61. GOD KNOWS, BROWN NOSE

No need to ask who stood before him.

35. LET THE TRUSTING TRUST

8PM at Geoff Derwent’s big brass door knocker. Bang, bang, bang.

28. ZIPPITY DOO DA

The following Thursday evening Maddy Quigley strode onto the Oval like a sumo wrestling racewalker. A brick in one hand and a twenty metre tape measure in the other. He called one of the juniors over and thrust one end of the tape towards him.

 

“Stand there in the goal square Bluey and hold that.”

27. BUCKLEY’S

There was a good turnout at the city Oval for the afternoon rumpus – nineteen guys and nine girls. Good weather for it as well – clear and comfortably warm.

26. FANTASY FOOTY

The following Monday morning, Joel walked into Maths class and looked towards Layla’s desk. Yes! She’s back!

21. A WIMMERA, A WIMMERA

[Layla]:

“Right girls, I’m off. Here’s my ride coming now.”

 

[Catherine]:

“No way. You get your parents to pick you up? You only live ten minutes up the road.”

 

[Layla]:

“Not that kind of ride. More like a fairground ride. Look there.”

 

Labouring and lumbering down Robinson Street was a long, blonde Joel in his Port Adelaide footy outfit.

4. POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION

Yes, I’m Joel from Horsham.

 

The first time I saw Layla was very memorable. Me and a few footy mates (Port all the way!) were hanging around inside the St. Brigid’s College main entrance. It was the start of a new school year and we were waiting to get acquainted with year 9 personnel and protocols.