“That’s Ambitious.”
This weekend was Amanda’s turn to escape the clutter of London town.
It was also my first game for the mighty Solna Axemen, with a practice match against cross-country rivals the Karlstad Dragons.
The beautiful springtime weather took a break, and we had cold, blustery conditions reminiscent of Winter in Victoria.
Heading into the match we were under-strength, but still confident.
Given my immense understanding of the game of Australian Rules Football (sure I’ve seen plenty of games, but I’ve PLAYED all of two seasons in my life – when I was 14…) the team saw fit to throw me in the backline.
I didn’t think I was quite built to be a defender, but I was determined to give it everything regardless.
We warmed up, went through the game plan, and ran out to our positions.
Then Karlstad ran out to their positions.
I was sort of hoping some short, medium-paced forward-pocket type player would come and line up on me. But alas the Dragons felt like having a laugh, and when my opponent ran over I had to do a double-take.
For a second I thought this guy was lining up on me:
(Vulcan from TV’s Gladiators!)
I was so outsized and outmuscled that it may as well have been.
It soon became obvious that his biceps were bigger than my head, and after I tried to smother his kick only to get a boot in the hip, then try and hip & shoulder him only to bounce off him like a rubber ball, our fullback Niklas put me out of my misery and took over the duel.
That, of course, meant I had to play full-back.
I don’t QUITE remember seeing a 176cm full-back ever run out onto the MCG, but I was so fired up just to be playing my first game I gave it everything I could.
In the end everything was sadly nowhere near enough. Despite some third-quarter heroics, the reigning premiers got a lesson in football from the vastly-underrated boys from Karlstad.
Karlstad Dragons 93 def. Solna Axemen 55
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We spent the rest of the weekend wandering around the city, with Amanda taking in the beauty of Stockholm and me complaining about how tight my hammies were.
A trip to the world’s 7th best market hall, a reunion with Iron Boy, photo shoot at City Hall, and some drinks in a very swish bar overlooking the Old Town.
The ugliest fish in the world. Amanda was impressed.
Australia! (Why it’s being advertised eight months before it’s premiere I have no idea…)
“Jog it off Parker!!”
