One of the things that I have learnt about following the fortunes of St Kilda, in the Australian Football League, is that it's important to celebrate the successes when they come, so the suggestion from G on Friday evening, before we headed off to the pre-season semi-final, that we should leave the game early if one side was leading by a big margin, did not go well...
"Not if St Kilda's leading!", I said, firmly, and he smirked, knowing full well that this would be my answer.
So, we headed off for the game to meet some colleagues, and it is one of the joys of my life that we now live only five km from the Docklands Stadium. Unfortunately, G has been suffering from some soft tissue damage in his feet, and the pace of the walk from the carpark to the ground at his pace was almost too much for me, as I was trying not to race too fast, but at the same time take into account his need for a slow and steady pace, and wishing to be safely in our seats when the match commenced.
The idea of the pre-season competition is to give younger players a chance to get some match practice in an atmosphere which is more competitive than the normal practice match situation. Coaches are careful not to put high expectations on their players, though, as it is the real season which counts, when it starts at Easter, not this pre-season hit out. And losing a player to serious injury in this competition is definitely not part of the game plan.
However, having said all of that, Friday night's match was a thriller, with both the Saints and Essendon players putting on a display of skill and ferocious tackling, and the lead changed 13 times during the match.
Somehow, with a minute to spare, one of the young Saints players scored the goal that gave victory by three points.
Of course I had to stay to sing the Saints theme song with the rest of the Saints crowd, and then when I got home, watched most of the final quarter again on delayed telecast, then yesterday morning watched a bit more of the early stages of the match before heading off for the usual weekend shopping.
The win means the Saints will play in the grand final next weekend in Adelaide, and there will be no social engagements to distract me from watching the game, pre-season comp or not.
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