Bombers Fly up UP on Anzac Day!

Sing along if you know the words. 84,829 fans were
treated to a great game with an inspired victory on
the boot of a last second goal that capped a 14 point
comeback in the final 5 minutes of the game. Also,
meet the Milwaukee Bombers newest fans.

"It's an awesome experience, genuinely moving..." Is how James Hird describes what it is like to play on Anzac day at the MCG. I couldn't agree more. I recently read his book, "Reading the Play," and throughout the day I kept thinking about the chapter where he gives a glimpse of what the day means to him. He produced some of the most incredible plays on Anzac Day. Many reckon the Anzac medal for "Best on Ground" (BOG) should be renamed the James Hird medal. He is why I am a Bombers fan and a source of inspiration. In his book, he is very humble and credits all his success to the attitude that he has to outwork everyone. Check out his performace in the 2003 game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M0C338zQZU. I was completely swept up in the day, a day that was a collection of fun, memorable moments and the kind I have been looking forward to for years. I will look back on those moments for the rest of my life and be thankful I had the opportunity to be there and witness it all. I'm still trying to digest everything and am still flying high on the buzz.

I started the day trying to get myself psyched up for our game. The hardest part during the week leading up to the game was to keep myself calm. I lived a dream yesterday, I played on a professional AFL ground. Victoria Park is the former home of Colllingwood. They have not played there for 10 years, but the ground is still in great shape, the best I've played on. The ground was soft and the grass was short and played fast. Our home ground is some of the hardest I've played on, so this was a real treat. I started in the back pocket for the second week. On the locker room board, coach had drawn our kick out plays and next to that he had a list of points to remember. On top of his list was "Anzac Day medal" for Best on Ground. I knew right then I wanted that award. I had been focusing on the game all morning, visualizing what I wanted to do on the ground that day. I was determined to put together a solid, complete game. Last week, I played a strong half game and this week I was driven to improve.

I came out in the 1st quarter pumped, I was ready to play the game on Tuesday and had been building all week. As we walked out on the ground to start the game, I thought back to last season when we played Nashville and remembered how pumped I got for that game. I tried to recreate that same emotion from that day. I also thought of James Hird and took a moment to appreciate the history. I was standing on Victoria Park ground, the home of the Collingwood Magpies, the team that James Hird and the Bombers take on each Anzac Day, on Anzac Day! I looked around and thought to myself, "It doesn't get much better than this!" Then, the umpires called both teams together at the center of the ground.

Both teams lined up across and facing each other with the umpires standing in a line between us, facing both teams. Our opponent was the Fitzroy Stars a predominantly Aboriginal team. The head umpire blew his whistle and there was a moment of silence to commemorate the brave who we honored by playing the game we love. This was a great opportunity to take it all in and realize the significance of the day, the moment and the game. Then, FINALLY, it was time to get things under way! The first quarter started with us running hard and applying pressure all around the ground. This lead to some early goals and a strong start. They responded with a couple goals of their own and we in turn responded with a couple goals and this continued back and forth throughout the half. We took a 3 goal lead into the locker room. We maybe could have had a couple more goals, but overall it was a strong start to the game for a team that is still getting to know each other. Last week, we debuted 6 new players and this week we added another. I found the ball and made a couple hand balls and kicks to help push the ball through our halfback line. I also took a couple marks and didn't allow my man a shot on goal. I felt good about my performance and the team's performance overall. We were feeling pretty good about our effort in the locker room, but knew we should have been ahead by a couple more goals.

They came out motivated in the 2nd half and we were a bit lackluster for the first 10 minutes and they tied the game at 44. We kicked a behind to break the tie, but knew we needed to play better. It was a gut check stage in the game and for us as a team. Players stepped up all across the ground and we finished the quarter strong with a 2 goal lead. The momentumem we built up in the 2nd half of the 3rd quarter carried us right through the 4th quarter and we ran out on them early, taking an 8 goal lead. I had a solid game and wanted to finish strong. I was getting around to a lot of contests and sticking my head in there going hard for the footy. Our team showed great endeavour and half way through the 4th quarter we knew the game was ours and so did they. They hung their heads and my man even took a knee to gather his thoughts about their loss. They finished out the last 5 minutes and kicked a couple goals to make it a bit closer, but when the final horn sounded the scoreboard read 115-70. It was a solid win for us and now we have 2 wins to build from.

When coach went to annouce Best on Ground, I wasn't expecting him to call my name. I was ecstatic and a bit humbled when he did. I was proud of my performance, proud of our team and loving the feeling, it is why we play the game. I had to grab my trophy mug and run to the Bombers - Collingwood game.

I got off the train and ran to the gate to meet my mate who was bringing out my ticket. I arrived just at quarter time. The atmosphere was electric, with 84,829 fans decked out in their team's colors. The Bombers were 4 goals down to start the 2nd quarter, but responded by attacking the ball and some clever handballing through the middle. The game was tied 42-42 at halftime. The Bombers let themselves down with some shocking shots on goal and had to settle for behinds. The early story of the game was how would the Bombers respond after losing their ruckman in the opening minute of the game. His replacement was up for the challenge and the young bloke came of age in front of an ecstatic crowd!

The Bombers started the 2nd half the way they finished the first, handpassing the ball through the midfield and worked their way out in front by 13 points. That lead was short lived as in classic rivalry fashion, the Magpies responded and took a 14 point lead with 5 minutes remaining. What the Bombers had in store was something no one saw coming, but the Bombers message of the day was, "Never Give Up!" They certainly did not and pulled out the greatest comeback victory I have witnessed live. Nineteen year old David Zaharakis kicked the winning goal on the run from 45 meters with 5 seconds left on the clock! It was a sensational goal and unbelievable victory! Go Bombers!!!

Round 1 Parkside vs. Heidelberg West at Parkside

Parkside Football Club

Saturday April 18, marked the beginning of the 2009 footy fixture for Parkside Football Club. The opponent was Heidelberg West, it was clear from the opening bounce that they were not prepared for what we had in store for them! We were clearly in an entirely different class as we kicked 34 goals 22 behinds for a dominate 226 points to their 9 goals 4 behinds 58 points. We debuted 10 new players in the Senior side and it didn't take long for them to make their mark. The team ran well looking after each other, making good use of hand passes, shepherds and kicking in to open space for teammates to run on to the ball. Well...that is most players shared the ball...then you had the Gresham brothers who only had eyes for each other, looking for each other nearly every time they touched the ball.

In the reserves game we didn't break 200 points, but we still enjoyed a comfortable win, the final score was 128 to 46. We debuted 6 new players and after a lackluster first half turned it up a couple notches to run away with the victory. Seeing as we had the ball in their forward line about 80% of the game I didn't see too much action in the back pocket, but did make some strong spoils and a couple runs forward. Overall, I feel good about my performance, I learned a couple things and am anxious to get back out there and continue to improve!

Up next, we travel to Victoria Park, home of the Collingwood Magpies, for a game vs. the Fitzroy Stars. This will be played on Anzac Day, the Aussie Memorial Day. Anzac Day is a major holiday and a big day for footy, highlighted by the rival game between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG. The fact that we are playing our game at Victoria Park works out well for me because once our game is over I will be able to hop on the train (directly across the road) and head down to the MCG which is just a few stops away. Go Bombers!!!

Bombers Outlast Blues

I spent the Easter weekend at Sam and Jess's brand new house. I timed my arrival perfectly because I did not have to do any heavy lifting and move stuff in. Instead I got to help hang blinds and level the pool table. I wasn't the only visitor, Jess's family came to check out their new digs as well, which meant a house full of children's laughter. We took Sam's new used boat out for a spin and did a bit of water skiing and wake boarding and then we came back and hung the blinds just in time for the start of the Bombers vs. Blues game.

There is a storied rivalry between these two clubs and it follows a pattern very similar to that of the Bears - Packers rivalry in that whichever team is having the down year usually steals a game. The Blues have had a strong start to their season and found themselves atop the ladder coming into the game. As the 1st quarter unfolded it appeared the Blues were going to run away with this one in similar fashion to their first 2 victories, but the 2nd quarter was a gut check for the Bombers and they battled back to take a 2 point lead into halftime. The second half was one of the best that I've seen, a great back and forth battle that had us on the edge of our seats. It was anyone's game, but in the end it was accuracy that was the difference and the Bombers made the most of their goal scoring opportunities. Matthew Lloyd led the way with 5 goals for the Bombers while Brendan Fevola struggled to kick 4 goals 7 behinds for the Blues. It was a great win for the Bombers and hopefully will build their confidence for the weeks to come. Go Bombers!!!

Spent Easter morning at the beach hunting for crabs with Jess's brothers and sister. Managed to round up and few and even found a flounder to play with as well. It is a beautiful beach and easy to see why Sam and Jess chose to have their wedding pictures taken there.

Collingwood vs. Geelong at the G

Went to the Collingwood vs. Geelong game at the MCG with Pete, Mick and a couple boys from the club last night. What an incredible venue for footy! It is very similar to going to a game at Lambeau Field, surrounded by all that history. We had the best seats in the house about 15 rows up on the center line. I think some of Gary Ablett's sweat got into my beer. Collingwood jumped on the Cats early to take a 20 point lead at quarter time. But I think that only made the Cats angry, they came out and kicked 5 consecutive goals in the 2nd quarter. The real story of the game was the Magpies inaccurate goal kicking. They kicked 17 behinds to 13 goals, it was painful to watch with some of their misses coming on set shots from 20 - 30 meters. On the other hand, watching Geelong in person you quickly realize why they are the class of the league. It will be interesting to see how long they can keep this run going.

No footy practice or game this weekend due to Easter, but I'm going to get a run in on the beach with Sam.

Bring on the Footy!

Full on Footy!!! That's the only way to describe the last 2 weeks. Between playing footy, going to footy games, interning at the AFL, watching footy talk shows (there is a different one on EVERY night) and reading about footy in the papers, footy is on my mind! As they say in Melbourne, it is "greathouse!" I have learned an incredible amount so far and am anxious to see what else is to come!

Footy Club
The Parkside Football Club began in 1934 with 2 guys from 2 different towns that had a common love for the game. Today, it is a club that runs a drill called, "the Gresh drill," (after our good friend Darren). So obviously it is a club that has been on steady decline for the past 75 years. Not really, the club is on the rise and looking to push for the Premiership this year! There are roughly 60 players in the club so as you can imagine that allows for quite the range of characters! For example, the Treasurer goes by the name, 'Snorta' and turns out he and I played in the same league when I first discovered footy in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001. But back to Darren, now I know why they call him, "Shit Gresh" his older brother is an absolute gun of a footy player so by comparison he makes Darren look pretty average. This is the first season the 2 brothers have ever played together on the same team. So far, they've played one practice match with each other, but the rest of the league has been put on notice. Just to give you an idea into what it is like to be in Gresh shadows, a junior player (probably 9 years old) was at the ground during training last night and he poked his buddy and said, "Hey, that's Gresh!"

I'm not the only new player to the club this season, there are about 15 new players to the team, including Pete and Darren's brother, Jamie. Everyone has been welcoming and encouraging so far. I've even got a couple guys asking about what it would take to play for Milwaukee next year. I'm going to be starting out playing Back Pocket on the reserves team and hope to pick up the Australian brand of the game from that vantage point. The biggest thing I've picked up on is that the best players know where the ball is going to be and are in the best position to collect it. I certainly saw that on display at my first 2 live AFL games over the weekend.

Live AFL Footy
My first game was Saturday at the Docklands (formerly the Telstra Dome) Carlton Blues vs. Brisbane Lions. I got caught up in the NSW - Queensland rivalry when I was going to school at Southern Cross University in NSW and I guess it has stuck with me because I still can't stand Brisbane! Furthermore, both of my roommates are Carlton supporters so we all went to the game together. It was incredible to watch the game from the vantage point of the upper deck because you can see so much more of the game than you do on TV. You can see plays developing 2-3 disposals ahead. The first quarter was a good back and forth battle that saw the Blues ahead by just 1 point. The second quarter was a different story, the Blues jumped all over them and it looked like it was going to be a repeat performance of the thrashing they gave to Richmond the week before. However, Brisbane had other thoughts and came out in the 2nd half determined not to go down without swinging and pulled to within 2 goals. But in the 4th quarter superstar Chris Judd along with Brendan Fevola, Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy put the team on their backs and finished off the Lions. Fevola kicked 3 goals in a very impressive 4th quarter. That effort left the Blues atop the ladder going into this week's rivalry game with Essendon.

Speaking of the Bombers...Sunday I went to the Essendon vs. Fremantle Dockers game with Sam and Jess. The Bombers took control of the game early and never really looked back. I think they were pretty eager to redeem themselves from their performance in round 1. The young players stepped up in a big way. David Zaharakis stood out and Michael Quinn after 5 weeks of playing footy made his first start. The young wide eyed Irish bloke had 20 possessions and knew where he wanted to go with the ball once he got a hold of it. He led players into space and has a sweet left foot. They looked like a much more organized team and won comfortably with a 39 point margin. Their young players are certainly going to cause fits, but they will also be vital to the team's success. Up next for the Bombers is the team on top, Carlton. It will be a good test for the Bombers to see how they stack up. I'm sure the Blues are hungry for this one after 2 losses to the boys from Windy Hill last year.