A long Easter wait

by ANDREW STARKIE

ROUND ONE is always important: membership, confidence, positive media feedback. Round one 2008 is like a final. North Melbourne has refused the AFL's request to die and Essendon is emerging bold yet apprehensive from the Sheedy and Hird shadows. Both clubs need a win.

I spend Easter at home in Warrnambool, chasing up North friends yet to buy their memberships. Dad's a Bomber - an uncle brainwashed my sisters and I early - so the atmosphere in the house is a bit edgy. Holy Thursday to Easter Monday is a long time to wait for a game of footy.

Monday morning, the drive back to Melbourne is sunny and excited. Dom, an Essendon mate, is talking it up. 'We have a successful history. We will rise again and it starts today.' Typical Bomber. At $1.48 a litre, the least he could have done is offer to help pay when I fill up. Typical Bomber.

We arrive at Telstra Dome at 1.30pm. I don't like Telstra Dome - you can't smell the grass. The roof is inexplicably closed and the walkways are dark and filled with more Essendon than North. A fact of life for Kangaroo supporters. Get me to my seat. Bring it on. Come on you Rooboys.

Dom sits with other Warrnambool Bombers on level one and I reunite with North cousins, Elise and Paul, on level two. We're nervous and relieved. The first game is finally here and footy unites us.

The first quarter begins well for North. Surer skills and stronger bodies weather the early intensity. Two goals each to the returning Thompson and crumber Thomas, who replaces Jones after a collision with Thompson, open a threatening lead. Grant, Simpson, Harvey and debutante Scott Thompson also begin well. North is looking good with Essendon appearing overawed. Fifteen points up at quarter time.

More goals to Thompson and Thomas open up a 27-point lead early in the second quarter. The margin should be greater with North hitting the post twice. 'Looking good. Let's see if they can put 'em away', I whisper to Paul. Thankfully the Bombers around us didn't hear me.

Every game of footy has a 'crunch time' - a moment when the contest is in the balance. The team that reacts better, seizes the initiative, wins the game. For Essendon, 'crunch time' comes with a knee injury to Lucas who lands awkwardly after flying for a pack mark. His departure places the pressure on captain Lloyd as his team's only marking forward. Despite a limited preseason, Lloyd proves why few sportspeople should be bestowed the title of champion.

Lloyd plays a perfect captain's game providing a leading, marking target for his team mates whose confidence grows on the back of their leader's inspiring efforts. Essendon is looking quicker and more skilled than North, stunned by its opponents' decisiveness. McVeigh, Ramanauskas and Watson are running strongly out of defence and through the centre. Houli and Slattery are closing down and running off Harvey and Grant. Delivery into the forward line improves and through Lloyd and Lovett-Murray Essendon kicks the final six goals for the quarter to lead by seven points at half-time.

During the break, I meet up with Dom and a few Warrnambool Kangaroos. We shake our heads and puff our cheeks in disbelief. Dom wears a cheeky grin. 'We've got ya.' Smally gives me a reassuring look. 'We'll be right, mate. Shinboner spirit.'

I return to my seat late for the start of the third quarter, however, it is enough time for Lloyd to continue Essendon's unbroken scoring run. Coach Laidley swaps Firrito for the more athletic Gibson, however, Lloyd continues, kicking and supplying goals for team mates. With McPhee and Hille outrunning Watt and McIntosh, Essendon carries on and opens up a 44-point lead by three quarter time. Essendon has scored 15 out of 16 goals.

Watching the huddle at the last change, I wonder if Laidley is addressing North's fragility at 'crunch time'; or our lack of speed and adaptability; or that we are top heavy across half-forward. Hale is a ruckman, not a centre half forward. Edwards doesn't know where he is supposed to be. I can't help think of last season's preliminary final.

The intensity of the contest is gone early in the last quarter. Essendon continues to move the ball effortlessly past their opponents who look tired and discouraged. Obviously enjoying the moment, debutante coach Knights shifts defender Fletcher forward. Fletcher thanks his coach by converting a set shot from outside 50 metres.

Essendon kicks four goals to two for the quarter to finish convincing 55-point winners. A great start to a new era for the Bombers who produced the speed, skill and fitness they have been telling everyone about all Summer.

Leaving the ground, the phone calls and text messages start from Bombers enjoying their first win against North since 2001. I upset Dad by hanging up on him, but hey, footy's back, this is serious. The worst thing about losing to Essendon is that we only play them once a year and have to wait until next season to pay them back.

It's only round one, early days. Come on, you Rooboys.

28 March 2008

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The home of North Melbourne. Photo by Les Everett.

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