Raiders Army Review: Bulldogs ‘Away’ 07/09/08.
Raiders Army Review: Bulldogs Away 07/09/08.
Many epic tales have been told from the faithful Canberra Raiders Army who travels the Hume Highway – week in, week out. The first Sydney Raiders Army bus did not disappoint.
The fun police had been all over the bus trip prior to commencement and with a strict departure time of 8:45am SHARP we had 100% attendance at Hungry Jacks at 8:30am and this was an opportunity to put some names to some familiar faces.
With a solid group congregated at Central on a Sunday morning you are always going to attract a muppet or two and ‘OZ BLOTTO’ provided some early entertainment. After pleading to get on the bus I told him that it would be $100 return and he was deadest keen. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, knowing the standard of the bathroom amenities on the bus I wish we would have let him on as this would have provided as much entertainment on the way down as on the way back with the missing elephant washers’ son.
Huge shout out to Russell the love mussel who made the trek from North Queensland for the game and found out about the bus via the club – super effort you twit!
I had seconded Super Jed for a reason! I thought being a scheduling manager at Foxtel he would have the skill set to organize the bus – Whilst waiting for the bus after 20 minutes a lone voice from the crowd cries “Jed do you have the bus company’s contact number?” and with that Super Jed was off, doing hot laps looking for the bus due to not bringing any details. Note: I also did not possess any contact information – WE WERE ON FIRE.
The bus arrived and the driver: “no names” starting the old comedy routine and after he ended the first chant of the day was had – “Normal service, normal service, normal service is resumed”. With free pizza mentioned, “no names” gave the bus some curry and we where under way.
Soulsy the rocket scientist of the group came up with a brilliant idea on the way down – “lets create some songs”, The lights came on and bingo ringo Soulsy had it! never mind “We are the Army…” or “Everywhere we go…” he had it: “I am the music man, I come from Sydney way…” – Twit number 2 of the trip was found. With that he copped it there and back!
We hit the Lightly in around 3 hrs travel time including a stop for Pooley to check the WA election results whilst 69 checked his erection results.
The Lighty never disappoints and with the joining of the RA we all injected some funds over the bar which was great. These guys have supported us well all year – be sure to dive in on super Saturday and support your own.
Bay 72 came alight with the usual “Grade A” cut up – well done Matty.
With hearts in our mouths we saw an up and down encounter which still defies me as to: how you score 52 points and win by 18 when you need 17+? & Hassem missing 5 goals.
The train Monnas saved the day with an assault which saw us marching into 6th and an encounter with the Sharks – “stand up if you’ve won the league”
Butters lead us in some sing songs on the way out with our new folk song “We are the Sydney boys, Stand up and make some noise!”
Upon pilling on the bus many tales could be told. What happens on tour should always stay on tour but this is just too good.
With emotions running high knowing we defied all the odds and made 6th, the centuries old running rivalry came into play – Right side vs. Left side.
With many discussions throughout the day of Marko being the cult figure a new contender emerged.
After a stop at Goulburn McDonald’s to recharge we all pilled on the bus to push on, all except one. Search parties scoured high and low and a decision was made to call off all searches when the bus driver advised overtime rates.
Worried for Ben’s fate many scenarios where played out and many chants came about. The bus came to life with Ben’s departure and the next two hours consisted of txt messages from Ben looking for the bus and chants of “on his own, on his own, on this own…”, “Always look on the highway for Ben…” and my favourite “Your dad washes elephants…” just to name a few.
With a show down of Raiders tattoos, I challenge any Canberra Raiders Army member (KW?) to front up with more than 5 tattoo’s on the one body. This person shall remain nameless – He does however sport a MOHAWK.
With the toilet at capacity and the threat of overflow reaching the coach floors from Goulburn onwards many accused 69 of following on, and thinking he was in his Penriff slums!
In summary we had a super day and I thank all who made this trip what it was. We laughed, we cried – we thought young Ben had died.
BELIEVE
Sully.
p.s. Photos of the Epic Trip will be uploaded onto Facebook.
