Enter the BoomBox II – The Return

Hope is the one constant in the AFL. Each new week brings the promise of redemption if coming off defeat, affirmation if coming off victory. For the past few years Kangaroo supporters have taken affirmation from the important victories that lay scattered through close defeats and shellackings alike.

This game against Port was one such game. Flogged by the Dons in Round 1, an ugly win the following week about the Dogs. To meet that expectation that North’s time is nigh, we needed to see progression toward the uppermost of the laddermost.

A combination of factors including the closure of the Ballarat bypass, my daughter Fagyn finishing work late and the bringing forward of the game time to 4.10pm saw us take our member’s seats on the half forward flank half-way through the second quarter. Already under pressure from the extra night’s sleep we’d banked with the roll back of day light saving, we sneak in a couple of magnificent soulvakis hand crafted just a 50 metre drop punt from the Coleman end. Security staff adherence to the “no outside food” policy is tighter than Brad Scott’s insistence on team rules and from experience we hide the souvas in our socks having been ejected a couple of years back for brazenly strolling through the turnstiles with a couple of Subway 6 inchers in each hand.

By half time the Roos are up by a point. The odour deepens in the third as Port pour on 5 and we go into the final quarter 10 points in arrears and in fear of Port’s vaunted fitness.

For the second week in a row, the Roos went to one man to bring them over the line – Brent Boombox Harvey who delivered with 2 vintage final quarter majors.

The first a snap in the goalsquare, the second a 55 metre mid post high penetrating drop punt to give the Roos the lead while generating scenes of ecstasy amongst the long-suffering members on the half forward flank. In the interim, Port’s Angus Monfries pulls a hammy running toward a certain gather and goal and Chad Wingard is on one leg. Even the umpire takes early leave once clipped by Port ruckman Matthew Lobe. Port are spent and the Roos through Cunnington, Greenwood and Thomas bring the 4 points back. Its a sequel for Boomer – probably the second greatest Kangaroo of all time.

When that siren blows, its a great place to be, in that member’s seat on the half forward flank.

North Melbourne 14 13 97 defeated Port Adelaide 13 12 90