Froggy On Tour

Day 1: Monday 12th August 2002

No tour would be complete without the early morning start, but when it's on the first day it makes for a long day. The tour started at 3.30am with the alarm clock flying across the room down in Wellington. Who the hell invented 3.30am anyway!! The flight across went well with a half empty plane, so Froggy took full advantage of the situation and caught up on sleep. It was great to get back to Melbourne after 2 years away, although the weather still keeps me guessing. We are staying close to the city in 3 bedroom apartments, a stone throw from the training ground which we gave a good work over at lunchtime. After some free time in the arvo I headed off to see my old flatmate “Roids” and caught up with the mail and junk I had left behind. After that I caught up with an old friend who has supported me throughout my aussie rules career.

The guys have all settled in and are excited about getting stuck into the games and seeing some sights. The highlights of the day was catching up with former Blues players Jarad “horse” Evans and Dave” String” Goodall who are now based in Victoria.

The accommodation is first class, the fridge is stocked and the tour is finally underway.

Thought of the day "Bugger"

Day 2: Tuesday 13th August

The day was another busy one. We had a training run in the morning, this time at the home of the Richmond Tigers in Punt Road. It was like running on carpet! With our " op shop " night only 2 days away I headed down to Swan Street in Richmond and picked out a super pair of brown pants, striped shirted, checked waist coat and flat cap.......a real beauty!! We then headed off to Carlton Footy club and had the opening function, which gave us a chance to see our opposition. The night ended with me cooking up a feast for the boyz.

Day 3: Game Day

This is what it all came down to. Falcons vs South Africa. I was named at full forward for this one but couldn't even catch a cold!! They were small but quick but new at the game. Former blues Horse and String had blinders, while Pidge took stats from the grandstand in the rotation set up, and Stevens had a quiet day . We ran out winners 25.13.163 to 0.1.1. With another game tomorrow against the USA it will be another busy day at the office. Thanks to those who have emailed their support.

Day 4: Thursday 15th

Who would have ever thought that on my birthday I would be playing aussie rules against the USA. The team meeting was first up with side being called out. I got my spot back at full forward, with Pidge having his first start. The USA were big lads and very physical, with our captain knocked out and off to hospital.......I know the feeling well. We had the skill over them and as the game went on they got even more physical. We finished them off and won by 7 goals. The recovery session in the pool was well needed then it was another crack at physio. We then had our op shop night which everyone had a budget of $25 to buy an outfit for the night. I went in a Payne Stewart golfing outfit with pecked cap. It was our first real free night and the guys had a ball. Tomorrow is another rest day and then back into game mode for Saturday.

Day 5: Friday 16th

After a late night and a few sore heads we were back into footy mode and that morning we had another training session at Tigerland. I only managed one lap and was back on the physio table. One of the americans headbutted my thigh the day before, and before you knew it the old corky had appeared! The recovery session in the pool was well needed and then back on the physio table for more treatment. Spent the day in the city seeing some sights then it was off to the MCG. That night we marched onto the ground with the other teams, then watched Richmond beat the Hawks. We headed over to the Richmond social club for a few ice waters then after a big day headed back to the sack ready for an early start the next day.

Day 6: Saturday 17th

I've never been too keen on early starts but 6.30am seemed like 3am!! Today we travelled just over an hour to Geelong to play against Canada. The corky hadn't heeled up in time so I decided to sit this one out and ended up doing the stats for the day. This was our first game on an AFL ground and the boyz enjoyed the occasion. I had one of the best views in the house, but injury can sometimes a lonely thing. The boyz had a great first half but scrapped it out in the second. We won by about 8 goals but it wasn't our best day out. the trip back to Melbourne was a long one, and by the time everyone got back, rest was first on the agenda. We had another recovery session in the pool and for me it was back on the physio table getting needles. That night a few of us went to the Essendon vs Collingwood game at the MCG which the Bombers one, then headed down the casino to watch Australia play South Africa in the rugby. By the end of that sleep was all that I had in mind.

Day 7: Sunday 18th

Today was our first and last morning off. With no food in the apartment it meant a quick trip down to the golden arches for breaky then lunch at La Porchetta in Doncaster. Keith the pasta man owns the one in Parnell in Auckland as well as Doncatser so I caught up with him and polished off another Italian. I then headed back to the casino and caught up with another old flatmate, big Ronny and his girlfriend Nicky. Then it was back on the footy paddock for an afternoon training session, in preparation for a big game on Monday against the Samoans. By now some of the guys are really feeling the pinch and it showed on the field. Then it was......yes you guessed it.....another pool session and back to the physio's room to get myself up for the game. After treatment I was declared fit and ready to go again. After some carbo loading of chicken, pasta, vegies and spuds it was an early night for all.

Day 8: Monday 19th Game Day

Today was our biggest test of all. With a 10am bounce off it was another early start. I was in the pool at 6.30am along with some other players just warming up and stretching out. The old baked beans went down a treat, but later played tunes during the game. At the team meeting I was named back at full forward and knew I had to pull out a big one due to missing the last game. The game was played at Elsternwick Park which is a VAFA ground. The day was sunny as the last 3 games have been and the ground was firm. For once we were challenged with the haka by Samoa and responded with 4 goals in the first quarter. For once I had the magic kicking boots on and bagged 4 from 4 but it still wasn't a vintage game by the team. We finished them off in the 2nd half and ran out winners 10.10.70 to 5.8.38. Recovery session in the pool was an enjoyable one due to the body feeling alright, and then more needles and ultrasound followed. We had a team function at the Swan Hotel in Richmond that night and the guys are looking forward to some time off tomorrow. Everyone knows we must win on Wednesday to make the finals so hopefully we can stay on top of our game and focus to the end.

Day 9: Tuesday 20th

This was seen as a bit of a catch up day. The day started with yet another pool session at 8am, followed by yet another physio session. We then headed down to tigerland for training at Richmond footy club. By now the legs are ready to drop off. We then had a guided tour around the club and museum which was good value. These AFL stars are really looked after. It was then back to the apartment for another pool session, then housework, washing and cleaning. An afternoon nap soon recharged the batteries and then I whipped up a chilli con carne for the boyz, which seemed to do the trick. A free night saw a few of us head down to the casino again to watch a flick and put our feet up. We all know that we must win against Ireland on Wednesday to make the final so an early night was well needed. The boyz are really focused now and nothing less than 100% is required.

Day 10: Wednesday 21st. Highs and Lows

This was the day everyone had been waiting for. A win today against Ireland would see us play in the final at the MCG on Friday. The day started early with another pool session, and some light stretching. We had a team meeting and I was named at full forward again. We then had an hour to kill before the game so bake beans on toast was the call in the apartment. We were playing back at Port Melbourne but the guys were feeling the pinch on their bodies. It was just one of those days that didn't go our way and we really didn't get out of 1st gear. We lost in a low scoring game by 2 goals but knew we could have won. It wasn't the losing that hurt, it was the way we lost. After the game the boyz were gutted but knew they had given all they had. We headed back to the apartments for a hot and cold session in the pool......I'm starting to feel like flipper......and then prepared for the International dinner at Colonial Stadium. The dinner was great and we got a chance to talk to the other players from around the world. The highlight of my career was being selected in the World Team, which was a total shock due to injury. The night ended with a trip to the casino to dance the night away and win some cash on the tables. I was still hurting from the lost and would trade my world team jumper in for a shot at the final at the MCG. We now play Denmark on Friday for the bronze at Victoria Park at 2pm. The entire team know that we blew a great chance and only a good win on Friday will see us right.

Day 11: Thursday 22nd

For the first time on tour we had the morning off to do what we wanted to do. I chose to sleep in and then as usual had a pool session to loosen up. In the morning I headed down to Smith St, with Horse and String, where I used to work about 2 years ago and caught up with the old crew. Scary thing is most of them are still there! We had a look at the factory shops and caught a bit to eat. From there we headed into town for some more shopping. By now I was feeling as flat as a pancake but knew there was only 2 days to go. We had an afternoon training session which was the worst of the tour. Everyone is now feeling it and the legs are getting heavy and sore. We then had a Uni Blues reunion in town as club president Stuart "Baby" Mather had come over to support the team. This was a low key night out as we were off the turps and had a 11pm curfew, as it has been for the whole tour the night before the game. I then caught up with my old footy coach from Strathmore, who now coaches at the powerhouse club, which is the club we have been training at. I then watched the footy show on the box which is the best show on TV. It was time to relax and put the feet up and try and muster up that last bit of energy needed to play one last game. The guys really want to finish on a high, and for once will be able to let loose on Friday night in the knowledge they have given their best on this tour.

Final Day: Friday 23rd August 2002

The day started like every other day....in the pool! After 2 weeks of non stop footy the body had given up. We played Denmark today for 3rd place and just got over the line. I sat this one out and the team only bagged 3 goals for the game. Got up by about 8 points. It wasn't pretty footy but we took the win. We then went to the MCG and watched Ireland win the final against PNG. Tonight was the night to let our hair down, put the footy boots away and say welcome back to the snakebites! This was a big night. We celebrated with the Irish and partied the night away. I rocked in just in time to see the boys off to the airport. After no sleep and one too many snakebites it was time for some zzzzzzzzzzzzz. I stayed the weekend in Melbourne and went to 3 footy games in 2 days. The tour had its ups and downs, but was a good one. I'm all footyed out now and am looking at getting back into the swing of things in Auckland. Thanks to all of you who have supported me on this trip. I hope on the next one we can bring home the cup