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!!!