight-head prop. In the end, the competition between Christopher and Thomas as to who could get most mud attached to their body was declared a draw. Brett Murphy’s penetrating play on the wing, and the resolute efforts of Travis Stringer in the backline, were also highlights.
The Blacks held a slender lead at the major break. Unfortunately the team emerged from half time without the intensity that had marked the first half. Old Brighton managed to force the ball forward regularly against the wind, and put on 4 goals to just 1 for the Blacks.
At three quarter time Lincoln implored his players to push home strongly and claim its spot in the grand final. The boys played some inspired football to kick 4 goals into the breeze, with James Dunn, Jonathan Grigg, Scott Chandler and Lincoln all getting dangerous. Richard Edwin Wood continued to provide a huge presence in the air, as he had done all day. But once again Brighton were able to take their chances and held off a fast-finishing Blacks outfit by a couple of goals.
So after a dominant first 10 rounds of the season, it was a disappointing final month for the Blacks. But after 2 insipid performances leading up to the prelim, the Blacks were able to walk off the ground this time with their heads held high. And most importantly, the Clubbies philosophy of having fun was taken to its apex with the 5 hours of chaos that followed. Before telling that story, this scribe feels it is necessary to highlight the outstanding efforts of Lincoln Merlo through the year. Lincoln was not only the coach, he was the heart and soul of the team. Coaching a social team has its share of challenges and Lincoln met those challenges with aplomb, mixing humour and inspiration in perfect measure. Merls (I’ll cop the skull for that one), a big thank you from all the players who pulled on the Clubbies guernsey this year.
So, the bus trip. Where does one start? How about from the beginning? Ok.
As the bus pulled out from Sportscover Arena, the church opposite displayed a sign: “Life is short, take the scenic route with Jesus”. With that philosophy in mind, after a quick beer at the Elsternwick Hotel, the decision was taken just to drive around in the bus for a couple of hours and create our own fun. The bus detoured into the Western suburbs with the only stop being a toilet break in a deserted industrial wasteland. This was bad news for Paul Long, who had decided to follow the bus in his car and have a lager with the boys when it stopped at the pubs – needless to say, a bus trip that doesn’t stop isn’t much fun when you’re not on the bus.
Inside the bus a tsunami had formed and was tearing around the bus in the form of goon, MB cans and Simon Gellert. Simon’s hulking frame and imposing manner meant that not only did one feel compelled to skull when he said so, one also feared one would be simultaneously relieved of one’s lunch money. He also set a fine example when he hung upside down and put away half a jug*.
A brief stop at The Vic in Yarraville gave a moment’s respite from the crazed atmosphere on the bus. Soon we were back on, and the intensity lifted yet again. Edward Smelt administered the laybacks, Lincoln Merlo took several “money shots”, and this scribe re-painted Richard Drummond’s Country Road footy bag following an over-zealous attempt at drinking as much as the other kids (an appropriate punishment for the choice of bag, I hear you say?).
The tsunami arrived at the Clyde just after 5pm. The Lane brothers, who had fought valiantly on the bus to stay afloat, were challenged into a brother sub-off. Before keys could even be put in cans, the gutter outside the Clyde was treated to a second-hand version of Matthew and Samuel’s lunch. Outstanding work lads.
The Clyde welcomed the merry band of misfits into its fray, and the boys saw out the evening together at that fine establishment. Memories of how the night ended are hazy to say the least.
It was a fitting way to end a highly enjoyable season. Well done to all involved in organising the day yesterday. And a huge thank you to all those who helped the team out during the season doing the jobs that needed doing.
Bring on 2010! (or at least the vote count this Saturday)
*the Club XVIII does not condone binge drinking.