Tokyo Goannas
  • Home
  • Our Club
    • Membership
  • Calendar
    • 2020 A League Fixture
    • Asian Champs
    • Japan Cup
  • News
  • Contact
  • Community
  • Historical Website
    • The History >
      • Goannas Beginning
      • AFL comes to Japan
      • Japan learns Aussie Rules
      • Mid-late 90s
      • The Mitchell Years
    • Blog Archives
    • Gallery >
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2004
      • 2003
      • Pre-2003

GOANNAS NEWS

​

Goannas make it three in a row

30/6/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
It was a grey and blustery day on Yokohama's field of footy battle. A five goal wind vaguely reminded the Goannas veterans of a championship game that needed a divine handball to win.

With the inclement weather doing neither teams skilled players any favours, it would be up to the “differently abled players” to step up and keep the Goanna juggernaut rolling. The game started with a physical and even ruck, the ball tumbling to the ground with both midfields in hot pursuit. More accurate foreshadowing could not be asked for, including the harrying, chasing and pressure that allowed Lasty to win the ball. Dan Last again contributed in fine form. Not only running but bravely smothering a kick that left him sucking wind and producing a sound that could only be described as that of a drowning black hole.

The wind behind the Goannas in the first half meant a lead would be necessary, and sure enough it was gained through hard work and toughness in the midfield. Not to mention a little skill and grace by the resident big man. Dougy had excellent mark and kick to get the Goannas rolling early. The big, bald, beast continued to show his improvement.

There was other yeoman's work done First was his typically composed self, doing all the little things needed to keep the ball moving in the right direction. Daud, also smartly positioning and formed a one man maul, he simultaneously took out three of the powers in a single shepherd. Luke and Owen, were all over the ball, fighting for possession and desperately getting the ball forward whenever possible. Jarrod Woodward managing to free himself and collect good distribution from Oceans to kick one of his two sausage rolls.

The Powers fought back courageously in the second quarter, with the wind at their back, it took composed play from extreme veteran Travis “Arms” Wilson to calm things down and eek to the second half with the lead barely intact.

President/Manager Ghirra, who made decided the tactics early, an ineffective Bash warning that he wouldn't be up to it, Ghirra provided an elegant solution of “I'll just have Muzzle play the whole game”. When asked about his tactics, he said “I didn't want to have to think about it.” But think about it he did, moving the Muzzle into attack, the Melbourne man from Xavier College applied his comprehensive savvyto win marks and treat himself to a timely sausage roll. Sam as well, was all over the park, leading by example, the big ruckman stood toe-to-toe with his much younger opponent, and scared the powers off the ball on more than one occasion. Blairman Mao used every trick in his red book to win small victories all over the park. It was a great effort from the midfield as a unit.

The team first spirit was exemplified by Yuji 'Shirts Optional' Yamamoto, who kicked himself a goal, and lead well before moving to the backline to cover defensively. Yuji had his best game of the season. It might not have shown up on the scoreboard, but the pressure relief from marks and filling in all over the ground was Hyyoooj.

The Cirque de Soleil crowd more than did their part yet again, with Mitch popping up all over the synthetic field, and showing a bizarre level of respect to the referees; one can assume that the yellow leggings drew enough attention on their own. Brett was at the heart of it all game as per usual, virtually always Johnny on the spot to gain possession and move the ball forward. Brett gained more territory than an in-his-prime Genghis Kahn.

Not to be out-done, fellow key off season acquisition Luke Dillon showed that there really isn't much difference be kicking a round or oblong ball, so long as your ancestors are at least vaguely Irish. Great stuff from Lukey, showing why we need to get out and do a bit of Rocky-style road work. But step-for-step the Powers were there. Youth and fitness proving full value, the Powers were able to continually poach end of quarter goals to keep within striking distance.

The work was hardly done at three quarter time. The effort was there, but the third quarter performance was not anything like enough to win. Too many drops, misplaced kicks, and loose handballs meant the Goannas had been caught in possession far too many times. And they would now pay the price; a mere three goals up but facing a five goal wind.

For so long, Tokyo's favorite lizards have been the glamour team, with star players, 185cms tall who had played the game their whole life. This game was going to need grit and steel. It showed in the form of Keishi “KC” Imai. Playing by far, his best game of the season, KC was tireless in the chase composed with the ball, provided options and generally unwilling to give up on anything. It was his example that had the Goannas refusing to concede defeat. Every tiny victory in the midfield adding up, a block here, a deflection there, creating mistakes and denying the younger, fitter, Powers the time and space needed to catch up.

In my four years following this team, it was the toughest and grittiest performance I've ever witnessed this team win. It was perhaps a fitting send off for Steve Pendles Parma who was jumping out of his skin to get up the ground and create a contest all day. The big Parmigiana marked strongly and bagged a sosso with his first kick of the game and continued to apply pressure throughout the entire match. After being chaired off in what he had originally had said would be his last game before a mid-season trade to the Laos Elephants, the crumbed chicken breast dropped a bomb stating that he would in fact be available for the next match and was looking forward to being chaired off for a second time in two games. Audacious till the very end!

With Round 3 done and Dustin Martined, the Goannas attention now turns to the undefeated Tokyo Bay Suns who are also coming off a hard-fought victory of a competitive R246 Lions outfit. The boys will need to be at their best to come away with the spoils.


Go ‘Annas!
2 Comments

Kapi The Goanna: The Real Games

15/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Earlier in the year we spoke with Kapi Thitiwat the new Goanna import from Tonga, and he didn't disappoint with his candid views on teammates and opposition despite having never met them before. We found out he revered Michito Sasaki from R246 Lions calling the tough onballer mini-Rambo, wanted to introduce Jarrod Woodward to his sister after being impressed by his fashion sense, and didn't understand a word of Australiana coming out of captain Dan Last.


Now two games into the season proper we were curious to see how the big man is traveling with his new teammates.

Goannas Media caught up with Kapi this week and sat him down at our clubhouse Hobgoblins Roppongi for another round of Q&A to see if we can get him to open up to us once more. He happily obliged.

Reporter: Thank you for your time again Kapi, how's everything going?

Kapi: Bad

R: Why's that?

K: Your player Jason Fan ask me to meet him here but he has caught the wrong train. I have a busy schedule.

R: Sorry to hear that Kapi. Talking about players how have you gotten along with your new teammates?

K: Very good. There is a new Goanna called Mitch (Stace). I like him. He has strange paintings on his legs, arms, and chest. I must ask him to introduce me to his tribe.

R: I don't think he is in a tribe, and those paintings are tattoos.

K: Did he become outcast from his tribe? It must be painful experience that is why he always gives a war-cry to the umpires.

R: You should ask him yourself Kapi. Anyway, how have you picked up the skills? Who has been helping you?

K: Maybe I am now 3rd best player in the team. Best player is the one they call Muzz (Chris Murray). He is a backman and he is like a brick wall. I tried to go home after the game but he would not let me pass him. Also, I tried to eat my Lu Sipi but he punched it out of my hands. 
Other best player is Dan Last. He is like a Tongan land messenger because he has running talent. Also, he has magical kicking powers. When he kicks the ball it is very unpredictable and can go in amazing angles.

R: I heard you have been getting some personal skills advice from Palmy as well (Steve Palmer). How is that going?

K: Yes he is a good player and a nice man. He has been teaching me his special ball drop technique. I am still waiting for the ball to hit my feet.

R: Is there any part of the game you have been struggling with?

K: Kapi does not struggle.

R: Well, how about the running? You mentioned you didn't like running last time. Have you been able to run out games?

K: The coach and President Onigiridello (Sam Ghiradello) said I do not need to run if I can get to the right spots. The ball will come to me.

R: How is that working out for you?

K: It would be good if they kick it to me. Onigiridello says I am unlucky because I have been burned by them not honoring my standing leads.

R: Sorry to hear that. Who in particular has been dishonoring you?

K: Michito the mini-Rambo.

R: Michito Sasaki? How is that? He is not even on our team so he cannot pass you the ball.

K: He was umpire and I beckoned him over with my index finger. I wanted to show him my respect because like I said my people in Tonga love Rambo. But he told me he is not Rambo.

R: Obviously he isn't literally Rambo...

K: I was shocked to learn this. It is like when I found out Yoooj (Yuji Yamamoto) was Japanese. I thought Adonis was Malaysian.

R: OK despite these unsettling revelations are you enjoying the game? Have you met Jarrod Woodward the man you wanted to introduce to your sister?

K: Yes I have met the Jezz. He wore Banana Republic to the game and had the bag by Stussy. I was not able to speak to him because he was also wearing pants by True Religion. In Tonga that brand is not acceptable because it is blasphemous. This news will disappoint my sister.


R: I'll pass him the unfortunate news. So round 3 is in 2 weeks at the home of football, YCAC. You must be excited.

K: Yes I hope the man they call Leon Neon (Leon Appleby) will be there with his camera. I just washed my red Goanna shorts and they shrunk two sizes. It will be a nice chance for him to take some nice pictures of me and Yooooj. I taught him new poses.

R: Good luck Kapi, and we look forward to seeing those pictures. Also looking forward to hearing from you again later in the year.

K: Thank you. As captain Dan Last says,  "Go Bananas"!

R: I think you mean Go `Annas!

K: Maybe. I do not know what he says.
0 Comments

150 Bicep Curls... and Games

9/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​They say when in Japan you should make the trek to Mount Fuji to scale the highest peak this eclectic country has to offer. That may be true if you're talking about peaks that are indigenous to the country. If not, then you'd be mistaken because pure metrics suggest the highest peak in Japan now actually reside on the arms of the man they call.. well, Arms. Also known as one Travis Wilson.

Just like those bicep curls, Arms just keeps on pumping them out and last round racked up his 150th game for the Tokyo Goannas football club. A feat no other player has achieved. Some lately have started calling him Boomer after the North Melbourne legend Brent Harvey who is due to break the AFL all-time games record this year while still playing at an elite level. At 43, and finishing in the top 3 in last years best and fairest, Arms himself shows little signs of decline.

"Game by game, year by year, until there is a better option", has been his mantra when asked how long he could go on for. 

Having played forward, back, midfield, and even ruck over the years, a scary thought for his club is that they were almost to miss out on him altogether. 

"My first game was in 2003. I first came across the Goannas at The Clubhouse in Shinjuku at the 2000 AFL grand final event. They put me on the email list from then, but I couldn't be bothered going to any of the games."

So what changed? 

"In 2003 a friend of mine knew one of the Goannas and finally I made it down to give it a go".

Since then it has been a whirlwind of ups and downs as he spent a moment to reminisce the more memorable moments this week - good and bad.
 
"The best moments have been the tours over the years. Playing in the Asian Champs. Especially our first one in Manila in 2005."

Indeed, that was the year the Goannas first attended the Asian Champs and with no subs on the bench went all the way to the semi final after a highly contentious 2 point victory over Bali where fellow Goanna player Flanagan touched the ball on the line saving a certain goal. Replays later showed the only thing Flanagan touched was 10 cm of fresh air between him and the Sherrin.

"There were also some tough times too. The toughest when we had trouble getting players and we just scrapped enough together for a game. That's happened a couple of times over the years. One of those years I also fractured my ankle and that kept me out for a few games in 2013".

Perhaps the mother of all disappointments though came off-field. A brutal realization of mortality. Yes, we're talking about his arm wrestle defeats. 

Arms had always had the whole football club behind him during these merciless battles against opposition strongmen and so when the losses came, it would hit him hardest. When asked about these moments Arms became quiet for a moment before asking for some space. Minutes later after regathering himself he apologized and gave an effusive answer.

"That loss, that was in Tokyo against a young (Osaka) Dingo. The other one, well, no one remembers the one against a big rugby guy". 


Possibly the only other event that could be comparable in pain was the whole Essendon saga that engulfed the AFL world for the past 3 years. His beloved footy club in crisis and reduced to an easybeat, 12 players suspended for alleged doping. At first his teammates would make fun of him with endless Essendon drug jokes. That didn't last for long though and club stalwart Peter Apps remembers those times well.

"He doesn't say much Trav, but when we asked him how Essendon was going, gee we got that look....things we just don't ask Trav".

Much like his football, it was simple for the man himself.

"It was all good the stick they were dishing out until it became personal".

Since I (the author) was probably one of the main perpetrators, a change of subject was in order.

Taking a well-timed segue way, the discussion turned to the good people of the club, the same teammates who have shared many beers and victories with the evergreen utility. Asked who had been the biggest character over the years, it didn't take too long for Arms to pinpoint the perpetrators.

"Two people stand out in particular. For stories and entertainment value Mikey Liddell for sure (stories withheld from publishing for censorship reasons). Also Smoking Pete (Peter Hoskings) who was able to bring everyone together and also led the chants and songs on the bus back from our old ground in Narita. We would then end up at his bar The Clubhouse in Shinjuku".

And the best player? 

"Too many to mention, but for consistency over the years I'd say Dan McGrath although there have been some guys with skills above the rest of us mere mortals at times".


If a survey of Goanna all-time greatest players was to be conducted today it would be reasonable to suggest Arms himself would feature quite prominently. Current President Sam Ghiradello tends to agree.

"The Goannas nicest bloke is also easily our most reliable. As long as Trav is around you always know things are going to be ok out there for us. He's a champ".

Even the younger generation are in awe, with Canadian convert Bash Dennier gushing "He's just a machine, Trav. You just kick it in his general direction like 'yup here you go', and he catches it every time. Sorry, I mean he marks it every time". 

To further imbed his name into Goanna folklore, this year Arms will be gunning for an incredible 10th premiership. Something that is unlikely to ever be matched again, especially with the strength of the current teams in the league. Asked which one was most memorable, the famous 4 point win over the Osaka Dingoes received a hearty mention,

"The best one was 2012 where it was goal for goal against Osaka at the end until Dan McGrath finally kicked the sealer. At the same time sending an upset Dingo into immediate retirement."

Indeed, it was Arms who laid the assist for the winning goal looping an improbable handball from congestion hard on the boundary over the defender and into the waiting hands of McGrath. Reports the next day hailed it as the 'Handball of God'.


Apart from his football exploits, off-field Arms has had his fare share of moments as well. The most infamous of them in 2007.

"There have been many great times on tour. Personally the stabbing incident would be a memorable one on the Osaka trip in 2007".

That would be the moment he was mistaken for another person and was stabbed by a local who promptly fled the scene. Taken to hospital, it was a badge of honor and a colorful way to end the tour.

He won't be stopping there though hoping the coming years will bring a few more stories yet.

"Looking forward to a few more this year in Vietnam for the Asian Champs. First time to play there".

As salutation for one of the greatest Goannas to have ever pulled on the jumper, the club has asked one his great teammates Luke Eyes to dig into the archives for some dirt on the big fella. Fortunately a few nuggets of gold were found and as we marvel at the man that never stops, we leave you with a few videos found from quite some years ago. Aptly titled: "Travis, the drunk Aussie".  
0 Comments

    Goannas News

    Keep up to date with all the goings on of the Goannas!

    Archives

    April 2019
    June 2018
    May 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    November 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Our Generous Sponsors

  • Home
  • Our Club
    • Membership
  • Calendar
    • 2020 A League Fixture
    • Asian Champs
    • Japan Cup
  • News
  • Contact
  • Community
  • Historical Website
    • The History >
      • Goannas Beginning
      • AFL comes to Japan
      • Japan learns Aussie Rules
      • Mid-late 90s
      • The Mitchell Years
    • Blog Archives
    • Gallery >
      • 2011
      • 2010
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 2005
      • 2004
      • 2003
      • Pre-2003