Back to Business in 2013

After an arduous off season that included a change of competition after three premierships in a row, player discontent, scandal and intrigue, the Overtoucher's pushed all that aside and got back to business in the season opening game to put their opponents to the sword by defeating them 10-1.

The OT's roster was boosted through an off season buying spree led by the Chairman and BBB, who is hoping to move from champion player to formidable administrator, something the OT's are not short of.

The player list reached eleven with new recruits, known at this time as B1 and B2 until official names are assigned. The naming ceremony is yet to be scheduled. 

The open 12th spot stands for the retired Faz. Faz has left the game but as the words say in the 1977 Eagles smash hit "he can never leave".

There has been a hold on the commission payment to BBB due to the non-appearance of his heralded recruit B2 the Waratah. His name could have been Phantom but big man Milt has his fists firmly on the grasp of that moniker.

The OT's voted as a group in the off season not to accept the high paying contract to remain at the competition they have dominated from 2010 to 2012. A new opportunity was presented to them on a new field of battle down by the sea and the cry from the men from Terrey Hills shouted 'CHALLENGE ACCEPTED'.

Whilst the active playing roster was declared at 11, there were several battle hardened warriors that were not yet ready to start the season. Apologies were received from the following:

• Chairman and HOF on assignment "together" in the Pacific Ocean 
• Milt on assignment on the Golden Coast
• Locksmith hunting wild bore bare chested in bushland west of Mudgee and,
• B2 the Waratah, missing as previously mentioned.

So it was the magnificent 7 who were left to carry the flag of the mighty OT's.

After pre-season trial games there were some OT's who were still carrying soreness into the opening game. The VC declared Grade 1 tears in his groin and buttock. When put before the world's media and questioned as to how these injuries were incurred and why he had not been taking appropriate and/or inappropriate treatment, the VC sheepishly stated "no comment".

The opponents included a past fellow OT premiership champion in Kiwi. The big man took the field after an off season not before seen in the modern game. If he were a thoroughbred you would have said his coat was bright and glowing. At times it was like looking across the park at Jared Waerea-Hargreaves with his bullocking runs up the middle. I am sure the retention committee chaired by big man Milt will look into Kiwi returning to the fold next season. Once an Overtoucher...always an Overtoucher.

An early try to the OT's got proceedings off to a very good start. But it was the next passage of play that gave the opponents a wiff of hope. After coming in off his wing in the closing seconds of the last pre-season game to give the others a 4-3 victory, Bob the Builder fell again to the sirens song of all wingers to come in off their wing and let in their first and only try of the game. But as he heads into his third season as a seasoned Toucher, Bob the Builder clicked into gear and touched down on two occasions and showed true grit and speed. It should [as he asked me to] be noted that his tally would have been four, if not for two poor final passes from the distributor.

What was the most worrying scene of the day was the sight of Jonty collapsing to the ground like he had been shot by an Indian Elephant gun, tearing his upper quadracep.

Wikipedia informs us that the quadriceps tendon connects the quadriceps femoris muscles to the superior aspects of the patella on the anterior of the thigh and controls knee flexion and extension

Jonty will spend the next 7 days in a hyperbaric chamber. Not to fix the injury......that's just how he rolls.

Supercoach took the reins of leadership in the absence of the Chairman with aplomb. His mentoring of the distributor on how to run the ball was seen as inspirational. His post game speech was well planned and he held the listening crowd by the ear.

B1 opened his OT account like he had been with the corporation for many years. Scything runs and speed to burn had his contract extended later that night for the remainder of the 2013/2014 season.

The VC fought back the tears of pain in his 'groin and buttock' to lead the team to victory. The VC was quoted after half time saying "that I just cant help myself" after another brilliant try. This was after requesting the team take it easy in the second half when the OT's were down to 6 players with Jonty's injury. He won't even listen to himself, let alone the orders of the Chairman.

But for the 2012 Players Player, BBB, it was business as usual. His evasive speed and agility was a thing to sit back and watch. Something I did on many occasions as my back seized up.

BBB will be key to the hopes of the OT's in this new season and new competition. If his new recruit is as half as good as him then the OT's are in for a big year...that's if he ever turns up. At least there is one chink in BBB's armour.

For now I wish you all a good week. For those who are on holidays in sunny places, I hope you choke on the umbrella in your drink.

Yours in serious pain and hoping Locksmith is back with some medication soon,

FMJ