26.09.07
Grand Final and Fieldies/Boundaries
Grand Final Day
Well the end of the season has come and gone. It was a great feeling to get to umpire in the grand final. Standing there listening to the National Anthem as you prepare to control 44 players going in to battle was a pretty surreal feeling. That feeling soon disappears though as the ball is bounced and the teams go at it. This year’s grand final was played between Queanbeyan and the Sydney Swans Reserves and as Grand Finals so often do, it delivered a good contest. It was strange, I hadn’t really thought about it too much during the week but upon arrival at the ground it was obvious that the day was something different.
During the week I had been placed on a course of medications to try and relieve the recently diagnosed exercise induced asthma. As such I felt that it was the most free I had been able to run all season. It made a big difference, and I felt a lot more comfortable on the field than I had all season. It’s hard to put it all into words but it certainly was a great experience. In the end the Sydney Swans Reserves were a little too strong for Queanbeyan, but the Tigers put up one hell of a show. Thanks to Mick, Greg, Luke, Michael, Dave, Kate and Matt who formed the umpiring team along with me. And to the Queanbeyan club official who called us F…… C… as we were in the tunnel after the game do us all a favour and during the summer, grab a mirror and have a long hard look at yourself.
Boundaries v Fieldies
Last night was the annual Boundary Umpires versus Field Umpires grudge match. In what was possibly the worst game played at Greenway Oval all season the Umpires gathered to settle disputes that have been raging since the corresponding game last year. The Boundaries looked like they would have the legs to out run the Field umpires, but just before the bounce down the Fieldies were able to take 18 on to the field. The Fieldies were able to assert some physical dominance early and let by stellar performances from Michael Kennealy, Rob Sirr, Aaron Gladki Alice Broughton, Peter Auld and Elise O’Dea were able to control the game from Siren to Siren.
The game was played in the usual sledging nature with players using their mouths to make up for the lack of skill. In the end the Field Umpires were able to able to run out to a 9 goal victory.