The Tinkler family: September 2012

Hard to believe. We did it!

Starting with the netball...

The game started with a healthy dose of nerves from both sides. The ball was sinking through the ring for us, they were having a little bit of trouble but they had the height so were getting their rebounds... We were one goal down at quarter time...

2nd quarter, much of the same, a couple of runs saw them go 4 or 5 in front and then we'd chase them down to finish at 2 behind at half time.

3rd quarter, the supposed 'premiership quarter'... We lost our heads and they seized the chance. It got messy across the middle and we turned over too many to count... It felt like 2 weeks earlier where this same side beat us by 34 in the 2nd semi. Bugger, bugger, bugger... We had an injury in the mid court which made way for our 2 youngster Under17s to both come on at the same time and bring that 16 year old flare (and spunky play!).

4th quarter... Time to bring it or go home... They scored the first goal, we were 13 down. We scored our next 3 passes plus got 2 intercepts from their centre passes bringing us 5 goals up, 8 down overall... They dropped a ball, we scored. Our centre pass- we scored. They stepped, we scored. Our pass... 4 down... They called injury time... We took that as a strong sign that they didn't know what to do... 7 minutes to go, 4 goals down... They took the centre pass, and threw it out of court, we scored it. Our pass, we scored. Crowd losing their heads, opposition losing their heads! What an atmosphere... 2 goals... Their centre goes offside!!!!! We scored it! Our pass, coming down court, thrown over my head out of court, GK smashes me under the ball... Our ball!!!! You guessed it, we scored! Score, score, score, 3 goals up. 1 minute to go... Our pass. A cracking contest in the middle and they came out with possession. They scored. 30 seconds to go. Their pass. They score. 1 goal our way... Our pass. The timer stands up. WHISTLE!!!!!

It was awesome. It was unbelievable. And it would have been heart wrenching for them. But I guess it's proof that the last game of the year is unlike any other game. Strange things can happen and do happen. And what an awesome feeling!

Over to the footy...

I don’t know if they started as underdogs or not. But 3 of the last 4 years have been Jerilderie vs Berrigan in the grand final. 3 years ago Jerilderie won. And last year Berrigan won. All we knew was that it should have been a cracker of a game. I had to watch a lot from a distance so can't give a detailed run down but was able to see Jerilderie get a good start, being 4 goals up at quarter time, keeping that buffer for most of the 2nd until Berrigan scored 2 quick goals before the half time break giving them momentum and bringing them within 2 goals of Jerilderie.

2nd half saw Berrigan return to the ground and score 4 goals straight. Yikes. Jerilderie was 2 goals down and Berrigan looked hot... :/ But, never write them off... There's a great mix of old, smart heads, and young exuberant bodies in the Jerilderie side, and within a few minutes the Jerilderie boys had piled on 5 goals to get them 3 goals up. They kept that distance, and extended it throughout the rest of the match, eventually running out 7 goal winners... Matty scored 3 goals, he's got his premiership medallion, and he's done. Those boots are up, they're getting slashed to bits so there's no temptation of returning!!!! And somehow, even though this is the 5th time I said or written this, I believe this is the last season we'll play. And what better way to end a lifetime of successful and passionate sport than with a Senior Footy and A grade netball premiership!!!

There were plenty of renditions of the 'Grand Old Flag' last night. And many a drink was had. We were lucky enough to have Mum (Mary) fly down for the weekend to help us out with the kids and watch the games. I think it was worth her while! And we sure appreciated it.

(P.S. We're back home but not sure when we'll see Matt again... Maybe Monday? Probably Tuesday??)