“GEELONG” (Cat-Champions) – by Desmond Kelly ‘the Star of eLanka’
source: Australian Football Website
Melbourne, the “most liveable City” in the World, many times over, certainly. This writer migrated to THIS wonderful City in 1962, together with his very young family, for many reasons, the main one being, that it was here, that full-time employment was readily available & naturally, this was something that any young family needed if they were to get a good start in their brand new Country.
I got my first “job” in Australia within a week of arrival, and it was because of the nature of that job (a mail clerk) with the P.M.G. in Spencer Street, Melbourne, that I first heard of the Town of Geelong.
Even then, Geelong was one of the main “Cities” in Victoria, a thriving town, made even more famous by it’s “Footy-Team”, the Geelong “Cats”.
What better reason for me to start “barracking” for Geelong, from the very start, in 1962.?, firstly, the name was poetically similar to “Ceyon”, secondly, their mascot was the “Cat” & I have always been a lover of this rather unique animal, thirdly, after I took the time to study the greatest, most entertaining “sport” in the World, “Aussie-Rules” football, the “greatest” “Icon” of the sport, in my opinion anyway, in that particular era, right now, in the present, and into the future, as well, is, and always will be Gary Ablett Senior, a man who was truly a “God” in a sporting sense, of course. Together with a bunch of other very talented sportsmen, including another superb Indigenous “Ruckman” by the name of Polly Farmer, who also served as their Captain, Geelong simply became better with each passing year. Incidentally, there has never been an Aboriginal footy player that could be described as anything less than “great”. They are all superb assets to this wonderful game.
I have “followed” Geelong & “the cats” ever since, and now, in 2017, this footy team is right “up-there” in the “finals” coming up in the next few weeks. While I still believe that the best team will win the cup this year, I do know that Geelong will give everything it has to hold up that final trophy & I do wish them all the best.
I am hoping to receive more “details” of the Geelong Footy Club in the near future & if and when I do, I shall endeavour to write another “story” on what I honestly think is quite definitely the most watchable, the BEST Game in the World, BUT, one little bit of advice to the ..
A.F.L. leaders, there are one, possibly two players who wear head-protection at the moment. The game is becoming faster, tougher, & more susceptible to serious head injuries with each week, so, gentlemen, I would respectfully suggest the same type of head-gear for EVERY player in the future. Better late, than never and, to quote another Original Composition of mine, better safe, than sorry, or it certainly would be “Too late for regrets”. Good luck to Geelong & the Cats this year. Again, in my opinion, the very best “NAME” for Sri Lanka WAS Ceylon. The very best “Footy-Team” in Australia IS Geelong. Agree with me & jump on the “barra”, disagree folks? , then, jump in the “Yarra”.!.
Desmond Kelly.
Star of eLanka.
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