Specky Magee and the Season of Champions

by Felice Arena

  The enthusiasm among the team began to build.

  ‘Believe in yourself, put it all on the line, and don’t worry about what it might feel like if we lose. Imagine how good it will be when we win!’

  The Lions responded with a pumped-up chorus of ‘Yeahs’ and ‘Come ons’. Even Specky joined in, egging on his team-mates to get out there and win back the ball.

  He had to stop himself from running back onto the oval with them. Instead, he joined Gobba and a couple of other boys on the bench.

  ‘Hey, Gob,’ said Specky, nudging in beside him. ‘What a shocker of a start, eh?’

  There was no response from Gobba. Specky faced him to see what was wrong.

  ‘I have laryngitis. I can’t talk,’ he said in a croaky whisper.

  Specky snorted loudly, but stopped when he realised that he was being insensitive. He could see how ironic it was that someone who loved to talk as much as Gobba did couldn’t on such an important day. Specky could tell that Gobba was just as upset by not being able to call today’s big game as he was by not being able to play.

  ‘I’m sorry, mate. I don’t think it’s gonna be a good day for any of us,’ he said sympathetically.

  But, fortunately, it looked as though his prediction might be wrong. By half-time, the Lions had not only found their stride, but had won their way back into the match. They dominated the entire quarter, mostly thanks to Screamer, who suddenly came alive and produced four sensational goals. This inspired the team to follow his lead and lift their game.

  While football is a team game, there are usually players that stand out among the rest. These players are able to do things that most others in the team can’t – and to have one such player in the team gives the rest of the side great confidence. If the opposition can keep that player quiet, then it gives their side a massive boost, as well as putting the other team on a bit of a downer. But if the star player begins to fire, usually the rest of the team becomes inspired and lifts their game as well. The Lions were blessed with two match winners in their line-up: Screamer and Specky. But, with Specky on the sideline, it was up to Screamer to help get them back in the match.

  The Sharks could only manage one-goal-one in the second quarter, and, when the boys were ready to battle out the third quarter, the scores stood at: Latona Ave, 7.3.45, leading Booyong High, 5.4.34.

  Specky and the crowd sensed they now had a real game on their hands.

  ‘Come on, Lions!’ Specky screamed, blending in with all the other Booyong supporters. ‘Talk it up!’

  But as he began to let his emotions run away with him, his team-mates suddenly found themselves once again under pressure from the silky skills of the Sharks. The Bumfluff Twins regained the brilliance they had shown in the first quarter and began to single-handedly run all over the top of the Lions. Specky noticed that his team-mates were beginning to panic and make silly mistakes, especially after the Sharks forged ahead with three consecutive goals. Coach Pate was losing her patience.

  ‘Get on your man! Simmo, get back! Danny, stop handballing!’ she shouted.

  ‘Derek, go in harder, boy! Don’t be a bloody wimp!’ yelled Screamer’s dad, only to receive another foul look from Coach Pate.

  Specky found it difficult to remain seated. He stood up and paced along the boundary line, continuing to egg his team-mates on. But it was no use. The Sharks had shifted up a gear, and, in a span of only three minutes, kicked another two goals. In desperation, Coach Pate made a bold change and moved Screamer and Robbo to the back line to take on the Bumfluff Twins; throughout the game, the twins had played successfully in a number of positions, all over the ground.

  ‘Nice one,’ said Specky under his breath, realising that Coach Pate’s quick-thinking strategy had already started to work. Robbo’s height and bulk were a much better match for one of the twins, while Screamer’s tough tagging dramatically decreased the impact of the other brother. In fact, for the rest of the quarter the scoreboard didn’t change.

  It, once again, highlighted the importance of being able to play in more than one position. Had Coach Pate not made the decision earlier in the year to play both Screamer and Specky in the back line, in addition to their preferred position of full-forward, then Screamer might not have had the experience to handle a defensive job on one of the Bumfluff Twins. As it turned out, he was doing it very effectively.

  So by midway through the last quarter, the tide had turned again, and the Lions, remarkably, had bridged the gap with four straight goals – one each going to Danny, the Bullet, Smashing Sols and Gobba, who had just come onto the ground for the first time that day. The crowd was going berserk. They cheered for all the boys at the tops of their lungs. Specky felt a gush of pride as he watched his team-mates slowly but surely claw their way back. With only ten minutes left to go, it was now anyone’s Premiership. The scoreboard read: Latona Ave, 11.2.68, to Booyong High, 9.4.58.

  ‘Derek!’ shouted Coach Pate. ‘Go back to full-forward! Go!’

  Screamer obliged and moved back to his favourite position. Specky caught Mr Johnson nodding approvingly to Coach Pate.

  Within seconds, the ball had made its way into the Lions’ forward line. The Booyong High supporters gasped as one as the Sherrin floated toward the goal square directly above Screamer and three Sharks players. Specky looked on, his mouth wide open.

  Screamer leapt forward, the pack soaring together.

  ‘YES!’ shouted Coach Pate, Mr Johnson and all the parents standing directly beside Specky. ‘WHAT A MARK!’

  Screamer had done it. He came crashing down to the ground with a thud – the ball firmly in his clasp.

  Everyone in the Lions camp danced about ecstatically. Even Specky had to acknowledge Screamer’s sensational grab. He applauded and whooped as loudly as any of them.

  But, in the midst of all the excitement, Specky could see that Screamer was hurt. He wasn’t getting up to take his kick for goal. Eventually, the umpire also noticed and stopped the game. Screamer had landed badly on his ankle and was in excruciating pain. His agonised groans echoed right across the ground. Coach Pate and Mr Johnson rushed out to his side. A few moments later, Screamer was aided off the ground, unable to place any pressure on the injured foot.

  ‘Don’t worry, boy. We’ll strap it up and it’ll be good as new. You can get back out there,’ Specky heard Mr Johnson say while he helped Screamer onto the bench.

  Screamer winced.

  ‘But, Dad, it’s killing me.’

  ‘Don’t be such a baby! Be a man, Derek. Grit your teeth and get back out there!’ snapped Mr Johnson.

  Specky rolled his eyes. Many of the parents looked upset. They all grimaced at the way Screamer’s dad treated him.

  ‘He’ll do no such thing. His injury needs to be looked at immediately,’ Coach Pate said forcefully.

  She waved over the school nurse, who had already rushed to her car for a first-aid kit.

  ‘Look, he’s my kid. Get a doctor over here. He can give him a pain-killing injection in that ankle and he’ll be as good as gold.’

  ‘Mr Johnson, please! That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. You should be ashamed. The boy is only thirteen, and you want to give him a needle? You need to have a good hard look at yourself. This is not an AFL Grand Final, you know. Derek has played a magnificent game, and it will be up to the rest of the team to do their bit to get us across the line. I’m the coach, and I say Derek is off for the rest of the game. Final!’

  Pain-killing injections had been in the news since the 2003 AFL Grand Final, when the Brisbane Lions had secured their third Premiership in a row. There had been a lot written about the fact that some of their star players had had injections to stay on the field. While the injections are perfectly legal, they are only used in extreme circumstances, such as during a Grand Final, and only under the strictest medical supervision. They would never be used if there was a risk that the player might suffer a more severe injury as a result. And they should not be used at
all in junior football matches, because the bodies of young footballers are still growing and developing.

  Specky clenched his fist proudly.

  ‘And, by the way, Mr Johnson,’ Coach Pate added angrily. ‘This team will not be requiring your services next year as team manager – you’re fired!’

  ‘Yes!’ Specky said under his breath, happy to see Coach Pate stand her ground and Screamer’s dad get what he deserved.

  The umpire blew his whistle to resume the match. The clock had officially started again, and Robbo was chosen to take Screamer’s kick for goal.

  With a textbook drop punt, he booted the ball directly through the centre of the goal posts. It was now so close. The Lions were only four points behind. The Booyong High fans erupted into scenes of jubilation; cheering, but wondering whether, with less than five minutes to go, their side could get up and win.

  ‘Go Lions! GO!’ shouted Specky, his voice drowned out by the parents screaming beside him.

  ‘Simon.’

  Specky felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see his dad and mum standing behind him.

  ‘What? What are you doing here?’ he choked, totally shocked to see them.

  ‘We had a visit from …’ Specky’s father had to raise his voice to be heard over all the cheering. ‘We had a visit from a Mrs Shepherd and her daughter Samantha. Mrs Shepherd told us how you’ve been a great support to her daughter over the past couple of months. Samantha also told us that she convinced you to play that Diadora Cup match. Which doesn’t make it right, but we think we understand why you did. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is –’

  ‘What your father wants to tell you,’ Specky’s mother said, quickly jumping in, ‘is we’re still not happy about you lying to us, but we’re proud that we have a son who cares for his friends and supports them, especially a friend in Samantha’s situation. And because we’re proud of you, you have our permission to play.’

  Specky was dumbfounded.

  ‘Play?’ he muttered. ‘What, now? Can I play now?’

  Mr Magee handed Specky his sports bag, filled with all his footy gear.

  ‘Yes,’ he said grinning. ‘But only if there’s time and only if Coach Pate lets you.’

  Before Mr Magee could finish his sentence, Specky was already stripping off his clothes – right there and then. He didn’t care if anyone saw him in his underwear. There was no time to run back to the change rooms, anyway. In a flash, he was fully dressed and rushing over to Coach Pate.

  ‘Can I play? Please? I’m allowed to. Please?’ Specky pleaded.

  Coach Pate was a little confused to see Specky kitted out in his Lions uniform. But once she caught sight of his parents nodding and smiling at her, she enthusiastically said, ‘Yes! Go! Full-forward position, now!’

  Specky took off like a rocket, only to be stopped a few steps later by Coach Pate calling out to him.

  ‘And Simon!’ she shouted, staring directly at him. ‘Go for it!’

  That’s all that Specky needed to hear. Nothing could stop him now. Robbo, Danny and the rest of the team applauded him as he ran to take up his position.

  ‘Go, Speck! Yeah!’ they hollered.

  ‘Too bad you’re not gonna get a touch,’ said one half of the Bumfluff Twins, running over to tag Specky.

  ‘Yeah, we’ll see,’ said Specky, nervously shuffling around the edge of the goal square.

  After fetching the ball from Robbo’s goal, the boundary umpire darted back to the centre of the ground. He tossed the footy to the game umpire, who slammed the ball onto the ground, causing it to rocket straight upwards. It was a sensational bounce. Robbo and the Sharks’ ruckman charged for each other, their eyes firmly locked on the ball. It was difficult for Specky to see who had gotten their fist to the footy first. A number of players had rushed for it, smothering it under their bodies. Eventually, the Sherrin was forced clear.

  ‘Come on, that’s it. Get it down here,’ whispered Specky under his breath.

  The ball was soccered off the ground toward the outer wing. Two boys sprinted for it as if they were in a hundred-metre dash. It was Danny and one of the Sharks. Specky watched his friend dive for it in desperation, only to have the opposition shove him into the ground. The umpire sharply blew his whistle.

  ‘In the back!’ he shouted, awarding Danny the free kick. Danny hurriedly booted the ball on to Einstein, who got it off quickly to Smashing Sols. Specky could sense his team-mates had all the momentum. The Latona Sharks coach sensed it, too, and quickly ordered Tyler Jones from the back line to join his brother. Specky was now tagged on either side by a Bumfluff Twin.

  ‘Sols!’ screamed the Bullet, who had found an opening and was all alone at centre half-forward.

  Smashing Sols speared the footy beautifully onto the Bullet’s chest. The cheers from the crowd were deafening. Specky tried to break away from the Jones brothers, but they stuck to him like a magnet to a fridge. The Bullet took his kick – a massive torpedo. Parents, teachers and other onlookers held their breath as they watched the ball spiral its way across the sky, heading directly for Specky and the Bumfluff Twins.

  The three boys leapt for the heavens, their arms and bodies completely outstretched. It was the greatest jump of their lives – no one could tell whose grab it was going to be. That is, until suddenly, out of nowhere, Specky suspended his entire torso on the shoulders of the champion brothers. He tapped the ball three times before finally cementing a firm grip on it.

  ‘SENSATIONAL!’ came the cry from around the ground, as Specky came crashing down on top of the twins.

  And, as if that wasn’t dramatic enough, the umpire suddenly blew his whistle to sound the end of the game. Everyone, including Specky’s team-mates, were beside themselves. Specky was allowed to take his kick for goal.

  This was the type of incredible moment that footballers dream about. Specky knew that the outcome of the Grand Final was entirely up to him. He needed to kick this goal for his team to win the Premiership. He slowly pulled his socks up, one by one, and glanced over toward the boundary line. He saw the hopeful faces of his parents, Alice, the Great McCarthy, Coach Pate and all the Booyong High supporters praying for him not to miss. Even Screamer looked as if he was on his side.

  Specky took in one deep breath, and lined up his kick.

  22. farewell

  ‘Three cheers for Specky! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!’

  The Lions whooped and whistled loudly. They still couldn’t believe that they had won the flag – that they were the mighty Premiers of their school’s league.

  Specky’s team-mates hailed him as a hero. His sensational mark and goal in the final dramatic moments of the game were sure to be talked about at Booyong High for years to come.

  Celebrations lasted well into the afternoon, and Coach Pate ordered in take-away food and drinks for everyone. Specky and his team-mates proudly wore their premiership medals around their necks. The only one to have missed out on the joyous occasion was Screamer. His father, after some forceful words from the school nurse, had taken him to the nearest hospital to have his ankle looked at. Specky felt sorry for him as he saw him being carted off – they might not have seen eye to eye, but Specky recognised that Screamer had played a big part in the team’s success in winning the flag.

  Eventually the party ended, and Specky knew it would be some time before he’d come down from the incredible high he was on. Especially since his parents had told him, in the middle of the celebration, that he was still allowed to go to New York the following weekend.

  Specky had an enormous grin smeared across his face. He couldn’t wait to see Tiger Girl and thank her. If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have experienced one of the greatest moments of his life. But something suddenly dawned on Specky. Why did Tiger Girl and her mum turn up at his house in the first place? Why couldn’t they have just phoned instead? Later that evening, Specky ran these questions past his mum.

  ‘Oh, in all the exciteme
nt, I totally forgot!’ said Mrs Magee. She dashed out of the lounge room and returned with an envelope, handing it to Specky. ‘This is from Samantha. She and her mother were on their way to the airport. She was hoping to see you before they left. I can’t believe they’re off to travel around the world. Isn’t that wonderful? Especially after all they’ve been through.’

  ‘Gone?’ stuttered Specky, wondering if he had heard his mother correctly. ‘Today?’

  ‘Didn’t you know?’ Mrs Magee asked, noticing Specky’s look of hurt and bewilderment. ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Yeah, it’s cool,’ shrugged Specky, trying to cover up his feelings.

  He rushed upstairs to his room. He slammed the door behind him, jumped on his bed and ripped open the letter.

  Dear Specky

  I’ve just asked your mother if she could lend me some paper and a pen. I couldn’t leave the country without saying goodbye to you. Yep, my mum finally got her wish and, yeah, as you have probably worked out, I’ve finished my course of therapy. My tumor’s gone and the doctors think I’m gonna be okay. I knew I could beat it – it’s hard to keep a Tiger down! So look out world, here I come! But not for long. We’re only going for a month, ’cause I’ve gotta be back for a few checkups – and Mum said she still wants me taking it easy. She said this is just a mini world trip. We’re gonna do a longer one next year, if we enjoy this one.

  Anyway, I can’t believe you’re not here. No, that’s not true. I can believe it. Your team’s in the Grand Final, where else would you be? I hope you’ve won. Your parents told me how they banned you from playing. So I asked them if they could change their minds. I think they might (but you probably know this already).

  Okay, Mum’s calling me. I gotta go. I’m really going to miss you, Speck. Thanks for being the greatest friend anyone could ever have. You made a dream come true for me and I will never forget that. Good luck in New York. Maybe we’ll bump into each other. Wouldn’t that be cool?