Little Winners

Yesterday, I witnessed greatness. I shouted and screamed and celebrated with a team I knew very little about. I sported colours not of my own team. I basked in the glory of Grand Final victory.

That's right, the Oak Park Under 12s produced a stunning 63 to 15 defeat of Strathmore FC.

So you're probably wondering why I drove all the way to Keilor to be a part of this epic win?
And no, it wasn't because I spent the previous night sitting alone in the freezing cold at the MCG, watching my beloved Magpies being ripped apart by the Lions. I was sporting the blue & white because my baby brother plays for the mighty Oakers. "Spaz" as he is lovingly nicknamed by his team (due to the fact our surname is Santuccione, not because he is actually a spaz) is famous for his goal kicking abilities, and had begged me to come along and see his team play. So, not wanting to win the award for the world's worst sister, and having missed the entire season due to the fact we simply live far apart, I couldn't let the little man down.

Spazzaccione & I - Pre-game

From the moment I arrived at Keilor Park Reserve, I was immediately as excited as I was before the first bounce at a Pies game. I made my way over to Mum, who was anxiously sitting on the sidelines. Hoardes of families, kids, parents and some extremely pushy parents, surrounded us. A little beanie-clad girl no older than two sat to our left, and her enthusiasm for the game made me wonder if I had been the same at her age. Then she booed the umpire for making a bad call. Definitely.

The Oakers started strong. Big Will down in the goal square absolutely dominated.
Mark and goal. Mark and goal. Mark and goal. Mark and goal. For an 11-year-old, I couldn't believe his strength and ability to gain control of the ball, not to mention his "straight through the sticks" kicking style. We needed him at the Pies!

The ambush continued well into the second quarter, with Strathmore giving it their best crack but sadly couldn't stop the Oak Park juggernaut. As I sat there watching mothers cheer, fathers give coaching orders and kids throw tantrums because they weren't allowed to have a hot dog, I couldn't help but imagine what kind of "Footy Mum" I would make.
Would I be pushy? Would I be too shy to say anything? Or would I be one of those mums who picks the lamest possible nickname for my kid and yell it across the field at my little fuzzy wuzzy baby bear? It made me think deeper into just how important this magical game of Aussie Rules can be to a family and the effects playing the game can have on kids of such a young age.

I joined in on the 3/4 time huddle, and listened intently as the Coach encouraged the boys and commended their individual efforts. Spaz got orders to get out there and boot some goals, with which he promised his team mates he would deliver. 

By the time the fourth quarter had started, it was apparent that Oak Park had the game all stitched up. Spaz had delivered on his promise and booted two goals, and the boys didn't even look tired. What shocked me the most however, was the fact that as a young Strathmorian slotted a much needed goal, several of the Oakers applauded the boy's efforts. There was no booing. No nasty exchanges. No nudges or shoves. It was a civil, respectful game. The players of opposition teams were encouraging each other, despite the fact this was the game that needed to be won. It was adorable and admirable all in one.

The final siren rang out and the field erupted. We all ran onto the ground to celebrate.
The Oakers jumped and ran and hugged and screamed. Immediately, the winning Captain shouted "three cheers for Strathmore!" and I think my heart melted in an instant.  The boys lined up to shake the hands and congratulate their gutted opponents, and again I was drawn back to the thoughts of how noble and respectful these two teams had been of each other. It was as if it didn't matter that one team had dominated and the other had lucked out, they were all comrades and they had just survived a war together. If only all of our modern day AFL players had the same stance when it came to playing the game. When did it stop being fun and start being war?

Oak Park Under 12s PREMIERS 2014 - Congratulations kids!!!

Back at the Club rooms, the party continued well into the afternoon. The Oakers were hyped up on Pizza, Fish n Chips, Fizzy drinks and winning. It was the most fun I could have had with a bunch of 11 and 12 year olds, not to mention the fact they weren't shy in inducting me into their boys club! I believe one of the boys was hoping I would be attending the same High School as he would next year. He looked a little deflated when I mentioned I'd finished High School ten years ago! The camaraderie of these boys and the acceptance of each other no matter what size, shape or ability they had was simply beautiful, and completely uncommon in today's age. It really demonstrates how a Club and serious sporting types can be embraced, nurtured and shaped into respectful characters both on and off the field. It made me so proud to know my own brother was a part of this. 

Chris & Aidan - "brothers" / winners

And so, I congratulate the Oak Park Under 12s and the Strathmore Under 12s for their fantastic Football efforts on Sunday. Being Premiers and participating at a Grand Final is something not everyone will experience and I'm sure the experience will live with them forever. I must also apologise for my lack of flogging last week - I have been extremely unwell and could only get myself back on the web today.

To catch up, my pick for Flog Of The Week for the previous week is Carlton's Mitch (Floginson) Robinson, for lying to his own club about being involved in a brawl outside a bar and persisting with his lie until he had been caught out. When will players learn that everything they do is in the spotlight?!? You're never alone! I also induct him as Flog Of The Week due to the fact this isn't the first time he has told a story that wasn't true... is it Mitch???? This was enough of a Flog act to translate into this week, and therefore I will be back with the F.O.T.W. next week.
 

A very deserving Flog Of The Week(s) - Carlton's Mitch Robinson

Until next time,

-Lady K- 

    x0x
 

Cheap Shot

I'll admit, there are times when I would like to leap over the fence at the Football and introduce my palm to someone's face. There are other times I'd like to turn around and do the same to an opposition's fan. But I can't. And I won't...for two simple reasons;
1) I'm a total wuss and
2) Violence has no place in Football (or pretty much anywhere for that matter).

But history dictates otherwise in the world of AFL. And more recently, from within the Richmond Football Club. This weekend's match against Greater Western Sydney will more than likely result in another Tigers man on the sidelines for a few weeks, after an extremely cheap shot was taken by Richmond midfielder Reece Conca against GWS Giant Devon Smith. 

Now that he has some time on his hands, perhaps Tyrone Vickery can get a damn hair cut!

This pathetic and foolish act ices the cake on an embarrassing week for the Tigers, with forward Tyrone Vickery sidelined for four weeks for an unnecessary strike on West Coast great Dean Cox a week before. Watching the footage of each attack indicates that there may be an epic brain fade happening down in the Tiger den, with players obviously not remembering that whatever they do is documented on just about every media platform one can get their hands on. Not to mention the fact that if their own stupidity prevails, they're more than likely to receive a hefty fine or even a few weeks on the bench, as well as put a target on their back. It is embarrassing to a Club, to its dedicated fans and to the code itself when players indulge in callous acts that have little to do with the game itself.

I have watched the footage of Conca's attack on Smith several times now, and I can't count the amount of times I said "who does that?". For those of you who have not seen the incident, Conca was coming off the ground to the bench after a brief scuffle with Smith, which saw Conca's jumper tangled over his head. There was not much in it. A standard wrestling match between players who had perhaps mouthed off at one another during play. Nothing to get your shorts in a strop over. Surrounded by two umpires and with the cameras firmly fixated on him, Conca ran up behind an unaware Smith, and struck him hard across the back of the head. Smith fell to his knees as Conca threw his arms to his sides as if to say "what did I do?". Commentators of the game were rife with confusion and astonishment at Conca's cheap shot, immediately saying he will be reported for his stupidity. When Reece was asked if he would like to issue an apology to Smith, he reluctantly offered up a very heartless "sorry mate... there you go".
Really? That's it? I'd say it was a dog act, but dogs are loyal. 

Reece Conca takes a very cheap shot on GWS' Devon Smith on Saturday

So what does it say about a Footy player? Clearly they are aware of the ramifications that come with committing such an act, and clearly they are aware that they are being watched by thousands of people across the globe. We have seen so many incidents over time in our great game that have sometimes even resulted in a change of the rules. The game seems as though it isn't as "tough" as it used to be. There's not much of a chance we will see an all-in brawl like the days of old, 'the bump' is no longer just a dance from the 70's and it comes with consequences, and if you make any contact above the chest, well... you're almost certain to give away a free kick.

It really makes you wonder whether or not some of these players truly understand that playing Football is a privilege, not a right. Whether or not they grasp the concept of fair play and if they don't, then why not? What does it say about the education of players from a fair and just level, and not a 'play to win, do whatever it takes' kind of level? When a player from a team you love makes a mistake but is able to take responsibility or you can clearly see it was an error in judgement, it's okay - we can usually deal with this and all is forgotten. But when a player engages in an act that makes you embarrassed or disappoints you, anyone and everyone will chime in and usually you end up the target for an unwarranted Facebook attack or rant at their expense. I know I give it to a lot of my supporter friends when their players do idiotic things on the field, but I also am more than happy to have a rant about my own team, should they do something to embarrass me as a supporter (and trust me, there has been plenty).

Chris Judd and his chicken wing, Big Bad Barry Hall and his fist of fury, Hayden Ballantyne and his little man complex, Jarryd Brennan's headbutting antics and Mitch Robinson's well.. Mitch Floginson in general. And let's of course not forget the nine match ban on former St. Kilda player Steven Baker for repeated offences against Geelong's Steve Johnson (Baker was later banned from playing Football for life after just one match for Mornington Peninsula after his prominent AFL career had ended) are just a few of the incidents that have seen the game brought into disrepute for unnecessary and sometimes extremely dangerous conduct on the field. These are the types of incidents that are ruining our game. Not only for other players and Clubs, but for the fans too. And I think this is something that needs a little more attention across the board, to ensure that these types of behaviours don't continue on the field. Should we impose harsher penalties on players for behind-play misconduct? Are we too harsh as it is? Or should we just continue to allow players to do whatever it is they feel they have to to win the ball or the game? Is this really the type of price we want to pay for a win? Where's the merit and pride in that? I know these blokes have talent and skill, so why are so many of them starting to throw this by the wayside?
I don't want to pay to see men embarrassing everyone by trying to rip each other to shreds. If I wanted to see that, I'd watch NRL. 

It will be a sad, sad day in AFL history when our game becomes so void of talented play and so full of gutless wonders. 

And so I present to you this week's FLOG OF THE WEEK:

   

    RICHMOND'S REECE CONCA

This week's FLOG OF THE WEEK has plenty to scratch his noodle about

Coming up on The Flog, I'll get to chatting with Collingwood's Travis Cloke on dealing with the haters, who's the most annoying down at Magpie land and what makes him tick.... 

Flog on, my friends...

- Lady K x0x