From time to time all players will receive physio and massage treatment. We’ll remove our shoes, and maybe a bit of clothing, and carefully place them to the side as we receive our treatment. Once finished we go back to the pile of clothes, put them back on along with our shoes and go on our way. This is what used to happen!
I’m not sure who started this or when it began, but in the last 12 months or so the stealing of a shoe during these times has got out of control! (Note: Not ‘shoes’ … just one shoe)
Why do we do it? Because there’s nothing funnier than seeing someone walk around the club with just one shoe on!
We all know what must have just taken place and we have a good laugh at their expense. You can see the mixed emotions on their face of frustration - “why did I take my eyes off the shoes?… I knew this would happen” - and anger - “when I find out who did this I’m getting them back!”.
At first this only occurred in physio, then people started stealing shoes in massage sessions, and now people are getting creative and doing it in yoga sessions too. It’s hilarious when you’re in a team yoga session and someone doing a Downward Dog stretch is oblivious to the fact that their shoe has been passed around the room and could end up anywhere.
Equally, at first the shoe was just thrown from one side of the room to the other, now people are getting much more creative. Mike Pyke’s shoe was recently found inside the roof of the physio room near the air conditioning duct.
I have been on the receiving end many times. One day I found my shoe at the end of the day in the ice machine, stuffed full of ice. I had to go home with one normal shoe and one frozen shoe! (He still denies it, but I’m 99% sure it was Dan Hannebery)
Jarrad McVeigh would be one of the main culprits. He’s a leader onfield, and when it comes to stealing shoes, he’s a leader in this area too. Mike Pyke would be one of the main victims. I put this down to Pykey being too trusting of Australians, possible poor peripheral vision, and his entertaining reaction once he realises his shoe is long gone simply makes him even more so a target.
We’re all slowly learning and the guys are getting creative with ways which make it hard to steal their shoes. Heath Grundy now puts the massage table legs inside of his shoes so there’s no way his shoes can be taken while he is on the table - just another example of how smart defenders are!
Canteen Award
Dan Hannebery gets the award this week for hiding my shoe in the ice machine… then telling me Goodesy did it. I know it was you Hanners!
Songs of the week
First Request - Missy Higgins - Everyone’s Waiting
Not normally a song that I’d put on here however;
- She’s Australian
- It was requested to me by Rachael Finch
- It gives me an opportunity to name drop
Second request - Tame Impala - Elephant
An awesome song!
Great to see Nemanja Vidi? back on the park this season for Manchester United after his knee injury last year. Still haven’t been able to get in touch with my
Doppelganger. Speaking of Sydney Swans/Manchester United doppelgangers, what about Alex Johnson and Manchester United goal keeper David de Gea?
We’re heading into round 23 and there’s a lot of excitement around the club right now. We’re training hard and preparing for Geelong this weekend and fully aware what is at stake.
Ted Richards
@richards_report
