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.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Round 1 Weekend
Well, hello again to everyone. This past weekend was a buzz of excitement as the 2008 season has finally begun!!! For the week leading up to Round 1 I was more excited than a kid in a candy store. Every day I would wake up just ready to get on that field and kick butt. Our practices were sharp and we looked like a team poised for victory.
Our opponent for the game was a team named Trinity Aquinas, a University team located in South Perth. Over the past several years TA has been one of the best teams in the comp, so this was a great assessment of our team. The game took place at their home field (the smallest and worst field in the comp), and after a short detour due to Jared's faulty directions, we arrived ready to go. The locker room was filled with anticipation as our tough pre-season training would undoubtedly push us to victory, but we were mistaken.
From the opening bounce we were dominated all over the field as the game degraded to a game of "Everyone Run Where Ever You Feel" across the middle. With such loss of structure, the increased speed of the game, and lack of game experience, I felt lost all over the field. I still managed to make some decent plays, but when the final siren rang we lost by about 70 points. Overall, everyone had a very disappointing game. I was extremely disappointed in myself and I guarantee it won't happen again. I've only got once chance at this season and I am going to take full advantage of it.
Sunday morning, after licking my wounds of defeat and searching for my lost ego, some friends from work and myself got together to surprise a coworker for his birthday. We got together to play laser-tag out in the Swan Valley behind where I have played Super Golf in the past. The area was complete bush land with forts and tents set up all over the place. it was a great time and the perfect way to recover from a terrible Saturday.
I do have some pictures from this weekend, but not many. And, as you can probably tell, I'm in a rather tired mood so I didn't try to be cleaver or explain anything in much detail. Sorry, but my hands hurt from typing all day at work. I'll make up for it next week after we kick butt this weekend and come home with a victory.
Our opponent for the game was a team named Trinity Aquinas, a University team located in South Perth. Over the past several years TA has been one of the best teams in the comp, so this was a great assessment of our team. The game took place at their home field (the smallest and worst field in the comp), and after a short detour due to Jared's faulty directions, we arrived ready to go. The locker room was filled with anticipation as our tough pre-season training would undoubtedly push us to victory, but we were mistaken.
From the opening bounce we were dominated all over the field as the game degraded to a game of "Everyone Run Where Ever You Feel" across the middle. With such loss of structure, the increased speed of the game, and lack of game experience, I felt lost all over the field. I still managed to make some decent plays, but when the final siren rang we lost by about 70 points. Overall, everyone had a very disappointing game. I was extremely disappointed in myself and I guarantee it won't happen again. I've only got once chance at this season and I am going to take full advantage of it.
Sunday morning, after licking my wounds of defeat and searching for my lost ego, some friends from work and myself got together to surprise a coworker for his birthday. We got together to play laser-tag out in the Swan Valley behind where I have played Super Golf in the past. The area was complete bush land with forts and tents set up all over the place. it was a great time and the perfect way to recover from a terrible Saturday.
I do have some pictures from this weekend, but not many. And, as you can probably tell, I'm in a rather tired mood so I didn't try to be cleaver or explain anything in much detail. Sorry, but my hands hurt from typing all day at work. I'll make up for it next week after we kick butt this weekend and come home with a victory.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Football (in all forms) and Driving
Well, not a whole to talk about, but some cool and funny things to report. First off friday night I had an absolute blast as Jared, Luke, Tracy, and Donna (the last three are Australians) and I watched the Western Force play a rugby match against the Bulls of South Africa. As I previously stated (I think...), the Western Force participate in the Super 14s, a rugby league including teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Jared and I managed to score free tickets (again) through Luke and his girlfriend Donna (Luke plays for Scarborough and Donna is a massage therapist for the Force). Our seats were incredible as we were 2 rows from the pitch and 50 feet from the players tunnel. Great seats as I gladly went picture happy.
The game was intense as the Force needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The season is only 14 games and only the top 4 teams advance to the knockout rounds, so each game counts and this one was a biggie. Not only was this game important because of the playoffs, but also because of the opponent. The Bulls are the reigning Super 14 champs and boast some outstanding players, and also feature the best player in the world, Bryan Habana, who won the 2007 World Player of the Year as the South African rugby team won the World Cup. I took lots of pictures of him.
The stadium was alive with excitement not even the rain could dampen (and it tried, believe me) as the two teams began play. The Force jumped out to a 9 point lead as they moved the ball well and made sure tackles. The game was all Force until play resumed after half time as the Bulls scored 14 unanswered as Habana collected two tries. All hope was lost but the Force never gave up and managed to squeeze in a try with 1 minute remaining to take a 15-14 lead. Once the siren roared the excitement couldn't be contained as airhorns and sirens sounded all over Subiaco Oval.
Saturday was also a great day as we had another scratch-match, this time against Whitfords. After last weekends third-quarter meltdown, the Scarborough team was ready to open a can of whoop-ass on any side we faced, and we did not disappoint (despite the torrential downpour all morning and through half-time) . We opened up the scoring with two straight goals and never looked back. All over the field we out-marked, out-skilled, out-kicked, and out-tacked a generally good Whitfords side. It was a great feeling as we are coming together just as the season begins next week. One incident of note is that I got to punch my first oppenent of the season. Footy over here is played much dirtier and this kid, probably 5'0" and 110 lbs, rammed me directly in the back during a dead ball. So, a subtle punch to the gut convinced him to rethink his sports attitude. Needless to say, he didn't shake my hand after the game. Sorry, but no pictures from the game as it was raining terribly. Didn't want to ruin the camera.
Sunday was another fun day as I got to sleep in, sit outside and read, and learn to drive stick. My friend GD is letting me use his old car while I am here (it became available to me abut 2 weeks ago) and I finally got the chance to pick it up. The three of us drove down to his house Sunday afternoon to begin the lessons only to find that he was in London, but his mom was around to give us the keys. She/Pam invited us inside to chat a bit and as polite young men, we accepted, even though the house had a funky smell too it, like an old library. After a bit of chatting she asked who was going to drive the car and I put up my hand enthusiastically, like I was 16 years old again. Here is what happened next:
Pam: You don't drink and drive do you?
Me: No.
Pam: Good, because it's a really bad idea. Too many people die every year from drinking and driving.
Me: It's really sad how people do that.
Pam: But I do it sometimes.
Me (exchanging "holy crap" looks with each other): What?
Pam: But it's not that far. Just about four blocks.
To clarify, Pam's house is in a subdivision full of massive hills. Not the safest sober driving, let alone drinking any amount of alcohol. It was about that time our ESP kicked in and we decided to get out of there. After a polite good bye (and a offer of a glass of brandy to go from Pam...I'm not kidding), we got in our cars and left as quickly as possible. Now, after many stalled engines, I can safely navigate on the opposite side of the road driving stick. Just a few more weeks and I'll be a pro at it!
The game was intense as the Force needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The season is only 14 games and only the top 4 teams advance to the knockout rounds, so each game counts and this one was a biggie. Not only was this game important because of the playoffs, but also because of the opponent. The Bulls are the reigning Super 14 champs and boast some outstanding players, and also feature the best player in the world, Bryan Habana, who won the 2007 World Player of the Year as the South African rugby team won the World Cup. I took lots of pictures of him.
The stadium was alive with excitement not even the rain could dampen (and it tried, believe me) as the two teams began play. The Force jumped out to a 9 point lead as they moved the ball well and made sure tackles. The game was all Force until play resumed after half time as the Bulls scored 14 unanswered as Habana collected two tries. All hope was lost but the Force never gave up and managed to squeeze in a try with 1 minute remaining to take a 15-14 lead. Once the siren roared the excitement couldn't be contained as airhorns and sirens sounded all over Subiaco Oval.
Saturday was also a great day as we had another scratch-match, this time against Whitfords. After last weekends third-quarter meltdown, the Scarborough team was ready to open a can of whoop-ass on any side we faced, and we did not disappoint (despite the torrential downpour all morning and through half-time) . We opened up the scoring with two straight goals and never looked back. All over the field we out-marked, out-skilled, out-kicked, and out-tacked a generally good Whitfords side. It was a great feeling as we are coming together just as the season begins next week. One incident of note is that I got to punch my first oppenent of the season. Footy over here is played much dirtier and this kid, probably 5'0" and 110 lbs, rammed me directly in the back during a dead ball. So, a subtle punch to the gut convinced him to rethink his sports attitude. Needless to say, he didn't shake my hand after the game. Sorry, but no pictures from the game as it was raining terribly. Didn't want to ruin the camera.
Sunday was another fun day as I got to sleep in, sit outside and read, and learn to drive stick. My friend GD is letting me use his old car while I am here (it became available to me abut 2 weeks ago) and I finally got the chance to pick it up. The three of us drove down to his house Sunday afternoon to begin the lessons only to find that he was in London, but his mom was around to give us the keys. She/Pam invited us inside to chat a bit and as polite young men, we accepted, even though the house had a funky smell too it, like an old library. After a bit of chatting she asked who was going to drive the car and I put up my hand enthusiastically, like I was 16 years old again. Here is what happened next:
Pam: You don't drink and drive do you?
Me: No.
Pam: Good, because it's a really bad idea. Too many people die every year from drinking and driving.
Me: It's really sad how people do that.
Pam: But I do it sometimes.
Me (exchanging "holy crap" looks with each other): What?
Pam: But it's not that far. Just about four blocks.
To clarify, Pam's house is in a subdivision full of massive hills. Not the safest sober driving, let alone drinking any amount of alcohol. It was about that time our ESP kicked in and we decided to get out of there. After a polite good bye (and a offer of a glass of brandy to go from Pam...I'm not kidding), we got in our cars and left as quickly as possible. Now, after many stalled engines, I can safely navigate on the opposite side of the road driving stick. Just a few more weeks and I'll be a pro at it!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
2008 Season
Beach sessions. 10 K runs. Hill sprints. 110 degree weather with a sun that could fry an egg. Footy: It's played with one ball but we suggest you bring two.
The 2008 season is almost upon me and I can hardly contain myself. I have been training for nearly two and a half months for this moment and I can't wait any longer. April 19 is Round 1 and I only get more antsy as we continue to play scratch matches. This past weekend was our first real test as we played against an opposing side for the first time. The team we played was Swan Athletic, a B-grade side (we're A-grade) located in the Swan Valley about 30 minutes East of where I live. Three games were played that day, starting with the Colts (the under 19 team), then the Reserves (where I am), and then the League Side (where Jared is). Both the Colts and my team didn't fair so well as we both fell by a few goals. The League Side was the shining spot as they dominated Swan by about 13 goals. Not much of a contest, but fun to watch. In the end though, the results don't mean much as our coaches are working out who will play where. For example: I played four different positions throughout the game and others played as many as 5. By the time Round 1 comes around everything should be set.
So far I can feel my skills and fitness getting better every day. Just talking with a few team mates they have mentioned how much I've improved since I arrived. it's a great feeling knowing my hard work has paid off. I can't wait until the next game where I will be much better so I can go out there and take some kicks, hit some goals, and hit some opponents. I love this level of footy and I know I will have a great season.
Unfortunately no pictures were take of the game. Swan Athletic is known for having some dodgy followers as a number of people in the past have been robbed, so I decided a camera wasn't the best idea. But, this coming weekend we have another scratch match against Whitfords, but this time at our home ground. I will be sure and bring my camera and have Jared take some pictures.
The 2008 season is almost upon me and I can hardly contain myself. I have been training for nearly two and a half months for this moment and I can't wait any longer. April 19 is Round 1 and I only get more antsy as we continue to play scratch matches. This past weekend was our first real test as we played against an opposing side for the first time. The team we played was Swan Athletic, a B-grade side (we're A-grade) located in the Swan Valley about 30 minutes East of where I live. Three games were played that day, starting with the Colts (the under 19 team), then the Reserves (where I am), and then the League Side (where Jared is). Both the Colts and my team didn't fair so well as we both fell by a few goals. The League Side was the shining spot as they dominated Swan by about 13 goals. Not much of a contest, but fun to watch. In the end though, the results don't mean much as our coaches are working out who will play where. For example: I played four different positions throughout the game and others played as many as 5. By the time Round 1 comes around everything should be set.
So far I can feel my skills and fitness getting better every day. Just talking with a few team mates they have mentioned how much I've improved since I arrived. it's a great feeling knowing my hard work has paid off. I can't wait until the next game where I will be much better so I can go out there and take some kicks, hit some goals, and hit some opponents. I love this level of footy and I know I will have a great season.
Unfortunately no pictures were take of the game. Swan Athletic is known for having some dodgy followers as a number of people in the past have been robbed, so I decided a camera wasn't the best idea. But, this coming weekend we have another scratch match against Whitfords, but this time at our home ground. I will be sure and bring my camera and have Jared take some pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)