Bali Geckos Vs Darwin Waratahs, March 20th 2010 // Thu, 01 Apr 10
On Saturday the Bali Geckos shook off the off-season cobwebs to take on NTFL heavyweights the Darwin Waratahs in front of a record home crowd. Exactly how many punters were on hand to watch the mighty blue and green? Well, picture the Great Southern Stand at the MCG. Now, imagine the bar area under Row 18, and the men’s toilet off to the side of that. About that many!
The Geckos were missing some of the their usual stars. Gunny was away. Gunny was in Hong Kong. Gunny wasn’t in Bali. Regardless, the no-gun Geckos took the field full of hope. Yes, hope is a nice word. And hope turned into some early possession on the field, as Rocco, Ging, Hinch, and the White Clown provided some forward impetus – hitting forwards, ‘Stewart Hendo and the Reverend Courts, on a couple of leads. To be fair, the Waratahs were dominant across all lines of play but the Geckos went into the first quarter break down only 3 goals.
The lads exchanged plenty of tactical and insightful words in the team huddle such as, “F@#$ it’s hot!” “F$#% they’re fast!”, and “F@#$, can we reduce it to just 5 minute quarters?” But by some divine miracle these words of inspiration worked, and the Geckos started the second term with a blast that’d make Peter North proud. The crusty old pearl farmer set the tone with a couple of strong overhead grabs, and some fast rebound footy which enabled Hendo and the Ging to score early. We were back in the hunt. The Waratahs looked confused, but alas we later discovered it wasn’t because of our dazzling footy, it was due to several of their players indulging in protein-shroom shakes prior to the opening bounce. That’s talent!
Later in the second term – the miracle snap, the foot of God, the goal heard in heaven by Courts wearing the jumper of Jesus (Bovell). An around the body snap from the dead pocket that wasn’t going anywhere near goal, that is until it bounced 90degress to score a major. (Look fellas, if you don’t want me to write about myself, then don’t ask me to write these match reports) Anyway, it proves Jesus does love me. I smell a sequel!
Half-time siren blew and we were down by 4 goals. The game was well within grasp. Coach Jesus Bovell had a game plan, and it went something like this: “Lads, let’s start the 3rd quarter like we finished the last.” Yes, simple but pure genius. No wonder he’s on the big bucks with operational strategic thinking like that. Anyway, his pithy words of wisdom worked and we did start the way we finished, f@#$ tired! But the engine room still carried forward. Hinch taking a strong grab under pressure, the contest knocking the ginger stuffing out of him, albeit only temporary. Rocco put on a picture postcard perfect tackle that earned him a set shot in front. Unfortunately, he chocked on the sitter, but at least we’ve found one rugby union player on god’s green planet that can lay on a tackle. Buffet was in the thick of the action, sneaking a great crumber’s goal. And Craig Walks, took a hang mark that brought the capacity crowd to its feet.
The Geckos went into the final quarter with just a two-goal deficit. Could we pull off the unthinkable? Could the Jamaican bobsledders of Asian football defeat a genuine state league footy team from Oz? The answer came back quickly: NO WE COULDN’T!! The away team turned on the afterburners and kicked a thousand in the final term. Marcus stood tall, before falling over repeatedly, and Lembongan Troy worked tirelessly in defense all day, despite a dodgy rib. Comically, coach Jesus dragged Marcus, only for some smart arse in the crowd to yell, “leave him out there, he needs the tan”
Anyway, a fantastic start to the new football year. A game played in great spirits, and one that no doubt helped increase the exposure of the Bali Geckos among expats and tourists alike. Augurs well for the Anzac Day Game in Borneo.