Re: 2009 Shute Shield
Interesting match but the big game was on at Rat Park. It wasn't all gloom and doom yesterday for yours truly as the Rats beat the Blue Filth Manly by 23-7 - a score which flattered the visitors.
Manly did not compare with the team that beat the Rats in a hard even match on the Village green on Anzac Day. I said at the time that the Rats would have won that one at home, but Manly wouldn't have won yesterday's game at home.
However mention should be made of the efforts of Manly players: 5 Dylan Sigg, a candidate for a 5th Super team if I've ever seen one, 13 Tyrone Smith and skipper 7 Will Brame.
Once again 9 Brett Sheehan was the ringmaster for the Rats and kicked goals from everywhere despite the trumpet noise of a Filth fan on the hill. Unsportsmanlike - by contrast the well behaved Rats fans were sporting and even spent a lot of the game giving helpful hints to the referee.
13 Haig Sare was a danger the whole game and though his midfield partner, 12 Josh Holmes, was just a link on attack, his defence was tough all day. He's looking like a better 12 than a 9. 7 skipper Beau Robinson walked past me from the dressing shed and is looking more every year like a pig dog. More to the point: he played like one. Threw a lovely punch in retaliation too - a pair of yellows.
The Rats lineout was dynamite and club opponents must be sick of going against 5 Waratah Chris Thompson, who is playing well around the park too. 1 Pek Cowan is thriving at his home club but the Rats are short of THPs and I wonder why they they don't give him the 3 jersey at this level. Geez, he is busy around the park - a bit like Kepu in the minor game.
Quite a big crowd - ya gotta love club footie at the best viewing ground in the city.