Saturday night at the footie

...Saturday of all Saturdays...

What can a girl say apart from - HOLD THE DAMN BALL - DEFEND BLUES!! 

…. REWIND… 

The weekend started with sitting to write a proposal for Monday evening meeting to the St Vincent de Paul Society, to explore the possibility of having a 'Young Vinnies' in our Conference. Apart of me misses the special spirit that the society has, offering a helping hand in different forms on the very ground, to our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Highly aware of social issues, environmental concerns and the fact that an amazing way to unite youth together just likes its very founder did to challenge each other, bring to life in very raw form the Gospels… well one needs to step forth and explore this, putting into action. 

So the meeting on Monday night I will present the proposal. 

On completion of writing my proposal I went to my 'second home' Im going to call it, for an adventure. We were going to watch the remaining of the movie from the other day, yet on hearing news that the stadium parking was closed we hit the road early as walking was required!! 

SO packed into the car, kitted out in our blue gear, we headed to the city. 

Thats right AFL game - Australia Football - My team - Carlton!! 

On entrance to the arena, the enormous size of the stadium and field makes you feel like you have arrived to another land. It was great to be back standing in the MCG, standing like a pebble in an enormous sea of footie fans. Its so surreal the enormous vast green with the tall poles that leaves a sense that something BIG is about to take place. The stands filled quickly with fans and extreme enthused cheering sections just through the goal posts on both sides of the fields. Before you ask, yes we were seated amongst the roared lot, although I have to admit we were little mice compared to the lady who was a roaring lion with a bad mouth who sat two rows behind us, at times feeling like right in our ear. 

Before the game started, each team burst through their respective signs and also the coach fly onto the field and did his round of waving like some royalty. It was very impressive…. 

Then the curtains raised, the ball was up in the air and they were off!!

Australian Footie have an unique set of rules, its a game that is a mix between so many other sports - a little soccer, rugby, through in a little volleyball with a pinch of basketball and you have AFL. Its taken me a while to get my head around, with the help of the guys and also a few books. 

The game though, when watching the curtain raiser there is likely to be more clangers - skill errors - than normally see. Time comes to kick, its not a matter of watching whether a drop punt spins perfectly off the boot or a mark is taken without fumbling as its the two players eyes when they are contesting a disputed ball - that is where the game gets crazy!! The passion, the hunger for the contest pours out of the players, with the short time on the field they have a fire in their belly and hunger to lay a tackle, put on a shepherd, score a goal and then celebrate!

This game, Carlton had eight new players, which was a rather high number compared to Collingwoods three. One player was been watched with all 57,167 per of eyes as he made his first game in AFL. A third generation player within their family, Jack Silvagni debutant impressive game. His first free kick was missed, from here onwards Im sure he felt a little more at ease and able to just enjoy the game. 

Im sorry I don't have any photos of us, I will have to get some from the others. I didn't take phone so unable to take some myself ;o( 

We will not talk about the score! It was said that if I came and Carlton didn't win then my presence would not be required at future games… I would debate this, as there were a few factors going against our team on the night. Although, overall I had an amazing experience and so blessed to be able to go the game. 

Return home, to start following the tennis and put the game behind us, onwards and upwards as dearest says!! Go Blues though - one must stay faithful to their team regardless of where on the ladder they are!