what an amazing game, don't you think viewers? personally i tipped against my beloved team...how dare she you must be thinking but i was attempting a bit of reverse tipping... believing that if i tipped the pies then port would win.( there was method in my madness) what did you do? wear your lucky jocks? organize for dane swan to be nabbed? hee, hee...good try but unfortuntaely he didn't make it into the lock up....double drats!!!
it seemed as though the footy gods were smiling down upon us. early indications showed the weather to be fine. how promising that was until it decided to drizzle, then rain but still that did not dampen the boys determination. the first quarter was sensational. i felt as though we were almost reliving the hawthorn matched played earlier in the season. i knew we had to get off to a good start because that was going to set the tone and show us where the boys were at mentally and emotionally. and they certainly meant business but of course one could not underestimate the pies who in my opinion have been one of the teams that have surprised me this season. i knew they had a young list but i guess when most of your energy is focused upon your own side you can lose sight of where everyone else is at and who is the next big thing to be looming on the horizon. well for me i would have to say at this point in the season...west coast, bulldogs and collingwood have most likely exceeded their own expectations and have left more than a few of us surprised and wondering how they will fare in the end. but come finals time the cream will rise to the top and if you have a few finals under your belt it could mean the difference between success and failure. we have certainly witnessed that before.
so where does that leave port? still in a precarious position but with some hope of sneaking into the eight depending on themselves and the wins and losses of those closer to the race. and if they can bring that effort, guts, determination and bravery to every contest until the fat football sings well then who knows? stranger things have happened. who would have predicted the bombers flogging or the suns getting up swiftly and easily on the back of abletts return? i have decided to remain optimistic and take it one game at a time because really that is all one can do right now. and whatever will be will be.
but what i can tell you is this. being at the game was more than awesome. it felt eerie, eeriness permeated the air enveloping the crowd in a sombre blanket which was cast aside as the game progressed. the crowd was loud, really loud. the game was on and it was a great game to watch although the last few minutes seemed to last an eternity. wolfman was back to his best. i love it when he is set free to run, take a solid mark, kick a goal or save us in defence. broady and hombsch played a sensational game along with ollie, wingard and impey. our captain led from the front, robbie added his usual magic when needed and ryder got going and showed us glimpses of why he was added to our stocks. oshea slotted in and clurey will be another player for the future. loved seeing jakey neade get in there...sometimes it pays to have a little man with a big heart. everyone tried their guts out, despite some of the turnovers and a fast finshing pies, the boys dug in, dug deep and clinched a nail biting and well deserved win. to be honest it would have been absolutely heartbreaking had the pies stolen it in the dying minute of the game. i believe it was perfectly fitting that the team won for walshy and played the type of footy that would have brought a smile to his face. it was epic, it was glorious and it was emotional. the tribute at the end will stand out as one of the touching highlights of the season. the lights shining in the darkness as the stadium lights went out was magic. the birds of tokyo playing in the background as many linked arm in arm and cried a few tears, tears of relief, tears of joy and tears of sadness. however among it all was the one light that shone the brightest. and that light was port power bringing home the win that honoured their friend, mentor and coach. well done team. i for one can say it was surely a heartfelt win. one of the ones that made us all incredibly proud. one of the ones of when the job needed to be done it was done.
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| image from port adelaide football club... |
