That makes FIVE

The Touchers, like many champion people and sports teams do, did enough to win their 5th Grand Final in 5 appearances at the Belrose Touch Football Seniors competition last night.

Going into Finals night, the Toucher's were minor premiers with that privilege came a smoother ride to start off the night. The 5 teams finals format made life extremely difficult for the other 4 teams.  

Over the last 8 years, the Toucher's have blown teams off the field, they have played pretty. The high speed men, BBB, Bulldog, VC, Rocket and Locksmith would score runaway tries all throughout the regular season.

But this season we played ugly and kept on winning. With ageing bodies but willing minds, the Touchers just found ways to win and there was no better example of this than last night.

In the opening game for the Toucher's, the Major semi, were up against this years nemesis's. Drawing 3-3 in the regular season, this was the classic grudge match. The Toucher's stuck to their 2017 game plan of patience. Keep the ball in hand for 5 touches then let the VC scoot. Boring but effective. 

For the first time this season the Touchers went down 1-0 at the start of a game. Now I could explain how and why they scored and I am embracing the start up of women's leagues in all sports. But when Bulldog flew out of the line for an intercept, with his one good arm, and missed the ball, he turned to see their player of the better gender fly at high speed away to open the scoring.

Down 1-0 with 12 minutes to go...challenge accepted.

The VC again chose that it was time for the heat and flew away soon after from dummy half. BUT this time the Locksmith was up for what was going on and took off after him. 1-1.

The clock was ticking. But sure enough with another try in a big game from the VC saw us get a free passage to the GF.

There was confusion and mayhem for the next 20 or so minutes. Through which the Toucher's waited on who they would play for the Grand Award of Senior Touching champions.

On seeing there was to be a re-match with the Toucher's, our nemesis threw in the towel and said 'NO More' and with that the Toucher's were the winners again.

But wait there's more.

With the administrators driven to break the Toucher's stranglehold on the competition, they threw another team at the Toucher's. But after tries to the Rocket and BBB their souls were broken and the Toucher's cruised to victory.

Quotes came flooding in from all over the world;

Rami - 'That’s not a team, it’s a dynasty in the making'

R Plummer, the greatest A grade player of all time - 'Congrats men, terrific effort'

Even the leader of the Free World tweeted out - 'The Over Toucher's are Making Touching Great Again' 

Overnight the 2017 Player of the year awards were confirmed after a high level of scrutineering and conjecture.

The winners are:

The 'Here I am there I go' award goes to RAMI. For a game and half he justified the highly expensive scouting for his talent by the Scouting Committee under the decree of an evolution plan that would ensure a Touching future. But alas, the game was too much for his young physique, breaking down like a thoroughbred in a Class 5 race in Goulburn. But once a Toucher always a Toucher.

The Perpetual Motion award for not missing a game and playing the most minutes goes to VC. The VC won two awards for the season when he also took out the 'I'm SOOO Happy' award after the Board caved and chose to embrace his running from dummy half. You see old men can change but I ain't going to embrace his half time talks on strategy !!!!

'I have the sniffles award' goes to both Smithy and the Rocket who both called in sick on occasion with diagnosis of a 'runny nose'.

'Oh thats not going to be good' award goes to both Jonty and Bulldog who both were given the 'Malachi Crunch' as they were both smashed whilst crossing the line for try's. Both broke bones. There is evidence, no self diagnosis. 

The award for 'Playing most like 'Bill McLerie' award goes to his brother, Muz. I was inspired when I saw him launch into opponents they way Bill taught him to do. As I mentioned previously, I swear I saw Bill tear up on an those occasions, only be told to "Shut UP....its f---king dust".

There was another time I was given advice by the SuperCoach, but it escapes as to when and why just now !!!!

'I really want to play but...' award goes to the Rocket. Man this guy has more events than the Pope these days. Riding here and there and everywhere, we didn't get to see him as much as we liked. Especially after the Board decreed that we pass him the ball properly, not over his head, not at his feet, not behind his back but right in front of him at tummy level. I wish we agreed to those terms 6 years ago when he started Touching.

The 'Mr 100%' award goes to the Sponsor/Scorpion. He was a shoe in for the 'Another Corporate Function' award but he declined the honour when approached by the Awards committee. He stated that he is after a record number of events in 2018, he feels he will be worthy of such a recognition of his efforts should he get to more than 26 next year. We all wish him the best of luck.

The Teaser award goes to be the greatest A Grader of all time R Plummer and G Plummer. These two Belrose greats have spent a big part of the the year competing in various Mountain Bike events and it has done absolutely nothing for their Touch football careers. They promised a big season in 2017 but were out through injury for the most of the 9 weeks. But I must say they both make a difference on the field. The way they run hard into gaps when asked, makes me tear up. 

The 'Where's Dicko?' award goes to Dicko. Well DUH !!!.

The Sherpa Tenzing award goes to our own BBB. Taking on such a challenge was magnificent. Some suggested, as has been previously written, that it did crap all for his handling. But there was no greater site when he took that intercept and dashed away to give the Toucher's the 2 nil buffer in the GF last night. 

The 'Wait for me, I'm on my way' award goes to the Locksmith who chose to wait until Week 6 to join the playing group. Chairman, I suggest we give Locky a bit of guidance on what is pre-season training i.e. you don't wait until past mid season to start. But when he turned up he added that much needed spark. The Sponsor was just happy that this year Locky didn't spark all him like last year!!!

The 'Front Rower' award goes to our big man upfront, Smithy, in just his second year of Touching. In the final week of the regular season whilst the Chairman and I stood on the sideline critiquing the teams play, we both picked up on something. After the Toucher's scored a try, Smithy ran back to half way at more than just a jog and was ready before all others for the opponents next attack on the Toucher's wall. So with that he picks up his third award of the night. Whilst the Sponsor got Mr 100% for his full throttle efforts at all times, Smith gets the '1%ers' award. Just doing the little things right.  

'Cmon give me a cuddle' award goes to both myself and the SuperCoach. Nuff said :)

Ok...a little more. SuperCoach is the engine of the team, never gives up, always looking searching, probing. To maintain such devotion is a quality not many have. Oh and I know it gives him the shites when some, [me], are just happy to be out there throwing dumb passes. 

'The 2017 Clubman of the year' goes to the Chairman. His efforts to bring the team together year are relentless. Relentless on us too, because if we try to get away and hint of retirement or anything of the kind he sends round the boys to educate you on your decision.

In closing I want to state the obvious. The friendship that this team has built on over 8 years. Prior to joining the team I remember I used to see BBB trudge very early to the bus stop every morning and back then it was just a nod and 'gday'. Now because of the Toucher's, he is a mate. I have stories like that for all of you.

The Toucher's have brought together a group of people who would never have met and now we are a team that looks out for each other. A team that's happy to help deliver a tonne of dirt to someone's back yard on a Saturday morning...and enjoy doing it. Or talk about the salary cap over Saturday coffee's. But I admit I do glaze over when some mention 'bring back the Bears'. 

Christmas street party 23rd December, 3pm.

Wishing you all a merry Touching Christmas and a successful New Year

FMJ