It's been a long time since Bluetongue has generated an atmosphere as electric as the last 30 minutes of our match against Adelaide last Sunday.
Although we had to fight long and hard for a draw (and in fact deserved a late penalty to win) there was a sense of excitement in the air that has not been felt under the palm trees since the beginning of Season 5. It's amazing what a difference a couple of thousand more supporters can make to the experience of live football. Here's hoping the healthy home crowds continue because you get the sense they almost willed the team on to put that ball in the back of the net.
And why shouldn't they return ? There is already so much that looks exciting about the way this team is playing, and we haven't even seen Perez yet. But who's bothered when you can watch Bozanic and Rose work some magic together, McBreen slam one into the crossbar or Bojic come on as super-sub with a classic piece of 89th minute heroics.
And speaking of subs, Arnie knows how to make them and his timing is looking impeccable. Bringing on Griffiths and Bojic changed the game and added the extra spark we needed at exactly the right time.
Yeah, it's only week two but already I've got a whiff of that unmistakable fire and tenacity that used to be the Mariners' hallmark. Remember those classic winning goals in extra time ? Remember coming back from 3-0 down to equalise, complete with head wounds and crunched knees ? It's a grittiness, a determination and an unshakable self-belief that we somehow lost in the relentless tide of defeat we rode last year. Looks like it's back with a vengeance.
It was a classic Mariners' come back on Sunday and there are bound to be plenty more to come. What a pity the match was marred by controversy but thankfully, the FFA has decided to do something about it.
With an eye to improving standards and making the game a lot more enjoyable, the FFA is protecting us all by taking a radical step : banning vuvuzelas.
Forget dodgy refereeing decisions, the real blight on Australian football is apparently the estimated 152 people across Australia who dare to take a plastic horn to a football match. I was so relieved on Sunday when a Bluetongue official informed us that these offensive items were now totally banned by the FFA in all venues and promptly confiscated the one belonging to the truly terrifying twelve year old nearby.
What a relief ! I simply can't understand why this great news hasn't been publicised far and wide by the FFA. Why not call a press conference and get Frank Lowy to announce our new bid : "Come Play ! - Quietly". Or maybe "Come Play - Africans Not Welcome."
And let's face it, the two or three people who bring plastic horns to Bluetongue are such a terrible menace. Unlike that guy who plays the bagpipes, the one who plays the trumpet or the supporters who bang drums.
Last year The Mariners gave out noisy clappers to everyone in the stadium but they were ok apparently because they had sponsors names on them. (Noise as advertising = good ! Noise as fun = bad !)
And I'm so glad the FFA have been so sensible about this because plastic horns are so dangerous, unlike wooden flagpoles which are on sale at every merch stand. The whole family can buy one each and poke people's eyes out ! Innocent fun !
As well as that everyone can bring in a drum. That makes so much sense because the noise of 8,000 drums is far less offensive that a couple of plastic horns played by kids. I'd much rather get a drum thrown at my head by a drunk guy too, wouldn't you ?
Next up, I hope the FFA bans people from ripping shirts off because half-naked men could get skin cancer. Or how about banning people from yelling insults at refs because it could cause them permanent psychological damage ?
So thanks for looking after us humble fans, FFA ! We are so grateful you make decisions based on real health and safety issues rather than knee-jerk reactions. We're so glad you don't bother to seek our opinions or even inform us of your decisions because after all, we don't matter.
"Fan Made" ? About as likely as Matt Simon with a suntan.
