Since the final siren of the year Kevin ‘07, we’ve endured the painful sports period of Octvember, replete with inbred boofheads cheering on inbred racing cars over a smallish mountain and little fellas in pyjamas whipping the life out of poor old nags. Then a couple of months of leather on willow, split by a tournament where a squillion East Europeans descend on a small patch of hot concrete to hit furry green objects with force at each other. It would be more entertaining, nay … more efficient, if they just tried to hit the ball where the opponent *wasn’t*… but that’s a topic for another time. And finally, the worst (and most appropriate) trophy in sporting history has just been awarded to the best team of the local association football league.
So, here we are.
Not more than a few moments from the first Sherrin bounced in true anger… although Ray Chamberlain doesn’t actually umpire until Saturday arvo. Applauding the Collingwood membership team for getting the 08 scarf out just in time for the Picans’ first southern escapade, despite Mrs Pica’s membership card still not present.
Exhausted, after hammering away for what seems like the full length of the last half of the ‘03 GF, at every single footy tipping and fantasy comp I got invited to this long offseason, for no particular reason other than the “blow yer own trumpet” rights over the various Bomber, Hawk, Swan and other citizens who make up our social nest. An old uni notebook with a month or so of hastily scribbled Kilometrico thoughts on pre-season performances sitting by my side. Laid a few quiet wagers (Mrs. P doesn’t read this site…. yet) on various single game and end of season results, including a “never-again” one on an NAB cup result. Thanks for the tip, Paul Roos.
Knowing full well that it’s the optimum time to get the mates all committed to various trips and events. The premiership window is wide open, and the squeaky hinges doused liberally with rose coloured WD40. Everyone* obscenely optimistic about their team’s cup chance in 2008. One club investing all their hope, and fair whack of their salary cap, in a possibly dodgy groin. Not that the cap limit proved to be a barrier for that particular team… more of a loose guide. The good footy mates from way back, a Bomber and a Hawk fan, already ticketed (aka financially committed) and set for a Queen’s Birthday sojourn to catch Essendon/Hawthorn and Collingwood/Melbourne. Mrs Pica, a Pies fan since we met**, already having blacked out the ANZAC day holiday on the family year planner, with only a tiny bit of nudging from your correspondent, honest.
Which brings us up to now…. settling down in front of the telly, the aroma of meat pie from the local bakery + mash and veggies, wafting in from the kitchen, no more appropriate way to bounce the first ball on the new footy season.
* apart from Richmond and Melbourne fans embarking on their annual 2nd year of a 5 year plan.
** to be elaborated upon in one of the Round One Collingwood v. Fremantle posts.
