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Lemon’s Lines – an intermittent production of divergent and often totally haphazard and

unrelated themes somewhat connected to the Old Geelong Football Club, with occasional historical snippets thrown in, compiled by Peter Lemon 2019 Edition 22 13/9/2019

In this edition * Last Saturday * “My Battle with the Paparazzi”: exclusive George Chisholm report * Ben Thomson re-appointed coach of the Under 19s. And Jack’s back too. * The Club Presentation Night: will they be able to fit everyone in?

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Last Saturday The Men’s Reserves Round 18, 31 August: Old Geelong 4-7-31 defeated by Caulfield Grammarians 14-13-97 First Semi-Final, 7 September: Old Geelong 10-10-70 defeated Caulfield Grammarians 2-8-20

Work that one out. “I’ve had a long history of trouble with my contact lenses in finals matches, but I’m sure that figure behind me is right.”

Few had expected Old Geelong to win; fewer still a score-line like that above from just before three-quarter time. Admittedly we had four players back from the Ones of the week before, but it was still a rather remarkable reversal. So, we go one week further into September. As I write this with the rain hammering down outside, our opponents for next Saturday’s Preliminary final will be University Blacks. The game will be played at Elsternwick Park beginning at 12 Noon. Like Caulfield in the home-and-away season, Blacks have beaten us twice, but never by mega-margins. Round 8: 12-8

to 6-11, and by eight points in Round 14 at Como. Great to see a good number of our supporters there last Saturday to encourage our boys, especially from our Men’s Firsts and Women’s sides.

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Barring any last minute hic-ups, the match will feature a great rarity for an OGFC side – an unchanged side. Somebody has claimed it’s the first time in four years across all our teams, a claim with which I would find it hard to argue. ===================================================================================================

My Battle with The Paparazzi: exclusive George Chisholm report

Ever since George (right) appeared on Page 77 of the Sunday Herald Sun of 25 August, seems he has been bombarded with emails and texts, and has been hounded by the paparazzi.

Could only explain his reaction last Saturday, what with the sunnies on a deeply dark, dull and overcast day, and especially when the the camera was pointed in his general direction for a possible crowd shot. “They are making my life a hell” claimed Chisholm in an exclusive interview. It seems fame has its drawbacks. (So they tell me. -PL)

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Under 19s coach from 2016, 2017 and 2019 Ben Thomson has been re-appointed to the

position for 2020. Ben’s commitment in driving up to nearly all weekly training sessions from February and of course to matches has been nothing short of brilliant: he lived in Geelong during his early coaching career and now resides in Barwon Heads!

Interesting to note that before our Reserves’ Prelim this Saturday the U19 Section 2 Grand Final will be played at the same ground -between the two sides which we defeated in consecutive weeks in Round 17 and Round 18. The Club is in the process of finalising other coaching positions for next season; it is hoped that announcements will be made within the next couple of weeks. Another announcement just made is that fitness adviser Jack Kerr will be continuing in the role next season, and will look to meet the two new Senior Coaches (Men’s, Women’s) when they’re appointed to properly structure the role/responsibilities. ===================================================================================================

Joining the numbers in the rooms after the game last Saturday were young Mimi and Arabella Hawkins to see Uncle Charlie, and to hear our two coaches’ after-match comments. From whom thankfully there were no naughty words, because both Jason and Colby were actually pretty pleased with the way the boys had performed.

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A reminder about the Presentation Night on September

26 (and that the following day is a public holiday, so no excuses). If you haven’t done so already get your act together and book your ticket. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In memory of Catherine

Jamie Bell (left) is a past 100-game player for the Club, was a member of the Firsts Premiership side of 2005, and a Club Best & Fairest. Nick Betts (right) is also a past player, was a member of the Reserves Premiership side of the same year, and is a current member of the committee.

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Weekly Feature (1) From the Archives 13 September, 2009

Final quarter, Under 19s Grand Final, Coburg City Oval (the Garbage & Recycling-Bin End) Ben Skelton has just kicked what is almost certainly the winning goal, much to the delight of Rob Officer.

(2) my Non-OGFC Photo of the Week Antarctic Waters, February 2010. Any items for these lines can be sent to lemmododo@gmail.com