Midway through season 2008 the Juggernaut lost its spiritual leader, when Chris Dobson and his lovely better half Jane packed their bags and surfboards and headed to Mexico. Sure it allowed Brendan “BobRock” Sheehan to assume the spiritual leader role he’d long coveted, but it was a big loss for the club and it meant the one thing missing on that great day at Central Reserve was Dobbo. Here is his take on proceedings;

My Grand Final Day 2008

Growing up, I always dreamt of my team playing and winning on grand final day. This year that dream came true, however it did not pan out exactly how I proposed.

It was 9 am Saturday, (around 6pm Friday night Mexico time) the butterflies were starting to build and I was getting ready (to go meet some work friends at the pub). The game wasn´t due to start for about 3 hours but the tension was definitely starting to gain momentum. After a quick shower, and a Corona, I was ready to make the call. I dialed the required 23 numbers; a faint (and delayed) voice at the other end asked ‘is that you Doblet? Pez sounded surprised and happy to once again hear my voice; in fact I think I heard a tear being shed by the big burly wog. After chatting to the wog, Bobrock and Rushour my credit had run out (50 pesos a minute… doesn’t last long).

So I was ready, the weather was nice outside, possible thunderstorms, but still warm. The cab was waiting, ´Hola, Mariachi Fiesta por favor.´ Jane and I were off to listen to some traditional Mexican music and eat some tacos, just your average night out in Guadalajara. On the way I figured out how to send and receive texts overseas, and was in contact with the wog once again. He kept my up to date regularly and once I got ‘up by 17 pts 2wards the end of the 3rd qtr. Kickn with a slight breeze in the last qtr, no injuries, lookn pretty good m8.’ I knew I could sit back and take in the precise string playing of the old mustached man on stage (he looked a bit like Mal, but not a ranger).

After a few tacos, many cervezas and a bit of dancing, we were ready to head home. Our house mates were asleep, but their dog wasn’t, he barked louder than Murph screams when he is next to you. Once in the safety of my bedroom, I decided to make the call. I was a little depressed (to say the least) that I was not in West Brunswick, and despite it being after 4am, I think Jane sensed that I might not make it through the night, so she let me call from my Mexican Cell. Once again I was greeted by the wog, and was then passed onto several club legends, including Dr J, Boobalcious and Speedball Bobby.

Anyway, things are going well over here. See lots of the area, drinking a lot and teaching young Mexican kids how to speak ‘Strayan. If any of you are travelling to the America´s give us a shout and you can come and crash.

I was very pleased to hear of the awesome result, and was glad to play some part in the year. I hope that one day [quote] ‘the most dangerous player’ (according to some guy from Prahran) will grace the field on a sunny grand final day.

Well done to the reserves boys, and Rushy. Lets hope 2009 can be even more successful.

Cheers
Dobbo