View CommentsDuring this week a lot of people expected us to be disappointed that we had to fly to Alice Springs to play Adelaide. I always replied in a way that surprised them and made them think.
Once we had landed in Alice Springs and were walking on the tarmac to get inside the Airport I had the privilege of walking next to Leon Davis. I witnessed the sense of joy he felt to be walking on land with a significant spiritual connection to him. This made me smile.
I watched him closely and it was apparent to me that he was full of pride in his indigenous identity. I was extremely inspired by his presence and I was thinking to myself, “I live for moments like this!” I love seeing people connect to something greater than what lies on the surface.
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play in Alice Springs. It was a first time for me in the Northern Territory. Not only did I get the opportunity to do something I love (football), but I also go the opportunity to help contribute to putting smiles on faces in a community.
Greeted by fans at the airport
The people of Alice Springs were able to experience exposure to AFL players, something that they rarely get to this extent. I apologised to Leon about my ignorance when I admitted to him that I had no idea that the majority of indigenous people in the region were bilingual. I found this an amazing thing when some fans approached us for autographs and would be able to switch from English to their mother tongue.
Leon and I both shared the opinion that it is disappointing that we live in a country with one of the oldest recorded cultures, however do not adequately educate our children on the beauties which lie amongst this culture.
It was also the 1st time Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley would coach the side. Once again I feel so grateful that I was able to be a part of this special moment. He did a fantastic job. He will only get better too which is ‘scary’! I have had the pleasure of knowing Bucks for over 5 years and I know that no matter what he does he will not stop until he is the best he can be which is no doubt why the title of his book is All I can be.
In the 1st quarter the rain started pelting down so hard that is was almost impossible to see! When the ball was in our forward line the Adelaide Forwards and Collingwood defenders turned to each other and started chuckling. There was certainly a ‘different’ feel to the match early. However once we got adjusted to the conditions it was just like any other match.
As the game wore on the field became more and more like a giant shallow pool. I can definitely say that I have never played in such conditions! Despite this the boys played fantastic. The most pleasing thing was not walking away with the win, but that we were able to achieve what we set out to do before the game. We just wanted to focus on the process and the process was to play to our structures. We definitely improved a lot in this area from last week.
After the game there was a great feeling of collective achievement. It was not what I would describe as being satisfied by the outcome, but a feeling of being able to stick to the process to success. It was fantastic to see Jarred Blair and Ben Sinclair pull on a jumper with such history even if it was only a practice match. They both made an impact and were able to play their role in the win.
When Ben Sinclair kicked a fantastic goal in the final term everyone within his vicinity got to him and shared his excitement. He has already shown in his time thus far at the club that he has what it takes to have a decent career in the AFL.
On the bus on the way back to the hotel the boys were reliving the amazing conditions that none of us had every played in before. The general feeling amongst the group was that it was a fantastic experience and sweetened even more by the fact we were able to implement our one desire for the day and walk away with a win.
Post Match meal at the hotel the boys were relaxed
I leave you a line from one of my favourite books the way of the peaceful warrior by Dan Millman, “There are never any ordinary moments.” To many people, travelling all the way to Alice Springs to play a practice match would seem like something you go through the motions with. I have just pointed out many significant experiences that I have taken from this opportunity. Quite often things you do in life can seem ordinary, but it just takes you to look deeper and you will see that there are never any ordinary moments. Take a look today.
Live for hope
Harry O
