Good things come to an end –bad things too.

Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th
The play off for 3rd and 4th was at 1pm so we were used to the temperature. In the morning I found a place to get my secret friend gift.

Again we had more play than the Victorians but were unable to score. I did put another goal in that was disallowed because of a free that occurred before I hit it. It was nil all with less than 5 minutes to go when again a free outside the circle was changed to a short corner for the Victorians. This lead to the only goal for the game. We were all pretty annoyed with the result, ourselves and the umpires. This 4th place finish is the worst for any state team I’ve been in since the first year in ACT (2000).

We stayed and watched 2 other teams play and then came back for drinks and nibbles with the 50s. Their gold medal match was at 10-30 today so we didn’t stay late.

11 of us went to the mall for a meal and went to Jo-jos. There was a bit of a wait and 4 left just before a table was organised. I had a T bone steak.

This morning, we had breakfast at the coffee club on eagle pier and presented our secret friends gifts. We then went to watch the 50s who won their game and the gold medal beating NSW. Revenge for last year when they won by a single goal. NSW probably had more of the play and WA were lucky to convert one of the few short corners they had. A great result for a team that almost didn’t come because of injuries and other things forced a number of their players to drop out.

Bev, Marg and I went to the markets at the Brunswick and Chinatown Malls on the way back. Nothing really exciting there.

Now it’s packing the cases and getting ready to go, first thing tomorrow. Guy is coming to stay the night and we have to leave at 6 to get the ferry. He has a sailing course he needs to get back for.

We went back for the closing ceremony, where medals are presented and the Australian teams announced. I was disappointed not to get named in the team for the 55s, but was named as a shadow player. This means than I may get called up if someone drops out. There were 3 WA girls selected for this team, Jane and Lorraine from our team and Dale from the 50s. She is 55 this year and so will be old enough for the tournament in May. This leaves me in limbo, since I probably won't go but can't really make other plans around that time, in case I get a callup. I was a shadow in 2004 but didn't go then.

Our team all went out together to the Irish pub for a meal, using the left over team money after filling the cars up with petrol. They had a band on and after we'd eaten we stayed and danced till nearly midnight.