Bluebear
Brownlow Medallist
Hi All,
Feeling a little like a bear with a sore head this morning (sorry, couldn't help myself).
The main news I was going to report has been done and dusted already:
So for those who are interested, read on:
I arrived right about the time ODN was posting that Kreuzer wasn't going to be there.
Bannister arrived very early in his convertible, followed by Fisher, then Fev, Hoops and Thornton arrived together.
Expecting a bit of a red carpet view I was a little disappointed when all the rest of the squad arrived by bus - without their partners (disappointment number 1 - no Twigley
).
The entire team walked over pretty much together, with Saddo bringing up the tail well behind the rest of the group on his own. Maybe he was just delayed getting off the bus, but it looked bad - Poor Saddo.
We moved into a bar at the end of shed 9 in the Docklands precinct where we mingled (sort of) with the players. Truth be told most of the players moved to the back of the room until the sponsor organisers dragged them over the their sponsors to get them chatting.
This is where we found out that Kreuzer wasn't coming.
Initially it was "he left training unwell", but then we were told "he has a minor muscle injury"............oh no........not another injury.
Tim Lane hosted the jumper presentation which I thought was the players being presented with their jumpers for the year.
I didn't realise until they started that it was the players presenting us.......ME........with a jumper.......quietly chuffed doesn't come close.
Ratts presented the jumpers for the players who weren't there:
Walker - just had his shoulder operation late yesterday arvo
Kreuzer - reported as unwell
Ackland - ??
Setanta - also left training early unwell
Stevens - caught in traffic
I was into my second beer at this point and was paying less attention, but I think the rest were there.
Most of the players did a great job, one or two looked a little uncertain, one one player looked like he'd rather be somewhere else..........I'll leave you guessing.
Hampson looked to be moving o.k. since he knee op...........o.k. it's not like he had to run, but even walking he seemed fine, and he seemed in good spirits. Didn't get a chance to meet him and ask about the knee though.
I met BlueYoss and Quid at this point, there as sponsors of another player.
We then moved over to Peninsula in Shed 14 for dinner. The players were grouped two to a table, and fortunately for us we had Andrew Carrazzo and his sponsors joining us.
Right from the start Andrew came over to say hi, fully aware that our player wasn't coming. He suggested that Kreuzer might have injured a hip at training, but wasn't sure how serious and was hopeful that the big fella would be avaiable round 1.
Tim Lane hosted the evening with Pratt giving a speech, and a rendition of the club theme song (much to the embarrassment of some of the players), Lane interviewing Ratts, then Ratts interviewing some of the coaches.
Matty Lappin got the biggest cheer.
The players were introduced one by one, and then Lane interviewed
Juddy.
One question that Lane asked Judd which is worth a mention is "How have you found the move back to Melbourne, and is it all that you were hoping for?"
Judd replied that when he went to Perth the only people he knew were associated with the footy club, so everywhere he went socially, it was always something or someone to do with the WCE. He is much happier now that he is back with his family and friends that know him as other than a football player.
Dave Hughes did some stand-up, tough gig with such a mixed audience. The Ben Cousins jokes met with a bit of a hush.
During dinner I asked Andrew about Setanta. He said that Setanta had wanted to lose the weight as he was struggling to carry 105kg last year (by struggling I assume he meant groin soreness) and that he has lost about 5 kg and that he was going fine.
Now, this differs greatly from the account we have read, but BlueYoss got the same account from Shields.........either the cover-up is going into overdrive or he is actually fine.
Leaving training early a poorly timed coincidence.
Anyway, I guess we'll know in a week if and when he runs out against Richo.
I asked Andrew about constantly being asked for autographs etc and he said that he really doesn't mind, there be a day not too far away when people won't ask him and he won't be recognised, so he's living it up. He did say that it got a bit crazy at the family day, not only with the lines, but when it was announced that the players were leaving in 20 minutes people started pushing into the tents and pushing people (including some kids) out of the way.
I think they need to have the cardboard cut out that you see at the show - "You must be this high to go on this ride" - but instead "You must be under this high to get an autograph".
Adults can go get theirs at training IMO - family day is for the kids.
At around 10pm the players pulled up stumps and headed for the bus. We were seated right near the exit so caught Juddy and Dick Pratt for photo ops on the way.
A bit dry (much like my mouth) but there it is.
More than happy to answer any questions, but there's not much more to say than what is here.
Cheers,
BB.
P.S. I haven't proof red this, and couldn't be bothered - I care nothing for typos and grammar corrections.
Feeling a little like a bear with a sore head this morning (sorry, couldn't help myself).
The main news I was going to report has been done and dusted already:
- Kreuzer no show..........(but there might be a problem for round 1)
- Gibbs re-signing a two year extension
- There may be a twist in the Setanta tale
- Saddington is on the outer
- Carrazzo is a really nice bloke
So for those who are interested, read on:
I arrived right about the time ODN was posting that Kreuzer wasn't going to be there.
Bannister arrived very early in his convertible, followed by Fisher, then Fev, Hoops and Thornton arrived together.
Expecting a bit of a red carpet view I was a little disappointed when all the rest of the squad arrived by bus - without their partners (disappointment number 1 - no Twigley
).The entire team walked over pretty much together, with Saddo bringing up the tail well behind the rest of the group on his own. Maybe he was just delayed getting off the bus, but it looked bad - Poor Saddo.
We moved into a bar at the end of shed 9 in the Docklands precinct where we mingled (sort of) with the players. Truth be told most of the players moved to the back of the room until the sponsor organisers dragged them over the their sponsors to get them chatting.
This is where we found out that Kreuzer wasn't coming.
Initially it was "he left training unwell", but then we were told "he has a minor muscle injury"............oh no........not another injury.
Tim Lane hosted the jumper presentation which I thought was the players being presented with their jumpers for the year.
I didn't realise until they started that it was the players presenting us.......ME........with a jumper.......quietly chuffed doesn't come close.
Ratts presented the jumpers for the players who weren't there:
Walker - just had his shoulder operation late yesterday arvo
Kreuzer - reported as unwell
Ackland - ??
Setanta - also left training early unwell
Stevens - caught in traffic
I was into my second beer at this point and was paying less attention, but I think the rest were there.
Most of the players did a great job, one or two looked a little uncertain, one one player looked like he'd rather be somewhere else..........I'll leave you guessing.
Hampson looked to be moving o.k. since he knee op...........o.k. it's not like he had to run, but even walking he seemed fine, and he seemed in good spirits. Didn't get a chance to meet him and ask about the knee though.
I met BlueYoss and Quid at this point, there as sponsors of another player.
We then moved over to Peninsula in Shed 14 for dinner. The players were grouped two to a table, and fortunately for us we had Andrew Carrazzo and his sponsors joining us.
Right from the start Andrew came over to say hi, fully aware that our player wasn't coming. He suggested that Kreuzer might have injured a hip at training, but wasn't sure how serious and was hopeful that the big fella would be avaiable round 1.
Tim Lane hosted the evening with Pratt giving a speech, and a rendition of the club theme song (much to the embarrassment of some of the players), Lane interviewing Ratts, then Ratts interviewing some of the coaches.
Matty Lappin got the biggest cheer.
The players were introduced one by one, and then Lane interviewed
Juddy.
One question that Lane asked Judd which is worth a mention is "How have you found the move back to Melbourne, and is it all that you were hoping for?"
Judd replied that when he went to Perth the only people he knew were associated with the footy club, so everywhere he went socially, it was always something or someone to do with the WCE. He is much happier now that he is back with his family and friends that know him as other than a football player.
Dave Hughes did some stand-up, tough gig with such a mixed audience. The Ben Cousins jokes met with a bit of a hush.
During dinner I asked Andrew about Setanta. He said that Setanta had wanted to lose the weight as he was struggling to carry 105kg last year (by struggling I assume he meant groin soreness) and that he has lost about 5 kg and that he was going fine.
Now, this differs greatly from the account we have read, but BlueYoss got the same account from Shields.........either the cover-up is going into overdrive or he is actually fine.
Leaving training early a poorly timed coincidence.
Anyway, I guess we'll know in a week if and when he runs out against Richo.
I asked Andrew about constantly being asked for autographs etc and he said that he really doesn't mind, there be a day not too far away when people won't ask him and he won't be recognised, so he's living it up. He did say that it got a bit crazy at the family day, not only with the lines, but when it was announced that the players were leaving in 20 minutes people started pushing into the tents and pushing people (including some kids) out of the way.
I think they need to have the cardboard cut out that you see at the show - "You must be this high to go on this ride" - but instead "You must be under this high to get an autograph".
Adults can go get theirs at training IMO - family day is for the kids.
At around 10pm the players pulled up stumps and headed for the bus. We were seated right near the exit so caught Juddy and Dick Pratt for photo ops on the way.
A bit dry (much like my mouth) but there it is.
More than happy to answer any questions, but there's not much more to say than what is here.
Cheers,
BB.
P.S. I haven't proof red this, and couldn't be bothered - I care nothing for typos and grammar corrections.
