Putting out the fire with gasoline

By Gary TT Jordan

Hey all you chogsters.

Well what a weekend I had last. Had to be at Albion Park by 8.00am both Saturday and Sunday for a bit of training with the Fire Brigade. Always beneficial for a part time fireman like myself and I had the added bonus of enjoying it all along the way.

Using the rescue equipment is generally stressful but hanging upside down 5 metres of the ground can put it all in perspective.

I read the blog report about the game and was surprised but not disappointed we went down to Fernhill. In the first round last year we beat them 3-0 at home and I thought we may have been lucky. It was our first win for the year and our first home game having started with 3 away fixtures. Do we all remember last year. Just from the top of my head we played 18 games for 7 wins 3 draws and 8 losses. Could be wrong. I kill far too many brain cells to predict anything with absolute certainty. But I do recall enjoying most of the year.

Having read the comments from the match report just now it’s difficult to imagine that the Chogs I’ve been running around with this year were the same team from last year. I know we’ve had a few changes but not a full team transplant.

People talking about goals scored and those conceded. How poorly some thought they performed and whether others should have even been on the paddock. Without appearing ignorant I can honestly say that our position on the ladder and who we play next week is never something I pay much attention to. We all play the game because we love it. We get such enjoyment from watching it that we can’t wait to get out there each weekend and amplify that enjoyment by playing it. Well listen to this home truth.

Hospital casualty wards are filled every Saturday and Sunday afternoons with old blokes like us trying to turn the clock back 20-30 years. (A too aggressive cow springs to mind) Think about our own team here. I don’t mean to make an example of some of our players but Tony and now Shane are out for the year with John no certainty to come back. Who isn’t carrying an injury or struggling to get out of bed any other Sunday? OK Phil, you’re one right out of the box.

You know there’s nothing more enjoyable or comical than watching young kids run around Saturday mornings. And there’s nothing more sad than hearing overzealous parents screaming from the sidelines telling those kids what to do. I play the game each week hoping I have a fair game and that I avoid that trip to casualty. The result is secondary. I don’t need to know who we are playing until we take the field and even then it don’t matter.

The game is after all a game. One that nowadays I look forward to watching my son play more so than playing myself. The game is a social outlet for our family and others as well I would hope. Lets all look forward to the final day in May.

Before then we have the opportunity to play the ‘greatest game of all’. As a bonus we play a bunch of blokes we’ve never met at a ground only those experienced players among us would even know of.

Fortunately this decaying body will not have to work again on a Saturday this year. Unfortunately I won’t get to hang upside down well of the ground. Unless I’m saving someone’s life. Now wouldn’t that be something really important.

TT

ED'S note: If you wish to have access to post items directly onto Coastal Hogland please ask TH10 how. It's quite straightforward and all should enjoy the right to do this should they require.