Players needed for PRE Vs SAINTSATIONAL inter-forum footy game. (Oct 22nd)

[HarveysDeciple]

If there was ever an issue with numbers I do really apologise.

We started with 3 on the bench, and since I was playing and running around it was hard to keep track.

Maybe a couple of blokes decided to just run on and play, if so I do apologise to you guys.

 

[Skills]

Glenferrie Oval was bathed in sunshine this afternoon - Perfect day for footy.
Traffic into Linda Cr was starting to get a bit hectic an hour prior to the match - A surplus of BMW's driven by "blonde bombshells" looking for a latte hit along Glenferrie Rd, didn't help.

Tucked away in the shade of Michael's Stand before the game were PRE legends, Phantom, CC Tiger & Tango. Tigerdog arrived via Gate 1, avoiding the attention of the media. In contrast, GPB was happy to speak with the boys from the press. Doolz made the grand entry into the ground via an underground pass on a Harley - Very relaxed and not phased with the hype surrounding today's game. My day didn't start well, arriving late to Rhett's Team Meeting at 2.30pm and incurring a $5000 fine.

In the first quarter PRE was under siege. The Saints were quick out of the middle and created many inside 50's, but failed to capitalise on the scoreboard. By the 15min mark, Rhett was on the phone to his dad. The early onslaught by the Saints had obviously taken it's effect on PRE.

In typical Saints fashion, the boys from Moorabbin were well prepared. They arrived in droves before the game - Car loads of players, simulating a bunch of Lebonese Tigers answering the call for a street brawl. A fit group of younger players each sporting numerous versions of St Kilda jumpers. On the field, a Nick Rievoldt look alike played up forward. In the midfield, simulated versions of Del Santo, Harvey & Ball were difficult to match, as was their own account of a Max Hudgton across CHB - Do you think these guys were desparate for a win? And just to remind us Tigers, the level of professionalism had not slipped in recent months at Linton St, they even brought along "Training Services" (Thanks for the timely squirts!).

Well into the last term, the sting had dissapeared from the game. Whilst the scoreboard didn't look impressive, our boys kept fighting on in similar fashion that saw the Richmond FC win five premierships since 1966.

Straight after the match, the Saintsationals produced a rendition of 'When The Saints Go Marching In', that even Marcia Hines (sitting on the fence with splinters on her arse) would have said, "well done boys...you go get em".

Driving home, I swtiched the radio to 3AW. Phantom was being interviewed. His press conference made reference to unimpressive match statistics. In response to some heavy questioning, Phantom stated, "We just have to weigh our options and see what the draft bring us. We need to find the right mix & balance". The talkback open lines were running hot. One caller from WA said that was the worst display he had seen in years - An insipid display, requesting all feral Tiger supporters call for the axeing of the so-called "duds" of this team.

PRE CEO, Rosy23, was unavailable for comment after the game.

 

[Mr Brightside]

:rotfl :clapping :clapping :rotfl :grouphug

 

[pahoffm]

I had a very enjoyable game. It was good to know that at the ripe old age of 46yo, I could get through 3 & 1/2 quarters on the ground.

Just to put everyone in the picture, the Saints turned up with a squad that had an average age of about 25yo. There looked to be about 7 of their team that were current competitive footballers. The first hint of this was after a behind, when Skills kicked out to an open Frickenel, I think, and out of nowhere came the Saints Centreman who took an absolute "AFL class" speccy over the top.

If you discount my 14yo son, the average age of the PREnders was a bout 35-40yo.
In contrast, any of us struggled to get 6 inches off the ground.
As said the Saints were able to rotate about 7 midfielders through the centre, we had about 2 genuine midfielders. We did win in the ruck, but our midfielders got swamped. That told the story.

I spoke earlier of that speccy, Well through the game, they proceeded to take about 5 speccies. Each better than the next, and as Rhett said, "If someone had taken a video camera, we could have cleaned up big on Almost Football Legends."

Personally, I started in a BP, but when I got warned by their FF, who was 10-15cm taller & 10kg heavier than me, that I was being too man on man for a social game I got the hint. I then took myself up the ground and decided to do a Tivendale for the rest of the game. I picked up 10 possies, nearly all effective, except for one enormous clanger. I received a kickout from FB, after jumping to get the ball, proceeding to complete a perfect 3 point blind turn that spun out my 20yo opponent, was given the all clear by a teammate, took 3 steps then, off balance, drilled the ball into 3 opposition midfielders all standing together in the centre. All I could come up with was "Oh Sh!t". That was the negative. On the positive side, I got off a couple of nice rebounding kicks to open players that resulted in goals.

My conclusion is that it was pretty well done by all the fellows. We didn't do any worse than what the AFL Tigers usually do against the Saints.
Also, I've voluntarily put myself up for delisting at season's end.
If there are any 20-25yo PREnders out there, we need you for the next game.

It may actually indicate a variation in the demograghic of Tiger v Saints supporters. The typical Tiger supporter might be 30-50 years old, whereas the typical Saints supporter might be a generation younger.

Anyway, well done PRE.

 

[bairdy380]

Yep, well I can finally move sufficient limbs with which to type....great day overall, bit dissappointing about the result but the game was played in good spirits.
Met the usual PRE suspects who turn out to these events, had a good warm-up...the kicking boots seemed to be in check, but alas as soon as we changed to that bloody lairy pink ball my boots decided they didn't like the colour and thus would no longer kick as planned.
Veeeeeery long day in defence....never in my career have I seen such an uber-flood of forwards, I believe at one count it was 3 forwards per defender.  We toiled to minimal avail...kept the score in check as much as possible, but weight of numbers told in the end.
Must say either Kerien or Phanto's kid gets the chocolates for BOG from PRE. Saints to their credit had a couple of ring-ins who could play big time....a certain individual in an umarked t-shirt but wearing AFL sanctioned shorts amassed a lazy 60+ possessions all over the ground.  
Most of the saints guys were good to meet and a 3 shoe-ins for mark of the year on almost footy legends....pity there wasn't a camera about.
Again thanks to Rhett for his inspired "kick it to our end" speech....and then queried which end we were kicking to!
To all the PRE's, good to meet you again...and the size 11 boot print on my back has come up a treat.
Cheers
Bairdy

 

[autopunt]

hi guys, would have loved to play the whole game but it seems number 7 does indeed hold a curse!

for anyone interested or enjoys being grossed out, i've put a pic of how my ankle blew up this morning after rolling it i the second quarter!

http://www.yoyo.net.au/ankle.htm

enjoy!

Thanks for the nice comments tiger dog!

 

[nitrotiger]

Sounds like you boys coulda done with my heckling and my goal kicking prowess...My only issue nowadays is......gettin the bloody pill in the first place.....great read....thanks a million! :hihi

 

[Otis]

Sorry all, i know i may not have been that handy a player, but the extra numbers would've helped.

I had a soccer match yesterday where I injured my ankle...

i'll bring out my old fluoro Mr T t-shirt next time PRE play.

 

[Curtiger]

It's a dynamite T-shirt, BTW. Nobody says "Oh, I didn't see you" to Otis.

 

[checkside]

hi guys, would have loved to play the whole game but it seems number 7 does indeed hold a curse!

for anyone interested or enjoys being grossed out, i've put a pic of how my ankle blew up this morning after rolling it i the second quarter!

http://www.yoyo.net.au/ankle.htm

enjoy!

Thanks for the nice comments tiger dog!

Yuk

 

[pahoffm]

Better get some Lectric Washing Soda Crystals around that, quickly.
It'll take the swelling out overnight.