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vs Malaysia Warriors
May 06, KL

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The KL tour of May 2006, was the first time in the club's history that the world famous Geckos traveled overseas for a single game fixture.

Game day arrived sure enough, and the rag-tad assembly of Geckos made their way to what surely had to be the worst breakfast buffet in sporting history. Conspicuously, the last to arrive for breaky was newly appointed VC Ging Patheuzius, as he had an unscheduled appointment with the hotel laundry guy to wash & dry his personals after he endured another night of his signature sign off. (Note to Ging - I think the way the boys railed on you for your little accident in Hendo's bed was malicious, vicious, insulting, offensive but boy o' boy was it down right hilarious. )

The team bus made its sufferable two hour trek to the ground, and with inadequate air-con there were moans and groans aplenty aboard. The oppressive conditions actually resulted in Lincoln having another one of his all too regular war flashbacks. Seemingly from out of know where - Lincoln cried: "This is just like the boys had to endure on the Burma railway." As it has been said to you many times before - Let it go John, the war is over.

Game time had arrived, and for the first time in Gecko history we actually got kitted up for the match in real 'sheds'. Alas, our sinuses were unaccustomed to such luxurious football conditions, with many a softy complained about the burning sensation of heatbalm in his eyes, hence many opted to change into their game attire outdoors. The old saying that you can take the boy out of Bali, well you know the rest, applied.

The Waterboy (Hammo) took us through his elaborate stretching regimen he acquired from his days at the Western Australian Institute of Biomechanics, Physiology, and Yoga (WAIBPY) in the moments prior to the opening bounce. No doubt our bodies benefiting from such a thorough stretch and limber up, but our egos took a hammering as many struggled with the required coordination to skip and hop like a nancy-boy on the way to an all male revue night at the Tool Shed on Oxford Street.

Coach Gun and first game Captain Hendo fired up the blue & green army in the huddle with some stirring awe inspiring comments. Lincoln shed a tear, and the first siren sounded.

Turkey reluctantly thrown into the ruck position, because he was least likely to win a fist fight against the other two alternative ruckmen Hendo, Courts and Pizza, who would not be budged from their comfy (bludgy) forward positions, was given the responsibility to give the Geckos first use of the footy. Has to be said that the lanky German put in one of the greatest ruck performances ever, tirelessly competing for contests against opposition that could jump higher, run faster, and bench press heavier than himself. His courageous effort would of brought tears to the eyes of his late grandfather (Heinz Fritz Frobose) who fought so admirably and honorably for the Nazis during the invasion of Poland in 1939.

Turkey's taps in the first quarter helped us win our fair share of the ball, but 99% of the first 20minutes belonged to the Warriors who dominated the center area and thrusted into our defensive 50m on no less than a dozen occasions. Largely to the heroic spoiling skills of backmen Schonell, Lincoln, Gun, Tim, Hinchy and Sampras the Warriors were kept to a solitary goal for the term. To the disbelief of the pro-Malaysian crowd, the Geckos went into quarter time with a 1 goal lead, after Hendo and Stiffy capitalized on the limited ball into our forward 50 with two great 6 pointers. Stiffy's Scarffy-like shot from the pocket the highlight. Quarter time score: Geckos 14 Warriors 9

The second quarter began much like the first, with the Warriors holding onto most of the possession, and winning more than their share of balls in dispute. This until a melee erupted on the wing, the spark caused by a sneaky accidentally intentional swinging arm into the face of a Warriors player, by Centre Half Forward Courts. A wrestle resulted, before players ran in from everywhere. The Geckos honorably unperturbed by a bit of old fashioned barney, kept their focus on winning the football, whilst the Warriors went looking for the man. The Warriors loss of composure, and questionable off the ball tactics counted against them as the Geckos slammed down three quick goals via two to Hendo and one to Courts, to take a 3 goal lead into the half. Half time score: Geckos 39 Warriors 17

Most of the third quarter was an intense arm-wrestle, with neither team giving an inch of turf. The ball rebounded back and forward from end to end with no goals scored, as the pressure on the ball carrier became immense. The on-ballers scratched and fought for every hard earned possession, to this extent Geckos such as the Ging, Buffet, Sammy, Jesus, Nick, all put in 110%. Shitheap snuck goalwards on a couple of occasions (he must of got lost), with one dribbling off the boot so poorly, that most of grade 6 at the Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney would of kicked a wet sock further. Unfortunately the Geckos went goalless in the term, with the only major kicked by the Warriors on the stroke of 3/4 time, to win the term, and to the reduce the margin. Three-Quarter time score: Geckos 39 Warriors 23

Coach Gun gathered the weary Geckos into the 3/4 time huddle and reminded us that we had thrown away similar leads away against the Jakarta Bintangs in years pass, and that to do the same today would be an enormous let down for the club, our supporters and ourselves. We knew the first goal would be crucial in setting the tone for the remaining 20minutes of the game. Seizing the opportunity to lead from the front, Hendo marked and goaled to extend our modest lead. However, the Warriors were still in the fight and answered back quickly which brought the crowd vocally into support of the home team. Intensity lifted a notch, and the scrappy contests continued, with a crucial passage of play whereby Jesus, Riki, Pizza fought gallantly for the ball amongst a pack of salivating Warriors on centre wing, to clear the ball to Courts who goaled on the run. The Warriors still refused to concede defeat, and kicked a couple of points to stay in the game. The continued intensity also resulted in the send-off of Pizza 'Meltdown' Brooks at the 15minute mark as he snuck in a haymaker in retaliation to an elbow to the throat. The gamebreaker finally coming deep into the final term when further undisciplined play by the Warriors resulted in a 50m free kick to Stiffy, who casually stepped forward and slammed through the matchwinner. With the game beyond doubt there was a comical moment to enjoy Texas Nick take a run and attempt a bounce, only to lose possession of the football 20m in the clear of the nearest defender.

Final Score:
Bali Geckos 8 4 52
Malaysia Warriors 4 10 34
Best: Gun, Turkey, Ging, Hendo, Lincoln
Goals: Hendo 4. Stiffy 2. Courts 2.

In summary, the victory was a leaf out of Brad Gilbert's (Former US Davis Cup player) autobiography; "How to play ugly and win." It was not pretty to watch football, but the Geckos willingness to put their bodies on the line for their mates, our determination to continue to win ball in dispute, our discipline in accepting the umpire's decision, and the fact that it was difficult to award 3-2-1 votes to just 3 particular Geckos was a testimony to the even contribution across the ground. Although it should be said that the tough as teeth backline did provide the springboard for the victory. Gun, Lincoln, Hinch, Schonell, and Tim in particular tirelessly repelled repeated waves of Warrior attacks. Special mention to Gecko debutants Tripper and Sampras who both were outstanding in their first games for the club.