Well the big test came. Time to take on the undefeated Saints. I don't hate the Saints, they are a good team. For the last few years they've had a team that could've taken them through to the finals and possibly even make the grand final. Somehow they would lose their way and not make it. This year, they seem like the real deal. Week in, week out they have chewed up every opposition and spat them out. Now it was our turn. I believed my blue boys weren't without a chance to beat them, but it was going to be hard, very hard.
So off we went and set about our ways. By the end of the first quarter we were some 30 points down, I was ready to cop a shalacking. But alas, my boys dug deep and come half time we were only 4 points down. Then we start the third quarter, 4 quick goals to St Kilda and again things were looking dismal. Carlton however had other plans. They again regrouped and kept on coming at the Saints. There was no way Carlton were going to let St Kilda get away so easily as other clubs seemed to have done. Minutes to go into the fourth and 4 points down, things looked promising to be the first team to beat them. Ryan Houlihan, I give my hat off to him for trying to kick an unbelievable goal. Time comes for ball to meet the boot, in the air it soars and while my heart had stopped I couldn't stop panting, I wanted that goal so much I could almost taste it. The six points from that would've put us two points in front with one minute to go. The football gods above had other plans. So off it sails to the left, giving us a behind. Just one point. Margin cut down to three. I think I threw nearly everything that was within my reach. Yes there were others available to kick to, yes there were others who could've made the goal. But such is life and you take what you get. St Kilda had possession of the ball, they get it quickly up to their end of the field and kick a goal. Oh the sheer heartbreak of it all. My heart totally shattered by the thoughts of what if, how could it, why didn't we, where did that come from, how did that play go wrong? All the questions you ask when you want victory so badly that nothing else feels how it should be.
It was a great measuring stick for the Blues, to test how far they had come in a season. I have no doubt in my mind that they will be able to match it with the remaining teams in the eight come September. Especially the three above us, namely St Kilda and Geelong. Geelong also currently undefeated. We will meet Geelong in round 19, just 7 rounds away. The guys, regardless of the loss, played an exceptional game. To come so close just showed how great they played. No other team has come so close to beating St Kilda this year, truly a great effort.
Unfortunately, we were missing Juddy at times of the game due to a broken nose during friendly fire from a team mate while both players were going to the ball at the same time. This is a part of football, it happens to the best of them. Its such a cruel game at times, it leaves your mouth watering for more. Especially when that win you wanted so bad goes astray. Now this round is a split round, so my boys won't play next week. They will have a much needed week off and it comes at a great time for that nose of Juddy's to heal. Our next game will be against Essendon. One of our biggest rivals. And rivalry couldn't be much bigger in my family between these two teams. One of my brothers and his girlfriend both follow Essendon. Truly a fun time had by all when we watch this game together.
Me at my brothers neck, my brother readily taking aim at me. For every goal, behind, free kick anything that happens against our particular team and its on like donkey kong. At the end of the game is the mandatory run down between us. While one is gloating inside, the other internally swearing we will beat you next time. It really is a great time, while it may not sound like it. We do it for the love of our game, the love of our teams. AFL is not just a game, its a passion. Its a way of life. Its getting dragged out of bed as a tot to go to each and every game your brothers play in during juniors. Only to love it so much that when you're older you give up movies, drinking whatever it is with your friends to wrap the scarf around your neck, throw on you thickest jacket just to watch your brothers run around a field for 2 hours while sitting on the sidelines to cheer so hard you lose your voice. Only to sit down with the team at the end of the night and share a few beers and plenty of laughs. Its having your tickets booked a month before your team arrives in your home state (Carlton is a Victorian team and I live in Queensland), having all your gear ready hours before the game, again grabbing the scarf, your team jersey, and a jacket to sit in open air of the Gabba hoping for 3 hours that your team will win because if they don't it, leaves a bitter taste in your mouth until the play in Brisbane again. Thankfully, the week before when Carlton were up in Brisbane they beat the Lions.
Its not just about winning the game, its about all the ooh's and ahh's in between.
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