Clubbies Rd 13 - v St Bernards
26 July 2010
Round 13 vs St Bernards
With the remnants of an angry Cyclone Choco pelting in from the west – the St Bernards snake pit greeted the Clubbies with what nana would have understatedly referred to as a ‘good drying day.’
St Bernards showed their tactics right from the start. Actually, even before the start with an over excited car park attendant forcing the Blackers towards the dead wing from the moment they arrived.
Even once settled in the changerooms there was still an ill wind circling thick in the air & unfortunately this wouldn’t be last time our efforts would be described using the word stench and suffocated.
With focus quickly slipping the ever sentimental Hando tried to turn things around by donning a black electrical tape belt one can only assume to mark the occasion of a teammates death below waist level. Now satisfied in the knowledge that the troll was snug his teammates attention turned back to the game and we headed into the first quarter eager to make the most of the ‘breeze.
Marto showed his experience by openly & consistently pre game noting the madness of attempting goals from the right pocket. This proved to be a canny tactic by the veteran to increase the perceived degree of difficulty as he nonchalantly slotted two from said pocket helping the Blacks to a respectable lead at the first break.
The second quarter saw the lead slowly chipped back at & if wasn’t for the rebounding efforts of the backline linking up to some jagging runs by Green & Groves the respect also would have disappeared before the long break.
A good ol’ ‘tude adjustment was needed across the board at half time. Brick stepped forward to sew up the votes with the days most valued play handing out a few of Griffiths finest quarters. Henry came out showing his head was screwed on (or at least taped on) the right way continuing to fight tirelessly all day in the ruck. But with not enough comrades following his lead the jury was out on whether 18 points would be enough of a buffer as Bernards came out of the final huddle buoyed by the appearance of the cow from Twister sailing over their goal line wearing an armour suit.
The final quarter was uglier than Betty with the game restricted to a one kick forward, four kicks back krump fest. The backline dug in credibly, tenaciously led by Cords & Jock, as they repelled attack after attack, channelling the classic 70s commentary call to ‘hit the boundary’ at every chance. Unfortunately time was on the side of our hosts with arch enemy Hector Pascal sneaking the winning goal with practically the last kick of the day.
To summarise - in a day of gales they had a Megan & we had a Michael.
Redemption was the popular after match lunch order washed down with a tin of Melbourne’s finest. VC McKay didn’t even wait to get out of his gear to show the determination required for the rest of the year by successfully inhaling a six pack holder like a choking John West reject all in the name of motivation. With a vow taken to not experience that taste (or defeat) again in 2010 the Clubbies will bounce back- & quickly.
Normie Nugent you can give the octopus the week off – I’m here to tell you Prahran are in strife this Saturday.