Sometimes, the stars align and you get a great game to cover, which is to say, great action, some meaning to it and great light.
The indigenous round game between two tough clubs, Georgetown and Rocherlea, both hard working class clubs, had all that. Both clubs had members with a vested interest, both had something to prove.
One was justifying their top of the table and power house dynasty status, the other the younger player’s aspirations and for both the mantle of the “hard men” of the league.
The skill level was high, but not much went uncontested.
Aerials were strong except the main two in the ruck had poor timing much of the day.
They did however produce my favourite shot, even without the ball!
A telling last frame of the day with the score heavily n favour of the veteran team, still holding on to the mantle of league leaders with legendary status.
Last quarter huddle for the losing side. We all knew it was not their day today.
For me, this about ideal.
The levels above (Northern rep, State rep then National League) are all cleaner and faster, but often lack the heart of playing for and in front of your people on the boundary. At lower levels, like the 10 junior matches I covered the next day are great and necessary to grow any sport, but lack the skill and commitment.
This game is up there with one of my favourites, all from about this level.
Some things are larger than sport, but sport can often and simply be the point of commonality needed to open conversations.