|
Every year at around this time, many of us take part in a physical battle - a battle of wills that sees only the toughest survive. This sunday, a group of us are set to do what we've all dreamed of at some stage in our life... proudly wear the navy blue in a cut-throat battle against our arch enemy...Collingwood. For many of us, this is the closest we will ever come to walking out onto the MCG on the last day in September, proudly wearing the top that we all love and we would die for.
Our last encounter, against the StKilda forum, whilst controversial, was still an influential loss. So many positives have been drawn from the game, but it has been so long since then, we don't know if they can be lived up to. The wait has been so long...too long in fact. It seems like a life time ago that i witnessed with my very own eyes a team of mis-fits who came together and battled fiercly for the jumper they love, only to fall short at the line. A classic textbook hip-and-shoulder from our very own PJ, the skill and class through the midfield of fullmont101, the stunning debut of the forward sensation bnz, not to mention BlueBull who battled tirelessly all day with a monster opponent who was easily best on ground, Tyrant who stood tall and proud for 4 quarters never dropping his head and always leading by example. These memories seem so long ago yet the fire, the passion, still burns fiercly inside...always wanting to go for more but having to wait for so long for it to come.
For weeks ive counted the days down, hoping for it to arrive. Training has stepped up since last time. Ive concentrated on parts of my game that, if perfected, can cause havock in the forward line. Day in, day out, i practise kicking to targets. I practise kicking at goal. All the things that could have helped me last time but i was unsure of, like taking a run around an opponent.
The mood is tense, especially in these last days. Many of the players i speak to cannot control their excitement. We are all pumped and ready to take on our rivals. Ive found myself unable to sleep at nights, and i lay there thinking about the game, thinking about all the things that could happen...different outcomes and what i could do to help the team. These last days are a battle of character. Whilst some are more excited than others, this may be the closest we will ever come to representing the navy blue. If it is, then so be it; i will bleed for this jumper, for this emblem. I will not stand by and be condemed into a life of humiliation by this team of Magpie supporters.
Sunday is our day fellas, use these last days wisely because there is no turning back. Sunday will be a test of power and skill. We will be tried on all levels of this game and a loss, for me, is unexceptable. Broken bones will heal, but a loss to Collingwood will haunt us forever....
_________________
R A D I C A L B R O T H E R S
Inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm
"All in all is all we are..."
|
Login
Register
FAQ
