A masterful performance at Hindmarsh Stadium

On a sunny yet cool autumn evening, some of the masters welcomed in the new season with a very social visit to Hindmarsh Stadium. Thanks to Darren Steele who organised tickets through his former team-mate Jordan Elsey. Yes it’s hard to believe the Crabs legend actually played with a current A-League player, but the story goes that Jordan was just starting his career at Para Hills Knights when Steely was in his final season there at the ripe-young age of 35. So there you go, the story is almost plausible!

The boys all met at the Joiner’s Arms for a quiet after-work drink on Friday 5 March 2021. After a couple of beers it became obvious the match was secondary to the social gathering—the beers kept flowing as the Joiner’s Arms slowly emptied. The master crabs were one of the last groups to leave. Thankfully the Reds were more focussed on the match than the crabs, who heard Louis D’Arrigo’s 6th minute opener from behind the entry gate!

After grabbing a drink at the bar, the crabs took their seats in the Eastern Stand and it wasn’t long before Dave Brett began ‘encouraging’ Craig Goodwin to ‘increase his efforts’. The encouragement continued through the first half—unfortunately the only outcome was a Jets’ equaliser. Dave assured the crabs he would continue to encourage Goodwin, and that the former Socceroo would no doubt retaliate by scoring in the second half.

At half time Dave must’ve gone and had a word with Carl Veart, who responded by leaving Goodwin on the nearby Eastern Wing, where he could continue to listen to Dave’s advice and use his favoured left boot to better effect. Well the result of this master stroke of collaboration speaks for itself, with Goodwin scoring a howler in the 77th minute to secure Red’s victory.

The master crabs’ planned return leg back to The Franklin Hotel was less successful, with half the group ending up at a small suburban cultural club and the other half at a Korean BBQ bar + grill. Clearly the alcohol was taking effect.

Eventually the guys re-grouped at the Franklin, where more drinking led to a slurred discussion about 2021 season tactics which nobody is likely to remember. This strategic analysis continued in to the wee hours at a bar in Peel Street.

Well done guys and thanks again to Darren Steele for organising this great evening!