Axe Man
16-09-2016, 12:36 PM
Link (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/western-bulldogs/stewart-crameris-return-another-example-of-why-western-bulldogs-can-end-hawthorn-reign/news-story/44b1739d1e25f750b7916af9244eb3b3)
https://s13.postimg.org/m2jw0qhmf/image.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/ivpch3x6b/)
IT was the hijacked team meeting that provided another example of why the Western Bulldogs can end Hawthorn’s extraordinary reign of dominance.
A season plagued by bad luck has fuelled a camaraderie that has helped carry the Dogs into a semi-final. Thursday, that mateship took over a meeting 36 hours before their biggest game of the year.
As thousands of fans descended on the kennel for their boys’ final training session, behind closed doors Jake Stringer stood up suddenly to address his teammates.
Stringer told the team that Stewart Crameri was absent despite his anticipated return to the club after serving a 12-month ASADA ban. But they had prepared a video, Stringer said, which they might as well play.
Someone flicked the lights and the players giggled as they watched Crameri’s head superimposed on a wrestler’s body.
But when Crameri entered the room seconds later — arms raised to thumping WWE music — hilarity ensued.
“‘Crammers’ just walked in to a come-out song like it was WWE,” coach Luke Beveridge said.
“It was amazing, a bit of drama. We’ve all really missed him so it can only be positive, injecting a young lad of great character, back into our club.”
With Crameri too nervous to speak, Robert Murphy takes the floor to present the returning forward with the polka dot jersey — the side’s “super domestique” of the week as hardest worker — to wear for his first official training session back.
The players run out onto a Whitten Oval in the grip of that unmistakeable finals fever.
The same half dozen cars circle the same car park looking for the same spots that won’t exist for the next two hours, the coffee line at the normally quiet Barkers Cafe is stretching towards the front door and the merchandise shop is selling out of stuff that’s been on the shelf for months.
Yep, it’s definitely finals time.
Francis and Amanda Butcher are confident.
“I really think we can win this. I think we’ve got their measure,” Francis said.
Glenn Johnson and his 18-month old daughter Adeline are sitting inside at table No.3 — arguably the most famous number in the club’s history.
“I certainly believe,” Glenn said.
“There’s been a lot of heartache, but all the adversity they’ve overcome this year has been amazing.”
Margaret Jennings has her scarf adorned with badges of Chris Grant (”The most amazing, magnificent human being ever put on this earth”), Lin Jong, Marcus Bontempelli and Caleb Daniel.
“Everything associated with this club I’m proud of — the committee, coaches and the players,” Margaret said.
“The players’ endeavour and application. They give their everything.”
Behind them, at the back of the cafe, a tribute message board is filling up quick.
“This is our year”, “So damn proud” and “Believe” adorn the walls.
Beveridge certainly believes. He strides into his press conference a picture of composure and calm in front of the obligatory media scrum.
The coach uses words like “buoyant” and “exciting”, but admits there’s an element of caution towards a club he knows will bring a no-prisoners attitude into a do-or-die final.
“It’s our test. They’re one of the all-time teams aren’t they?” Beveridge said.
The swarm of fans gathering outside hasn’t gone unnoticed, however.
“It’s great, it’s fantastic, because I wasn’t sure. I can remember going as a kid to Vic Park and watching the Pies train when Tommy Hafey was coach and seeing the swarms of Collingwood supporters out there,” he said.
“So this morning, when people should be at work and kids should be at school, it’s great to see so many people here.”
Beveridge then exits stage right and out into the bowels of the redeveloped grandstand.
The players are in the middle of a light training session that does nothing to dull the excitement. Crameri is high-fiving, Murphy is running laps and The Bont is gliding across the turf.
Bulldogs with jumpers prowl the soggy path beside the fence, kids huddle for selfies and autographs — in that order these days — and the rain is ignored.
As the players come over to scribble on everything from posters to paintings, the fans start blurting out. “Smash ‘em,” one shouts, “Hit em’ hard,” yells another.
Music blasts through the speakers. Fittingly, it’s Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You. The side AFL boss Gill McLachlan called ‘’sexy’’ has certainly done that in 2016.
Beveridge has made his way to the boundary line fence. He acknowledges another wellwishing fan and then leaps the fence in one motion.
There’s a spring in the coaches step.
Must be finals.
https://s13.postimg.org/m2jw0qhmf/image.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/ivpch3x6b/)
IT was the hijacked team meeting that provided another example of why the Western Bulldogs can end Hawthorn’s extraordinary reign of dominance.
A season plagued by bad luck has fuelled a camaraderie that has helped carry the Dogs into a semi-final. Thursday, that mateship took over a meeting 36 hours before their biggest game of the year.
As thousands of fans descended on the kennel for their boys’ final training session, behind closed doors Jake Stringer stood up suddenly to address his teammates.
Stringer told the team that Stewart Crameri was absent despite his anticipated return to the club after serving a 12-month ASADA ban. But they had prepared a video, Stringer said, which they might as well play.
Someone flicked the lights and the players giggled as they watched Crameri’s head superimposed on a wrestler’s body.
But when Crameri entered the room seconds later — arms raised to thumping WWE music — hilarity ensued.
“‘Crammers’ just walked in to a come-out song like it was WWE,” coach Luke Beveridge said.
“It was amazing, a bit of drama. We’ve all really missed him so it can only be positive, injecting a young lad of great character, back into our club.”
With Crameri too nervous to speak, Robert Murphy takes the floor to present the returning forward with the polka dot jersey — the side’s “super domestique” of the week as hardest worker — to wear for his first official training session back.
The players run out onto a Whitten Oval in the grip of that unmistakeable finals fever.
The same half dozen cars circle the same car park looking for the same spots that won’t exist for the next two hours, the coffee line at the normally quiet Barkers Cafe is stretching towards the front door and the merchandise shop is selling out of stuff that’s been on the shelf for months.
Yep, it’s definitely finals time.
Francis and Amanda Butcher are confident.
“I really think we can win this. I think we’ve got their measure,” Francis said.
Glenn Johnson and his 18-month old daughter Adeline are sitting inside at table No.3 — arguably the most famous number in the club’s history.
“I certainly believe,” Glenn said.
“There’s been a lot of heartache, but all the adversity they’ve overcome this year has been amazing.”
Margaret Jennings has her scarf adorned with badges of Chris Grant (”The most amazing, magnificent human being ever put on this earth”), Lin Jong, Marcus Bontempelli and Caleb Daniel.
“Everything associated with this club I’m proud of — the committee, coaches and the players,” Margaret said.
“The players’ endeavour and application. They give their everything.”
Behind them, at the back of the cafe, a tribute message board is filling up quick.
“This is our year”, “So damn proud” and “Believe” adorn the walls.
Beveridge certainly believes. He strides into his press conference a picture of composure and calm in front of the obligatory media scrum.
The coach uses words like “buoyant” and “exciting”, but admits there’s an element of caution towards a club he knows will bring a no-prisoners attitude into a do-or-die final.
“It’s our test. They’re one of the all-time teams aren’t they?” Beveridge said.
The swarm of fans gathering outside hasn’t gone unnoticed, however.
“It’s great, it’s fantastic, because I wasn’t sure. I can remember going as a kid to Vic Park and watching the Pies train when Tommy Hafey was coach and seeing the swarms of Collingwood supporters out there,” he said.
“So this morning, when people should be at work and kids should be at school, it’s great to see so many people here.”
Beveridge then exits stage right and out into the bowels of the redeveloped grandstand.
The players are in the middle of a light training session that does nothing to dull the excitement. Crameri is high-fiving, Murphy is running laps and The Bont is gliding across the turf.
Bulldogs with jumpers prowl the soggy path beside the fence, kids huddle for selfies and autographs — in that order these days — and the rain is ignored.
As the players come over to scribble on everything from posters to paintings, the fans start blurting out. “Smash ‘em,” one shouts, “Hit em’ hard,” yells another.
Music blasts through the speakers. Fittingly, it’s Robbie Williams’ Let Me Entertain You. The side AFL boss Gill McLachlan called ‘’sexy’’ has certainly done that in 2016.
Beveridge has made his way to the boundary line fence. He acknowledges another wellwishing fan and then leaps the fence in one motion.
There’s a spring in the coaches step.
Must be finals.