Live Review: 2016 Reclink Community Cup

It's that time of year again when we head on over to Elsternwick Park with our dogs and footies to have a beer while watching the sporting battle of the year: Megahertz (made up of local community radio legends) versus Rockdogs (some guys and girls that play instruments) for the coveted Reclink Community Cup.

The first half is a bit of a whitewash with Rockdogs somehow defying all odds and managing to kick the ball in the right direction to develop a sturdy lead over the down-but-not-out Megahertz. For the half-time entertainment, local disco-tinged, electro-pop superstars Total Giovanni take the spotlight. Ditching the disco chic in favour of outfits that make them look as if they're doing a Hey Hey It's Saturday skit, the band embrace the spirit of the match and sound as raw and aggravated as they ever have on a stage — the results are perfect. But then it's time to get off the pitch to finish the bloody match.

The third quarter debatably sees the most action, with streakers joining in the match for a solid few minutes of play, a sausage sizzle set up in the left half of the Megahertz 45m zone and those straight-up legends kicking a few solid ones (a comeback, perhaps?). Unfortunately, in the final quarter, both sides struggle to make any real progress on the scoreboard and Rockdogs are victorious. The crowd give the Dogs their well-earned cheers (even though on the inside they know it's like putting a child's painting from school on the fridge even though it's not that good).

With the sun down and the temperature following suit, Regurgitator take the stage and the field turns into one big celebration. The band mix their old with their new stuff and deliver a set in straight-up rock'n'roll mode. Littered with guest appearances, Tim Rogers joins the lads for I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am and it's a defining performance for the passionate Rockdog. Polyester Girl and Kong Foo Sing are notable but it's the final moments when the group are joined by esteemed journalist/that bloke from Channel Ten, Waleed Aly, slashing riffs on guitar for ! (The Song Formerly Known As) and an anthemic cover of Prince's Purple Rain (together with Rockdogs leading man Dan Sultan) that bring down the house. It all ends with Sultan giving a well-deserved-yet-egotistical hoist of the cup and like that it's time to go home and wash the dog.