Watching a champion is a privilege

To see a champion lift himself in the face of adversity is a privilege to behold.

Last night in Terrey Hills I was honoured with such a privilege.

But I ask the readers when does a champion say enough is enough?

Just hours before the start of the fixture Jackett called in to his team mates and said his leg injury would deny them the honour of his presence.

The message was passed onto Jackett's nemesis and team mate, The Man. The Man would not allow the quality of the game to be tarnished by Jackett's absence. If Jackett was the champion he claimed to be, then he would be there at Terrey Hills 7.30 sharp and that he better be ready to play.

While Jackett does not bow to any man or woman's demands [!!!!], he does know what it means to the people to see their champion, even if it is at the expense of his own health.

Jackett knew his leg would not be last the full 90 minutes so he needed to take the game by the scruff of the neck early.....and take it he did.

Not many words are spoken during the games between Jackett and The Man and this crisp autumn night would be no different. They are aware of each others presence.

Taking the ball at first receiver in the first few minutes of the game, Jackett tore across the ruck and dummied to his team mates inside and outside, the defence was lost in a haze of mystery and Jackett glided through to open the scoring.

The champion had decided that pain would not stop him today, little did he know that this decision would not be his to make.

Jackett and The Man guided their team around the park with silent strength. The teams were only 6 vs 6 players on a full field, 100 metres in length and these two champions knew that a slow and steady pace would be the only way to last the 90 minutes and win.

Jackett's leg was tiring and hurting as the game went on, he let The Man have his way this cool night and was happy to be play second fiddle at times.

Jackett would go on to score another try and setup 3 others but the muscles shearing apart was slowing him down as the game wore on.

The Man would keep demanding Jackett's presence in the attacking line, a champion always rises to such demands, his pride commands it.

Jackett's mind played tricks on him and at times you would not have known of the debilitating injury he was dealing with. He would make the last tackle in the defensive line, he would run down the faster man at the surprise of his team mates ....... and the faster man.

With 10 minutes left and after another successful attacking raid, Jackett asked The Man "I do not know how I got this injury". The response was short and sharp [like The Man's wit] "Your 38 years old".

The factual response came with a nod from The Man, confirming to Jackett that he knew the answer was true.

With the game getting away from him, Jackett made vital errors late in the game. Bombing two tries with the line wide open, Jackett's night was over. As the game came to a predictable end, the people's champion lowered his head and limped off to the sheds.

The only friend the champion would have this night would be the cold crisp feel of a thick glass tumbler filled with Bourbon and Coke.

But I go back to my first question asked "when does a champion say enough is enough".

The answer, a champion does not know. A champion comes back time and time again.

The Chronicle