The Steamtug Blog

Imagine rowing to the middle of a big lake, drop in a stick of gelignite and sit and watch as 100,000 fish rise to the surface with mouths open and eyes glazed saying “What on Earth just happened?” Well that was the MCG on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t gelignite, but the sound of the final siren which left all in that circular fish bowl floating on the surface with stunned disbelief in their eyes after Collingwood and St kilda just happened to be equal on 68 points when the siren blew.

Collingwood are the bad boys of the competition but has the biggest fan base. So all 95,000 Collingwood members were hoping to see them win, while everyone else in the world hoped they would lose! Lois and Steve’s house was crowded with eager footy fans sitting in the darkened lounge room munching on party pies and sipping our beers in front of the big screen, all barracking for St Kilda. Poor Lois was the only Collingwood supporter and copped cheek from us all at every turn. Fortunately we all knew it was only in jest. (You’re a good sport Lois!)

But imagine the look on everyones faces when the scores became level with only a few minutes left to play, finally ending with a draw for the 3rd time in the 150 year history of the game! There were so many people winghing on the radio station about how stupid the rules are. All those people came to see a result and would leave the ground feeling  “dudded” and ripped off, and we should change the rules to allow for extra time.

Let me say this… The extra time rule is good for a game like soccer where scoring is so difficult that games finish as a draw, sometimes with no score, on a regular basis. Then they abandon all team work and go for a one on one penalty shootout. This is dumb! The rules of footy stand quite correct that they will come back next week. Who could feel dudded after enjoying such a fantastic tightly fought battle? They will all go home knowing they saw an amazing spectacle. Also, there were so many fans who missed out on tickets, well here is a chance for them to share in this great competition. This game too is hard work and all players would leave the ground completely spent and exhausted.  And as for us? We should all feel fortunate that we get to see a bonus game next week which will also be a fantastic game of footy! And the AFL are not complaining about the extra 150 million dollars they will received. It’s win/win for all! Let’s be realistic, this has happened only 3 times now in 150 years, so get over it!!!

Crayfish dinner

After the game, my underwater hockey team mate Barry invited us around for a crayfish dinner. He caught this beauty while out diving! It was huge and very tasty. It went down well with some home brewed pilsner beer. A great way to finish off an unusual grand final day. I think we will have to do it all again next week when the grand final is played again!

Fascinating Facts

Did you know the condom was invented in 1872 in New Zealand using a sheep’s bladder?

In 1873, the idea was refined by the Australians who took the bladder out of the sheep first.

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