Fatbastarding: NTA log

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First: visit to the chiro this morning. Ankle is showing signs of life again which is good. I've been able to support my weight on it, but not lift my weight from the floor as yet. Its a start. 
 
OK, today we played Colleagues Convicts - some explanation here: The Convicts (who form the "2nd Grade" team in the club) are Sydney's gay rugby side. They've teamed up with Woollahra Colleagues' leftovers (basically their 6th Grade) to compete in the two-team 5th Division. No idea why because the two teams have fuck all to do with each other. When Colleagues' (the "First Grade" side) had a prop injured, the Convicts wouldn't lend them anyone. Its basically a joke and the ref wanted us to put in a complaint because of it. None of our business. 
 
Being a numpty, I forgot to wash my shoulder pads, shorts and socks this week. So I taped my head up and grabbed some old shorts from the cupboard. Wallaby socks to finish the ensemble <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
I played 2nd row (loose head) again for 2nd Grade the first half. And by fuck we scrummed them into the deck - turning them several times and disrupting every other ball they had. They were pretty well drilled in contact (no gay jokes please <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />), often holding us up for the maul turnover. Our lineout just didn't function that well, and our shitty option taking in the backs and lack of focus were apparent in the first half.Â After conceding an early penalty we put a try in, which we failed to convert. They returned the favour and it was 8-5 before they pounced on a couple of idiot mistakes and went up 15-5. Then we hit back, but they did too - 20-10 as their conversion from RIGHT IN FRONT hits the post and bounces back. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> 
 
We're still looking fucked with about 10 minutes to go as the passes just aren't happening for us. Then we score. No conversion. Fuck. Then with 5 to go, our reserve flanker breaks them wide open and crosses the line wide out, making sure he goes around to the posts for the easy conversion. 22-20 bitchez! A few minutes to go. I'm chilling on the sideline with the coach when our hooker (nearly 50 mind you) goes down after a pretty good game. I'm ordered back on. Quick search for the mouthguard and ditching my sunnies and hat <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
Back on and straight away get stepped by this big lad. One of our wingers grabs this massive bloke and wraps his arms around the ball for grim death - it was an amazing effort for a bloke 75kg dripping wet up against a guy heavier than me! I joined in and helped him and rip it clear, then gave it off to another forward who runs it upfield. After a couple of phases the final whistle goes thank fuck! Thought we'd lost that one... 
 
The best thing about winning over the top of that was the fact they were the biggest whiners I've ever played any sport against. I've got nothing against homosexuals, but these blokes would give anyone a reason to start. At one of our rucks their guy was off his feet with his hands all over it, so we rucked shit out of him - just his hands mind. One of their tough guys thought he'd try to smash us off it, but all he did was give away a penalty - fortunately the bloke on our side who got cleaned out right next to me (and is a bit firey) didn't punch him in the head. 
 
Weird game for me - lots of involvement at scrum (obviously) and ruck time, but I don't think a single lineout got called to our pod, and I only ran with the ball a couple of times, getting turned in the maul at halftime when my support didn't arrive. No harm done there but I've got to work on protecting it better. Like I said above, their tactic was to wrap the ball up and keep it off the deck, and they were very good at it. We keep relying on individuals to get us out of the shit which is part of the issue when you're not fielding a regular lineup I suppose. That's 2nd grade for you... At the end the coach was discussing who to give the points to for best on field and mentioned I wasn't far off. I said "Yeah only played the first half - I reckon I'm in the top 20!" which got a bit of a laugh <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> 
 
No game this week for 2nd grade as the other club (Rockdale) withdrew their side due to numbers. Good - my next visit to the chiro is coming up and she assures me it'll be thorough. :twisted: 
 
First Grade got to 74-7 before the opposing skipper allowed the ref to invoke the mercy rule. They wanted to stop at halftime when it was about 50-nil <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

cyclopath

Love reading the game descriptions, Nick, although I hope none of your backs are on the fern, you give 'em heaps, but then again, you're a bloody forward!! Yes, I am an evil glory boy, do-nothing, stay-clean back...but the hair does not stay parted, 'cos aint got none! Anyway, always being told when I played to get the fuck out of the rucks and mauls, guess that's why I picked up a few scars on the head, now exposed. It always seemed like fun in there! 
Interesting point about them being whiney. I would say this is more a product of watching more top level rugby - with all the directional mikes etc at games, how much whinging do you hear in S14 and tests? Heaps. "ref, he's on the wrong side!"Â "not releasing ref"Â etc.... But well done anyway. I wish my 40 (nearly) year old bones and time would allow me to play a bit. Always my biggest regret, not playing more rugby through my uni and early working days.

? Offline

[quote name='cyclopath'] 
Love reading the game descriptions, Nick, although I hope none of your backs are on the fern, you give 'em heaps, but then again, you're a bloody forward!! 
[/quote] 
 
Yeah I suppose, but our strength is in the forwards. With simple rugby played up front we could beat every other side in the comp - even those 2nd grade teams who are stacking their sides now that Bankstown and our lot are over 20 points clear at the top of the table! We make mistakes in the forwards too (our lineout for example) but I reckon we just give the ball away too easily rather than trucking it up first. We've got a few set plays from tap kicks and whatnot but the flyhalf (who is bloody good) calls the moves onto himself and inevitably the guys outside him aren't quite as hot as he is. I know the backs want to score tries, but the fact is if we get a lead up through some pick n go, with the odd break from our better forwards, then the other side starts to drop off. Then we can start putting on backline moves to score the flashy tries. Without blowing the trumpet too much, we've got enough forward talent (even with my handicapping the team <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />) to lay on 4 tries in the first half while starving the oppo of possesion, then let the backs hammer in the final nails in the second half. 
 
Most teams attack us through the backs because our forward defence is pretty good. Its much easier to attack through the backs if you've got one or two talented blokes. Our defensive structure out wide isn't great because we don't often run the 2nds backline together too. Hard to get 30 blokes to training in their right positions... 
 
 
 
[quote]Always my biggest regret, not playing more rugby through my uni and early working days.[/quote] 
 
Me too mate <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> But I figure if I had done more of that and less of chasing burds the quality of Mrs the Aussie, I might not be where I am now :nta All things happen for a reason... except penalties against you when the bloke was clearly off his feet :whistle: 
 
 
In other news - my left shoulder was a bit sore last night, but today its really handing out the grief. I can do dips or pushups (just) but not a chinup - someone's whacked me on top of the AC joint I reckon and without shoulder pads its just that little bit more harsh than usual.

barbarian

[quote name='cyclopath'] 
Interesting point about them being whiney. I would say this is more a product of watching more top level rugby - with all the directional mikes etc at games, how much whinging do you hear in S14 and tests? Heaps. "ref, he's on the wrong side!"Â "not releasing ref"Â etc.... 
[/quote] 
 
True that. I am doing a bit of refereeing for NSWRU (subbies and club- not you Nick yet thank christ), and the amount of banter you get from players is stupid. In my expereince from playing and reffing the team that puts its head down and just plays footy will always beat the team that whinges about the refs calls. 
 
Low level subbies is the best to ref though, because you tend to get more jokes than complaints, which is what playing footy is all about.

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The ref penalised Convicts mid-phase for backchat. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> I've NEVER seen a ref actually stop a game for backchat - usually its after a penalty is given when someone drops a clanger. 
 
Its no surprise that I mouth off a little - it comes from knowing the rules and being a short-tempered prick <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> I try to make it short and to the point, and generally phrase it as a question: "Not straight sir?" "Offside sir?" "Sorry was that a maul sir?" I especially don't do it to the ref's face - that's one advantage of the second row when something is up at scrum time <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> I always refer to the ref as "sir" and make it as respectful as possible, but I bet its still annoying. 
 
One of our flankers - normally a level-headed bloke - had enough of one ref (who was bad) and said to no-one in particular "Watch the fucking GAME!" 
 
 
barbarian - I hope you don't get Oakhill or Convicts. Lane Cove, Killara West Pymble, and Norwest are good blokes I've found for 2nd grade at least. Colleagues (the first grade team for Convicts) are also good fun. Even Bankstown are pretty cool compared to Oakhill and Convicts. Rockdale I haven't played but they're all cuzzy bros so must be alright <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> 
 
Tried the shoulder again for some dips and chins. Managed a pullup and some dips but it was an effort. Rest time for that arm I think...

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We can basically kiss the champions shield goodbye as Bankstown just won both grades yesterday against Oakhill. That keeps them 4 points ahead of us overall, and they've only got Rockdale next week (which their 2nd Grade automatically win and First Grade will pulverise) and a home game against Norwest, who will have trouble getting close in either grade. 
 
That being the case, we can at least concentrate on securing our top 2 spots and get ready for the finals. This weekend is Oakhill and I want some revenge on those blokes. 
 
After last night's fundraiser and only about 4 hours sleep I'm still under the effects of XX rum and cokes. The charity auction resulted in me buying a club jersey signed by all the boys for a not inconsiderable sum of money, but it all goes back to the club and the Kids Hospital so what the hey. Mrs TA regretted her pregnancy somewhat as she needed a strong drink. Especially when the bidding got close to 4 figures.... 
 
So, given the dehydrating effect of the hangover and after a pretty solid GB this morning I'm a couple of kilos lighter :shifty:Â I've been doing some dips, pushups, crunches and chins just to blow out the booze. 
 
Been a while since I did my measurements - last lot: 
 
[quote name='NTA'] 
Chest 125cm 
Gut 113cm 
Butt 120cm 
[/quote] 
 
Chest 126cm 
Gut 113cm 
Butt 120cm 
 
:nta Yeah not much changed there.

Virgil

[quote name='NTA'] 
We can basically kiss the champions shield goodbye as Bankstown just won both grades yesterday against Oakhill. That keeps them 4 points ahead of us overall, and they've only got Rockdale next week (which their 2nd Grade automatically win and First Grade will pulverise) and a home game against Norwest, who will have trouble getting close in either grade. 
 
That being the case, we can at least concentrate on securing our top 2 spots and get ready for the finals. This weekend is Oakhill and I want some revenge on those blokes. 
 
After last night's fundraiser and only about 4 hours sleep I'm still under the effects of XX rum and cokes. The charity auction resulted in me buying a club jersey signed by all the boys for a not inconsiderable sum of money, but it all goes back to the club and the Kids Hospital so what the hey. Mrs TA regretted her pregnancy somewhat as she needed a strong drink. Especially when the bidding got close to 4 figures.... 
 
So, given the dehydrating effect of the hangover and after a pretty solid GB this morning I'm a couple of kilos lighter :shifty:Â I've been doing some dips, pushups, crunches and chins just to blow out the booze. 
 
Been a while since I did my measurements - last lot: 
 
[quote name='NTA'] 
Chest 125cm 
Gut 113cm 
Butt 120cm 
[/quote] 
 
Chest 126cm 
Gut 113cm 
Butt 120cm 
 
:nta Yeah not much changed there. 
[/quote] 
 
Looks like someone got some breast implants..

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Somebody ban him :knubble:

Virgil

[quote name='NTA'] 
Somebody ban him :knubble: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[/quote] 
 
Ban me! 
 
I think im up for Post of the year!

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Training tonight - was a bloody good one too. Ground was wet and with little grass cover soon mucky as. We did handling, contact drills, but mostly fitness work. It was a nice change from the usual stuff as we had a different trainer. Last thing we did was 5 of these: Start on your chest, then up, run 5 metres, down-and-up then back to the start line. Then do it to the 10 metre line, then do a 50 metre sprint after that and jog back. Shit I'm unfit, but I didn't come last by too much <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> I think its time I started taking the runners to work and do some stuff at lunch time to prep for the finals. 
 
We'll have set piece and field drills on Thursday 
 
In ankle news - the hot chiropractor is doing some nice work. My boots are the problem I reckon - not enough arch support. I haven't been strapping either which might help. Bottom line is I'm rolling inwards and getting shin splits on both legs, which isn't helping the ankle problem itself.

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Missed Thursday training as Mrs TA thought she might be going into labour (10 weeks early, which would suck) so I stayed home and left messages with the coaching staff explaining the situation. 
 
Anyway, I front up yesterday for a game and WAS in the starting lineup, but then got yanked to the bench, and THEN got yanked altogether because they made some of their subs too early and put too many backs out. To rub it in, one of the starting forwards got a yellow card for a blatant and very stupid late charge on the oppo kicker, and our 10-3 lead shortly turned into 10-all and then we went 13-17 down. That's where it ended. Another of our blokes got a yellow card for backchat which was fair enough, but the ref didn't apply the same standard to the opposition who were marched at least twice for mouthy behaviour. C'est la vie. I was up for yesterday too because I wanted to beat that particular team so badly... 
 
Firsts won 41-10 after a bit of early lethargy. Nice brawl in there too where some fuckwit didn't take kindly to being rucked by our halfback. This other big fat piece of shit from their team runs in and starts throwing punches on a lame target, but as soon as two of the brothers squared him up he backed off. Fag.

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Well, with a round to play, our top side are minor premiers and seconds are runners up, 6 points ahead of the guys who beat us on the weekend. Basically we can't be moved now and that's a pretty handy finish for a club in its first year. We missed the Championship unless Bankstown (who are runners up in 1sts and minor premiers in 2nd grade) drop their first grade game this weekend as a minimum. Unlikely... 
 
The rain in Sydney this week will probably close the training grounds which will suck. I've resolved after missing out on the weekend to strip back the diet and up the exercise in preparation for this last month and have a word to the coach about the guy who got yellow carded. Its his 4th one this year and quite frankly he's a risk to our side in the finals. He's a good player, but he needs a talking to, and if he can't settle down, then yank him. We have guys as talented as him coming back, who aren't as fiery and don't respond to niggle. 
 
I may not win a side many games on my own, but I reckon I'm good enough not to lose many either.

Virgil

Whats happened with your weight Nick since you joined your club? 
Has it dropped or has there been some muscle mass increase so the weight has stayed around the same. 
 
With your mrs about to calf it could be touch n go if you will get to watch the AB's beat France in the finalÂ :whistle:

? Offline

[quote name='Virgil'] 
Whats happened with your weight Nick since you joined your club? 
Has it dropped or has there been some muscle mass increase so the weight has stayed around the same.[/quote] 
 
Yeah with the increase in contact work I'm doing as well as the running, the back and legs have muscled up a fair bit so its been not much in terms of overall weight. I've also been eating a bit more because I'm starving. One place I'm noticing is grip strength due to the chinups and dips. If I get hold of someone's jersey or shorts, they just can't get away. My forearms are rock hard but that's what you get for lifting 50kg on each arm <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
 
[quote]With your mrs about to calf it could be touch n go if you will get to watch the AB's beat France in the finalÂ :whistle: 
[/quote] 
 
Its called the "3rd place playoff" mate <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

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Turned up at training and none of the other blokes were particularly keen so they bailed. A dutiful husband, I went home to spend some time with the family, and do a workout by myself. 
 
Chins x 2 
Leg raises x 15 
Dips x 5 
Pushups x 5 (doing them straight after dips is a mistake I think :nta) 
Pulldowns x 10 
Crunches x 20 
Shoulder press x 20 
Bent flyes x 20 
 
Chins x 1.5 
Leg raises x 15 
Dips x 4 
Crunches x 20 
Pulldowns x 10 
Pushups x 10 (better) 
Shoulder press x 20 
Bent flyes x 20 
 
And even some jumping jacks to put a bit of stress on the ankle and see how it holds up. It ain't great, let me tell you :shifty:

Fullermorg

Sounds like a beast of a session! 
 
Did you give your mates a kick up the ass!? 
 
Got training this evening and i am buzzing - maybe that is because it is still pretty new after months of injurednessiosity

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When you're doing chins, pulldowns and dips on 115kg mate, it is beastly let me tell you <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
I wasn't too filthy with the boys actually - its the last round this weekend and while momentum is important, we've locked up top spot in 1st grade and runners up in 2nd grade. We're guaranteed two bites at the cherry and we're not expecting too much competition from the guys we're playing Saturday (both their grades in 6th spot). Momentum running into the finals will be important, but it depends on who shows up and whether they want to play rugby or pass the parcel. That's the problem with having too many Kiwis in your side - they don't appreciate the finer tactical details <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

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Today we played Killara West Pymble who were struggling after losing a heap of players in recent weeks. We were expected to crush them, and did. 
 
I played the whole game for second grade, and to blow my own trumpet I had a fucking top game today. Made a few great tackles in the open, blew over a heap of rucks, stuck in at the maul. I threw a pass from the ruck that led to a first half try, and in the second half ran a pick n drive that gained ten metres, with the next phase resulting in a try. 
 
Then, with the ruck forming 5 metres out shortly after, I ran inside our big Number 8 and yelled for it. Got the ball, strode out for the line and got held up, but the lads arrived and drove me over. TRY TIME!!!! 
 
I even filled in at the front row for a bit when our loosehead's knee gave way - glad it was uncontested scrums because their THP was about 5'6" and chubby - very hard to shift or tackle as a few of the boys found out. In the game washup I got 1 point for best on ground (3-2-1 system). After that, the day just got better as we were a bit short on the First Grade bench, and even though we were thrashing them with only 5 minutes to go, the First Grade coach let me have a run. Didn't do much except watch the boys run in a try and blow over a ruck, but that pretty much made my day. 
 
THEN I led out the boat race team and managed to hold my own against their first guy, before our First Grade LHP blitzed the second leg and the First Grade halfback took us home just in time. Only our second boat race win for the season <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
The try and the run for First Grade pretty much made my season. Short of winning a premiership that is. 
 
Am a very sore, but very happy boy tonight.

naza

[quote name='NTA'] 
Then, with the ruck forming 5 metres out shortly after, I ran inside our big Number 8 and yelled for it. Got the ball, strode out for the line and got held up, but the lads arrived and drove me over. TRY TIME!!!! 
 
[/quote] 
 
Go you good thing !Â I'm pretty sure that 5 metres will soon blow out to 50.

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Too late naza: 
 
[quote name='NTA'] 
in the second half ran a pick n drive that gained [b]ten[/b] metres, with the next phase resulting in a try. 
[/quote] 
 
My mate with the video assures me it was more like 5 metres <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 
 
And I'm quite sure over the years that the try won't gain much in distance, but will involve NO help from the boys as I single-handedly step their entire back row inside the tram lines <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />

The Silver Fern

Fatbastarding: NTA log