St Kilda vs Carlton

This was a game I couldn't miss, my Aussie Rules team St Kilda playing Carlton at the Westpac Stadium, their Kiwi 'home'. The weather was great, and although I had had a pre-dawn start, I was going to enjoy this first game, for me, on Kiwi soil, of the 'Game Made in Heaven'.

As always the Saints began well, but by the second half the shakes had arrived, or was it the pep-talk given by charismatic Mick Malthouse, coach of Carlton which changed the course of the game. Anyway the result was that Carlton wiped the floor with the Saints and won by a good five goals, leaving the Saints with a red face. They were lacking their great leader, Nick Riewoldt, of course, but still....

It was a good game for the most part, but the atmosphere of the MCG certainly is not in Wellington. The locals just don't quite understand the skills and finesse of this Aussie football. There is really nothing at all like the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A minute's silence in respect of the Anzacs

In amongst the Saints followers

Half time recovery, with fish 'n chips.

...with clouds appearing for the Saints!

After the sad loss by the Saints I had tea with Ron to recover my spirits, before returning to the Cenotaph in front of Parliament House for a planned Peace Vigil with some friends from Interfaith.

It was indeed, a full day, this centenary of Anzac!