Things went exactly as planned on Saturday. We caught the 11:15 Virgin Blue flight and arrived in Sydney around 12:30. After picking up our rental car, we found our way to Manly with no problems what-so-ever. Didn't even have to wait for the uppy-downy Spit Bridge to do it's uppy-downy thing. We just drove right on over and kept going until we made it to Warringah Mall. We had some hours to kill and what better place to do that then at a shopping mall.
Holy macaroni! How much Rugby League stuff do the Rebel Sports Stores in NSW have!?!?!? In Victoria we're lucky to see 3 jerseys. Seriously, the place is a NRL supporter's paradise. Some time later we dragged ourselves away from the mall and checked into the hotel before wandering down to Brookvale Oval for the Manly v. Roosters game.
We got there way early so we could get our usual seats: Eastern Side, 10-20 metre line, front row -- Check! We tied the old "Go Well Go Bell" and "Awesome Orford" banners to the fence. Then we waited... and waited... and waited. It seemed like forever before the main game kicked off. I don't think my "25 minutes until the Belly and Matty O show begins"..."24 minutes until the Belly and Matty O show begins"... "23 minutes until..." helped all that much. I was a tad excited.
Finally, 7:30 arrived and it all began. Manly didn't do too well in the first half but came good in the second. Their fullback, Brett Stewart, is a handy little player who never ever looks like dropping the high ball. Matty Orford was on fire and was all over everything, setting up most of the tries and even go for a stroll over the white line himself. And when did he learn to kick from the side line like that? Belly had a great game, making the most of limited access to the footy. The Roosters kept him in check for most of the game but Menzies managed to create a great opportunity for him to score a lovely try midway through the second half. Thats Try #5 from four games for Belly.
Final score: Manly 30 Roosters 22.
Player's start a victory lap.
Matty O spots "Awesome Orford" - Gives us a huge smile and a wave and a thumbs up! Just when did Matty O become so animated? The Northern Beaches air must sure be agreeing with him :) It was great to see him and great to know that he remembered us.
Steve Bell looks everywhere but at the banners. I'm getting ready to scream out his name. No need. Steve spots "Go Well Go Bell" Steve spots us. A huge grin spreads across his face and we get a big wave. He walks towards us. There is advertising signage separating players from crowd. Does he contemplate jumping it? Maybe, just maybe :) He doesn't jump it. He yells a "Good luck to the boys tomorrow" before continuing around the ground with his new team. Yet, he looks back at us, still grinning and waving. Still looking back, waving and grinning. That was so sweet.
Oh my, I can honestly say that both those two boys were so very happy to see us.
We caught up with Belly for a chat before we left the ground. He is very much the proud dad and almost immediately handed me his mobile containing photos of his baby daughter. "Just scroll up, there's heaps," he said, before turning around to sign autographs for his adoring new fans. It sounds as if everything is going really well for him up there with his family and with Manly. We promised we'd be back in Round 11 - Manly v Storm. Although who knows if he will be playing? After all, it is the week before State of Origin.
One of my favourite things about being at a game was hearing shouts of "Give the ball to Belly" from so many of the Manly fans. It's real nice to know he's gone somewhere he's appreciated.
As we walked past one group of Manly Supporters, one said "Go the Storm!" whilst another said, "Yeah, we love Steve Bell!". Yeah, you do? Well, you know what? So do we...
Can we have him back now?
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