The Terrace

Folklore

Michael Clarke appears to have set another Australian cricket record by being the first player to have had a wedding photograph featuring his bride riding a unicorn.

Oh, by the way, if Joel Selwood ever marries and shares wedding photographs of his wife riding a horse, then we’ll go neigh.

The Weed

There are many things to write about this week. Like the fact that Wojo’s jaw-breaking hip and shoulder into Jack Viney (in his first VFL game) has the football equivalent of an inverse relationship to Dasher’s KO blow on SOS (in his final game). And that this is a BIG game for the Cats. Crunchtimeorama.

But for some unknown reason (something to do with the Crows, we guess), we’re spending today reminiscing former Crows player Wayne ‘the Weed’ Weidermann. Up there with Micky Martin for looks, but a helluva lot more hair. Complete bogan. Fair to good player at times. 60-odd games. Anyway, there’s not much more that can be said about Wayne, as every picture tells a thousand words. Respect, Wayne. You would have looked rad in a cats jumper, no matter how much of a munter you were. By the way, nice tie.

Do you remember the time?

Mark Neeld might not remember the sacking offence that was round 19, 2011, but his players probably haven’t. In case you had, here’s each goal to warm your heart – all 37 of them!

Ouch, ouch and ouch.

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

Happy hunting.

Unfurled

Here at The Terrace, we particularly enjoyed this photo from Sunday…

Photo credit: geelongadvertiser.com.au

Remissible

Last weekend’s loss reminded us of why Twilight football is really crap. But we’ve moved on to Sunday’s unfurling, and what a great flag it will be to unfurl. “Excuse me Eddie whilst I unfurl my premiership flag.” And what a great day to say thanks to four of our great players in Lingy, Moondog, Otto and Dasher. Four players. Over 1000 games. Eleven premiership medallions. What a seafood combination! Whilst we gave Lingy a worthy send off, it was remiss of us to also not remember the great service and commitment given by Moondog, Otto and Dasher.

But instead of writing our own tribute, we’ll refer you onto fellow Cats’ blog ‘big league, little league‘ that did it as well as any. For example:

“this off-season has seen the greatest loss of talent, character and “Geelong-ness” we’ve seen in one season since Beaumont’s Pies closed its doors in the same year as CC music. Just as in 2007 (Steven King) and 2009 (Tom Harley), Geelong will bid farewell to its premiership winning captain, Cameron Ling, as well as Cameron Mooney, Darren Milburn, Mark Blake and Brad Ottens. As tribute, here is Big League’s goodbye to five (four) of the best who will be missed on the field, in the stands and in these pages.”

You can read the full post here. Happy Friday. Go Cats.

For Whom The Bell Tolls

Is it possible to have stretch marks on your heart? The tension and pressure of the final minutes of front running were almost too much for the mortal system of The Terrace. Not so for the inspiring and inspired performers of the GFC.

Like the extraordinary waves that lashed the surf coast the week before, our leaders, our forwards and our youngsters kept surging, presenting and crashing with beauty and power. The Terrace was privileged to spend some presidential room with the dual conqueror of Bells. Yes, Mick Fanning can toss a coin. But, most importantly, he demonstrated on the biggest stage and against the ultimate foe, how to combine power and precision when it really matters to enjoy ultimate success.

There were so many moments that defined the team and shaped the result: Mackie’s diving lunge to deny Osborne’s goal, Selwood’s recurring resurrection, Guthrie’s tackling intensity, Jpod’s deft skill and experience, the Tommahawk crushing both packs and opposition confidence. And who can deny the man simply known and admired as Jimmy?

Go Mick. Go Cats!

Please, forgive me. Or perhaps not. As a matter of fact, stick it where it fits!

“Please forgive me if I act a little strange for I know not what I do.” David Gray, Please Forgive Me.

Picture credit: www.zimbio.com

David Gray was arguably talking about a different kind of love when he penned these words…but who knows? With another season upon us the inevitable roller coaster of emotion is calling all aboard. Saturday night was a case in point, with classic highs and lows that make you sweat (and sometimes do a wet fart) in your jocks.  During the off season we’ve had a chance to re-group, re-live and re-lish 2011, not to mention ’07 and ’09. What a year?! What a team?! What an effort?! What a legacy from our retirees?! What promise from our youngsters?! It bodes well and whilst there are no promises or guarantees (or Scarlett for rounds 2-5), there is form.

This form also extends to those of us on the other side of the fence. We might not know how the year will unfold but we do know that along this journey (as with years past) we will catch ourselves being strange in our quest to express our support. It may be a guttural swearing scream during a tense point in a game, hugging strangers (aka ‘best mate for a day’) post victory, engaging in anti-mozzes pre-game, accidentally spitting the dregs of a celebratory beer on your fiancée’s mother’s tartan shawl or (one of our favourites) the accompanying air trombone with the cats’ theme song.

Whatever makes you an idiosyncratically and at times inappropriately strange supporter, long may it continue!

p.s. Hayden Ballantyne is a knob, and will get his just deserts.

p.s.s. We have a new poll. Which premiership has been the greatest? Vote now!

In-flight conundrum.

As one Terrace punter put it, “What should I watch on the flight home?” Decisions, decisions.

R.I.P. Jim Stynes

Respect.

Guess who’s back from the engraver?

And what a nice job they done. Kudos to @Catsinsider on Twitter for sharing the love (aka image).

p.s. fair to say this is mandatory viewing on Saturday!