With the pre-pre-season fast coming to a close, and the more traditional pre-season about to begin, it was thought to be about time for an update on all things Blacks, and Black Bear.

 

The pre-pre-season has certainly gone swimmingly for the Blacks, in particular the JSM group who have been braving the early mornings for a dip at the Albert Park aquatic center. No doubt those boys will be one step ahead if we get any torrential downpours during August, resulting in the Main being underwater up to the pickets. There have been several other groups throwing tin, cycling, doing yoga, kayaking, running and competing in triathlons, so when the pre-season starts on December 7, we will have a great base to work from.

The Black Bear prefers to train how he intends to play, and as such can be seen on Monday, Wed and Friday mornings in Edinburgh Gardens in full Blacks kit running flat-out into trees, taking hangers on play-ground equipment, sitting on benches, not hand-balling, standing still with his hand in the air yelling at people to kick it to him and tackling any morning joggers with one of those ridiculous off-road prams with the bicycle wheels.

 

Recent reports of the Black Bear resembling Stuey Dew (or Marto) in early ’08 are completely founded, with a new max of 101kg’s (hungey-oh-one-oh-love) being achieved on Wed, 4^th November. Dieticians are blaming the 734 chicken and mayonnaise sandwiches consumed on Melbourne Cup day.

 

In other news, it was revealed that one of our very own, Aaron Rau, has a sordid history from his heady days spent in the volatile and provocative underworld at the intersection of carpet installation and fashion shoots. When presented with the evidence, Aaron claimed to not be the person pictured. He may have gotten away with it had he claimed that the pony-tailed person pictured mowing his loungeroom was his twin sister, but the flat denial only sparked a closer inspection, revealing the true identity...

 



Closer inspection...


Closer...


Oh Rauey. Too many things I love about these photos, I don't know where to start. So I'll start with the pony-tail.
 

In other news, Stakes Day was the major social event of the Blacks calendar during the pre-pre-season, with Huw Lacey hosting a large contingent in the Nursery Car Park. Being ‘Family Day’, proceedings were quite subdued, with everyone enjoying a few quiet beers before heading home.

 

Blacks Champion Scott Hissey has had a busy summer, managing to go for a few runs, do a few swims, teach Dave Batten how to surf, and win Australian Cricketer of the Year….

 

 

Well done, Scott.

 

Former Blacker Marty Pask certainly had a good Spring Carnival, ending the week with a well-received facebook status update….

 

 

 

Congratulations must go out to Blacks Mr Consistent, Rob Scarlett for his recent engagement to the lovely Emily. Rarely beaten, never bowed, but for once he was brought to his knees, or one of them, at least. We are all thrilled for you both.

 

Congratulations also to Rob and Sal Mackie (Mr and Mrs Moose) on the delivery of Angus (Mini Moose). We look forward to seeing him running around on the Uni Main with Thurston Walch in 20 years time. Apparently Moose has already started shoulder-strengthening exercises to ensure an injury-free career.

 

And so, as we look forward to another grueling, hot, exhausting, challenging and fun pre-season, remember, everything you do now is money in the bank, no one can take it away from you, so do the work you need to, in order to be a part of it in 2010.

 

Peace out. Black Bear.