0-2 and #2

The theme of this updates is the number 2. Why, do you ask? Well, the first answer is that our team has fallen to 0-2 after the first two rounds of the season. This weekend we had our first home match of the season against West Coast Cowan, the reigning Premiers of Grade B (We're grade A. If you win or come in second in Group B you move up a group). It was a bright and beautiful day as the crowd gathered to watch the match.

Through the first half of play we played our guts out and played right with them. Our movement through the middle and center clearances were spot on, but our attack on goal left something to be desired. I played a forward pocket (offense) and was often frustrated with the lack of precision attacking and down-field vision. More than once were people missed as we made our move to score. But still, our back-line played a tremendous game and kept us in it. But, despite our best efforts we slowly fell behind in the second half and eventually succumbed to an eleven goal loss. Very disappointing, but also encouraging as we showed heaps of improvement. Personally, I know I played a much better game and feel myself understanding the game much more every week. Of course, a win is always welcome, but self-improvement is great too as it is why I am here. I think next week will be even better!

The League side faired much better but still felt short of the W. After exchanging leads throughout the game, WC Cowan eventually pulled away and went home with a 3 goal victory. Not the best day to be an Eagle, but also not the best day to play for Cowan as they suffered some awful injuries. In my game, one of their players had their ankle landed on by one of our back-men and the result was a broken ankle at a 90 degree angle. I've never heard such screaming in my life.

The second theme of the number 2 is my result in the Mr. Scarborough competition. As I previously mentioned, the football club has an annual event where a panel of ladies bestow the Mr. Scarborough award on one lucky guy. The competition is set as a Miss America type pageant where competitors have to strut their stuff on a cat walk and answer questions. From each team two contestants were chosen to show off their night-wear (going out clothes), sleep-wear, and footy wear. As you may be able to guess, some of the contestants had to dive head-first into the liquid courage to compete, which only added to the hilarity.

Well, like most things Australian, it's all for a good laugh as each competitor tries to be as raunchy as possible on the walk way and in answering questions. I am not going to go into detail about anything that was done, and here's an example of why: During the night-wear portion one person came on stage wearing ski-goggles and a woman's thong and nothing else. Enough said. But, have no fear, I kept my dignity and the worst I wore was a Speedo (which are disturbingly common in Australia so it wasn't bad at all) with the words "Such is Life" written across my stomach. The words/tattoo was an Australian joke referring to an ex-AFL star, Ben Cousins, who was found passed out on a park bench after his team won the Premiership. I also showed off a pair of silk Australian flag boxers with the words "Gun Show" written on my biceps for sleep-wear and a pair of footy shorts and socks for footy-wear. I think the reason I came in second is because I gave each one of the girl judges a flower during one of my walks (I found a basket of flowers in our changing room. I found out later those flowers were supposed to go to some other girls, but oh well). They must have loved the Polish charm (Thanks Mom!!)

Needless to say, my antics got me second place and I am proud of it. No other American has competed before and I must have made a good impressions. Maybe it's my baby blue eyes (Thanks Dad!!). Either way I had a lot of fun and Jared took a number of pictures. Once the competition was over we stuck around the club house for a while, laughed at some of the craziness, and then headed out on the town. Overall, the day wasn't a total loss. We got to really bond together which will only help us become a stronger team.