06/05/2026
We had a great game Sunday against Jase and the Vikings.
Here is the reportage from Round 2 in The Courier against Chop, Belly, Hardo and the Superjets Nation
When Optimism is Just Not Enough
Sunday’s Superules match at Port Noarlunga was eventful to say the least.
Paul Woods, who, on a good day can be quite the philosopher, described over 35s footy as, “Where the deluded are led into the unimaginable by the optimistic”.
Optimism was the only weapon the team possessed as they arrived completely underprepared, lacking match hardness and missing quality players. The Supertigers’ day hit a snag before the match even commenced. During a casual kick to kick, Andrew Bailey clutched his spine muttering about ‘Doing his back’, while Mick Emmett found himself locked in a toilet cubicle as the siren sounded for the opening bounce.
Part way through the first quarter, Scott Colegate charged at the ball but his ‘tunnel vision’ caused him to career into one of the field umpires. As his poleaxed victim laid on the ground, one wag in the crowd called out, “Please let it be Foote”. Naively Scott replied,
“No, shoulder I think”.
Play was temporarily suspended while the damaged adjudicator was assessed and then assisted from the field, leaving only one more for Scott to deal with.
Karma struck in the second quarter when Scott was forced from the field with a dislocated finger.
By now, it was quite evident that even the most optimist Hill’s player could see that they were in for a shellacking.
The only cause for celebration came when Bailey, who had spent half the match on his hands and knees trying to stretch his injured lower back, gathered the ball across half-forward. Realising he was only 70 metres from goal, he shrugged three tackles, weaved around other defenders, ‘burnt’ two team mates and slotted a great goal that rivalled Charlie Cameron’s last quarter ‘bomb’ for Brisbane.
It was the Supertigers only goal for the first half.
Half time shed more light on the plight of the visitors as the normally positive Matty Mayes observed that this “Almost makes a case for breaking out the beers early”.
The third quarter saw a taped up Colegate and a persistent Leigh Otton score majors while holding the Super Jets to just 5 goals.
The ball spent a disproportionate amount of time in the Super Jet’s forward half but this only gave Michael Huggard the chance to demonstrate his skills as a ‘Ball whisperer’. Opponents would lead him to the ball, only for it to bounce over their heads into Michael’s arms. If he lived in 17th century America, he would have been tried for witchcraft.
Michael Starling demonstrated persistence and stamina, as he would gather the ball, deliver, run, receive, and continue until he ran out of ‘real players’ to work with. He would then watch the ball go back the other way, causing him to chase and retrieve. For Michael, it was ‘Groundhog Day’ at Port Noarlunga.
Centre half-forward, Chris Masotti presented more than Mike Smithson on the Channel 7 news.
His unfaltering belief in his team mates to get clear of their opponents, and then kick the ball somewhere near him was occasionally rewarded.
Overall, the game provided an insight into what lies ahead for the Hills’ warriors if they cannot attract more fit, functional and feisty team members.
Super Jets 19 – 22 Hills 4 – 6
Best: Huggard, Watkins, Starling, Masotti, Colegate, Pratt, Emmett
Goals: Colegate 2, Bailey, Otton 1
