A New beginning

February 28 2009

Brought out of a long and enduring retirement Jackett had been invited to play in what is a weekly touch footy game in Terrey Hills on Wednesday nights. Jackett played a cameo earlier by playing as a gift to the people one game before Christmas. There are a few young bucks in the game and a few oldies and the pace of the game is exciting.

In his first game in 2009 and with scores at 4-5 Jackett’s constant probing through the middle of the ruck had to bring some good fortune sooner or later. With not long to go in the game a semi break was made….calling for the ball with what little breath he had left, Jackett found himself in clear pastures with 20 metres to the line and the ball in hand.

Coming across in cover was a speedy runner…as most champions do Jackett had time to see what was needed to be done down and was able to have the patience to see he had faster support players on either side…the line was getting closer…so too was his chaser.

Somewhere down in the dark recesses of Jackett’s mind was the many many many training drills of “draw the man and pass”. He had seen many times at these training sessions where ball players better than he, were able to have the sense of time and space to dummy the pass to their support players and score the try themselves. In his early years, Jackett not wanting to endure the grim dark glares of the coach, would normally pass to the open man and let him score….but not today.

Sensing the approaching attacker the formerly retired front rower propped to pass and having him fooled Jackett could just feel his attacker was on the move towards to Jackett’s support runner.

Swoosh…he had passed on from Jackett thinking his colleague would be getting the perfectly timed pass from a man of 123kg’s…not that quick and happy for someone else to get the glory.

However, Jackett still had possession of the glorious pill and crossed the line to lock the scores up at 5-5.

CLOSING NOTE: Not long after one of the young bucks on the opposing side found a gaping hole formed by tired legs and raced away to score. With rain encroaching and after 90 minutes the game was called. Jackett had endured another loss…there had been many in his 32 years of playing. But scoring a try in that manner made him think for one minute that he still had it. His aching legs still 3 days later now have him thinking that while he still may have it…its in his mind alone.

The CHRONICLE