The Wilson Report - The Joke Of A Match

I call it the disgrace.Everyone is entitled to a fair go. At Blackstone on Saturday evening the local referee, the local players, the local club and the local spectators brought the game into disrepute. The referee, an obvious Blackstone Welch club member, lost control over the game one minute into the second half due to the pressure exerted on him by the crowd, mates on the field and the club's pursuit for a trophy.He was inept. He did not issue an infringement to Rhys for the tackle that incited the Blackstone players. The Blackstone players took the game into their hands by aggressively and physically abusing Rhys. Two Blackstone Wech players started the brawl yet escaped with yellow cards. Trent who feared for the safety of his brother was first to the scene from the Tigers and attempted to drag the Blackstone players off his brother. All of the players, including the opposition goalkeeper were in the thick of things.

The score at this stage was 2 - 0 to the home side. The end result is difficult to say without dropping my pants.

The game promised so much. Tigers were on a winning streak. Three wins in a row , if you count the 2 - 0 victory at training on Wednesday night (and we count everything). The Blackstone team were undefeated this year. The coach was confident. He enjoys the trek to the Blackstone Welch field and this time it was a 4.30pm start. It was going to be cool and under lights.

The thespian was asked to play at the back again just for one more week so that the Tigers could protect their line. Quads, Clean and Mad Dog picked themselves. Dunk and Ronnie got the unenviable job of mid field patrol while Ranger and 500 played on the flanks. The Sicilian and Bresciano played up front. Wilson warmed the bench.

It started at a pace. Nothing like we have seen this season. the home team knew the park and came at us. The Tigers absorbed the early onset. McStar was issuing orders to the Thespian and the thespian was issuing orders to the team. Then something began to happen. After the early raids the Tigers got to see a bit of the ball and started to use it. I suggest the Blackstone boys were a little put off.

Like the week before while gaining control of the game and impacting on the opposition the impossible happened. The ball came across from our right side to their big fellow in the backline. He had room and he used it. He belted the ball from well outside the box and hit it sweetly. It was like watching Premier League. Gerrard would have been proud of it. It touched nothing, it sailed into the back of the net. The score board 1 - 0.

As a scribe you need to pay attention to what happens on the filed. To find a match ball you also have to pay attention. Unfortunately I was guilty on both counts. Our match ball disappeared at some stage into the creek at the Blackstone Welch ground and Wilson went off to find it. I did not see it go into the creek and thus I did not know where to look. The casual Lineman, that knocked off at half time, gave me instructions. I checked back on numerous occasions for further instructions and proceeded to comb an area covering 100 square metres. The frustrating bit was it was an unsuccessful attempt.

Meanwhile the second goal was scored. The home side secured the second off the head of their striker after beating a flying Mick in the air. 2 - 0 the score at half time.

At the end of the first the Sicilian re-injured the calf. He sat off at the start of the second.

Earlier I mentioned the game took a different direction in the second half. The locals kicked off, made no more than three passes and then Rhys smashed the bloke on the ball. The rest is history. Pushing and shoving, yelling and shouting, lots of throthing at the mouth. The officials stepped in and destroyed a reasonable game.

The rest was a blur. Goal after goal sailed past the replacement keeper, Bresciano (Jeremy's good at finding the back of the net).

9 - 0 or 10 - 0 may have been the score. The website still has not been updated.

The Tigers left the paddock and Blackstone licking their wounds.

Now I hope the score doesn't change but that would be like believing in the tooth fairy. All other teams will think we played a good game, little do they know. Fiji bounced back, Mansfield beat St Cathy's and the old blokes played a draw.

The table will change slightly as the goal difference adjusts. Don't hold your breadth at the end of the season because we will not be relying on our goal difference to get into the top four.

Before I sign off I will share the letter I sent to the club president. He called me on Wednesday and I felt very bad about all of the nasty things that I thought, said and wrote about him. My Christian guilt kicked in. He stepped up and supported us on everything. I knew Biscuits was a good bloke and I will not hear anything different.

The email

"Craig,I have had some time to reflect on the game on the weekend and contemplate a course of action. I wish to respond in the following way. The send off of Trent McTiernan. I wish to contest the send off and have the charge removed. The case is simple. Rhys was penalised for a foul tackle that was not serious enough to incur an infringement. The tackle deserved to be penalised. The Blackstone Welch player retaliated physically and aggressively. Rhys did not react. A second Blackstone player was first to enter the fray unnecessarily. While the first Blacktone Welch player held Rhys the second player manhandled Rhys. A third Blackstone player entered the incident and also grabbed Rhys. Rhys's safety was now clearly at risk.No whistle was blown nor any action taken by the referee. Three players were physically attacking Rhys, our smallest player. Trent, the captain, goalkeeper and closest player to the fight went to the protection of his younger brother. He entered the incident third. He did not throw a punch. He arrived and grabbed the closest player to remove him. Another Blackstone player entered. John Cash was our next player to arrive and began to separate the players in the same way as Trent. Most of the remaining players from both teams arrived to ensured the safety of their players. It is clear that the Blackstone players created the brawl.At no stage did anybody from either team throw a punch.The referee, conferred with his linesman and issued yellow cards to the player that retaliated, and to the first person to arrive. The referee issued a red card to our captain. The referee confirmed on the field that he issued the red card because Trent joined the incident unnecessarily and showed his fists. He did not accuse Trent of throwing a punch. No card was issued to the player who arrived second.The decision to send Trent off was inconsistent.The Blackstone player that retaliated, started the incident. The Blackstone players who arrived first and second ensured the incident erupted. If the player who was tackled had of got to his feet and taken the free kick the game would have proceeded in the way that it had until that moment. A hard and fair game.The two Blackstone Welch players that arrived before Trent were guilty of inciting the incident. At no stage did the referee blow his whistle or attempt to gain control of the situation . He failed in his duty of care for Rhys. Rhys was physically abused by three players and the referee stood by and did nothing.I will ask the Discipline Committee to remove the penalty.The performance of the refereeI intend to write and lodge a formal complaint with the Referee's Body. The complaint will be directed at the Referee's Executive.The referee's lack of impartiality influenced the result and lead to the game being played outside of the Christian values that the Association and the Tiger's club adhere too. And to the best of my knowledge and my experience over an 8 year period, outside of the values of the Blackstone Club.The onfield referee and linesman were ill equipped to handle the situation.The referee was a mate of the Blackstone players. He should never have been placed in this situation.He was indecisive, inconsistent and failed in his duty of care.He lost control of the game.From the decision to send Trent and not to discipline the Blackstone players the game degenerated into an unsavory incident. He and the linesman failed to take action on the numerous infringements from that point.I gathered the Tigers and asked for their assistance in finishing the game without further incident. The referee did not, at any stage gather the 2 captains to ask for the same from both teams.I will insist that the referees review the situation to ensure that the two young Blackstone officials can improve their performance and never be placed in this situation again.The Blackstone clubThe Blackstone club is a well respected club in the Association and I have enjoyed the interactions with teams from Blackstone for many years. I was disappointed in their performance on Saturday night and intend to write to them expressing my concerns with the situation that we encountered.The complaint will be directed to the Club President.Alcohol was consumed on the ground.Abuse was directed at our players from the fans, including abuse that went beyond sledging.The noise from the "party" on the sidelines became louder as the match proceeded. The players for the Blackstone club were left without direction from a club official. They were left to fend for themselves. As a result they swore and blasphemed repeatedly on the field.Players insulted our spectators.The behaviour was ill disciplined, completely misaligned with the purpose of the QCSA and inappropriate.Mens Division 6The boys have had a very enjoyable season this year. The six clubs that we have played and the manner in which the games have been played has been exemplarity St Catherine's, Rosewood, Mansfield, Sunnybank, West End and Queensland Fiji have represented their clubs and more importantly themselves with aplomb.The incident on Saturday evening was horrible. Consequently, the players have agreed on two things following the round 7 game played on Saturday evening. I am informing you of our intended action. I apologise if this places you in an uncomfortable position. It is the appropriate thing to do and sometimes you have to be courageous to secure change.1/ We will not pay the fees owing for the officials on the evening of Saturday 12 May. and 2/ We will not play the Blackstone Welch team again this year.Before I proceed with the contest of the send off, the complaint to the referees and the complaint to the Blackstone club I ask for the club's endorsement.RegardsChris"
I have calmed down since the weekend and I hope that the season can continue in the way that it has, except for Saturday.

This week we play St Catherine's away. The game is at 3.00pm.

The Silvertails play at home at 1.00pm. Come down to the 'H' and watch the boys and we will head off at half time.

Cheers

Wilson

The Wilson Report - QLD FIJI 2 Meatheads 4

Two in a row is a winning streak?

Round 6 Match Report is late while we wait for the QCSA to update the website. Unfortunately it still has not been corrected.

Why?

Wilson vents.

The Tarragindi Tigers decided that it would run the juniors and seniors as separate entities in 2007 following the decision of the Executive Committee, due to political reasons, to move the juniors to Federation. There was only two problems with this. Firstly, the club did not consult with the seniors nor communicate the decision to those that it affected and to those that have been active with the seniors for many years. Secondly, the club has substantially increased fees in a year that has delivered the poorest services.

Unfortunately the Executive Committee has no active involvement in the seniors, their only focus is on the Over 35's. This is where, I suspect, the consultation and communication occurred. The consequences has been the loss of 1 ladies team, almost loss of the other ladies team and the securing of an additional mens team that has been treated with kit gloves (for political reasons) and the rest of us get to pay $270 and get nothing but pissed off.

I wonder whether the club will rue the decision to split the club in two.

So we do our best with little support from the Executive.

I cannot tell you where we are on the table because the Vice President (half measures) went away for the weekend without finding someone to complete the results function. I hope half measures had a good weekend. For those who helped build the second field at the 'H' the Vice President was the bloke who turned up with the truck, transported it to the 'H' and then nicked off as quickly as he could. He had better things to do.

It's hard enough to secure a victory on the field, it's even harder to get the credit for it. We are attempting to find out if the penalty is the loss of points. I suspect that this will not be the case but I do not know.

Round 6
Versus Queensland Fiji
Gould Adams Park

On 15 October 1987 Colonel Rambuka forced the resignation of the Governor General of Fiji which lead to the introduction of constitutional reform, which would guarantee political dominance of 'indigenous' Melanesian Fijians over the larger ethnic Indian population.
Elections in the April prior had put a largely ethnic Indian coalition administration in power for the first time, reflecting the Indians' 53% majority in the Fijian population. Alot of the Indian Fijians fled to Australia for safety. We played against them on the weekend.
Interestingly Queensland Fiji played the Tarragindi Tigers whom also have Melanesian links. This game promised much.
Finding the oval was the first challenge. This is the first time that Queensland Fiji featured as an opponent of the Tigers. They played at the home ground of the old Kingsridge club. Signage was provided but is designed to upset and disorientate any visiting teams. The sign said turn left and we all did. The feature of the scenic tour was the railway station. We arrived albeit a little later.
We brought a depleted squad to play the Fijians. Alby and the Sicilian were both carrying injuries and were doubtful. Clean was in Toowoomba while there was a rumour that one of our fold had made his way to Byron Bay.
The Silvertails provided back up with Sprinter and Chopper making their way to the game to warm the bench.
The coach thought through the structure. Clean was unavailable and Fiji were goal scoring machines. We needed 4 at the back. Now most of you will recall the experiment that I ran a couple of years ago where the thespian performed the role of sweeper. The reaction was much the same then as it was on this day. Are you sure? Yep, we need the speed and we need the talking.
So the Tigers lined up with
McStar, Thespian, Mad Dog, Quads, Wilson, Versatility, Ronnie, Ranger, Myles, Bresciano, Dunk.
Warming the bench was Sicilian and Alby. Chopper and Sprinter on their way.
Perry, the official, asked as the two teams lined up "anybody want to say a prayer?" He took us by surprise. This would be the first time he asked that question and both teams stumbled. If only we had the Aussie Bible.
The first half was under way on the wide flat pitch of Gould Adams park. The thespian's dulcet tones could be heard immediately (you know he has had singing lessons). Quads controlled the middle and Wilson and Mad Dog responded to the instructions as they were barked repeatedly and loudly. The plan was working. Ranger and Ronnie got the early control in the centre and Versatility and Myles had space to burn out wide. The other new experiment, Dunk, was finding the freedom of the forward line quite to his taste. Bresciano and Dunk played as if they had played together all their life.
It wasn't long until there was a Fijian defensive crack appear. A ball into the centre from Myles to find Bresciano with space. He was well out, looked up, spotted the keeper just off his line, leaned back and chipped. The ball delicately passed the keepers outstretched fingernails and the ball found the back of the net. What a way to start. 1 - 0.
It wasn't long before the Tigers were in attack again. This time Sprinter moved forward in attack on the left. We had Ranger getting the ball across to the hungry Sicilian and Bresciano. But it was Versatility that came in from the right hand side and the slide connected with the ball, but the post stood in the way of the second goal.
Now football is a tough game. From the breakdown we were one less in the backline, but the sweeper came across. Then to the total dismay of the crowd, the players on both sides and to himself the Thespian did something that he only does very rarely, he lifted his head up and had a look. Normally the coach would applaud this action as it is a rarity, but the former answer to woman's football, missed the ball altogether. The striker swooped and McStar could do little. 1 - 1.
Within minutes the Tigers were under pressure again. This time it was the luckless versatility, that had just missed out on taking the Tigers two up, that breached inside the box. The corner came across and Andy was adjudicated as pushing. It was another infringement. It was another penalty in the year of countless penalties. It was 2 - 1.
Tigers went to the half time break with a deficit of one but had out played the locals. The heads dropped.
Inspiring words were offered at half time and it worked a treat. "We should be winning". The boys headed back onto the field ready to embrace the motivational words and secure an away win.
The second half was beautiful to watch as the Tigers dominated. The ball was on a string. Duncan capitalised on the hard work that the boys were doing in the midfield. The interchange bench was used frequently. Alby struggled.
Dunk got the equaliser, the winner and the cream on top to provide the meatheads with a victory. The first battle between the Fijians and the tigers was won by the visitors.
Everyone was happy.
Now there are two observations that I make
1/ I began and finished this report a week apart (and a game in between). When did it finish and when did it start for the second time?
2/ Everyone was at training following the match and in a scratch match against the Silvertails the Meatheads continued the new found form.

The Wilson Report Meatheads 2 West End 0

Back in the winner's circle. That feels much better.

It was Anzac Day that the club rallied. The big dry could no longer stave off the construction of the second field of dreams at the 'H'. Many volunteers turned up (those that heard about it), most coming straight from the dawn service. The President had organised the truck and two able bodied seniors to load and unload the recycled, environmentally friendly goalposts. They arrived early, executed and departed for Newcastle before anyone had a chance to ask their names. The Waterboy or our own Kevin Costner provided the vision and the drive. "Build it and they will come". Calling on all of his resources he lead the charge and put in a man of the match performance. Delivery wasn't until 1.30pm, a little later than expected, but he delivered. Just like the Gateway duplication the Waterboy duplicated the "H" so that it was hard to distinguish between field 1 and field 2.

We had specialists there. Wilson showed a flair for painting lines, Old Man Dann knew how to put pegs in, Lucky 13 and Bec took out football posts and put soccer posts together like professionals, Chopper got drinks and the Waterboy conducted. The first time Tiger Meatheads and Tiger Silvertails would play side by side would happen on the coming Saturday. Everyone was excited.

You couldn't get a park on game day. The president was right. You need to provide facilities for the burgeoning number of supporters making the weekend trek to the 'H' to watch entertaining football. The Waterboy was right. Build it and they will come. They came and they came in numbers.

The fields were dressed and the two teams huddled separately but not too far away from each other. They were there to enjoy the moment.

The officials were confused. "Which one is one and which one is two?" Looking at two the referee said "this must be one". This made the waterboy happy. Not only does he have a fetish for nets, soccer, fishnets and any netted material, he knows all about water and rehydration therapy but he is especially proud of his deep knowledge and understanding of the measurement and angles on a football field. He had been the architect of the field and the referee acknowledged the production of the duplication project.

So Meatheads played on two and the Silvertails competed on one.

The team picked itself.

The stallion, Sammy was only good to limp the line and erect the marquee. His calf still had not recovered enough for him to take the field.

Bresciano was on the card but was not there for the kick off. When you're a striker you have to maintain an image. Think of all the strikers that are any good, they look after themselves. And Bresciano was unavailable to take the field due to maintenance on the pearly whites. When you put the ball in the back of the net the smile must be good enough for the TV cameras to capture it. Or, at the 'H', for the crowd to go wild at the sight of those perfectly aligned and glowing white enamel munchers. You have to get your priorities right and Bresciano needed to ensure the teeth were in the right shape.

Alby was making his first appearance. Alby showed so much promise at training now was his chance to show what he has.

Therefore the coach picked the starting eleven.

McStar
Clean
Mad Dog
Quads
Myles
Ronnie
Dunk
Ranger
Alby
Versatility
Thespian

On the bench was Wilson and Bresciano.

The game plan was simple. Pass the ball and play the beautiful game called football. Move it around and run the old blokes from West End into the ground.

The first ball to be played on field 2 at the "H" was taken by the Meatheads on Saturday April 28. History had been made.

The tussle in the first half was obvious. Tigers ran towards the school buildings end and the end of the proposed canteen (you can't hold back our President he is always thinking of the future needs of the fans). The pace was frantic and the old blokes were struggling. The young legs of the Tigers was proving to be of concern to the West End boys and early favorites for the wooden spoon, Division 6, 2007. Ronnie was fighting for control of the mid field and the backs, under the leadership of Mr. Clean were impenetrable. Versatility showed some early form and Alby slotted into the team as if he had been playing there all season.

The first opportunity came within the first twenty minutes and a free was awarded outside the perfectly measured eighteen yard box, inside the West End half. The thespian stepped up to take the kick regardless of the calls from the sideline for the Ranger to take the kick. The thespian was Hungary. He had options just inside the eighteen with some height taking position for the header. The thespian surprised the crowd by taking a measured kick over the wall that floating nicely into the space between the 6 and 18 yard box, the red zone. The defender went up to put the ball out but didn't go up far enough. The depth touch of the one of the best finishers in the game (exaggerated as fuel for a positive self esteem is essential for all strikers) and he connected with the rear of the cranium to place it strategically into the back of the net. 1 - 0 and the Meatheads were on the way.

Ranger found the new piece of turf very satisfying. Known for putting the ball into an attacking position, either with the throw or with the foot, the flanker was running amuck. With pinpoint accuracy he put the ball on the noggin of Wilson and any other willing player. A corner was unlucky to yield greater returns and a trademark throw, again finding Wilson, should have paid more.

Ronnie and Dunk controlled the space in the middle. Becoming more comfortable with the responsibility of determining the shape of the game both players were playing well. Dunk continued the form from the previous week. Myles ran himself into the ground in the first with a defensive effort that Clean would be proud of.

As the first half was drawing to a conclusion the opposing keeper got his marching orders due to the uttering of those words deemed unacceptable on a football field in the Queensland Christian Soccer Association. The game was Tigers to take.

In the second Bresciano injected himself and his teeth with determination. Alby succumbed to a chronic ankle, calf, knee, hip injury. He joined the stallion on the sideline and the meatheads had 12 to see the game out.

The second goal came early in the second half. After a tussle inside the box the ball falls free for Bresciano to finish. The left foot finds the back of the net for Tigers to take victory. The pearly whites beamed. The crowd went into hysterics as the newly polished teeth blinded them.

On the other pitch the Silvertails came from a nil nil half time score to run over the top of the visitors to take a 4 - 0 victory and claim first spot.

On the 'H' number 2 the Meatheads put a second victory together to take them to fifth on the table, ahead of Rosewood, St Catherine's and West End.

Mansfield and Sunnybank have got over the top of the Tigers this season but have not displayed enough to take the silverware. Experience and youth has given them a slight edge. Blackstone and Qld Fiji are the only teams not to confront the mighty Tigers. Blackstone, undefeated, have had a dream run and Qld Fiji come up against the Meatheads this weekend. Queensland Fiji are capable of scoring and conceding goals while Blackstone don't know much about conceding.

Round 5 is an important round. Blackstone play Sunnybank in the top of the table clash while Qld Fiji play Tigers (3 versus 5). This is our opportunity to move into the four and stake out a top four position.

What happened to Rosewood? 12 - 2 would indicate less than eleven on the field. All goes well for St. Catherine's who challenge Rosewood this weekend.


No surprises except for Sunnybank.



Regards

Wilson

Meathead Profiles- John

Name JOHN
Favourite Position AT THE BAR
Occupation WORK! WHAT ME? NO NEVER!
Nickname(s) RANGER, CASHY, TANGO
Best Attribute MY WIFE AND CHILDREN
Need to work on SINKING MORE PISS

Your having a dinner party and you can invite 4 Guest Dead or alive Who and Why?

JC, EVERYONE NEEDS WALLART

EL CAPITANO, TO COOK THE BBQ

JULIAN CLARY, WHAT A SWEETY

PETE BEST, POOR BASTARD HAVE PITY

What music Pumps you up before a match? ITS RAINING MEN
Other sports who enjoy watching and participating in OTHER SPORTS? I DON’T THINK I LIKE YOUR TONE, AM PARTIAL TO HORIZONTAL SLAM DANCING

Favourite Football (soccer) team? 1x o/s 1xAus NOT PICKY AS LONG AS IT ISN’T WEST HAM UNITED, SYDNEY OLYMPIC AND ANYONE PLAYING THE ROAR

Kylie Or Paris? BOTH…………… CHAINED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN GOOD START, DON’T BE A HATER!

With the high wages the Meatheads pay you to play for us, what type of car you drive? COMMODORE, MGB

Scruncher or a folder of Loo paper? FOLD IN HALF THEN HALF AGAIN, WIPE THEN FOLD IN HALF……….


Whats the best thing about being a meathead? WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT HIS BROTHER??!!

Allstar Team- 442 has to include 1x Aleague Player, 2x Meatheads I WAS UNAWARE THAT AUS. HAD PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS, DON’T THEY ALL GO O/S? BUT FOR THE TIGER COMPONENT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE JEREMY AND JEREMY

The Wilson Report - Meatheads 2 Sunnybank 4

The heartbreaker of the season.
Coming off defeats at the hands of Rosewood and Mansfield the Meatheads needed to secure a victory over Sunnybank at the 'H' to move back into the top 4. Well to move into the top 4. Alas it was not going to be. This game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. The game the referee awarded 5 penalties, the game that we had 13 and needed them all, and the game that took us to second on the table albeit at the wrong end of the ladder.
Remember the 7 all draw at Yandina Park or the 1 - 0 victory over Gordon Park with 10 men? Well add to the list the game we played Sunnybank and there were 5 penalties awarded. And I don't mean a penalty shootout at the end of the game.
To help you all appreciate the situation I have looked up the meaning of penalty. This will provide us with clarity of decision making by the referee.This will help us understand how a referee can determine the outcome of a game all by him or herself as there were only two other goals in the game, one each team. The Tigers goal was a beauty with Dunk receiving the ball from an opposition goal kick, taking control and then delivering a perfect ball to the Thespian who only had the keeper to beat. He thought about it for what seemed an eternity but completed with a copybook finish. The Sunnybank goal was a fluke. Mad Dog scrambled in defense making substantial ground, as he always does. He lunged and the ball took a deflection causing McStar to change direction and the ball slipped past him. I liked ours much more.

But back to the definition of penalty

pen·al·ty (pĕn'əl-tē)
Sports.
a. A punishment, handicap, or loss of advantage imposed on a team or competitor for infraction of a rule. b. An infraction of a rule; a foul.
Keep this in mind. The punishment was the awarding of three free shots at goal to Sunnybank. I will not call the referee bias but I will label him as inexperienced at best and inept at worst. I will walk you through the events.
Penalty number 1 ( 20 minutes approx.)Myles defending in the box shouldered with their number nine. Man on man, both challenging for the ball and the referee blew the whistle. Both teams looked bemused. The infraction was determined to be an illegal tackle on their forward. Tough call.Number 4, a right footer, goes left and places it in the back of the net. Penalty number 2 (23 minutes approx.)Mick defending in the box went up with their number nine contesting for the ball. A fifty fifty ball where the number nine does a perfect milk of the penalty (I think he was genuinely embarrassed when it was awarded) and the referee awarded a penalty for a push in the back. Mick was found with his hands in the wrong position and the striker milked it for all he could. They say age and wisdom accompany each other. Another tough call.Number 4, the captain, goes left and places it in the back of the net.Penalty number 3 (35 minutes approx.)I had my back to the action but their number 5 walked away shaking his head. Number 5 described the event in a similar fashion to the first penalty awarded.Jeremy, self elected penalty taker, goes straight and the keeper saves it.Penalty number 4 (55 minutes)A cross from the right wing at pace found Mick's right arm as he scurried in defense. Inside the box, a penalty. Very unlucky but I could not contest this one.Number 4, looking for a hatrick, goes left and places it in the back of the net.Penalty number 5 (85 minutes)Rhys is brought down inside the box by the captain (number 4). A blatant foul.Rhys, after practicing on Wednesday night, goes right and places in the back of the net. A perfect shot.
Five infringements, four goals. Sorry Bresciano.
This five penalty count got me reflecting on my long and illustrious career. I tried to stir up a memory of a time in my life where I heard of five being awarded in a game. Did I play in game previously where this happened, outdoor or indoor? Did I watch a game on the TV or read something. Did one of the Walsh boys remember such a time. I came up with nil, nothing, no memory. I suppose you could say my memory is fading but wouldn't you remember such an event? The Waterboy was flabbergasted. I rang Diesel, the second eldest, as he has a memory like an elephant, but he couldn't remember. He suggested I write a book about it (family joke inserted). I didn't bother Neville Hornery or Little Peter because they don't remember much at all.
I googled the internet and confused the search engine. Penalties amounting to five is what occurs to separate two teams locked together at full time. Five infringements in a game is well documented. But five penalties during a match is as confusing to me as it is for the game of football worldwide. Unless, of course someone can find something I can't. Now there's a challenge.
There were injuries. This proved to be one of those games where the playing list was fully utilised and the depth of talent was explored to it's fullest.
Before the game an SOS was received from the Waterboy, who was reduced to 11 as Samson called in crook. Fifteen before kickoff and a desire to get the Meatheads back on track resulted in a negative from Bresciano and the other boys. This would prove to be the best decision of the day.
Injury number 1 (7 minutes)
Only seven minutes in, with the meatheads playing extraordinary football, Sam, the stallion, gets a kick to the calf. He falls like a tree in the forest, did anyone hear it? He is aided from the field and would take no further part in the game. Dunk is on the pitch.
Injury number 2 (10 minutes)
Ten minutes in Versatility gets sent from the field by the referee under the blood rule. Andy takes an elbow to the face in the early stages of the game. Wilson finds himself out there early.
Injury number 3 (30 minutes)
At the 30 minute mark the Ranger contests a fifty fifty ball with number 5 (4 maybe). The opposition leans all over him, belts him with an elbow and the Ranger crashes. His broken shoulder and head hit the ground hard. Wilson, Thespian and the referee get to him first. Delirious from the fall Ranger, first, is lost for words. But it didn't take long for the Ranger to return with some words of encouragement for his opponent. I think it went something like this, "F.... you, f.... f....f....I will f.... break your f.... f.... f.... f....". We knew the Ranger was right to continue when we heard those encouraging words. It didn't matter if he was concussed he'd be back. But did the referee have other ideas?
The referee drew and held the red card in hand ready to let it rip while the ranger lay motionless on the pitch. Then an extraordinary thing happened. Two teams locked in battle, realising the referee was adding little value to what was a good and entertaining contest, intervened. There was a five minute intensive battle. The debate raged and the persuasive powers of none other than number 4 (the captain of the Sunnybank Saints) began to win the referee over. He started he question his decision given the weight of numbers clearly worked against him. Finally the referee retracted the red, pulled out a yellow and was content that the ranger was sitting on the bench for a while. Who would have thought?
Another gutsy effort from the boys but no points again.
Round 4 sees the following results
ROUND 4 - 21st April, 2007

Interestingly Rosewood and Mansfield play a 0 - 0 draw and St Catherine's win their first for the season. And St Cathy's push us into second last spot.

This week we host West End at home and we are in desperate need of a win. Consequently there is no training this week for the meatheads. For those inclined you can train with the Silvertails.

We play at home of field number 1 at the 'H' and the Silvertails are playing next to us on field 2 at the 'H'. I like it. This will allow us to play whoever we want on whatever field simultaneously. That should keep the referees on their game.

For now I bid you farewell.

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day. Take it easy and think of those who really went to battle. "Lest we forget".

See you Saturday.

Wilson

PS. Current nicknames are

Trent McStar
Mick Clean
Brad Mad Dog
Steve Quads
Myles Slippery, Giles, Red, ????
Duncan Dunk
Rob Ronnie
Andrew Versatility
John Ranger
Rhys Thespian
Sam Stallion
Jeremy Bresciano
Chris Wilson

Are we happy or can we do better?

Meatheads Caption Competion

Leave your caption ideas in the comments

This picture from our game against Mansfield

The Wilson Report Meatheads 1 Mansfield 3

Mansfield V Tigers Rnd 3 Pictures

Round 3
April 14
3.00pm
Whites Hill 2

Mansfield v Tigers

The venue was unusual but not unfamiliar. Normally the home of the Holland Park Hawks, the Mansfield club had the game transferred to the "old dump" given the works to Weedon Street. Apparently toxic chemicals had been oozing to the surface of the field for years and finally some work had to be done to remove the toxins and lay new grass. Therefore the game was transferred to Whites Hill, where toxic material had been oozing to the surface for years which had to be removed and new grass had to be laid.

New grass may have been laid but water had not been used in the process. The freshly laid surface was all but dead and within little time, if no rain is to fall, it should return to the grassless uneven dirt pitch that we are all used to at Whites Hill.

Games at 1.00pm and 3.00pm for Div 5 and Div 6 respectively ensured the utilisation of the playing list for both matches. Bresciano warmed the bench for the Waterboy and Lucky 13 and Sprinter sat on the bench for Wilson.

Round 3 was the first match since the short break for Easter. Most of the squad had used the opportunity to rest niggling injuries and work on fitness. Wilson had declared himself unavailable due to a chronic, ongoing, debilitating, potentially career ending back ailment. He contemplated playing after seeking medical assistance on Friday but wisely decided, with the help of another, to rest for the week. But he was still on 'Guv' duty.

As always, the return from the break was greeted with general malaise and much disorganisation. Perhaps the most difficult decision was deciding where to set down the huddle. On the concrete pad, on the grass, under the tree, down the hill, at the club house, near the Mansfield mob? It was too difficult and the huddle was extended and stretched 4.25 metres wider in diameter to ensure all needs were catered for.

The team was back and they were happy.

McStar, their leader, looked trim after the layoff. Mr and Mrs McStar were proudly displaying photographs of the next generation of Tiger.

Scottish Steve was back from his break in Cairns (negotiated as part of his contract deal).

Clean and Mad Dog were in a mood. Coming off a last minute defeat against Rosewood at home the enforcers were not keen to concede today.

Myles, Dunk and Rob (Ronnie) Ibbs were ready for the 90 minute toil in the middle.

Ranger, who at training on Wednesday suggested he was well rested. He had another new theory. If he smoked more and didn't train but watched then he would conserve energy for the weekend. Would it prove to be effective?

Versatility, also a strong advocate of the no train policy, looked fit and ready to play.

The Thespian and Sammy were looking ominous. The thespian had one request 'Give me the last shirt out of the bag Wilson, I don't care that it's 120cm, I need the last shirt out'.

Bresciano and Sprinter arrived from a passionate game at the 'H' and warmed the bench. Lucky 13 was still on his way.

With all the administrative work managed the official blew time on. Unfortunately no chance for the coach to set down the game plan. A last ditch effort resulted in an instruction from the coach to do what the team knew best, play football. The blokes knew what to do and where to go.

Tactics derived at rehydration therapy after training on Wednesday night was not executed. Who forgot the Aussie bible? (and by the way who forgot the photos of Trent and Sharon's wedding?).

The team took to the field with each step the players sank into the sandy base topped with dead grass. Three officials this week.

There were so many omens.

The Tigers ran towards Boundary Street and into the sun. No wind to speak of and a particularly warm afternoon.

In the early stages of the game the Mansfield mob employed their own tactics. They didn't just talk well they spoke in a strange tongue. Greek, Lebanese, Italian? Hey does anyone know what they are saying? The passing game was used well by the home team and they had speed to burn up front, particularly number 5.

The visitors picked up from where they left off last week. They were under seize. The early raid was staved off effectively, albeit not the most glamorous to watch. The home side had a nice short passing game. The defense is now a strategic capability of the Tigers. The best scrambling defense in the competition. McStar, used to putting his body on the line, was called into the action early. Four minutes in, he came off his line early, hesitated and came again. He moved quickly and never for one second did he flinch. Bodies fell, McStar sprung to his feet, the striker crippled by the tackle laid stunned and the referee (known as the kid) pulled a yellow from his pocket. The first for the day.

Now, as a defender, you always dream of being one of the show ponies up front. The glory boys that the girls fall over to get their attention. Other than hacking down the opposition forward on game day or hacking your own forward at training there is nothing quite like a defender finding the back of the net. That opportune time, at training, where the central defender leaves the comfort of the baseline and shimmies through the feeble defense provided by the forwards to secure a pearler or that ball that is crossed from the wing and a short sharp near post header (forget the far post, that is too easy) will always get the attention of the rest of the team. But nothing is quite like the feeling of an excellent execution at the wrong end of the field. Wearing his shorts high on his quadriceps, the Scottsman made substantial ground, blocking the path of the ball from the wing to the centre of the box and stylishly headed the cross with intent. The intent was over the bar, but much to the chagrin of McStar and the team it went in. It was a pearler. It was a goal. It was Mansfield 1 Tigers 0.



The second followed shortly afterwards. Down the opposite wing the Mansfield boys used the park well. They flooded the attack down Mad Dog's wing and the visitors were out numbered. It was a nice finish and Mansfield went two up.

This was the jolt the Tigers needed.

The interchange bench was used incessantly as the coach attempted to provide fresh legs in attack. And it was starting to happen. The battle for the midfield was hot. Mansfield, the early victors, found some able and willing toilers. Ronnie, Dunk, Myles, Thespian, Bresciano, Sprinter, Lucky 13, Ranger were all used. The confusion was evident, but very effective. The tigers had no idea who was playing where and Mansfield had no idea who to mark. The strategy was working.

The pressure was building. Raid after raid, as the momentum of the game began to swing. Versatility found space, Sammy caused chaos and the Thespian got one on his left with only the keeper to beat. Just wide.......!

Ronnie, after being rested, was put back in the game in the unfamiliar position of flanker. I think he liked the freedom. He soon unleashed the best shot of the game. Twenty five metres out and weaving his magic he had a look and unleashed the beast. The big right foot took everyone by surprise. It dipped and swung but just wide again.

You could feel something was about to happen. Ranger, who was working overtime and beleiving in his theory, got the ball in his hands for the throw in. In line with the 18 yard box he wound up. As usual he looked for his opportunities summed it up and let rip. The thespian went up, but not far enough. The defender went up, but not far enough but connected. A nice back header and for the second time today a defender had found the back of the net.

Mansfield 2 Tigers 1

In the huddle at half time the coach reassured the lads that the game was theirs to take. He diagnosed the half but got confused about what happened at what time and for how long. Having said that, it was inspirational.

The second half was a tussle and the Tigers controlled early. Composure in the backline and a well rested team was essential for victory. Ranger was playing out of his skin in the central midfield. The hypothesis had been proven. Smoke, watch and execute is a good formula. With 15 left on the clock the Thespian again found himself in space, this time on the right. Two players closing down on him and the keeper to beat the thespian didn't even contemplate a pass. He lent over the ball contorted his body to get the angle right and let rip. The keeper reflects would suffice. The best opportunity of the second half proved to be fruitless.

With not much left on the clock the mighty Tigers would concede one more time. The final score Mansfield 3 Tigers 1.

The results for round 3 are as below

Rosewood down, St Catherine's down, West End down and Tigers down.

The table was predictable

Tigers have slipped into the bottom half of the ladder due to a 2 to 1 loss/win ratio.

It is only early and the season is before us.

This week we have Sunnybank at home at 1.00pm. I like this home, home, away.

A good turn out for training and a good session. Strategy has been developed and we will get plenty of opportunity to execute this weekend. So remember consume plenty of carbs and hydrate well. Even go for a light jog tomorrow morning and you'll be right for the game. If that doesn't work for you try the alternative. Watch the Kangaroos touch up the Kiwis and drink your Friday night quota.

Cheers

Wilson