Well, it's not far down to paradise, at least it's not for me
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.
Christopher Cross – “Sailing”
We have decided to embark upon a Sea Change….very close to where the series was made. Our new place in Wallington is on the Bellarine Highway, a few hundred metres from the roundabout that takes you to Barwon Heads…or Pearl Bay, as it was known in the series. Instead of becoming the local magistrate, this lawyer proposes tending his bee hives, orchard and extended veggie beds in between sessions on my longboard or at a cellar door. It really is not far to Paradise, with all the tranquillity you could ask for.
The problem is, the Bellarine is well and truly blue and white hoops territory. “Tempted to barrack for the Cats?” asked one hopeful (Geelong supporting) friend. “No….#alwayshawthorn” my terse response.
But a change in HQ necessitates a change in logistics. No more six minute walk to the Hurstbridge line, train to Jolimont and down the hill to Gate 2. How then to get to The Hallowed Turf in a timely and regular fashion to see the Mighty Fightings (hopefully) return to form and finals contention?
Enter Port Phillip Ferries.
In addition to their regular Portarlington/Docklands service, the newest mode of Melbourne transport is this season offering direct cruises from Geelong to Docklands at a time more amenable to the first bounce.
So on Easter Monday, #2 daughter and I set off from home in search of Steam Packet quay to board the Bellarine Express. There are still a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out – such as having clear signage as to where to board, a mechanism for orderly embarkation (rather than everyone push toward the gang plank at the same time, waving tickets under the nose of the Port Phillip Ferries employee with the scanner), and a café with a computer that does not crash and serves sandwiches and pies/snag rolls rather than too few toasties (too cumbersome to manage) – but these were just minor glitches in what was an extremely pleasant way to make our way to the footy.
Put to one side the good natured barbs given and returned by the overwhelmingly Cats’ supporting passengers and crew, and it was a wonderful day to be cruising up Port Phillip Bay – the rippling waves were sparkling, the sea spray invigorating, and the mood on board full of anticipation of yet another thrilling contest between two teams that for a the last decade have made a habit of showing the rest of the competition how it was done. And as Alexis said, “Hopefully we go home happy.
After disembarking at Docklands we made our way past the stadium and jumped a train to Jolimont. We were in our reserved seats on level one in the Members’ Pavilion in time to see both teams burst through their banners. Having missed Round 1, hearing “We’re A Happy Team at Hawthorn” after a long interval brought a smile to my face, and memories of the many joyful moments experienced watching my team at this great stadium.
But it was the Cats faithful who found voice early, with their Holy Trinity (J Selwood, Dangerfield and G Ablett Jnr.) combining for the first clearance. Indeed, it sounded like the Cats supporter sitting in front of me died a little death, and then waved them on as they rolled forward. Quite apt for an Easter Monday. But then it is our turn with the pill, and the latest in our series of “recycled” players Jarman Impey goals. Last time we brought a Jarman across from South Australia it lead to a premiership in ‘91, so hoping for something similar this time.
Watching the game in the first quarter it is interesting to compare the play of the two teams. It is Geelong that adopts the keepings off style in which we excelled for many years, chip chip chipping it around and looking for the break. With the inclusion of “the other Mitchell” and O’Meara, Hawthorn can now rely upon contested ball. The constant, however, is that these two teams know how to put on a show, as a 10 goal first quarter attests. Only points in it at the first break, but the Hawks are showing signs that the sparkle may be back.
Then suddenly, as if flicking a switch, the confidence and attack of the first quarter are gone and it’s all Geelong. Chip chip chip around, then burst away and we are trying to hold on. And through the grind comes possession, and we make up ground. Impey is lively, goaling himself and then dishing off to Gunners with great vision. This bloke could be good. We continue to have the better of things but cannot goal…I hope the posters we are accumulating will not haunt us.
Big Boy is having a profound influence – who said the Age of the Ruckman is dead? When he is resting in the third Geelong have it all over us again, and for 15 minutes we cannot get a handle on things. But this is Hawthorn v Geelong after all, and we are used to surge and counter surge. The secret is to make the most of your period of ascendancy if you want to prevail. When McEvoy returns to the ruck we are on top again – notwithstanding a fourth hit the post for the day. In the end we only drop 6 points for the quarter, and are three goals up coming into the last. Then early in the last Rough goals and we are out past 4 goals again.
And then what I had feared all day happens. Silk’s hammie issue means we are down on rotations. This is Round 2, and not yet in peak match condition. And we are playing Geelong…..
It is goal for goal for a time, and then the Cats put two together. And then they goal again. The bloke on blue and white on front of us, who has been quiet since the first quarter, finds voice and is out of his seat. It is down to thirteen points, and then seven. Suddenly I am Agent Dale Cooper, sitting with Log Lady and Sherriff Harry Truman as the Giant appeared in the spotlight before me:
It is happening again…It is happening again…”
It is 6 points, and then they drift through a snap. All square with minutes to go. The nightmares of Bartel and Hawkins winning after the siren flash through my mind. Not again, not again….not them again.
Then on the far wing Guthrie takes them on and is pinged. Doc switches to the Members flank, Sic fumbles and The Shrug in #14 kicks it straight back to Doc, who gives it to Issy. He can kick the distance…but no smiles this time, please. But he plays on and it is “Roughhead…. Rrrrroughhead!” Rather than go back and kick the goal he adopts the ridiculous around the corner style and misses. But we are a point up and sixty seconds to go. The barrel kick out drops short and there is a contest. The Shrug gets it again but then Guthrie kicks it to Doc and we spread wide. Nearly out on the full from Henderson, the bloke in front of us is going bananas calling for deliberate…but Razor Ray motions for a throw in. Cyril is holding the ball, but from the resultant free Strats throws himself into the contest and punches clear. Ball out, three seconds to go….. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
What glorious combatants are these two teams. Finally we win a tight one against the Cats! We are due. It is our turn to leave the Members Pavilion with a smile and singing the club song. So when due we play them next?
There was no thought of heading back to the Bellarine.
We were off to celebrate and staying the night in Melbourne.
And if the wind is right you can sail away and find tranquility
Oh, the canvas can do miracles, just you wait and see.
Believe me.
Christopher Cross – “Sailing”
We have decided to embark upon a Sea Change….very close to where the series was made. Our new place in Wallington is on the Bellarine Highway, a few hundred metres from the roundabout that takes you to Barwon Heads…or Pearl Bay, as it was known in the series. Instead of becoming the local magistrate, this lawyer proposes tending his bee hives, orchard and extended veggie beds in between sessions on my longboard or at a cellar door. It really is not far to Paradise, with all the tranquillity you could ask for.
The problem is, the Bellarine is well and truly blue and white hoops territory. “Tempted to barrack for the Cats?” asked one hopeful (Geelong supporting) friend. “No….#alwayshawthorn” my terse response.
But a change in HQ necessitates a change in logistics. No more six minute walk to the Hurstbridge line, train to Jolimont and down the hill to Gate 2. How then to get to The Hallowed Turf in a timely and regular fashion to see the Mighty Fightings (hopefully) return to form and finals contention?
Enter Port Phillip Ferries.
In addition to their regular Portarlington/Docklands service, the newest mode of Melbourne transport is this season offering direct cruises from Geelong to Docklands at a time more amenable to the first bounce.
So on Easter Monday, #2 daughter and I set off from home in search of Steam Packet quay to board the Bellarine Express. There are still a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out – such as having clear signage as to where to board, a mechanism for orderly embarkation (rather than everyone push toward the gang plank at the same time, waving tickets under the nose of the Port Phillip Ferries employee with the scanner), and a café with a computer that does not crash and serves sandwiches and pies/snag rolls rather than too few toasties (too cumbersome to manage) – but these were just minor glitches in what was an extremely pleasant way to make our way to the footy.
Put to one side the good natured barbs given and returned by the overwhelmingly Cats’ supporting passengers and crew, and it was a wonderful day to be cruising up Port Phillip Bay – the rippling waves were sparkling, the sea spray invigorating, and the mood on board full of anticipation of yet another thrilling contest between two teams that for a the last decade have made a habit of showing the rest of the competition how it was done. And as Alexis said, “Hopefully we go home happy.
After disembarking at Docklands we made our way past the stadium and jumped a train to Jolimont. We were in our reserved seats on level one in the Members’ Pavilion in time to see both teams burst through their banners. Having missed Round 1, hearing “We’re A Happy Team at Hawthorn” after a long interval brought a smile to my face, and memories of the many joyful moments experienced watching my team at this great stadium.
But it was the Cats faithful who found voice early, with their Holy Trinity (J Selwood, Dangerfield and G Ablett Jnr.) combining for the first clearance. Indeed, it sounded like the Cats supporter sitting in front of me died a little death, and then waved them on as they rolled forward. Quite apt for an Easter Monday. But then it is our turn with the pill, and the latest in our series of “recycled” players Jarman Impey goals. Last time we brought a Jarman across from South Australia it lead to a premiership in ‘91, so hoping for something similar this time.
Watching the game in the first quarter it is interesting to compare the play of the two teams. It is Geelong that adopts the keepings off style in which we excelled for many years, chip chip chipping it around and looking for the break. With the inclusion of “the other Mitchell” and O’Meara, Hawthorn can now rely upon contested ball. The constant, however, is that these two teams know how to put on a show, as a 10 goal first quarter attests. Only points in it at the first break, but the Hawks are showing signs that the sparkle may be back.
Then suddenly, as if flicking a switch, the confidence and attack of the first quarter are gone and it’s all Geelong. Chip chip chip around, then burst away and we are trying to hold on. And through the grind comes possession, and we make up ground. Impey is lively, goaling himself and then dishing off to Gunners with great vision. This bloke could be good. We continue to have the better of things but cannot goal…I hope the posters we are accumulating will not haunt us.
Big Boy is having a profound influence – who said the Age of the Ruckman is dead? When he is resting in the third Geelong have it all over us again, and for 15 minutes we cannot get a handle on things. But this is Hawthorn v Geelong after all, and we are used to surge and counter surge. The secret is to make the most of your period of ascendancy if you want to prevail. When McEvoy returns to the ruck we are on top again – notwithstanding a fourth hit the post for the day. In the end we only drop 6 points for the quarter, and are three goals up coming into the last. Then early in the last Rough goals and we are out past 4 goals again.
And then what I had feared all day happens. Silk’s hammie issue means we are down on rotations. This is Round 2, and not yet in peak match condition. And we are playing Geelong…..
It is goal for goal for a time, and then the Cats put two together. And then they goal again. The bloke on blue and white on front of us, who has been quiet since the first quarter, finds voice and is out of his seat. It is down to thirteen points, and then seven. Suddenly I am Agent Dale Cooper, sitting with Log Lady and Sherriff Harry Truman as the Giant appeared in the spotlight before me:
It is happening again…It is happening again…”
It is 6 points, and then they drift through a snap. All square with minutes to go. The nightmares of Bartel and Hawkins winning after the siren flash through my mind. Not again, not again….not them again.
Then on the far wing Guthrie takes them on and is pinged. Doc switches to the Members flank, Sic fumbles and The Shrug in #14 kicks it straight back to Doc, who gives it to Issy. He can kick the distance…but no smiles this time, please. But he plays on and it is “Roughhead…. Rrrrroughhead!” Rather than go back and kick the goal he adopts the ridiculous around the corner style and misses. But we are a point up and sixty seconds to go. The barrel kick out drops short and there is a contest. The Shrug gets it again but then Guthrie kicks it to Doc and we spread wide. Nearly out on the full from Henderson, the bloke in front of us is going bananas calling for deliberate…but Razor Ray motions for a throw in. Cyril is holding the ball, but from the resultant free Strats throws himself into the contest and punches clear. Ball out, three seconds to go….. YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
What glorious combatants are these two teams. Finally we win a tight one against the Cats! We are due. It is our turn to leave the Members Pavilion with a smile and singing the club song. So when due we play them next?
There was no thought of heading back to the Bellarine.
We were off to celebrate and staying the night in Melbourne.
GEELONG 5.1 8.2 12.7 18.9 (117)
HAWTHORN 5.3 11.8 14.13 17.16 (118)
GOALS
Geelong: Menzel 4, Stanley 2, Dangerfield 2, Parsons 2, Selwood, Ablett, Kelly, Fogarty, Gregson, Hawkins, Menegola, Parfitt
Hawthorn: Henderson 2, Smith 2, Impey 2, Gunston 2, Mitchell 2, Roughead 2, O'Meara, Shiels, Puopolo, McEvoy, Howe
BEST
Geelong: Ablett, Selwood, Dangerfield, Kelly, Menzel, Tuohy
Hawthorn: Mitchell, McEvoy, Impey, Smith, O'Meara, Henderson, Brand
INJURIES
Geelong: Duncan (hamstring tightness) replaced in selected side by Cockatoo, Ratugolea (hip flexor) replaced in selected side by O'Connor, Henry (concussion)
Hawthorn: Frawley (foot sprain) replaced in selection side by Brand, Burgoyne (left hamstring)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Chamberlain, Pannell
Official crowd: 73,189 at the MCG