thirty-one

My insta had Kozzie kicking a goal from the race/ground access in the pocket. Not even on the field, not that he can play this game anyway. Freak! Instagram also indicates that a bunch of the players from different teams are mates off the field. Brodie and Max still follow each other, I really rather doubt there's bad blood there. Can't get too pumped about the game, I'm a day behind and five hours ahead in my time zone, so that means I'm supposed to be catching some ZZZZs at game time. CARN DEES!

Good luck, Caleb! May you wear the number 6 guernsey longer than your recent predecessors!

If I can mix fandoms (though one at least is a bit suspect these days), number 6 is becoming our Defense Against the Dark Arts number these days - someone comes in, wears it and leaves again quick smart.

I remember seeing pics of Jake at various (men's) training sessions. In one he has an elastic wrap around his knee (4th of September) and appears to be walking with no crutches, in another he was riding in a golf cart or was next to it with a bunch of small wounds each covered with tape around his knee - apparently repairs are done arthroscopically rather than cutting a ruddy great hole in people like my sister had done in the 80s or 90s. Again no obvious crutches. Dunno what this means for recovery, though it has to be an improvement over that 20cm sliced open leg and the no crutches is a vast improvement over eight or so weeks with them and a huge knee brace. Found this Massachusetts general hospital ACL rehab protocol online, gives an idea of the process. They do use crutches and knee braces but for nowhere as long as what my sister suffered. By nine months, the person should be ready to play sport again according to it. And being an AFL footballer, he will be getting the best of the best wrt surgeons and rehab.

RIP, Ronald Dale Barassi, my handle here's inspiration and Mum's favourite player ever. 31 has woven through my family's life since the 50s. My sister shouting "Barassi" on the Hume highway at irregular intervals way back when. Took my parents a while to realise she was seeing the 31 sign on the side of the road. The joy when he returned to the club in the 80s (and the despair of only winning one game). I was a completely Melbourne mad teenager then. Always our hero, Ron, and a legend of the game. Thank you for all you gave to us, the club and footy in general.

Time to go and do young man things before injuries make him old before his time. Thanks for giving it all you've got, Hibbo/Pig. We'll miss your guts and the glory.

Sean is one of my all-time favourites. I sat with him on the picket fence at the G waaaay back when training was there. He'd done his knee and could only watch on. That picket fence was extremely uncomfortable but it was nice sitting there with him. He remembered me all the way through (why was I so shy? Jeez, he seemed like a ripper bloke), waving to me whenever he saw me at training or outside the rooms after a game. I'll never forget the heart in my mouth feeling of watching him defend the goal square, oh god, Sean, don't hurt yourself again!