Geelong’s finals chances, we hardly knew ye
Born on the 18th March, 2006 in Adelaide, Mark ‘Lips’ Thompson, like any proud father, announced Geelong’s finals chances to the world, and his youngest would fill his dad with pride in the first two rounds of the season proper. It is worth remembering these good times for what they were.
Still young, Geelong’s finals chances seemed fit and healthy. The innocence of youth and the carefree nature afforded by such an early charmed life gave no hint to the impending tragedy. It was round 3 when the first signs of illness would begin to appear.
At first, we were in denial, and Round 4 gave some hope that the early diagnosis was incorrect. Nothing, however, could prepare us for the months ahead. As the losses piled up Geelong’s finals chances slowly deteriorated, hitting rock bottom after getting belted by Collingwood and then losing at home to Richmond. For many, the Richmond result came with it the realization of death’s inevitability.
Geelong’s finals chances were dying, but a brave fight for life was put forth. Up until the events of this weekend past, things had begun to look up. Doctors Sheahan and Walls, who had previously given the critical diagnosis, now saw reason for hope, small signs of life. But ultimately they would be proven right, as the last glimmer of light was extinguished by indecisive ball movement, defensive inadequacies and finally Stephen Milne.
It is hoped by us here that the passing of Geelong’s finals chances was not without its lessons and that it serve as a reminder to all of the fleeting nature of anyone’s finals chances.
I would like to take this chance to extend an invitation to all readers, especially those who haven’t posted before, to leave a comment and share a thought. Let’s start the healing.
*As a sign of respect for the passing of Geelong’s finals chances, both Mrs. Watson and I will be taking a sabbatical to drink beer and take in guitar bands in Ballarat. Blogs will resume as normal as of Monday 21/8.
Born on the 18th March, 2006 in Adelaide, Mark ‘Lips’ Thompson, like any proud father, announced Geelong’s finals chances to the world, and his youngest would fill his dad with pride in the first two rounds of the season proper. It is worth remembering these good times for what they were.
Still young, Geelong’s finals chances seemed fit and healthy. The innocence of youth and the carefree nature afforded by such an early charmed life gave no hint to the impending tragedy. It was round 3 when the first signs of illness would begin to appear.
At first, we were in denial, and Round 4 gave some hope that the early diagnosis was incorrect. Nothing, however, could prepare us for the months ahead. As the losses piled up Geelong’s finals chances slowly deteriorated, hitting rock bottom after getting belted by Collingwood and then losing at home to Richmond. For many, the Richmond result came with it the realization of death’s inevitability.
Geelong’s finals chances were dying, but a brave fight for life was put forth. Up until the events of this weekend past, things had begun to look up. Doctors Sheahan and Walls, who had previously given the critical diagnosis, now saw reason for hope, small signs of life. But ultimately they would be proven right, as the last glimmer of light was extinguished by indecisive ball movement, defensive inadequacies and finally Stephen Milne.
It is hoped by us here that the passing of Geelong’s finals chances was not without its lessons and that it serve as a reminder to all of the fleeting nature of anyone’s finals chances.
I would like to take this chance to extend an invitation to all readers, especially those who haven’t posted before, to leave a comment and share a thought. Let’s start the healing.
*As a sign of respect for the passing of Geelong’s finals chances, both Mrs. Watson and I will be taking a sabbatical to drink beer and take in guitar bands in Ballarat. Blogs will resume as normal as of Monday 21/8.
posted by the captain at 10:54 pm
14 Comments:
This season was like "Star Wars Episode 1" There was lots of hype and we all looked forward to it. Then it began and we though "yeah looks promising". When we lost to Collingwood was like JaJa Binks getting inroduced as a character. We all knew it was going to be down hill from there and leave a shite taste in our mouth.
Well fuck you, fuck you very much Geelong.
Next year I won't buy a membership I will buy a season's suply of Prozac. That way I know I will leave the games happy.
As I walked to catch the train this morning on an untypically blustery Perth winters’ morning, my beloved blue & white golf umbrella, which had safely seen out many years, finally decided to collapse and allow itself to be blown inside out, rendering it useless. Symbolism?
Let’s hope a large broom goes through the players’ list over the next couple of months, with particular emphasis on those under-contributing forwards! The team has a strong back-line, functioning mid-field, but lacks forwards who can mark under pressure. This was never better illustrated than Sunday’s loss to St Kilda, with 58 inside fiftys for the return of 11 goals. All that opportunity for no return! Sums up the season really.
I too walked through a blistery Perth morning and also had my umbrella turned inside out. Hopefully those in power turn the list inside out and we can see some results.
AFL teams aren't given lists big enough to accommodate so much tall flotsam:
Henry Playfair
Tom Lonergan
Nathan Ablett
Kent Kingsley
Charlie Gardiner (looking very obvious to me)
Matthew McCarthy
Surely at least one of these has to go to make way for the Tom-a-Hawk.
I feel that a tribute blog on the life and times of Peter Riccardi is appropriate. I had to wipe a tear from my eye on more than one occassion on Sunday.
Anonymous, Basso Divor, Tee - Thank you all for sharing.
To all others, please come forward. By giving voice to our frustrations and fears we share the burden. Together we can get through this.
Hi, my name's The Captain, and I'm a Geelong supporter.
I had no idea umbrellas were so popular in Perth. Hmmm, anyway...
My name's Mrs. Watson and I'm a Geelong supporter. While it is my mission to promote a new, more positive brand of Cats fan-ism it's becoming more and more difficult week by week.
The changes that need to be made are obvious. Let's hope someone at the club sees them and makes them. Let's also pray that The Hatchet can fuckin' mark!
Out.
Hello my name is Tim and i'm a Geelong supporter.
I'm frustrated because most of them look like they are owed a finals berth. Hopefully this year is a BIG kick in the side of the head for the team and they treat EVERY game next year as one they can't afford to lose. I also hope that Kent Kingsley and Charlie Gardiner both get not so metaphorically kicked in the head during the off season.
I killed a swan today, did a shit on....like right on it.
My name is Motty and I'm a Geelong supporter.
Why God?? Why?
At what point exactly did the season go bad? I offer this ...
Saturday morning, April 15. Geelong is expected to beat lowly Hawthorn later that day by the similar margins inflicted upon the Lions and Kangaroos in the previous two rounds.
A headline on the front page of the esteemed broadsheet's sport section urges readers to "Meet Kent" and collectively we say: "Why not?"
The Rohan Connolly article goes on to say: "He's 27, did well in the dot.com boom, owns a restaurant, owns a hotel, travels widely, gambles in Las Vegas and has family links with Elle Macpherson."
But wait for the disclaimer: "He kicks a few goals."
I shudder to think.
good things come to those who wait...wait till u get another kicking cats..so much for your pre season premiership..u guys stink more than a vegeterian fart!.for those who predicted richmond comming last its shows that not all the biggest losers are fat fucks on tv seems there are a few judges down kardina way.
Check this link for a pretty good write up on Sunday's loss and the season's demise. It's written by a Cats fan and taken from yesterday's Melbourne Age.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/08/15/1155407810192.html
Thanks for your contributions here guys (and gal). We'll be back on the horse Monday after a boozy weekend of grieving.
trees are dying.
Hi, this is Geraldo@Large. I'd like to send my commiseration's to all fellow Geelong supporters and to Geelong's parents (Costa + Lips).
Me and Geelong had many good times together. I remember that one time we got drunk at telstra dome. God we had some good times.
Geelong, you won't be forgotten.
Here's to Mrs Watson and The Captain for making this season more than bearable and let us look to the future, the Ablett/Hawkins era.
In the name of the father, the son and the holy spirit, Amen.
Post a Comment
<< Home