Friends, bogans, countrymen, lend me your ears. As we bask in the uncomfortable green and gold glow of Australia Day it's time to look to the future with pride and faith.
Pride in our club, our players and our coach and faith that we have what it takes to fight on for the remaining four matches to keep our team in second place.
We've had such an amazing summer of football at Bluetongue, each match offering new twists and taking our team ever higher on the ladder. Matches have been so frequent that I feel a terrible sense of anticlimax now having to spend three weeks in front of the telly rather than in the stands.
How will the boys survive on the road without us ? Without the vocal talents of the Yellow Army and the increasingly disturbing antics of Marvin ? Without half-time hotdog eating contests ? Without the enthusiasm of Chloe from Star 104FM ("Hi everyone ! I'm standing on the pitch holding Michael McGlinchey's ball ! Who wants it ? ")
Like some smug celebrity chef, I believe The Mariners will maintain top two spot over the next three weeks because of three very simple ingredients. Here's what we prepared earlier to make it look so easy :
Ingredient 1 : Graham Arnold
As we watch the Socceroos rise to new heights at the Asian Cup now is the time to forgive and forget the past. Time also to admit this man has developed into a truly sophisticated coach. A coach who has a keen eye for choosing and balancing the skills of his players. A coach who is confident enough to support young talent and make changes that really pay off. We were heading for a certain loss against Sydney until he changed formation with almost instant results.
The fact that his ability has been vastly underestimated (like everyone who's ever done great things at CCM) is only a bonus. And he has really put his heart and soul into this team; swearing that passionately at ref's decisions can't be faked.
Ingredient 2 : Depth of the Squad
Players have been rotated lately due to the demanding match schedule. The question is, has anyone noticed the difference ? This has to be a deciding factor in how well teams will cope with the pointy end of the season and the Finals Series. We only have a squad of 21 players and yet injuries (bar Porter) have not been an issue. Some might say we've been lucky, but it seems Arnie's also had a guiding hand here implementing training and recovery tips he picked up from Pim.
Ingredient 3 : Team Spirit
It's always been huge factor for CCM but let's admit we really copped some demoralising stuff in Season 5. Hard to believe Matt Simon, for example, is the same guy we watched at the end of last season. He's had a massive confidence boost and it shows on the pitch. New players have revitalised the team character and built on the club's great traditions. Time after time we have watched them fight for a win with immense courage and tenacity. Daniel McBreen's six stitches in the face in the dying moments of the match last weekend spring to mind. Like the great Mariners teams of the past, you get the feeling these boys will put themselves on the line and are capable of beating anyone under the most difficult circumstances.
So how about our upcoming opponents ?
Adelaide - delusions of Masterchef proportions after crushing poor old Fury. Perez is reaching his peak and will catch them off-guard. Zwaanswijk will be keen to make up for his stuff-up and might just force another own goal from the bald one. Flores shut down and frustrated just like last time. Olly sets up Matty and lets the big guy get the credit as usual. Can't wait for this one !
Heart - high quality ingredients but may still be distracted in aftermath of horrific Musky challenge which will haunt both clubs for the rest of the season. Sure to want to fight for team pride and maintain great recent results. Could prove more difficult than it looks in the cookbook.
GCU - Imagine they're Curtis Stone but in reality more like Hairy Bikers. Would like nothing better than to leapfrog us. Culina's out so that's a bonus. I'd love to crush them 3-0 simply because in the words of Pauline Hanson "I just don't like them." Blind prejudice, I know but hey what could be more appropriate on Australia Day ?
Which brings us back to Bluetongue for the final F3 Derby where I'll be celebrating my wedding anniversary as we remain sizzling in second spot. Forget Paris, what could be more romantic than seeing Arnie wave his arms in the air and scream expletives across the pitch while Marvin steals some kid's popcorn and makes obscene gestures to The Squadron.
Makes you so proud to be Australian, doesn't it ?
