This Is It

Me- Jarred Hayne Mum- Janene Dad- Geoff Uncle Paul Auntie Chrissy Uncle Kevin Auntie Leanne Coach Greg Judd Michael Judd Captain- Jamie Kingsley Scotty Withers Tim Lane Kicker- Brendan Blitz This is it. The forth tackle and the rivals are on side, and big Jamie Lynch is about 3 meters in front of our dummy half. There is ten minutes left, and we are seven points down because their half back kicked a field goal right on half time. This is a really intense game for our Under 15’s East Campbelltown team. Chris played the ball and went long out to Scott, but he couldn’t make much ground so he took the hit. Fifth and last and I’m waiting anxiously for the ball to be played. I’m going to try the grubber kick along the ground so Michael can run on to it, as he is in the clear on the right wing. After what seemed like five minutes, Scott placed the ball down, flicked it back and Chris was there to collect. Stepping forward he saw the giant front row come steaming toward him. Chris was panicking and flicked the ball back to no-one as the footy just dribbled along the ground. The East Campbelltown Eagles may have just lost them self the game, but out of no where Dan (our main prop) charged back and threw the footy wide just as the defender smashed him into the turf. The ball spun horribly but luckily landed in the hands of our captain, Jamie Kingsley. Just as he realised he was well in the clear I made the wrap as he popped the ball up just as I ran through. Michael was no longer open, but Scotty was ready to chase. I chipped the footy straight over the winger (who was defiantly out of position) as it landed right on the goal line, bounced straight back into the arms of Scotty and he put the ball down for a magnificent try. Parents around were screaming, as the red and the white may have just one last chance. I ran straight over to the team huddle as our kicker Brendan was knocked out early in the first half. We all turned to our captain to determine who would kick. “Jamie, who’s going to kick? I recon Scotty should, as he practises sometimes at training,” I yelled into the pack. “Just because I practice it doesn’t mean I’m any good, Jarred. If anyone should kick it should be you. I have seen how you kick on the weekend with your brother and you hardly miss! Besides, you do all our kickoffs so you must have some sort of kick,” replied Scott. “Alright team, shut up and listen! We have a couple of OK kickers, but personally I think Jarred should kick,” snapped Jamie. The referee yelled out to hurry up, but the team was still arguing. “Fine then, I’ll kick it, but it’s now my problem if I miss,” I said. “Just shut up and kick the footy.”

As Michael’s dad carried out the tee, I paced up and down, pretending I wasn’t nervous about the kick... but I was a dead giveaway. When he finally arrived he whispered “You can do it Jarred. Just pretend you’re just kicking with your brothers.” As I placed the Steeden match ball on top of the Sharpshooter, I remember Michael’s words. I thought these over and over, and kept reminding my self to just stay calm. If only Scotty ran the footy under the posts I would have no trouble kicking this, but he put it down about 7 meters from the left sideline. At least I am a right footer! Once the ball was balanced I measured my run-up, which is four steps back, three to the left and then one back. I threw out my arms and visualised the kick, then went back and started the run up. It was a good hit, as the ball sailed out wide and curled back. Its curving, curving, curving- POST! The ball dropped out side the goal and this kick was Un-successful. The crowd went silent, then started yelling some garbage support how there is still four minutes to get two points, but I knew it was a very difficult task. The score board now goes Penrith Brothers 23-22 East Campbelltown Eagles, which puts the Eagles in a very tight spot. If we got a try we would win it, a field goal and we would draw the game or nothing and we would go down by one point. As I ran to my Fullback position, I received many pats on the head which all I completely ignored. Penrith’s kicker struck the ball beautifully as it landed straight into my arms. I darted around one front rower, and then got tackled just inside the 30 meter line. Quickly moving, I played the ball and Jamie threw a short pass to Michael, who only gained about five meters. Michael got up and this time Scott had a run and sprinted at the oppositions half back for a huge hit up. On tackle two Jamie shouted out that we only have two minutes and we need to start making ground, so Scotty hurried the ball so the play could keep moving. This time I collect and throw a wide ball out to Tim, who goes to pass to the left-… dummies... and makes a break! He is running down now, steps the Brothers Lock and eventually gets tackled 40 meters from our line. It’s now tackle four and we are still a long way from the line, and this time Jamie receives the ball and has a run. The halfback for Penrith grab Jamie, but he quickly offloads into my hands. I am now running across the field, ready to fake the pass and give it off to Brian, but another Prop for the Brothers is about five meters away. I popped the pass up over the prop and Brian runs toward the winger but snapped the pass to Scotty. Our team is just juggling around the footy with 1 minute left! “C’mon guys, make some ground!” Jamie yelled as he suddenly realised this game is almost over. Scotty’s in trouble now as two Penrith boys charged at him, and with one desperate attempt he offloaded back… and the ball spilled to the ground with no team mates around. Just as Jamie realised the ball went to ground, The Brother’s winger bolted through, grabbed the football and ran down the field. Jamie was hot on his tail but as he ran out to the wing, he cut back just as Jamie dived for an ankle tap. He misses by an inch, and dances down the pitch for a 58 meter try. The siren had just sounded, and half of the spectators went silent. I stared up at the hill to see mum’s head in her hands. She then smiled at me, but I just put my hands on my head and joined the team.

Scott’s dad Greg is out coach, and him and Michael made their way onto the field. He gave us a big talk about how they were more determined to win it and how we just gave up, but I didn’t listen at all. I couldn’t listen, as I knew I had let the team down with the kick. A sick feeling in my stomach stayed with me, as I though I was a useless player. Coach is coming over to me now, as I am trying to avoid making eye contact. I duck behind Scotty to hide myself, but he walked off to join his mum who was standing on the hill ready to leave. “Jarred!” he said, as I pretended not to hear him. “That was not one of your best games at all, was it?” he asked me. “No, Coach. It wasn’t. I tackled like a girl, ran like an old man and kicked like a— “No, Jarred, you kicked OK. For someone who has had little practice, I think you would make quite the kicker. Now next Saturday you stay focused and turn up to play, not to stare at the clouds, OK?” “Sure, Coach,” I said glumly. “Pick your head up, Jarred. To be honest, Michael, Scotty and even Jamie played a shocker. Everyone has their good and bad days, look at Gordon Tallis last week! You’re a good footballer, mate, and everyone has their off days. Besides, it’s only the second round, and you can’t play like today against the Tigers next week. Training on Tuesday, Jarred, 4:30 don’t be late,” said Coach. I sighed and muttered “I’ll be there.” The drive home was awkward, even though it’s only five minutes from our ground. I didn’t say a word to mum, but she tried to cheer me up. Of course, it didn’t work. “Oh Jared, your uncle Paul called and said he’s coming in from Perth today,” said mum, who looked really tired, probably from sitting out in the sun. “That’s great, mum, when does he arrive?” I asked. If there was one thing that could cheer me up, it was my Uncle Paul.