OK, OK, I apologise!
The season is under way and we haven’t had one flog. Terrible. But due to family illness, I was unable to spend my time scouring the field for an appropriate candidate.
However, we are back, the season is in full swing, and my boys in Black & White are quietly sitting pretty in third place on the ladder. That’s right, third.
Hawks are seventh.
Essendon 11th and Geelong 16th *stifles laughter* I know we are only four games in, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts!
The season is under way and we haven’t had one flog. Terrible. But due to family illness, I was unable to spend my time scouring the field for an appropriate candidate.
However, we are back, the season is in full swing, and my boys in Black & White are quietly sitting pretty in third place on the ladder. That’s right, third.
Hawks are seventh.
Essendon 11th and Geelong 16th *stifles laughter* I know we are only four games in, but I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts!
The past weekend was a memorable and highly important one.
Not because Collingwood won and Hawks, Geelong, Essendon and Adelaide lost, but because
we commemorated 100 years of the Anzacs.
For those of you in countries far, Anzac Day is the day we fall silent and honour those who gave their tomorrow for our today.
From a population of fewer than five million, 417,000 men enlisted to serve their patriotic duty. Sadly, by the end of the war, 60,000 of these brave Australians had been killed and 156,000 of them wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. Among these brave men were around 1,300 Indigenous Australians and more than 3,000 nurses volunteered to support the troops, from both near and abroad.
Three years after the storming of Gallipoli, hundreds of thousands of diggers joined the fight against the Germans on the Western Front. This time, it was at Villers-Bretonneux in France – a place I have been lucky enough to experience firsthand at the age of 15. It is a place where the Australian spirit is overwhelming to say the least. It is also a very sad sight - to see the monument walls engraved with thousands of names of the fallen, not to mention the countless nameless graves bearing a single poppy on each. Nonetheless, it is a proud place for Australians alike, as our two Australian brigades (supported by British troops) played a pivotal role in recapturing Villers-Bretonnneux, which on the morning of 24 April 1918, had fallen to the Germans. The brave Anzacs launched their attack shortly after nightfall, and battled long into the night. But it wasn’t until dawn of April 25th, 1918 that victory prevailed - the town of Villers-Bretonneux was in Australian hands. Sadly, the victory came at a high price – some 2,400 were killed, wounded or missing.
During my time at Villers-Bretonneux, we visited a primary school which has been built and funded by Victorian school students. It is known as the Villers-Bretonneux Victoria Primary School. Within the school playground hangs an enormous sign that reads ‘Do Not Forget Australia’, and a museum has also been placed within the grounds in memoriam of all the Australian troops who faught during World War 1. Like a fish to water, I bonded with these gorgeous kids immediately. Their excitement to meet Australian people was beyond belief, and their recognition of Australian efforts from such a young age was incredible. We even were treated to renditions of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’. It was a truly heart-warming experience that I will hold dear for the rest of my days.
For those of you in countries far, Anzac Day is the day we fall silent and honour those who gave their tomorrow for our today.
From a population of fewer than five million, 417,000 men enlisted to serve their patriotic duty. Sadly, by the end of the war, 60,000 of these brave Australians had been killed and 156,000 of them wounded, gassed or taken prisoner. Among these brave men were around 1,300 Indigenous Australians and more than 3,000 nurses volunteered to support the troops, from both near and abroad.
Three years after the storming of Gallipoli, hundreds of thousands of diggers joined the fight against the Germans on the Western Front. This time, it was at Villers-Bretonneux in France – a place I have been lucky enough to experience firsthand at the age of 15. It is a place where the Australian spirit is overwhelming to say the least. It is also a very sad sight - to see the monument walls engraved with thousands of names of the fallen, not to mention the countless nameless graves bearing a single poppy on each. Nonetheless, it is a proud place for Australians alike, as our two Australian brigades (supported by British troops) played a pivotal role in recapturing Villers-Bretonnneux, which on the morning of 24 April 1918, had fallen to the Germans. The brave Anzacs launched their attack shortly after nightfall, and battled long into the night. But it wasn’t until dawn of April 25th, 1918 that victory prevailed - the town of Villers-Bretonneux was in Australian hands. Sadly, the victory came at a high price – some 2,400 were killed, wounded or missing.
During my time at Villers-Bretonneux, we visited a primary school which has been built and funded by Victorian school students. It is known as the Villers-Bretonneux Victoria Primary School. Within the school playground hangs an enormous sign that reads ‘Do Not Forget Australia’, and a museum has also been placed within the grounds in memoriam of all the Australian troops who faught during World War 1. Like a fish to water, I bonded with these gorgeous kids immediately. Their excitement to meet Australian people was beyond belief, and their recognition of Australian efforts from such a young age was incredible. We even were treated to renditions of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘Waltzing Matilda’. It was a truly heart-warming experience that I will hold dear for the rest of my days.
For the past 20 years, it has been tradition for the
Collingwood Football Club and the Essendon Football Club to commemorate the
Anzac spirit with a game of Footy at the MCG. Many of those troops went on to
play for either of these Clubs, and it is a day in which we honour their memory
and acknowledge their fighting spirit. It’s safe to say, the Anzac Day clash is
my favourite game of the year, followed closely behind by the Grand Final. In
the last 10 years alone, Essendon have only beaten my boys three times.
Collingwood leads the tally at 12 wins, 8 losses in total and only one match –
the very first Anzac clash on April 25th, 1995 – was a draw.
My favourite part of the day (apart from the obvious win)
actually has nothing to do with the game itself. It is the atmosphere, the
meaning and the overwhelming pride that comes from the pre-game proceedings.
The Last Post is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to the fallen, and the eerie
and outstanding silence of a stadium full of more than 90,000 spectators is
simply incredible. My heart feels every note of the bugle during this time, and
the words of ‘The Ode’ resonate throughout.
“Lest We Forget” holds more meaning than the game itself – and I say the words out loud along with my Magpie Army comrades, looking to the sky and thinking of those above. The final verse of the Australian National Anthem rings out through the stadium, and without fail, the excitement sets in. The one moment I love the most from the entire day is the roar of the crowd at the conclusion of our Nation’s anthem. The collective spirit of the crowd, teamed with the spirit of The Anzacs and the recognition of those still on active service, is electric.
These are the moments I live for.
“Lest We Forget” holds more meaning than the game itself – and I say the words out loud along with my Magpie Army comrades, looking to the sky and thinking of those above. The final verse of the Australian National Anthem rings out through the stadium, and without fail, the excitement sets in. The one moment I love the most from the entire day is the roar of the crowd at the conclusion of our Nation’s anthem. The collective spirit of the crowd, teamed with the spirit of The Anzacs and the recognition of those still on active service, is electric.
These are the moments I live for.
So you’re probably wondering where this is all going, and
how this ties in with a ‘Flog of the Week’.
Well, in a way, it does. This week’s Flog of the Week went to battle in a very, very wrong way.
Given my commentary across Facebook after this Flog’s incident, I noticed this post will more than likely spark some controversy amongst Football fans. Might I remind all of you, that these opinions are purely my own, purely for entertainment factor, and I don’t actually care if you agree or disagree.
Although I have absolutely NO time for drunken idiots in or outside of a Football Field, (although I’m sure I’ve been one on several occasions… haven’t we all?) and I have no time for those trying to get 15 minutes of fame for a cheap and nasty dollar, I also have no time for physical violence. Especially when those dealing out the physical violence are in the public eye, are well aware they are in the public eye, and also serve as a role model and example to young and old.
On Saturday night, the reigning Premiers (Hawthorn) went down to the Port Adelaide Power in what was initially, an extreme overhaul of the Hawks in both skill and scoreboard. 58 points down, the Hawks managed to claw back within 8 points of the Power, however their dignity was shot and at the final siren, the odds were not in their favour. Walking back to his Hotel shortly before midnight, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was approached by some heavily intoxicated Power fans, armed with a camera phone and some taunting words of “how was the win, mate, how was the win today brother?”. To this, Clarkson gives a shove in the chest to the excited Power fan. The fan, clearly on a high from beating the reigning Premiers, then shouts “GO THE POWERRRRRRRRRRR!” whilst looking down his own phone screen. All of a sudden, Clarkson lashes out and delivers a rough blow with his fist into the unassuming fan’s face. Take a look at the footage here:
Alastair Clarkson gets mad
I’m sorry for all of you that don’t agree, but that shit is simply unacceptable. For a man in his position, a man who is consistently in the public eye, and a man who must lead by example not only for his team members, but for the fans and even children that idolise him, he should not have laid a single hand on this fan.
Yes, the fan may have been a little too in-his-face about the loss.
Yes, there should have been a higher level of security offered for Clarkson given his status.
But no, I’m (not) sorry Clarko, that you have copped the backlash by some for your actions. You deserve it. We have all been aware that you have a less than desirable temper after your punching a hole through the coaching box wall some time ago, however it doesn’t excuse putting your hands on a fan who, by the looks of it, had had a few drinks and wanted to have a little fun. My assumption is he was probably filming the interaction with Clarkson for his Snapchat buddies – who wouldn’t?
Clarkson’s overreaction is simply stupid. I would have understood if the fan had made a sexist, racist or homophobic comment (although I still would not have accepted physical violence) however the fan was simply basking in his Club’s victory, which I don’t see any problem with. Besides, Hawthorn have had enough time to bask in their own whatever, and quite frankly it’s nice to see them slipping down the ladder and giving someone else a chance for a change!
If I got pissed off and started punching out every single person that gave me grief for being a Collingwood supporter (which I assure you occurs on a DAILY basis), I would never be able to leave my house! It all comes down to taking things with a grain of salt. I used to let everything people said about Collingwood bother me. Now it is simply water off a duck’s back. Even on Facebook, some of the commentary I make to my nearest and dearest is purely for the entertainment factor. I don’t think some of them realise I don’t actually care what they say about my boys. At the end of the day, I will always love my team, no matter what. I wouldn’t have their name tattooed on my own skin if I was a mediocre fan. My passion is MY passion. Not anyone else’s. Nobody can take that from me, just like I couldn’t take it from an Essendon supporter when everyone realised what a shocking disgrace they became in the eyes of the Australian Football League. Alastair Clarkson should have known better. He should accept defeat, accept the consequences of his actions and accept the fact that this is Australia – we love giving people shit! It’s our way of life, our expression of affection, and it is our jovial nature. Why would you get your panties in such a bunch over a few seconds of torment? It’s not like you lost the Grand Final, Clarko. It’s Round 4 for God’s sake. Suck it up, I say.
Well, in a way, it does. This week’s Flog of the Week went to battle in a very, very wrong way.
Given my commentary across Facebook after this Flog’s incident, I noticed this post will more than likely spark some controversy amongst Football fans. Might I remind all of you, that these opinions are purely my own, purely for entertainment factor, and I don’t actually care if you agree or disagree.
Although I have absolutely NO time for drunken idiots in or outside of a Football Field, (although I’m sure I’ve been one on several occasions… haven’t we all?) and I have no time for those trying to get 15 minutes of fame for a cheap and nasty dollar, I also have no time for physical violence. Especially when those dealing out the physical violence are in the public eye, are well aware they are in the public eye, and also serve as a role model and example to young and old.
On Saturday night, the reigning Premiers (Hawthorn) went down to the Port Adelaide Power in what was initially, an extreme overhaul of the Hawks in both skill and scoreboard. 58 points down, the Hawks managed to claw back within 8 points of the Power, however their dignity was shot and at the final siren, the odds were not in their favour. Walking back to his Hotel shortly before midnight, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson was approached by some heavily intoxicated Power fans, armed with a camera phone and some taunting words of “how was the win, mate, how was the win today brother?”. To this, Clarkson gives a shove in the chest to the excited Power fan. The fan, clearly on a high from beating the reigning Premiers, then shouts “GO THE POWERRRRRRRRRRR!” whilst looking down his own phone screen. All of a sudden, Clarkson lashes out and delivers a rough blow with his fist into the unassuming fan’s face. Take a look at the footage here:
Alastair Clarkson gets mad
I’m sorry for all of you that don’t agree, but that shit is simply unacceptable. For a man in his position, a man who is consistently in the public eye, and a man who must lead by example not only for his team members, but for the fans and even children that idolise him, he should not have laid a single hand on this fan.
Yes, the fan may have been a little too in-his-face about the loss.
Yes, there should have been a higher level of security offered for Clarkson given his status.
But no, I’m (not) sorry Clarko, that you have copped the backlash by some for your actions. You deserve it. We have all been aware that you have a less than desirable temper after your punching a hole through the coaching box wall some time ago, however it doesn’t excuse putting your hands on a fan who, by the looks of it, had had a few drinks and wanted to have a little fun. My assumption is he was probably filming the interaction with Clarkson for his Snapchat buddies – who wouldn’t?
Clarkson’s overreaction is simply stupid. I would have understood if the fan had made a sexist, racist or homophobic comment (although I still would not have accepted physical violence) however the fan was simply basking in his Club’s victory, which I don’t see any problem with. Besides, Hawthorn have had enough time to bask in their own whatever, and quite frankly it’s nice to see them slipping down the ladder and giving someone else a chance for a change!
If I got pissed off and started punching out every single person that gave me grief for being a Collingwood supporter (which I assure you occurs on a DAILY basis), I would never be able to leave my house! It all comes down to taking things with a grain of salt. I used to let everything people said about Collingwood bother me. Now it is simply water off a duck’s back. Even on Facebook, some of the commentary I make to my nearest and dearest is purely for the entertainment factor. I don’t think some of them realise I don’t actually care what they say about my boys. At the end of the day, I will always love my team, no matter what. I wouldn’t have their name tattooed on my own skin if I was a mediocre fan. My passion is MY passion. Not anyone else’s. Nobody can take that from me, just like I couldn’t take it from an Essendon supporter when everyone realised what a shocking disgrace they became in the eyes of the Australian Football League. Alastair Clarkson should have known better. He should accept defeat, accept the consequences of his actions and accept the fact that this is Australia – we love giving people shit! It’s our way of life, our expression of affection, and it is our jovial nature. Why would you get your panties in such a bunch over a few seconds of torment? It’s not like you lost the Grand Final, Clarko. It’s Round 4 for God’s sake. Suck it up, I say.
And so, this is how
we have selected Alastair Clarkson as ‘Flog Of The Week’ and tied it in with
the fighting spirit of the Anzacs.
Leave the fighting to those still on active service and simply just don’t be a flog, Clarko.
Leave the fighting to those still on active service and simply just don’t be a flog, Clarko.
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| Alastair Clarkson getting vocal with his boys |
As we honour the memory of the fallen, our thoughts and prayers go out to those still on active service.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
LEST WE FORGET.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them.
LEST WE FORGET.
 |
| The Anzac Day 2015 banner at the MCG |
Until next week, floggers!
*I would also like to send thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the devastating Nepal Earthquake, which has claimed more than 3,000 lives.
-Lady K-
x0x
*I would also like to send thoughts and prayers to all those affected by the devastating Nepal Earthquake, which has claimed more than 3,000 lives.
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