As we close the book on 2015 we can take a moment to pause and share our views...well essentially mine....on how the OverTouchers became Mountain Men in 2015.
The year opened with the back half of the Touch Football season at Narrabeen. The Touchers were on point in each game especially the now fabled Grand Final in which the men from the top of the hill lost 4-2 in a contest seen by some as more spiteful and vicious than the 1976 Grand Final between Manly and Cronulla.
The men lost that day to boys and moved on as you sensed there were new Mountains to climb.
What started out as an innocent run by two men and a dog one wet Autumn Saturday morning, forged into a group of men who now run up and down dale through the valleys of the Garigal National Park. Shortly followed by coffee and discussion on the matters of the day.
Now I am not one to start a rumour but the story is told in the halls of Parliament House in Canberra that it was one of these post run coffee sessions that started the rise of Malcolm and the fall of Tony. The suggestion was that knowone sacks our Bronny and gets away with it.
The Monday night training sessions were well into their second year and the Tough Mudder 2015 was already booked in.
But the corporation was in a spot mid year as they needed their footy fix and Narrabeen just wasn't Touching the men in all the right places.
A decision needed to be made. Its these times you look to your leaders and seek guidance and direction.
So as he stood, slowly, up from his chair, he threw down the last drops of his third chai mocca late with a twist and stood high up on the milk crate and declared that there would be no more Touching: at the sound of this news the men's shoulders drooped in sadness at hearing this [!!!], "We will now be Tagging and we shall be called the Mountain Men".
Wraptious applause came from the few standing below him, walkers by just thought this as normal for Ballo.
So the money was collected [!!!], forms were filled out and the Tagging began.
Now I have been trying to encapsulate a way to describe the reaction of the Men after the first few weeks of Tagging rather than Touching.
I feel I have found it by focusing on the VC, as is my want, and use him as a lightening rod on the feelings of the team. Now the VC was a legend in the art of Touching and was one of the games best and held the Touchers record for the most Man of the Season awards.
When the great man showed up to his first game of Tag, I feel his emotions are best reflected in the words of Jimmy Ruffin who recorded the Mowtown smash 1967 hit, 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted'.
The story is told that Jimmy pleaded to the writers of the song that he be allowed to record it as 'as its anguished lyric about a man lost in the misery of heartbreak resonated with the singer.'
The VC did also feel heartbreak when his immense skills could not be transferred to the Tagging grounds of St Ives. Now don't get me wrong, there were glimpses of his brilliance but it just wasn't the same, like Jimmy, the VC's heart too was broken.
The Mountain Men displayed grit and determination through those early weeks. The offer of being allowed to kick in general play certainly allowed me to show another string in my bow. However, I sense that Super Coach would say that the string is out of tune and needs replacing.
A new team mate was brought into the fold by BBB. Ole BBB just keeps rolling out these past greats for the organisation and I am informed that he is putting up another floor on the house with the commission cheques.
Yes Phil 'Scarry' was a welcomed admission to the team and gave us the speed back from where it was lacking in others.
BBB again impressed on and off the field and took on a more senior role in administration when the VC was nowhere to be seen or the Chairman was driving to Campbeltown for Water Polo practise.
Jonty was in his place out on the wing looking for me to finally land one of those 'hail mary' passes but it never came. Not from lack of trying on my part. Its still a great sight to see the flyer stream down the wings in full flight.
Super Coach was at his belligerent best every god damn minute of every god damn game. Like the want of a good coffee after a long run or a cold crisp Pinot Grigio on a warm Saturday afternoon, somethings just never change.
Bulldog with his first child soon to arrive fought off the mid season symptoms of myocardial infarction to deliver again in the first season of Tagging. He, unlike many of us, had Tagged before and enjoyed it very much.
It was great to see more of the Locksmith this season. With time off for injury recovery and the world's longest leave entitlements, the gritty player was more available to get angry on the field and channel the kick return skills of his deity Jarryd Hayne.
The Sponsor showed up for the first game in a three piece suit and silk tie. "I'm just here to observe" he told us. He was very happy to see the men wearing season 2014/2015 shirts with his company name emblazoned across it as the Chairman has failed to deliver on the new playing strip !!!
The next week he was on and firing and ready to Tag.....not Touch. Countless soft tissue injuries befalled the great man and his attendances had to be few and far between.
There were others who registered, paid their hard earned and gave us the odd appearance.
Milt who with the business commitments was unable to join us late in the season. His ability to run a line and hit a hole is a true benefit and his yearly donation of funds for just a couple of games is always accepted with open arms.
Another player who was more benefactor than player was Rookie. With almost shearing off his finger in a knitting incident and the growth of his own corporation, the speedster was only available for a single game. We did serve him up the ball like laying an egg on a pillow but despite having more strapping than a Games of Thrones fallen warrior, you sensed that he felt his powers were more suited elsewhere.
Big Kiwi went missing mid season and we all bet that he went to London for the World Cup Final to cheer on his beloved men in black. Having the big man on the field always give us a lift....it also gives Super Coach the sh!ts as there is someone else on the field who is equal to or greater than at antagonising opponents, officials and team mates :)
So were do we go now?
At this time there is nothing other than a return to the fields of Belrose to Touch again, in a tournament were the Touchers left after three premierships in a row.
We will be guided by our leadership group and by the emotions of the VC.
But for now enjoy your last hours of 2015.
On behalf of the corporation we wish you all a safe and enjoyable 2016
Yours in closing
Full Metal
The year opened with the back half of the Touch Football season at Narrabeen. The Touchers were on point in each game especially the now fabled Grand Final in which the men from the top of the hill lost 4-2 in a contest seen by some as more spiteful and vicious than the 1976 Grand Final between Manly and Cronulla.
The men lost that day to boys and moved on as you sensed there were new Mountains to climb.
What started out as an innocent run by two men and a dog one wet Autumn Saturday morning, forged into a group of men who now run up and down dale through the valleys of the Garigal National Park. Shortly followed by coffee and discussion on the matters of the day.
Now I am not one to start a rumour but the story is told in the halls of Parliament House in Canberra that it was one of these post run coffee sessions that started the rise of Malcolm and the fall of Tony. The suggestion was that knowone sacks our Bronny and gets away with it.
The Monday night training sessions were well into their second year and the Tough Mudder 2015 was already booked in.
But the corporation was in a spot mid year as they needed their footy fix and Narrabeen just wasn't Touching the men in all the right places.
A decision needed to be made. Its these times you look to your leaders and seek guidance and direction.
So as he stood, slowly, up from his chair, he threw down the last drops of his third chai mocca late with a twist and stood high up on the milk crate and declared that there would be no more Touching: at the sound of this news the men's shoulders drooped in sadness at hearing this [!!!], "We will now be Tagging and we shall be called the Mountain Men".
Wraptious applause came from the few standing below him, walkers by just thought this as normal for Ballo.
So the money was collected [!!!], forms were filled out and the Tagging began.
Now I have been trying to encapsulate a way to describe the reaction of the Men after the first few weeks of Tagging rather than Touching.
I feel I have found it by focusing on the VC, as is my want, and use him as a lightening rod on the feelings of the team. Now the VC was a legend in the art of Touching and was one of the games best and held the Touchers record for the most Man of the Season awards.
When the great man showed up to his first game of Tag, I feel his emotions are best reflected in the words of Jimmy Ruffin who recorded the Mowtown smash 1967 hit, 'What Becomes of the Broken Hearted'.
The story is told that Jimmy pleaded to the writers of the song that he be allowed to record it as 'as its anguished lyric about a man lost in the misery of heartbreak resonated with the singer.'
The VC did also feel heartbreak when his immense skills could not be transferred to the Tagging grounds of St Ives. Now don't get me wrong, there were glimpses of his brilliance but it just wasn't the same, like Jimmy, the VC's heart too was broken.
The Mountain Men displayed grit and determination through those early weeks. The offer of being allowed to kick in general play certainly allowed me to show another string in my bow. However, I sense that Super Coach would say that the string is out of tune and needs replacing.
A new team mate was brought into the fold by BBB. Ole BBB just keeps rolling out these past greats for the organisation and I am informed that he is putting up another floor on the house with the commission cheques.
Yes Phil 'Scarry' was a welcomed admission to the team and gave us the speed back from where it was lacking in others.
BBB again impressed on and off the field and took on a more senior role in administration when the VC was nowhere to be seen or the Chairman was driving to Campbeltown for Water Polo practise.
Jonty was in his place out on the wing looking for me to finally land one of those 'hail mary' passes but it never came. Not from lack of trying on my part. Its still a great sight to see the flyer stream down the wings in full flight.
Super Coach was at his belligerent best every god damn minute of every god damn game. Like the want of a good coffee after a long run or a cold crisp Pinot Grigio on a warm Saturday afternoon, somethings just never change.
Bulldog with his first child soon to arrive fought off the mid season symptoms of myocardial infarction to deliver again in the first season of Tagging. He, unlike many of us, had Tagged before and enjoyed it very much.
It was great to see more of the Locksmith this season. With time off for injury recovery and the world's longest leave entitlements, the gritty player was more available to get angry on the field and channel the kick return skills of his deity Jarryd Hayne.
The Sponsor showed up for the first game in a three piece suit and silk tie. "I'm just here to observe" he told us. He was very happy to see the men wearing season 2014/2015 shirts with his company name emblazoned across it as the Chairman has failed to deliver on the new playing strip !!!
The next week he was on and firing and ready to Tag.....not Touch. Countless soft tissue injuries befalled the great man and his attendances had to be few and far between.
There were others who registered, paid their hard earned and gave us the odd appearance.
Milt who with the business commitments was unable to join us late in the season. His ability to run a line and hit a hole is a true benefit and his yearly donation of funds for just a couple of games is always accepted with open arms.
Another player who was more benefactor than player was Rookie. With almost shearing off his finger in a knitting incident and the growth of his own corporation, the speedster was only available for a single game. We did serve him up the ball like laying an egg on a pillow but despite having more strapping than a Games of Thrones fallen warrior, you sensed that he felt his powers were more suited elsewhere.
Big Kiwi went missing mid season and we all bet that he went to London for the World Cup Final to cheer on his beloved men in black. Having the big man on the field always give us a lift....it also gives Super Coach the sh!ts as there is someone else on the field who is equal to or greater than at antagonising opponents, officials and team mates :)
So were do we go now?
At this time there is nothing other than a return to the fields of Belrose to Touch again, in a tournament were the Touchers left after three premierships in a row.
We will be guided by our leadership group and by the emotions of the VC.
But for now enjoy your last hours of 2015.
On behalf of the corporation we wish you all a safe and enjoyable 2016
Yours in closing
Full Metal
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