An interesting Footy Day

Chambo Off To Work We Go wrote:Yesterday was a very interesting day in a Footy sense.

Given that the Blues played Friday Night - to which I didn't go, (luckily) due to another engagement, I took the opportunity on Saturday to look at other games.

Not sanfl league games, however, but 3 games of "grass roots" footy.

Starting at 8:30am I went and watched my lad play year 10 footy for St Micks v Immanuel. For the benefit of How the West Was Won, I am pleased to report that we trounced them to the tune of 100 points. The pleasing thing (at least for our boys) was that they played a disciplined brand of footy using the corridor at every opportunity.

Then went all the way south to Noarlunga to watch the U16 Port v South match.
Why you might ask? Well my lad (same one) is a boundary umpire and was doing that match.

That was a very good standard of game. Fairly free flowing and some lads showed very good skill levels in their endeavour. Was close all game, but when South challenged in the last qtr to get within 3 points, the Port boys steadied and kicked on to win by 30 points. Always interesting watching lads at this age in the various stages of both physical and skill development.

Interestingly, most of these boys would have been about the same age as my lad in the school footy game. He goes to school with one or two of them. Much different level of intensity in the U16 game however. You would expect that as this is the upper end of the school, saafl club, sanfl club footy continuum.

And lastly, travelled all the way back to Largs Bay to watch the Div 1 amateur game between Port Districts and Broadview.

That was probably the scrappiest game of them all. However, Broadview were a class above Port Districts and won by about 6 goals. Given the Showdown and the Port/South game at Alberton, there was a reasonable crowd there. Reckon about 750 - 1000ish.

Some folk take this very seriously. Near us was a group of what I would (without disrespect) call elderly supporters. Talk about set-up! They had the chairs and card table, the scones and tea. The rugs, the radio listening to the showdown intently. The knitting also came out. Good on them too. Obviously from the Broady clansfolk, and vocal with it too. I guess you could say they epitomised your fervent grass roots supporter.

It was an interesting day from the perspective of the layering and tiering of local footy competition and most noticeably the immensely important people who put their hand up to;
- run the water
- cook the BBQ
- be the interchange stewards (has to be the most boring job in footy!) - hats off to them
- make the teas and coffees
- be the strappers
and about a hundred other thankless jobs.

To all of you, I dips me lid! Big love to every one of them.