A Day Carved Out for the Underdogs

It was my first game finally to a footie game and I have to say it was a really good experience. A toss between the Tri Nations Cup (Wallabies vs Kiwis) or AFL Swans vs Crows … but the price difference $20 vs $100. So, AFL it was!
As in all occasions that happen in Australia, we gathered for a 7pm game at 4.30pm at Fox Studio for a an early wine and dinner before the game. Good food at Cine. I had a one-on-one Dummies on AFL from the wonderful people who was wiling to provide the summary of the rules. Thanks.
There six of us, including a Crow supporter in a red-yellow-blue scarf, stark contrast to the surroundings of Swans’ reds, having a dig at the CNY colours. Well … it won’t be complete if you don’t continue drinking before the game, during the game and after the game. So we went on to the bar further up front and the drinks continued.
We made it to the stadium and I was surprised that it’s rather small – only two tiers and wasn’t maxed out in capacity. We had pretty good seats at the side of the posts close the field. And the supporters shouting so loud at the referees and players in hope of they could hear their “advice”. First two quarters were all about the Crows with amazing goals, face pace, agility and fitness level that is quite unbelievable. The Swans tried crawling back but luck wasn’t on their side with four consecutive posts! What are the odds?
Amazing atmosphere being in the middle of two sets of supporters and squashed with the smell of alcohol in the cold winter night. It was a day for the underdogs and the supporters enjoyed every bit of it. Being on the neutral ground, I enjoyed the game and may actually watch it more often. This sport is suitable for athletes who are quick and have an all rounder sports personality.

Slavery to a mutually signed contract?

A simple definition of a contract is a mutual agreement between two (or more) parties exchanging a business transaction and agreeing on an act that is enforceable in a court of law. That applies to everything that we pen our signature (and to the extent of having witnesses).
Anyone who puts on the no. 7 jersey of Manchester United club has always been a legend … from George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and now Christiano Ronaldo, wait a minute. Ronaldo, a legend? Hmmm … not with a immature mindset.
When he became the club’s first every Portugese player at GBP12.2mil for a teenager in 2003, he was just a show-off with quick feet. Did he score enough goals? No. Did he provided enough assist to Ruud? No. Was he a cry baby? Yes. Was he a diver? Yes. But he matured into one the world’s best footballer you’ve ever seen with not just the ability to provide trickery entertainment but the last two seasons have been tremendous with 41 goals in the last season, beating George Best 40-year old record of the most goals scored by a midfielder in one season (32 goals in the 1967-68 season). He missed out on a few player of the year award last season as the club did not win the Champions League trophy. True enough, after winning the 2008 CL, Ronaldo went on to be named player of the year for numerous awards.
He is done with the club? Achieved what he could with the club? People accused him of being disloyal to the club and fans who stood by him through out his career and bust ups with Rooney and Ruud (and eventually Fergie chose Ron over Ruud). I personally don’t think it’s a selfish cause of reason to want to leave the club and live your dream playing for your childhood dream club. Many questioned his loyalty to the faith the club and fans have provided him but it is only normal to think selfishly for own.
What I really didn’t agree was that he thinks he is a slave to the football world after Blatter made a really uncalled-for-statement and intervention. Thank goodness Pele came in and dispute Blatter’s claim and many even suggested it’s time for Blatter to step down. If the contract signed mutually between the player and club is not valid, then what is? It was signed with clauses or get-out clauses surrounding the interests of both parties. And I believe the main clause was mutual agreement to trade a player needs to be agreed by current club, buying club and the player. So, now we have the buying club interested and player interested. But these are through the media and nothing was official, including Ronaldo himself submitting a transfer request. So, what’s the issue here again?
Terry Venables wrote a good article in the UK Sun paper. If a club like MU can’t hold their players with the signed contract, what more the authority of the smaller clubs over their players and contracts? Imagine if all the players want to change clubs be it in EPL or to La Liga and Serie A, without acknowledging the signed contract, what will be of the football market. The prices of salary will be sky high (which is already given so ridiculous now). And players freely change clubs as they like because they don’t want to be a “slave” to the club? You’re an employee at the club like anyone who signs an offer letter with a firm. You accepted the offer. You come to work in the agreed hours, you carry out your roles in the agreed KPI. So, how is he a “slave” to the club and us not to our firm? And imagine if player’s movement is not bound by the contract.
There is no slavery in a contract as it was signed and agreed mutually by the parties involved. So, grow up and do the job you’re paid for, else resign and go find another job and stop self-pitying in hope of support by calling yourself a slave.