We f i n a l l y pull into the Sydney Olympic Park complex and find a car park, of course it's a good 10 minute walk to the stadium which we manage to cut down to about 5 minutes alternating between running and power walking. I can hear the announcer calling out the teams and I am racing around the complex trying to find a gate that is open. Now the announcer is calling the teams out onto the field and I am still outside. I pick up the pace and leave my partner behind and race to my seat. As I take my seat the Bulldogs kick off and Taufua knocks it on....
Devastation and outrage are heard from the Sea Eagles supporter bays and I, like everyone else, consider the possibility that not only could the Bulldogs grab a try from this, but this could set the pace for my boys for the next 79.5 minutes left in the game. Fortunately the boys defence holds strong and I can breathe again.
Only a few minutes have passed when the Bulldogs do the unthinkable, in my eyes, and cross the line. More outrage from the Sea Eagles supporters ensues. Fortunately the try remains unconverted and the game resumes with a lead of 4-0 to the Bulldogs. In Bay 105 you can hear the tips and advice rolling in for the Sea Eagles from amongst the crowd, but most of the advice is for the ref. "Keep them on side ref!" and "Eyes on the game ref!" are the most common bits of advice.
Momentum builds as we start to see an increase in possession of the ball. You can hear the "Manly" cries from the crowd when we near the try line, sometimes we shout it out while we're defending just to give them a bit of a boost. A large shout from the now standing crowd goes out as it looks like Jamie Lyon may have crossed the line. Unfortunately he was held up inches from the line.
George Rose enters the field and the Sea Eagles supporters are beside themselves. We LOVE our Georgie Rose, and every time he gets the ball you can hear the encouraging shouts from the crowd "good on you georgie!" "Yeah George!!" You can see the lift that he gives the team. On an aside note, we've missed our George, don't take him away!
The score is still 4-0 to the 'enemy' as we near half time. Moments before half time a penalty is awarded to Manly and we decide to go for the 2 points. The crowd is beside themselves cheering our beloved co-captain on and he does us proud. Jamie Lyon kicks beautifully as the half time siren sounds and we see the score rise to 4-2.
The second half is underway and there is a certain buzz in the air. The Sea Eagle supporters are very keen on seeing our boys over the line again and we intensify the cheering and chants. "We are maroon, we are white, we are...." well you can finish the rest. It seems our cheering and chanting have pumped up the boys and Brett Stewart crosses the line!!! It remains unconverted and the score is 4-6 to Manly. We are in front, the crowd - in Bay 105 - is alive!
During a slump in the game you can often hear the lonely cry from a tiny Sea Eagles fan "Let's go Manly!" I silently congratulate their parents, they have taught them well! Next to me a small boy turns to his dad and says "I thought the Captain was Number One?" His dad then explains the positions of the field "Number One is the Fullback, Number Two and Five are the wingers...." It's these moments in the game when I am reminded of my love for my team as well as the love I have for the spirit and atmosphere created by the supporters and fans.
Three small Bulldogs fans in front of me are shouting out "GO BULLDOGS" but it is overwhelmingly drowned out by the increasing intensity of the Sea Eagles supporter cheers. Their mum, a Sea Eagles supporter, laughs quietly at them and seems to be telling them that they don't stand a chance of being heard over this crowd.
Then comes the awful moment, with 12 minutes on the clock, when it looks as though the Bulldogs have crossed the line. Jamie Lyon left the ball just that little bit too long and it was launched on by a fast Goodwin. The video ref takes a look and the bright red/orange stripes from Goodwin's shoe seem to be touching the line as he tries to ground the football. The decision is NO TRY and the Sea Eagle Fans - and Jamie Lyon - breathe a huge sigh of relief!
My bright orange nail polish has now been chipped and chewed off as time counts down towards full time. The two point lead is not making me comfortable at all. The crowd is repeatedly brought to their feet out of both excitement and terror. In my opinion, the last 10 minutes is where it is at. We have a few close calls and then we finally find our missing link, a brilliant try assist by the infamous and adored George Rose puts Steve Matai over the line and then our co-captain converts to bring the score 4-12 with only 5 minutes to go.
An audible sigh of relief resounds from the Sea Eagle Supporter bay, but it isn't long before we are forced to hold our breath and bite our nails once more as a kick from Keating sees Goodwin over the line for real this time. The try is converted and the score difference is once again brought to 2 points. The next 2 minutes pass ever so slowly but as the siren sounds full time my boys are still up 10-12. The Sea Eagles and their supporters are beside themselves. All we can do is scream, cheer and fist pump! I look down to the row in front of me and the mother of the tiny Bulldogs fan is offering some consolation and the small child is trying to keep the smile on his face.
As the crowd exits the boys walk over to the Supporters bay. There are massive smiles on all their faces - as well as blood pouring down Matt Ballin's, and they are clearly thrilled with the win! My throat is sore, my voice is croaky but none of that matters because I am on an absolute high. A tough game, a tough win. Bring on next Sunday at Brookvale.
Photo's Courtesy of Jasiah Ulbricht Photography
