by Felice Arena
‘Football’s a big business now, son,’ said Brad Dobson, turning to Danny. ‘Your mate here has got some big opportunities ahead of him and we can ensure he makes the most of them.’
Turning back to Specky, Brad Dobson continued his pitch. ‘I don’t want to put any pressure on you, but if you could pass this card on to your mum and dad and get them to call me, that would be great. You don’t want to miss the boat, champ.’
As he turned to leave, he handed the bag to Specky and grinned. ‘I hope these will fit – it’s just a little something from the team at SMA, to congratulate you on a great carnival.’
Specky stood there in silence as the man walked away. Then Robbo gave him a shove, ‘What did he give you, mate?’
Specky snapped out of it and ripped open the bag. Inside, was a brand-new pair of footy boots – the same style that Shane Crawford wore in his last year of AFL footy.
‘Woah, that’s awesome,’ said Robbo. ‘They must be worth a couple of hundred bucks, at least. What happens if you join up? Will there be jumpers, tracksuits and runners as well?’
‘Who knows?’ shrugged Specky, not sure what to make of the unexpected encounter.
He was kind of excited to be considered by a talent manager, but he felt strange about being given a gift. Somehow, it just didn’t feel right.
7. maths attack
‘What are you gonna do, Speck?’ asked Sanjay Sharma. The ‘Bombay Bullet’, as he was known, was one of Specky’s team-mates. ‘Are you gonna give his business card to your olds?’
‘Not sure, really.’ Specky shrugged. ‘I haven’t ever thought about managers and stuff like that. Maybe it’s a bit early to be worrying about all that.’ He had shoved the shoes in his locker. They’d have to stay there until he decided what to do about Brad Dobson.
‘Hey, legend! Good to see you back mixing with us normal people.’ Specky turned to see Tiger Girl walking into the room along with Danny’s girlfriend, Maria. She sat down next to Specky. ‘You were fantastic, Speck, well done,’ she said. ‘I watched the game yesterday all on my own so I could concentrate without any interruptions. It’s nice to cheer for someone other than my beloved Tiges. So, how did you pull up? That WA player was huge.’
‘Hey, thanks, TG! Yeah, I pulled up okay,’ said Specky. ‘Just a couple of bruises here and there, but nothing too serious. When are you gonna give up on Richmond?’
‘Get real!’ she laughed. ‘Richo has had another awesome year, and Trent Cotchin is just as good or even better than Judd. Oh, and did I mention that Brett Deledio has a Best and Fairest to his name? Anyway, when are you gonna decide who your favourite team is? I recommend Richmond!’
Specky had always received a lot of ribbing from his friends when it came to his support for a number of AFL clubs. Ever since he was little, he had barracked for five teams. He had a personal connection with each team and he couldn’t choose just one. They included Essendon, because when he was younger he’d had a fascination for jet bombers; Brisbane because his school team was also the Lions; Collingwood and Sydney because his best mates Robbo and Danny followed them; and finally, West Coast, because of Grandpa Ken – a one-eyed Eagles fan from Perth.
Now, as a teenager, Specky knew that this was kind of absurd, but he still wasn’t ready to just pick one. It had always been the love of the game for him and not just the love of one particular team.
‘Fair call!’ He grinned. ‘I might just follow the Eagles for the next few weeks, since my grandpa is in town.’
Specky loved that he could talk footy with TG. Sometimes, he thought, she really felt like one of the boys.
‘I so want to go and watch you play on the MCG on Grand Final Day,’ she added. ‘I’ll scream my head off. What’s the go with tickets? I’ve put my name down in the ballot, and Dad’s keeping his eye out for me, but any chance you can get me one?’
Before Specky could answer, Robbo jumped in, sounding a bit offended. ‘I said I’d try and get some tickets for us, Sam.’
‘Yeah, I know, Josh, but I just thought that the Speckster here might have more of a chance.’
Specky noticed that Robbo seemed hurt by TG’s comments.
‘Well, I’ll be there and I’ll have the best seat in the house,’ chimed in Gobba, with a huge grin plastered across his face.
‘Don’t tell me you made it to the final four?’ asked Specky, happy to move the conversation away from Grand Final tickets and anything to do with TG and Robbo’s relationship.
‘Yep, I sure did! The four finalists from the Dennis Cometti School all get to commentate one quarter of your game, Speck. How awesome is that? And the best caller of that game, the winning commentator, will be awarded the Cork in the Ocean trophy. I’m so gonna go for it!’
Everyone congratulated Gobba, patting him on the back – they were all just as excited about Gobba’s budding commentary career as they were about Specky’s football feats.
‘Well, if we’re all making announcements, then I’ve got one, too.’ Derek ‘Screamer’ Johnson, who was sitting behind them, leant forward to join the conversation. ‘I’m leaving Booyong High at the end of this term and moving to Sydney. I won a scholarship to attend Eckert School of Music. It’s the best in the country. I’m stoked!’
As his classmates congratulated Screamer, Specky couldn’t help thinking about how much Screamer had changed recently. He used to be a hard-hitting bully who excelled in footy and beating people up, but ever since he had focused on his other passion, playing the piano, it was almost as if he were a different kid.
‘Look out, Speck. If Screamer is moving to Sydney he’ll move in on your girl. If he hasn’t already,’ stirred Danny.
‘Christina’s not my girl,’ Specky said, even though it was difficult for him to say out loud. ‘She can do what she likes.’
‘You’re a jerk, Castellino,’ Screamer snapped, making a fist. ‘Don’t make me teach you a lesson before I leave.’
Perhaps he wasn’t so different! Specky thought.
‘Oooh, I’m really scared,’ said Danny. ‘What’re you gonna do? Torture me by making me listen to one of your concerts?’
Specky sometimes wondered if Danny’s mouth was attached to his brain. It was always getting him in trouble. Screamer lunged across his desk at Danny, but the Gladiator jumped between them.
‘You lay one finger on him and I’ll crush those scholarship-winning fingers for you!’
Specky knew Screamer well enough to know that even he wouldn’t contemplate hitting a girl, but even if he would, Maria could definitely hold her own. She was stronger and tougher than most of the Booyong High boys put together. Danny looked relieved that his ‘bodyguard’ was there to protect him.
‘THAT’S QUITE ENOUGH NOISE COMING FROM THIS ROOM!’
Everyone spun around and faced the front of the classroom. The chatter stopped immediately. Having had three emergency Maths teachers this term, today was the day that Specky and his classmates were to meet the new permanent appointment.
In marched a tall, solid, silver-haired man with the presence and confidence of an army general.
‘Mr Rutherford’s my name, and you will all learn very quickly that you don’t talk in my class until I invite you to. Now take your seats. I’ve got a nice little surprise to start off your week.’
Specky and Robbo exchanged looks as if to say, ‘What are we in for?’
As the students settled into their chairs, Maria turned to Danny and whispered, ‘You’re welcome, by the way. Screamer cheeses me off. Hey, where’s that pen I bought you last week? It matches mine, you know.’
Danny’s face flushed bright red, and others in earshot giggled at the love-struck Maria.
‘Young lady, you obviously have trouble with your hearing,’ roared the new teacher. ‘Pack up your books and come and sit in front of me.’
‘But I always sit next to Danny,’ protested Maria. ‘I need to sit next to him.’
‘You need to button your lips,’ snapped Mr Ru
therford.
Devastated, Maria did as she was told and moved to the front of the room.
‘Now,’ continued Mr Rutherford, ‘I can’t very well help you become Maths geniuses if I don’t know what you’re capable of. So, to help me get an understanding of your capabilities, I have a test for you to take this morning.’
Groans rippled through the classroom.
‘Did he just say what I think he said?’ muttered Paul ‘Smashing Sols’ Solomon, another one of Specky’s Booyong team-mates.
‘Am I going to have to have everyone’s hearing tested?’ replied Mr Rutherford, his face hardening. ‘Pass these around. You’ve got five minutes to read through the paper, and then forty minutes to complete the exam. Your time starts now.’
Specky couldn’t believe this was happening. He’d had a week and a half off school for the National Carnival and he was hoping to be able to ease back into schoolwork. The last thing he’d expected, or felt like doing, was taking a test in his least favourite subject.
After ten minutes of everyone wrestling with the first few questions, Mr Rutherford’s voice boomed out from the front of the class.
‘Magee? Simon Magee? Could you put your hand up, please, and identify yourself?’
Specky self-consciously raised his hand.
‘Ah, so you’re our Victorian football hero, are you? Okay, get back to it. I just wanted to put a face to the name. I hope you’re as good at Maths as you are at football,’ he added, ominously.
During lunch break, the only topic of conversation between Specky and his friends was the new Maths teacher.
‘What a jerk,’ moaned Robbo.
‘Yeah, who springs a test on their very first day?’ complained Danny. ‘Talk about not winning any popularity votes.’
‘Yeah, I wasn’t prepared for that,’ grumbled Specky.
‘Don’t worry about it, boys,’ grinned TG, one of the few who had taken the test in her stride. ‘I’m sure he’s not that bad. He just wanted to let us know who’s boss.’
‘Yeah, well, I’m glad we only have to put up with him for couple of lessons a week,’ said Gobba, who for once had lost the urge to turn the conversation into some form of commentary.
Specky agreed. ‘Good point, Gob,’ he nodded. ‘I’ve got a feeling that the less I see of good old Mr Rutherford, the better off I’ll be.’
Just then the school PA system crackled to life:
‘Attention, students! Could all members of the Under-Fifteen Football Team please make their way to the school gymnasium for an important announcement. That’s all members of the Under-Fifteen Football Team to make their way to the school gymnasium for an important announcement. Thank you.’
Specky and his team-mates exchanged curious looks before heading to the gym.
‘Wonder what this is all about.’
‘Dunno, Gobba,’ shrugged Danny. ‘Maybe it has to do with the training schedule for the finals.’
Everyone filed into the gym and sat down at the front of the basketball court. Coach Pate waited for them to settle. She had coached the Lions for several years and had led them to a couple of Premierships. They had all been a little skeptical at first about having a female coach, but she was passionate about footy and had won the respect of the whole team.
‘Right, boys, thanks for arriving so promptly,’ she said matter-of-factly. ‘I wish you could be this quick for our school assemblies! I’ll get to the reason for this meeting in a minute, but first a couple of announcements. Congratulations, of course, to Simon Magee for his mighty effort for Victoria at the National Championships. We’re all very proud of you, Simon.’
A spontaneous round of applause echoed off the gymnasium walls.
‘Secondly, I would like to welcome a new student to our school.’
Everyone turned their attention to the boy sitting next to Specky.
‘Kyle, if you could stand up, please,’ said Coach Pate.
The tall, slightly built boy slowly stood up, not really making eye contact with anyone.
Coach Pate continued. ‘Kyle is from Queensland and has moved down with his family because his father has taken on a new job. You will all be pleased to know that he is a very talented footballer and will be joining us for training tomorrow night.’
Again the boys clapped, although not quite as enthusiastically as they had for Specky.
‘Unfortunately,’ Coach Pate continued, ‘I have other news. And I haven’t been looking forward to this moment. I won’t be in charge of training tomorrow night …’ Specky, Danny and Robbo exchanged confused looks ‘… as I’m afraid that I’m leaving Booyong High. Actually, I’ve resigned and I’ll be leaving next week. It’s so sudden because I’ll be heading to Italy to join my fiancé, who has been posted there for the next two years.’
Specky and his team-mates all began talking at once. It was so close to finals time – no one could believe they wouldn’t have their trusted coach to lead them to victory. Coach Pate looked as if she was almost in tears. Specky was gobsmacked. His favourite teacher was leaving!
‘Please, boys, settle down,’ Coach Pate said, trying to compose herself. ‘I will be around for this weekend’s game to say a proper goodbye and, of course, to help the new coach settle in. But because of the rushed circumstances and my time constraints, the new coach will start immediately. As of today.’
‘So, okay then, who’s our new coach?’ Danny called out.
‘Well, I was just getting to that. But nice to know you’re moving on already, Danny,’ Coach Pate added wryly. ‘Your new coach is … well, perfect timing. Here he is now.’
They all heard the gym door opening and turned to see who it was. There was a stunned silence and Specky’s jaw dropped. It was their Maths teacher, Mr Rutherford.
As Mr Rutherford crossed the gym, Specky leant over to Kyle, the new boy, and whispered, ‘We had this bloke today, first period. He’s the teacher from hell. A dead-set nightmare.’
‘A round of applause, please,’ said Coach Pate, ‘for your new coach, Mr Rutherford, who also happens to be Kyle’s father.’
Specky wished he could sink into the floor.
8. spelling it out
Specky turned up for his first training session with their new football coach. He couldn’t believe Coach Pate would no longer be in charge of the Booyong Lions.
Specky had enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Coach Pate. Like many of his favourite coaches in the AFL – Paul Roos, Bomber Thompson, Rodney Eade – she was someone who understood the strengths and weaknesses of the team and was able to get the best out of everyone.
Specky’s thoughts turned to Mr Rutherford. He grimaced at the thought of his new coach, but tried to keep an open mind.
Right, he thought, as he pulled on his boots and made his way to the oval. Don’t make your mind up on this guy after just one encounter.
‘Okay, boys!’ announced Mr Rutherford. ‘Coach Pate has done a magnificent job with this team over the past few years, and I don’t intend to let all that hard work go to waste. With the finals upon us I’m not going to make any drastic changes, but you’ll all learn pretty quickly what I do and don’t like. Now, go and warm up and let’s get underway.’
As Specky started to jog two warm-up laps, the new coach called out for him and Paul Solomon.
‘You two head over to the water station and start filling those water bottles,’ he ordered. ‘I’ll get to you when I have a chance.’
Specky and ‘Smashing Sols’ stopped in their tracks, and gradually the rest of the team slowed and then stopped running too, wondering what was going on.
‘What are you all doing?’ hollered Mr Rutherford. ‘If your name is not Magee or Solomon then you better darn well finish those two laps quick smart or I’ll fill this side up with Year Seven and Eight kids who will.’
Startled, the rest of the team scurried off.
‘What the? What’s going on, Speck?’ asked Sols, totally confused.
‘I dunno mate,’ S
pecky replied as he made a beeline for Mr Rutherford. ‘But I’m going to find out.’
‘Um, excuse me, Mr Rutherford, why aren’t we –’
‘Mr Magee, have you lost the ability to understand English? I have given you and Mr Solomon a clear instruction,’ Mr Rutherford barked. ‘Go and fill the water bottles, and when there is a break in training, bring them out and pass them around to your team-mates. And then go and fill them up again.’
‘What?’ said Specky. ‘But I have to train. The finals are coming up and –’
‘You have to do as you’re told, Magee. The two of you can see me after training. Now, hurry up and fill those bottles.’ Mr Rutherford blew his whistle and jogged over to the rest of the group.
‘What did he say, Speck?’ asked Sols, as the two slowly made their way to the boundary.
Specky had never felt so frustrated and embarrassed, but he knew what a hothead Sols could be so he tried to seem calm about it. He shrugged. ‘Dunno, mate. He’s going to talk to us after training. Now, give us a hand and fill up these bottles, will ya?’
‘But, Speck! The finals are coming up, mate. And you’re a bloody Victorian player. He can’t do this to you – to us! This sucks! I’m not gonna stay here and fill water bottles. What a jerk …’
Sols was one of the toughest kids in Specky’s team. While he was a fair player, he did have a temper, and Specky could see that it was starting to boil over.
‘Come on, mate, settle down,’ said Specky. ‘Let’s just do this and find out what’s going on after training.’
But Sols wasn’t listening. He angrily yanked off his footy boots, shoved them into his bag, and kicked the nearest water bottle, sending it flying.
‘Nah, stuff him,’ he said. ‘He can stick his water bottles. Coach Pate never treated us like little kids. And we’ve done nothing wrong.’
Specky stole a glance at Mr Rutherford and noticed that he was watching the two of them.
‘Listen, Sols,’ he said. ‘He’s obviously testing us for some reason. You’re not going to let him get to you, are ya?’