So first and foremost I apologize about the laps in these blogs. This last week I had the incredible and amazing opportunity to travel to Melbourne with a bunch of guys from my footy team. I flew down on Saturday with Sunny, Moey and Ruley, while most of the other guys flew in the night or the day before. After the 4 hour flight we caught a quick cab to our Hotel in St. Kilda and then raced to the MCG, the biggest Footy stadium in Australia to see the Sydney Swans play the Richmond Tigers. although Sydney lost, it was still an incredible experience!
After the game, the 4 of us raced to the other stadium in Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, to see the West Coast Eagles (Perth’s local team) play the Bombers. In another upset the Eagles lost, but it was still an incredible game at another incredible Stadium.
That night a bunch of the boys went to the casino and I joined them for a while, but after traveling all day I was pretty buggered and just wanted to get some sleep. The next day I woke up and had a quick lift, and then before we knew it we were off to another game. That day we went to go see the Western Bulldogs play the North Melbourne Kangaroos. rusty on our Gingin Team is mates with a player from the bulldogs, and was able to get us tickets to the friends and family section of the game at Etihad. That game was a really intense game, and while I didn’t really barrack for either team, it was a good example to see some great footy played.
The following day was one I was looking forward to for a while. A few weeks ago I emailed the Collingwood football club saying I was an American in Aus and would be visiting Melbourne to see some footy, and would love to come by for a tour of the facilities if possible. Well go figure they emailed me back and said “come on by!” that morning I took Ruley with me and we saw the Wespac Center, the training facility of the Collingwood Magpies. The entire squad was there recovering from the match the day prior, and most just waved to me when I walked by and waved to them. At the end of the tour I was allowed to hold and take pictures with the 2010 Premiership Cup the Pies won that year. A pretty surreal experience!
That night we as a team all went to the Carlton Vs St Kilda game at Etihad stadium. What a game that was! St Kilda ended up with the win, and was a great way to end the trip with the team.
The next day I left my team as they flew back to Perth so I could fly to Sydney. In Sydney I was fortunate enough to be set up to get to meet 2 professional Footy Clubs, the GWS Giants and The Sydney Swans. That Wednesday I woke up early and caught the train out to Rooty Hill and walked to the Giants Facility. Through a connection set up by Al Macglashin, I was able to meet Lachlan Buzsard, the Acadamy Manager for the GWS Giants, and see the team and the club. I got to see Dynal Shiel and Izzy train on the Field, and afterwards got to have a chat and take a picture with AFL Legend Kevin Sheedy, the head coach of the Giants.
The next day was the day I have been looking forward to since the day I came to Australia. That morning I walked to the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) to see the Sydney Swans. Just before I left Chicago our Footy Club decided to once again become joined with the Sydney Swans and become the Chicago Swans again! With this new reunion, I was sent as the ambassador to the Swans to officially welcome the new partnership. After a quick interview with the Swans Media, I was able to sit in the Stands with AFL legend Adam Goodes and watch a live training session. Our main contact at the Swans, Jared Crouch reserves coach, gave me a tour of the facilities and organization. Jared played for 10 years with the Swans and is now plays a key role in developing young talent for the Sydney Swans. Jared has been kind and generous with the Chicago Footy team, and has really made me feel proud to be a Swan.
After my quick trip to Sydney, and having caught up with my old friend Pete, I jumped a quick flight back to Melbourne to see my beloved Pies take on the Geelong Cats. the Collingwood Football Club swung me 2 tickets to see the game from some premium seats, and what a game it was. I had a friend of a friend use my other ticket, and him being from Chicago as well just made the whole night better! With the Pies winning the game it was a great end to an amazing week!
The final piece of the puzzle that needed to be done was waiting for me when I flew back to Perth that weekend. After landing in Perth on Saturday, the very next day I had a game with my team the GinGin Eagles. Well needless to say that game we played like we have never played before, and came away with a win against the undefeated team in the competition! Couldn’t have been a better way to cap out the week and the experience as a whole!
Needless to say I am 5 days away from being halfway done with this whole experience. Through the help of Big Al, Tony, my coaches and team mates, and friends I have met, I am amazing myself day after day how lucky I am. I could never have imagined this experience would be as amazing as it has been, and only being half way through there is still plenty of time for more to happen.
Thank you all for your continued support and love you all send through emails and Facebook, and please know I read everything you send me. It really means a lot!
Love you all and will talk to you soon,
Jason
(or “America!” as my team mates call me! Haha)