Listeners,
It was a matter of driving the car up from the South Coast with the GLW's right hand on the steering wheel while she attempted to tune the crystal set set in the dashboard of the ol' Camry with her left hand into the faint signal from the ABC NewsRadio transmitter in Sydney, while it was up to me to hang the coathanger aerial out the passenger side window, in order to pick up the call of the Adelaide-Sydney game.
Reception came good just after Berry.
Could hear this rag-tag bunch of footballers playing away and kicking a few goals.
With Hawthorn discard "In Like" McGlynn prominent early, it was sounding like the various journeymen were stepping up, and the brace of greenhorns were starting to get the idea of what goes on in the top grade.
At seven goals in advance at the long break it was bleedingly obvious that the match was all over bar the shouting; so there was nothing for it but to nip into Kiama for some hot battered flathead and chips wrapped up in butchers paper, teamed with some cheap Belgian beer from the Esky.
It was Easter Sunday after all, and we'd already got it arse about by dining on the fatted lamb on Good Friday.
The next day's fishwraps suggested the Swans smashed 'em in the ruck and were willing in front of centre, and with so many newbies on board, it looked like there might be some changes in game style on foot, with less reliance on flooding defence, and more emphasis on putting points on the board.
No bad winning by seven goals when the Goodes Train, among others, was hardly mentioned at all in the radio call.
At Monday morning smoko down by the magic waters at Bronte sea baths, SC Roos was described as being "chuffed".
Might have pondered his recruiting policy, and how it might defy the odds for a season or two as Longmire had a puff or two on the pipe, as he pondered the future.
Roll away the stone?
It's going to be a long, long season for the poor sufferin' hapless Crows fans, going forward.
As an aside, did note with interest SC Roos observations mid-week at the launch of the Swans new million dollar per annum Talent Academy for Young Kiddies With Prospects, decrying the fact that it hadn't been done 20 years ago and as a result the Swans had lost an entire generation of potential Australian Rules footballers born in NSW, and then backed that up with "and let's be truthful here. The only reason we are doing this now is that another team is coming into Sydney".
Speaking the truth about expediency at its very best.
ADELAIDE 2.3, 4.5, 8.7, 11.9 (75). Goals: Dangerfield 5, McLeod 2, Petrenko 2, Burton, Douglas.
SYDNEY 4.3, 11.4, 14.9, 18.10 (118). Goals: McGlynn 5, O'Keefe 3, Bradshaw 2, Kennedy 2, Seaby 2, Goodes, Kirk, Moore, Jack.
At Football Park, Adelaide.
Crowd: 36,041.
SC Sheens hit on a very clever ploy with his team down 12-zip at half time.
He could see , like any other seasoned observer in the ground, that the big, fat, lumbering Canberra forwards would not last the distance.
Just told the lads to give the ball to them as much as possible early in the second half, and then just mow them down as their tackle count skyrockets.
About 25 minutes to go, and the Raider's pack were completely out on their feet.
SC Sheens had used his substitutes judiciously and had fresh legs on the bench, unlike Canberra, who had nothing left in the heavy artillery department.
Lo and behold the advatange line opens up like the parting of the Red Sea, and the Balmain backs stroll through for a couple to level the score.
As soon as the Best Leb in The Game potted the well timed field goal to go a point in front with ten to go, it was game over.
The last two tries at the death were the fruit for the sideboard, as the coach will always take good for and against everytime, along with the Premiership points.
SC Sheens as crafty as ever in a very fine performance.
CANBERRA RAIDERS 22. Tries: Tilse, Picker, Croker, Fensom. Goals: Campese (3).
WESTS TIGERS 35. Tries: Fulton (2), Farah, Marshall, Lawrence, Ryan. Goals: Marshall (5). Field Goals: Farah (1).
At Canberra Stadium.
Crowd: 17,112.
