A Message

In the interests of sending a clear message, I would like to get some things out-of-the-way. Could little Gazza and Mark Thompson please stop the charade. The rest of us have moved on and are focusing on Christmas and the new year. This is last season’s news!

Now on to much better information. I sent away for some fantastic cats gear via the Cats Shop website. I got an umbrella, ears and Cats santa. They are nestled under my tree. The santa is standing up near the TV and scaring all the visitors.

What I liked most about the surprise in the mail was that the Cats shop included some free wrapping paper. My presents are  coordinated this year.

Santa and I

A Turn Up For The Books

No, Gary has not decided to do a 360 and come back to Geelong. ‘Packed To The Rafters hasn’t bombed in the ratings. The Collingwood football club has not decided to stop illiterate people from becoming members.

It is something even more startling. Jeff Kennett has actually made sense!

Yes you read that correctly. The Hawthorn president has come out and said how silly Mark Thompson was about the way he left Geelong. He believes there was a lack of honesty by saying he was burnt out when he clearly was off to Essendon.

I am still in a state of shock.

 

Jeff

 

 

It’s In My DNA, Is It In Yours?

Whilst searching for teaching jobs this morning, I thought it was about time that I check back with the Geelong Cats website. I like how they have included the video section this year. I stumbled upon a new video for the 2011 membership campaign entitled: “It’s in our DNA, is it in yours?” Picture yourself in a football science lesson.Your teacher is q familiar voice over guy who is going to do a one minute presentation on Geelong Cats supporters’ DNA. Who would have thought their blood was blue and white? Words like passion and loyalty flash up on the screen.

I applaud this angle for the 2011 membership drive. The club has not been out of the news in recent weeks with Gary Ablett, Mark “Bomber” Thompson and McCartney leaving. I think the ad is a great way to get the true Geelong supporters to sign up once again. It’s like the old saying ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” The proud supporters will not be thinking of what we have lost, but the exciting future that is ahead with young guns and new coaching blood.

Check it out at:

http://www.geelongcats.com.au/cats%20tv/tabid/7942/contentid/304781/default.aspx

That’s A WRAP

The AFL season has well and truly wrapped up.  This is the first week with no games and I am really feeling it. What on earth is there to do on the weekends?  In the off-season I turn to my other hobbies for much-needed entertainment.

I have enjoyed reading about trade week. The cats have kept it really quiet. The club is probably looking forward to what they will get after Gary has gone to the Gold Coast. I think it was excellent forward planning to make sure they got adequate compensation for the best player in the game.

Uncertain times without footy

I Just Had To Get It ;)

What A Morning!

I knew it was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier to deal with. Earlier this morning I woke up and checked Twitter. Caroline Wilson had called 3AW to announce Gary Ablett was indeed off to the Gold Coast Suns for reportedly close to 10 million over 5 years.

I cannot wait to talk to dad about it. He will probably say “so what!” Players or coaches for that matter who switch clubs aren’t really a problem. Dad’s always been a player fan and not a team fan. He mastered the art of following Barassi.

Earlier in the week, he mentioned how he had been to the last Grand Final draw. I couldn’t work out why he would have attended; Collingwood were playing North Melbourne. A man who is so careful with his money must have had a pretty good reason to pay for the ticket price. The answer was revealed: dad went along to see his hero, Ron Barassi, lead the kangaroos to glory.

The Brownlow

The Brownlow is not the greatest viewing experience of the year.  Somehow there are things that bring you back year after year. I believe that the “Brownlow hooks” are the frocks, facial expressions and firsts.

Every year the coverage starts with the red carpet arrivals ( oops make that the BLUE carpet arrivals). I sit there in awe of the WAGs beautiful dresses. My pick for best dressed goes to Jimmy’s girl ( Nadia) and Gary’s s girl ( Lauren). Maybe I’m just a little bit biased, but I am sure you would agree that they looked stunning. Lauren was so Audrey Hepburn with the classic strapless black gown. I just adored the hair that I like to call the mini bee hive. Bring back the up do!

But what made Lauren so faultless on the carpet was not only her brilliant fashion taste, but the way she handled the media. Liz Ellis quizzed her about going to the Gold Coast. As if she had been blessed by the ladylike gods, she responded with “I wish we had a dollar for everything someone as asked us that.” Gary, get the girl a role as your PR manager.

From one favourite part of the night to another… the facial expressions really set the room on fire! Just when things were heating up around round 17, Mr Eddie MC, looked distraught at the prospect of Dawn Swan NOT winning the Brownlow. Dearie me! I believe that every non Collingwood supporter got a deep sense of satisfaction from seeing his face.

Yes, Eddie, no one saw that tidal wave coming…not even the Collingwood punters. It sure was one hell of a first for Judd to get a second Brownlow. I believe the tribe has spoken and the results speak for themselves. 

Gary Ablett and Lauren Phillips were the best dressed ( photo from Geelong Advertiser).

‘That Just Hurt All Over.’

The best way to describe how I am feeling right now is crushed. Rove said it best last week about his team Fremantle’s loss that ‘he just hurt all over.’

Thanks to the Twitter folk and great close friends, I am looking on the brightside. @itsninty said that they will bounce back and just like winning premierships in odd years .

In closing, I would just like to send a message to Gary.If I don’t see you in the blue and white hoops again, then you sure as hell had a great swan song. You are a true champion. Thanks for the memories.

Until next year…don’t lose the spirit .

Cheers For The Blue And White

The night started out poorly. We arrived on time, but couldn’t find our seats. Thankfully, we were not alone; there were plenty of people who came in at the same time.

I blame V-Line, Yellow Cabs and Yarra trams for this footy stuff up. Collectively they made a number of supporters VERY unhappy. Is it too much to ask for reliable service?

The night just got better from there ( much to my relief)! We were treated to a stellar match. I think it was the perfect follow up to the bulldogs match. It sent the message that Geelong is not to be messed with in the lead up to September. The JPod had a brilliant game. Thank god for the cats that have given him the time he needs to hit his stride. Ablett as always had a great finish. He gave the team much needed goals to strengthen the winning margin.

But the best part was starting a chant in the socialclub area. We had a horrible Carlton cheer squad to compete with just to the left of us. The crowd got together with us and yelled a fierce GEELONG (clap,clap,clap)!

Bring on next week at Skilled. It’s going to be a great match just before September.

Gazza And Lauren Are BACK TOGETHER!!

I woke to the news that Ablett Junior and his long time girlfriend are back together! The tweet went like this: catsman09 gary ablett has officially got back together with long term and geelong resident Lauren Phillips…..goood news for #cats .  I think the tweet is backed up by the fact that a source has confirmed what Geelong fans have known for ages http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/07/30/196041_news.html 

 This is a positive sign that he will stay in Geelong. Please say it is so Gary!