Thoughts

So – Collingwood again proved that you need more than home ground advantage and favouritism to win a Grand Final. Despite the obvious disappointment, those of us who are realistic Magpie supporters realize that the best team won, and that, again, Collingwood over-achieved during the season. Quite amazing that the standout side of the season – Port Adelaide – again made no impact on the finals. Can Collingwood recover next year and snare the flag? Not a chance in hell. We’ve had our shot, and blew it. Such is life.

Canterbury was unable to live up to the promise of 2002, which is no great surprise. To attempt to overcome last year’s debacle, and win the comp this year was always going to be a tough achievement. I’m sure Canterbury supporters will be happy with the way they finished, however.

Easts V Penrith - no one saw that one coming. And – does anyone really care?! Easts are rich bastards, Penrith are westies wankers. Of course, we all know we are all barracking for Penrith this Sunday, but surely no one really gives a crap about the game…

CHRIST I am sore from Saturday!! Bloody cricket is a ridiculous game to play. Especially when you bowl the first over of the day until the final over of the day. 3 hours, broken only by a ten minute interval for change of innings, and 15 minutes for Tea. Worth it all. We won by an innings and 70 runs. Steven Holz’s 50 was followed by the veteran leg spinner taking 5/26 and 7/58. A good start for 2nds all round, while the all-star 1st Grade side lost by 5 runs.

Good to see Zimbabwe off to a great start – being beaten by a Perth Grade side. Should be a fascinating Test series, starting next Thursday…

Purchases on weekend from Utopia :
· Wildest Dreams DVD single. Has the video clip for the song, a 2 minute bit from the studio (hardly worth putting on!), and two remixes from the Brave New World album. For $20, I sort-of wish I hadn’t bothered, but it can only increase in value, I suppose…

· Blaze – As Live As It Gets. Blaze Bayley’s new band, double live album. Excellent! Blaze does his best songs from his two album’s, and all the songs he co-wrote with Maiden. All sound great. I was most impressed.

· Gamma Ray – Skeletons In The Closet. Double live album from end of last year, on tour where the fans chose the setlist. This just bloody well ROCKS!!! Great songs, unbelievable versions, Kai hits all notes, Dan plays all double kick in time. This is pretty much the album of the year – if you want to include live albums. Just. Fucking. Brilliant!

· DVD – The Dream with Roy & HG. Have been looking for this double DVD for ages, and finally found it. Contains highlights from The Dream during the 2000 Olympic Games. They are just too funny. Over 7 hours long, it is bloody great!