But there was some half-decent footy played and awesome live music as well.
Winter solstice weekend this year sees the masses descending upon Elsternwick Park to see the Rockdogs and the Megahertz battle it out for the 21st annual Reclink Community Cup. Given that last year's match ended in a draw under the most contentious of circumstances, all are eager to see the Dogs and Hertz conclusively decide on the champion for 2013.
Super Wild Horses are part of the pre-match entertainment and at 2.30pm the ball is bounced. For newbies to the extravaganza, the first and second quarters of decidedly unremarkable football are spent deciding which team they are going to support. This is an often complex process, with serious and life-long repercussions, that leaves many regretting not spending more time beforehand assessing the various strengths and weaknesses of each team.
Half time sees King Gizzard & The Wizard Lizard take the stage before a dedicated crowd and a vast expanse of dogs and kids running around amidst a hailstorm of footballs. Walking across the field is done at your risk since protecting your head from misguided kicks and fumbled marks is essential. This being because the golden rule of the field is that if you cop a footy to the head, it's because you didn't move it away fast enough.
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Isn't it a bit cold for a streaking session guys?
The last half of the match sees football of improving caliber and the score breaks into the 20s. Liam 'Banjo' O'Shannessy dominates the field in centre half-forward for the Rockdogs and Chris Gill puts in a solid if not subdued performance for the Hertz. Three streakers take to the field in the fourth quarter and then proceed to start attempting to tackle each other. This due to the lack of on-ground security to do the job for them, no doubt. The show is well and truly stolen by Stew Farrell however, who in a post-siren kick demonstrates his nerves of steel to send the ball soaring over the heads of the Rockdog defenders (who are sitting on each other's shoulders) through the big sticks. It's a draw! The downside to this is that the cup must be shared for another year.
As one of the brightest full moons of the year begins to rise, The Beasts Of Bourbon take the stage with the line, “It looks like rock'n'roll was the winner of the day”. They close out the night to a solid crowd of onlookers and the odd die-hard fan on the field still kicking the footy.