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Season Review

It was first game of the season and we were in front at half time against Eltham. At last it seemed we had turned the corner and could look forward to being competitive and win our share of games during the season. Alas it was not to be. We have been consistent in extending our losing streak to a record four seasons. Winning games remains an elusive dream but there is always next season….

Team cohesiveness was upset when coach, selector and trainer Graham Brown left his post to travel round Australia scattering his grandmothers’ ashes. Luckily Mike Maskery answered the call and took over the role. Some of his positional selections were truly inspirational. In the background, Borge Hishes our tireless financial and administrative guru aka Doug Hughes, has been at a secret training camp looking to come out of retirement. Perhaps we should start him as a junior water boy and let him work his way back into the team.

In fact the start of the year looked quite promising with two young wingers new to the game presenting at touch on Thursday nights. Enter David “Richo” Richardson and Carlo Fogale. This was a great relief to Dennis Collard because for years he has had to carry the team with his dashing runs and scintillating defence. Fast Eddie has been totally absorbed in his latest hobby of driving trains. Consequently, he was only to play in a few games this year and at on at least two occasions rushed off to catch the 3.22 from Belgrave. Another outstanding recruit was Ramon Geijels who has perfected the “one handed look the other way bullet”pass. Sadly we got short changed with the new boys’ contracts. Both Ramon and Carlo suffered season ending injuries after a couple of games. Richo scored in his first game, didn’t play the second game because he was going to a party and didn’t want to be too tired to enjoy the nights activities then had the audacity to piss off overseas. When he returned he did his ribs and was out until the last two games of the season. Hingi Marsh looking to play a full season played strongly in the centres but as he did his hamstring 13 times he decided he was a tad unlucky and ended his season early. Mike Railey similarly ended his season early as he over trained at touch on Thursday nights.

As to forward recruits two came along towards season’s end but Lee Thomas at breakaway and Dan Waters look the goods. Daniel Gaspic started in the backs but quickly realized his future was with the forwards when he scored a try playing at breakaway. The forwards still oozed class when Glenn Hill, Phil Hand and Jim Halls managed to played with us at the same time. Colin Read is still trying to work out whether he is a forward or a back. When is someone going to tell him he is neither and that we need a new water boy? Stuart Ramsden appears to have picked up some pace and Cameron Gardner executed quite a few damaging runs and pick and drives.up the centre. Rod Jones was a pillar of strength at prop. Pete Fuller put another 20 kilos onto his arse but still managed to be one of best attacking forwards and tacklers. David Selby Smith should be playing for Melbourne, Uni or Quins seeing he has a double barreled surname however he performed at the level of a single surname and fitted in well with our forwards.

We had many cameo performances this year from guys who wanted to know if they still had it. Sadly none of them did. At least they made up the numbers. Thank you to Pommie Paul, Jason McGregor, Jiff Reilly, Walshie, Tony Tennant, Graeme Featherstone, Nathan Banks, Kevin Sandells and Ant Balocca. Even Bryan Burdett ran on for several games doing his utmost to secure the exalted title of oldest ever Unquenchable player. His title is expected to be challenged when Walshie’s dad plays next season

Clive Welti again received too many knocks to the head. We know this is a fact as he suggested we do some drills instead of playing touch. We now know how to pass the ball but we still can’t tackle. At least half back was one position where we had two classy players namely Quinton Richie and Pete Collins. They both consistently turned up 5 minutes before the start of the game and missed out on the captain’s play strategy. Carl Ramage was another who had an excellent season making damaging runs up the centre and making many sound tackles.. The IQ of the forwards improved markedly when Chris Peugot moved to the forwards from centre and Francois Darcas maintained good form throughout the season. Chris Van de Merve kept threatening to play, managed a cameo performance, but wisely decided to time his comeback from injury until the defence of the South East Asian Cup in Phnom Penh in November.

Instead of holding our usual sponsors lunch at Krua Thai 2 Stuart Ramsden concocted a couple of curries which we ate before watching the 1XV at Box Hill on our bye day. It was a most successful event as we raised almost $700 for the club. Speaking of our sponsors we must mention Krua Thai 2, Frontline, Caledonian Smash Repairs and Resource Agility who have supported our team now over several years. Well done guys!

See you at the bar.

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