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Year of frustration, fun, foxes, fans
* Cameron Shepherd
* From: The Sunday Times
* May 15, 2010 7:00PM
THE regular season of the Super 14 is over for another year. It always flies by so quickly, but I also think that's what makes in such a great competition.
Yes, it was another frustrating season for the Emirates Western Force in terms of wins, however I think we unearthed a few more future Wallabies in guys like Ben McCalman, Ben Whittaker and Justin Turner.
Also, the move to ME Bank Stadium was a massive improvement not only in terms of our members and supporters, but also the playing atmosphere.
I thought the competition was one of the best we've seen in years. The rules finally seem to make sense and the games have been exciting with some memorable tries, tackles and heart-stopping finishes. Here are my Top 10 moments of 2010 for the Force.
10. It looked like we might have to play rugby in the dark when the power went out 10min before kickoff in Round 1. I'm sure there were a few officials feeling a bit nervous, but they found the on-switch and all was good.
9. Brumbies, Game 1, at ME Bank Stadium and the return of Matt Giteau - almost. He created plenty of media attention but didn't get on the field that night.
8. Strength and conditioning coach Haydn Masters winning our fifth annual SKINS Cup - a 100m handicap race for our coaches and management staff - wearing only compression garments.
7. Matt Dunning setting the bench press record with a lift of 180kg.
6. Nathan Charles, a front rower, running 80m to set up the game winner against the Crusaders. For once a front rower didn't have to embellish the story in the pub afterwards.
5. Beating the Crusaders in the Super 14.
4. The first win of the season over the Stormers with a drop goal from David Hill. The crowd of 18,000 sounded like 100,000.
3. John Mitchell diving into the freezing Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. While all the players jumped in for recovery, Mitch did it in his suit to celebrate the win over the Highlanders.
2. Tim Fairbrother, new to Perth, was chased off City Beach one night by a fox - apparently. I've been here five years and never heard of anything like it.
1. It has to be the undying support of the Force crowd. Win, lose or draw, every week they're there to support us.
Next year, Super 14 becomes Super 15 - I can't wait.sGAnother massive thank you to you all.
The finals are going to be great to watch and I wont miss a minute. Next year spells an end to Super 14 and the beginning of the new Super Rugby competition with 15 teams. More games, more talent and add to that the excitement of a Rugby World Cup and itll be a stellar year. I cant wait.
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