Grinning Winners,
Didn't seen a frame of this match after finding myself wandering about on Cockatoo Island on Sunday afternoon looking at the art and the remarkable industrial architecture, instead of being fixated by a Swans game on the crystal bucket, just for a change of scenery.
So not really in any position to venture much comment, given that not a flicker of film has gone past the eyelids.
And so, missed the best win of the season, by all accounts.
TB.
Too bad.
A seasoned observed sent a message through on the bush telegraph advising of the 39 point win, and told me to get down to the shop on Monday morning to pick up a some new banjo strings before they sold out, as they could be needed for a few more rousing renditions of the team song before the season is out, on the strength of that win.
Even if it was against a side who the Carlton coach admitted on interview after the game that had "lost their way".
TB.
Too bad.
Also suggested the Son of Gary Jack was instrumental in completely closing down Judd, while the Goodes Train enjoyed being on a long leash and probably got the three Brownlow votes by the unanimous acclamation of the Bamfords.
At least SC Roos is still marking the notches on the right side of the coach's ledger; he knows the inestimable value of wining away, while some suggest Horse Longmire had a lot to do with the six goal jump out of the blocks and cruelling any chance the home side might have had well before half time, and then pedalling along comfortably in the Championship Quarter, before closing down the whole shooting match in the final stanza.
Worked then, might work again.
Seven multiple goalkickers suggests the mid-field boys and the forward line have found their mojo again.
On a now thin roster of fit players, 9 and 7 is not to be sneezed at.
Did note mid week that Henry Playfair has retired at age 27.
Gave the game away after picking up a couple of hairline fractures in the spine after falling over unchallenged in the game against Richmond, which he quite rightly called as "embarrassing".
That'd be enough to stop any bloke in his tracks though, and combined with a chronic hammy and Shagger's Back, found himself with no choice but to give the game away.
Appeared in just 16 games for Sydney, after 52 with Geelong.
Sadly, a glittering career consigned to the footnotes of history.
CARLTON: 1.0, 3.1, 8.3, 10.8 (68). Goals: Hampson 2, Judd, Scotland, Simpson, Betts, Yarran, Waite, Garlett, Murphy
SYDNEY: 6.3, 10.6, 14.9, 16.11 (107). Goals: Shaw 3, McVeigh 2, Bolton 2, Moore 2, McGlynn 2, White 2, Meredith 2, Goodes.
At Docklands Stadium.
Crowd: 31,915.
How many weeks has it been now that the Mighty Tiges have been making an art form out of taking the get out of jail free card?
Call me a weakling nancy boy if you like, but with low scudding clouds and rain about, and the mercury dropping to about six degrees C, wasn't among the faithful counted at the turnstiles at the spiritual home of Balmain rugby league.
Only heard snippets of the strange MMM radio call of this one while shivering at the mull bowl down in Dad's Shed, so again, didn't see a frame.
But heard enough to realise the Tigers reduced themsleves to 0-16 at one stage, and 4-16 at half time.
At 16-16 late in the second half, Balmain yet again never led at any stage, after Benji had shanked the field goal attempt with six minutes to go, until less than five minutes left in the caper when Fulton got on the end of a well timed Marshall pass and barged over for the match winner, and with two minutes left on the clock, Benji scoops the thing off the deck after a dropped Cowboys ball, busts at least four tackles, and runs like the clappers to the tryline to put the fruit on the sideboard.
No finer sight in world sport.
Remarkable that they won by that much given that Benji had discovered when it was too late that his Mum had forgotten to polish his kicking boots and he could manage only one goal in six attempts at the cross-bar.
SC Sheens was seen in the dug out to be pulling out the few tufts of hair left on his head, while Roycey Simmons was more pragmatic, as he lept about like some kind of whirling dervish on seeing the Fulton try.
Obviously figured that, as the general go-to-man, he wouldn't be called upon to do anything this week, apart from re-organising Benji's boot polish contract and have a quiet talk to his Mum.
Equal second on the ladder with August to come exceeds all expectations of the so-called pundits, but the Club Secretary would still be worrying.
Especially at the remarkable sight of John "The Great Skando" Skandalis coming out of retirement for the second time in as many seasons, due to the cupboard being bare with the number of first-pick forwards now in the Sick Bay.
Skando would have been saying to SC Sheens "aw, c'mon Tim, please, please, don't do this to me. Don't ask, please. I am 34 years old, for chrissake!"
But when called on, had he no hesitation in pulling back on the black and gold guernsey, and mixing it with fearsome 18,19 year old man-mountains.
However, old skills, hard & wizened sinews, mental toughness, vast experience, guile, and a hide like a buffalo will win out over the yoof of today everytime, regardless of the creaking bones.
Much to the relief of the Secretary, at least The Great Skando doesn't come into any salary cap calculations; he comes "free".
Happy to just pull his generous salary as the Forwards Coach, and play for a roast beef roll with gravy and a snort of absinthe on match day.
WESTS TIGERS 26. Tries: Tuqiri (2), Brown, Ayshford, Fulton, Marshall. Goals: Marshall (1).
NORTH QUEESLAND 16. Tries: Graham, Harris, Taumata. Goals: Thurston (2).
At Leichhardt Oval.
Crowd: 11,364.
