We had unusually good coverage in the local press this week and so it could have been that the local punters knew about our exact final six place being on the line and where, when and when who we were actually playing, or it may just have been the Sunday at three timing, but I think our biggest crowd fore the year (can't remember the "sympathy" crowd size at the first game of the season) rolled into a very warm Ballymore with the ground still bearing the scars of the previous night's rugby game. Jim and I had to park a lot further away from the little footbridge over Breakfast Creek than usual and there was quite a throng heading towad the ground. A pity the Wail hadn't given us a couple of intense days like this earlier in the season, I was thinking.
The Free Kick was distrbuted by a few of us and was often acively sought by many of the supporters coming in. There had been talk of packing it in earlier, but I really think it has become a part of the match day experience for many and would be truly missed. Easy to say when you are not on the production team.
In the forecourt The Parmalatat girls were dishing out helium filled balloons to the kids - but once agan in red and white which, though it appeals to me very much, would be more suitable in this context in blue and gold. Perhaps we might have a word with them before the finals match on the 21st? More on the balloons later.
It had been "slip, slap and slop" with the sunburn cream before leaving home, but the stand which we occupy was bathed in very intense sunlight all afternoon which both made things a little uncomfortable and tended to generate a bit of a thirst. Quite a reinforcement for the desirability of the concept of night Summer football. I hope the finals game is an evening one.
All the junior mascots that had ushered the STRIKERS on this season had been invited back and so there was quite a coulourful and large group in the middle as we stood silently in respect to the Queen's Mother then more noisily for the, as usual, in my view inappropriate National Anthem.
So there we were bathed in subtropical sun, a biggish crowd in, the air redolent with the smell of mothballs from the Scouser shirts which have begun to reappear recently and hoping for a good last home and away performance from the lads.
It was a good game from the start, both sides tending to be ball players and intent on attacking which inevitably leaves scope for counter attack. It was bit of an arm wrestle in the midfield and I think at the end of the match we probably had the better. There was no doubt the STRIKERS were a match for the minor champions all afternoon. Eventually, after about half an hour, Traja was put through very nicely and calmy slotted it away past Petkovic "We like your brother better". Happy scenes on the ground and in the stands. A cheeky round of "Can we play you every week?", then "Stand up if you've won the league" and "What the hell is Chicken Treat?" followed many of the usual chants and songs. The Glory's strikers did get through a few times, but Jason Kearton could not be bearten until, not long before half time, young Webber lost the ball near the half way line and, in frustration, tackled back on Despotovski who, like the expert he is, went down theatrically and a penalty resulted. Kearton went the right way but could not stop it. 1-1 and so it was at half time.
In the shade under the grandstand I saw a man applying sunburn cream to his little STRIKERS supporting son and cadged some off him en route to the bar. Rarely has a cold beer substitute tasted so good!
By Half time there had been two rather bizarre pieces of heavy handedness from officials. Firstly several of the kids had grouped their helium balloons together and were allowing them, on long threads to hover high above the crowd. The PA announcer asked them to either reel them in or let them go "For the safety and comfort of the crowd"!!!. Most let them go to huge cheers all round from people who must have suddenly felt either much more comfortable or relieved to be out of danger. The second incident infolved a security person who demanded the BSSA banners and flags not be draped over the parapet as they were obscuring advertising which informed the two men and a dog present in the vast unpopulated stand on the opposite of the ground that the Bank of Queensland supports the Queensland Reds. We had been hanging them there the whole season, but the wee fellow insisted they be furled. I ask you!
The second half was another entertaning 45 vmiutes, with both sides making, but not taking chances and it ended at the half time score. I thought we did all right and may yet be competative in the run in, though I must say South Melbourne away is a tough assignment.
So we finish the home and away season in a far better position then anyone, including, Johhny You Can't See The Join Warren, dared to predict. I remember Ross Mellville stating when we won the repreive that the three aims were to produce a team playing good football, to increase the crowds and to finish in the top six. All sorted!
My $10 TAB ticket at 72 to 1 is still alive too!, and I suspect todays result may have seen me crowned SFL winner for the season!!