OK, so most of you wouldn't know much about Australian Rules Football...but it's a GREAT game and for some of us Aussies it's HUGE!
Tom (just turned 15) had been sick all week - our town has had a "bug" running loose for the last couple of weeks and it's gone through the schools and community. Nasty virus, not quite the flu but still bad enough to lay him flat all week. With the doc's guidance he managed to be well enough to play in his football Grand Final yesterday...top team; finished 1st on the district ladder (only defeated once all season).
Well, he had no energy (I told him this would be the case) - every quarter break he was telling me he didn't have the legs...but he played out the game and in the second half he found "something" and really got into it. Coach, trainer and runners were watching him like hawks and kept his fluids coming. The whole team looked lethargic in the first quarter and for the first time in the season we were trailing the opposition. Half time and we were a point down...
The other team played hard, their coach is an incredibly aggressive character whom I dearly wanted to snot in the nose - he was so negative and abusive to his boys. It was hard to listen to given our coach is positive and supportive all the time. These kids range in age from 13 -15; our coach kept reinforcing their strengths to them and asked them to give more for each quarter...he asked; didn't abuse or yell. The boys all adore him and his staff and they rose in the 2 last quarters and sank the opposition.
It wasn't the best game of footy I've watched, scores were low; ground was badly cut up and the centre was a muddy swamp as it had been used all weekend. Tom was sweating and looking a little pale by halfway through the game...but he wasn't coming off for anything! Coach didn't want to take him off either unless Tom said he couldn't play on. All the boys knew he wasn't really well and they were encouraging him too. Great bunch of kids who always play as a team - and their ability to work as a unit and support each other paid off. For the Aussie Rules supporters; it came down to our 1 percenters - good shepherding, good tackling etc.
It was 1 plays 2 on the ladder - neighbouring towns. Between "our" town and "theirs" they had the names of all their players on the roadside poles and the whole route decorated in their team colours. Their parents and supporters were as pumped as the players. The pressure on their kids to win was huge. By contrast we had none of that - we knew we were the favorites and that in itself was enough pressure on the boys. It was no wonder that some of the losing players fell face down in the mud and cried their hearts out when they lost.
By the time the presentations were done and the boys took their victory lap they looked like a bunch of old men - they hardly made it round the ground!
It wasn't the easiest afternoon for me - I knew Tom was sick and I knew the risks of dehydration etc...but I wanted him to dig deep and use his will in a positive way. He showed great strength and courage and I am very proud of him and the team
Great job Colts!!!
