Perth Finding No Glory Against Wellington

Perth played host to the high flying top of the A-League table Wellington Phoenix who were looking to extend their lead from second placed Melbourne Victory who were prior to this match only 6 points away. A win here for the New Zealand visitors would see them push that lead out to a rather difficult 9 point barrier for the other teams to try and bridge such a gap. While Perth were running into this match with some very good form and wishing to continue with a win here putting them in with a shout at play-off glory; pun very much intended there. The stage was set for a team in decent form and a team that have been doing everything right so far and maintaining their position at the top of the A-League table.

The game was a series of tussles and tooing and frowing, with Wellington at times taking control of the match and looking like they would break open the match and open the scoring and looked just as threatening to score more than one to open their account. Perth's defences were all hands on deck and would at times be forced to scramble to ensure that they would keep out the pressing Wellington attacks. But it would also be the visitors from New Zealand that would also encounter pressure being built from the men in purple.

Perth would in turn start pressing the visitor's defensive lines and were at times looking like they were on target to cracking the code and opening the account and the lead. However, Perth were constantly huffing and puffing but the Phoenix's defence was still staying strong. It was so frustrating to watch as Perth should have taken the lead and really punished them like how Perth were like against Melbourne City and Adelaide United in earlier games. But the match did not produce any goals and therefore, no winner and ending the game with a hard fought 0-0 draw. With Perth taking a point and still maintaining their undefeated run. Though I feel tha this was a game where Perth threw away 2 points and Wellington were lucky to walk away with a point. A shame as a full three points would have further bolstered Perth's chances to get into play-off contention.

While I state like I have in previous posts about food and beverage purchases at Perth Glory games that they should be avoided as best as you can, I did make a few purchases. I did buy some hot chips and I did buy some alcohol, rum and cola to be exact. While I was fancying somewhat of a strong drink after another long day out at cricket, it was nice but as I have said why in the past wasn't quite truly hitting the spot. Captain Morgan Rum and Cola was 13.50 and yes that is rather expensive, it was only the 3.5% level so the mid strength. For that price it is ridiculous. I know that the aim is to curtail drinking and therefore, drunkeness. But how often do you see the amount of men and women who are consuming alcohol and the price, nor the level of alcohol is a prohibitor for their drinking? I am sure that people will think otehrwise to what I am stating, that is fine as we are all unique and holding our own opinions. I just think that these steps which have been in place for so long now have not really made that change that they were touted to herald.

I had hot chips for 8.50 and they were salted, though more of it would have been a little nicer. I think that the amount you get is ok, but they are also a little on the high priced side of things when it comes down to the ratio of food to price. I was sitting on these chips for a bit while the game was unfolding and while someone else would have eaten these much faster and stayed much warmer, so eventually having the chips go a bit cold on me was something that I was disappointed over, albeit being my fault.

While it was an entertaining game with Perth squandering their chances in taking the lead and therefore, having the 3 points, I do not understand how anyone would pay more than what I had while I watched the game. Like I have stated before, I think that people shoudl be buying food and drinks at local businesses close to the ground or along the way where they offer better food and drink with prices not at extortionate levels. Yes I will still at times be hypocritical and buy food and drink at times there, I highly suggest to other not to and go elsewhere before the game, or even when the game finishes. Was a good night out besides these gripes and I am looking forward in going to the next home game; hopefully they win and bring home the 3 points.

Brisbane Roar but Perth take all the Glory

Perth Glory once again played host in another A-League encounter, this time playing host to 'rivals' Brisbane Roar. This is Reuben Zadkovich's first game back in Perth since leaving as Glory's head coaching role and given the turbulent nature of Perth's history of late, this adds a little bit more spice for this evening's fixture. Perth are in some good form and looking at picking up more points in their efforts to push further up and hopefully book a place at the en dof the season for A-League play-off post season action. They are not too far off, but if they fail to pick up vital points in the next few matches, Perth should kiss their play-off chances goodbye. While the looming new ownership is a welcomed sign, Perth should be perhaps looking at just trying to push teams but looking towards a fresh start for 2024/25.

There was a decent crowd for this fixture, and while it is a far cry from the Glory heydays of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the optimism was palpaple around the ground. I hope that under the new ownership, Perth Glory really works at cultivating the loyal small crowd that has remained with the team during the decline over the past 15 years. This is where the team can build that core support and then grow the team outwards. I personally would love to see Perth have a core active support end that is respected and looked after by the team and in turn by the supporter's group. Also the loyal family members and the members outside of the active end are pivotal for the continued support outside of the more 'rowdier' active supporters. 

But keeping these fans by showing them the respect that they deserve and looking after these members, many of them who have been members for the team since the very beginning in 1996, ensures that they keep coming to games but also encourages more to come. Keeping these fans 'onside' is important to keep local investment into the team from a fan level but also through their businesses that woudl encourage sponsorships and Perth/Western Australian corporate sponsorship and investment. I am optimistic that the new ownership might herald in these changes but it is the fresh air that this team so desperately needs.

Now let us talk about the match, afterall that is what we are here for aren't we? Actually about the food and drink but yes, we are here to talk about the performances on the park also! Perth had started strong against the Roar and they just did not look comfortable, especially after Adam Taggart opened the scoring in the 24th minute and it did look like that Perth might have been able to bag a second goal only for the Brisbane defence to hold out and start to mount counter offensives. This was and proved successful as Perth's defence was placed under pressure and began to wilt and Brisbane pegged one goal as Nikola Mileusnic scored in the 29th minute.

Brisbane after that goal had gained the advantage and looked like they were starting to wrestle the game away from Perth, looking to blow the game wide open after they hit the lead in the 36th minute goal from Thomas Waddingham. Glory looked rattled and they did not look like they were going to be able to shake this off and regroup from this and try to snag a goal back, or score any more goals for that matter. Perth would hit the sheds down 1-2 and looking rather forlorn and rather flat.

Perth must have received a firery half time talk from Alen Stajcic as they came out for the second half looking like they wanted to be there and the desire to push Brisbane and looked more threatening than the last 15 minutes of the first half. While Brisbane were still a threat and at times they were lucky to not even grab a third goal. Perth were snapping at their heels and their lead looked ever more fragile as the minutes were ticking up to 90.

This pressure had culminated in yet another brilliant Taggart goal in the 73rd minute and had really threw the cat amongst the pidgeons. This threw the game wide open and Perth were fired up and wanting to really send a message to the 6597 crowd and to Brisbane that they were here to play and that theyre looking to hit the lead. Brisbane were under immense pressure and in the 78th minute strike from Stefan Colakovski sent the crowd into a state of delerium and sheer pandemonium of the overflowing excitement of bagging a terrific goal from a terrific strike and I will say terrific a third time as it was Perth's third goal and the hit the lead which they would hold onto for the rest of the match. It was a bit touch and go towards the final minutes and into stoppage time, but the match ended with Perth securing the vital 3 points with a 3-2 win.

I do try and keep my food purchases to a minimum as I feel that the selection of food to be rather disappointing and way overpriced. The food outside of hot ships are so underwhelming it sours the matchday experience, spoiling what otherwise would be a good evening out. Had I eaten prior and not spent an entire day at my cricket match I would not entertain the prospect of buying something to eat. But because I was on empty and needed just something to eat as well as something to drink I really had no choice. But I genuinely feel annoyed that there are countless people who take their children, or go otherwise to the games and willingly pay for this garbage and emptying out what practically is their week's pay for slop.

But if we, including myself here, still participate and keep buying food or even beveages will never end or slow the cycle down. They know that the market forces will not act as they are somewhat forced into this. But I have said this many times over the years of this blog, people who go to Perth Glory games really should be having food and drinks before the game so that they come with full stomachs and their thirsts are quenched. This would also double up for the fans investing in businesses of varied degrees in sizes, from the small and local to the more multi-national fast food chains. You would still get better value for money there than inside.

On this occasion I did not eat any food, but I drank a Captain Morgan Rum and Cola midstrength and a 600mL bottle of Pepsi. I needed the rum and cola after a long day's play at cricket but it was a shame that due to the rules, only midstrength. I could have done with a full strength drink after such a long day. But both hit that spot that I needed to be hit, but unfortunately so did my wallet. The Captain Morgan was 13.50 and the Pepsi was 6.20. Both absurdly priced and I feel for parents who would have to buy perhaps 3 or 4 of these and then you have to buy food.

The game was a thrilling encounter and was great to see Perth pick themselves up off the canvas to then find that second wind and give the visitors two hooks that sent them hitting the deck and walking away with the win. Well done and while I always look forward to coming back to HBF Park, I can never say that the food, nor drink is a part of that.

Calypso Kings Sign off Tour In Style

The West Indies cricket team signed off their tour of Australia in style with their final T20 match against Asutralia at Optus Stadium in Perth on a rather warm and barmy evening. Besides the test victory in Brisbane, the West Indies had been on the unfortunate receiving end of some rather one-sided comprehensive drubbings by the Australian One-Day and now T20 sides. The one day series ended up as a clean sweep to Australia 3-0 and with the T20 series at 2-0 to the home team, the fans in the stadium were safely assuming that this would bea fait-acompli with Australia stitching up this final game before they would then make their way to New Zealand for the test tour in February and March.

The atmosphere at the stadium was unlike anything that I have ever encountered. The crowd of 17,018 was so silent, that I often had to remind myself that I was at a cricket match. I have never encountered any crowd in Australia, let alone in Perth, where a limited overs crowd were so deathly silent that I could hear my own thoughts shouting within at the top of their figurative lungs. It was a completely surreal sensation to deal with. Even the usual background noise of thousands of people murmuring, chatting away like a series of dull buzzing, or a series of computers humming away were completely absent. I cannot stress just how bizarre and unusual this was. It was really jarring and would make my viewing experience for this game rather challenging to enjoy fully for what it was; a T20 game that is just for fun seeing big hitting and wickets.

Though once the West Indian batsmen started to open their arms and began to take to the Australian bowling after crashing to 5 wickets for 80 runs. They were looking like what they went through in Brisbane for the test match. Big hitting from Sherfane Rutherford and Andre Russell gave the Windies a very respectable and defendable total of 220 with only the loss of 6 wickets. This was the West Indies' highest score against Australia in Australia and against Australia. This was going to be quite the mountain for the home team to overcome. The records kept being made for this game as this was an all time high for the highest 6th wicket partnership in T20 cricket with Rutherford and Russells big hitting of 139 runs. Amongst that carnage, Adam Zampa's 1/65 was the most runs an Australian bowler has ever conceded in T20 international cricket.

The damage was done by the Windies, so now it was Australia's turn to chase down a rather daunting target and the crowd seemed to have magically come to life during the bombs dropped by Rutherford and Russell. Almost as if someone realised that the crowd audio was switched off and rushed to the TV producer's office and flicked the switch and everything came to life. The crowd started to get excited, clap, cheer and ooo and ahhh at what was happening. This would continue with the Australian batting as David Warner took it to the Windies attack with a fast paced 81 that was looking ominous for the visitors. But once Warner departed, the wickets were then tumbling at a rather regular pace and the runs were not being stacked on. The pressure was building upon the middle order and the overs were just starting to be chewed up as time went by. The tight West Indian bowling and the inability to get the ball away for any big hitting proved to be too  much with the Australians batting their full 20 overs for 183 runs. The Australians were just choked out of the contest and just never looked like being a threat to chasing the runs down.

Now onto the food and drinks. Popcorn was for 8 dollars and while my partner in crime did not enjoy how salty they were, I thought they were rather nice and hit that spot; I do enjoy popcorn that is salty and buttered well. However, they were not buttered as what I would have liked, but the flavour with the salt just did it for me. Though for 8 dollars, I think that is 2 dollars too much and a bit of a rip off. The chips with the butter chicken with it was very nice and I did need to salt the chips a little as they were just the fries with no seasoning. Though with the butter chicken curry sauce it wasnt too bad, the only issue was with that was the butter chicken curry sauce wasnt a lot in quantity. That was priced at 13.50 and i think for the size it is ok, just could do with more butter chicken curry sauce and chicken itself.

 

Water was basically 5 dollars at 4.90 and I think that is ridiculous. Water should at most be not more than 3.50 and virtually on par with cool drink which is 2 dollars more is ridiculous; need I say more on this? Captain Morgan rum and cola were 13.50 and this time they were full strength. In the photo I am showing the mid-strength as I bought that when we left the member's section of the stadium. You can only get these if you are a WACA member, so if you are just a regular joe getting anything similar, you wont get full strength. So for full strength it is barely acceptable for its price. But I have never been a fan of how expensive alcohol is in sporting venues in this country. Also purchased was Bulleit bourbon which was full strength and the same price of 13.50.

Lastly, was the habanero spicy chicken. Now these were not as good as the previous time that I consumed these at the cricket as they were a little on the overcooked side of things. That meant that they were a little drier than usual and a bit more crunchier and crispier for their coatings. However I did try their dipping sauce, the creamy pickle mayonnaise and my goodness that complimented them so well. They were not super hot or that intense that it would cause discomfort, though for a sporting venue tailored for people who cannot stand any form of space, they were really good. There was still a bit of a kick that would not only have me enjoying the chicken, but also the spices and the sauce would further compliment the experience. These were priced at 15 dollars and you did get a fair amount of chicken. So I would have to say that these would be the only thing that would be in line with its price.

Once again a decent experience at the cricket. The game was enjoyable and the rum went down well and the habanero chicken was the real winner. However, ultimately the prices for food and beverages at Optus stadium are not ideal and it isnt bad for a visitor, or a couple to buy just a few things and then theyre done with those. If I was to bring the entire family and they would want food, then something sweet and then a snack with drinks to be added on top and throughout would cost a fortune. It thus makes going out a difficult experience. I only saved as I am a member and also used my guest pass, thus saving 50 or 60 bucks straight off the bat. Despite that, it is a wonderful venue and always a pleasure watching cricket there.

Not Australia Day Basketball in the Sunshine State

Tonight was the National Basketball League game between the hosts, Brisbane Bullets and the top of the table visitors Melbourne United in what should be a celebration of basketball and Australia; instead was anything but sadly. Look, can I say this as yes it is highly political, but without our hard work and all that we have provided towards being productive people; this country would not be where it is today. We learn from our pasts, we evolve, grow and change over time. Australia is no different, but to try and omit and erase days of national celebration to acknowledge that yeah we are not perfect, we made mistakes, but have made sure that these will not be repeated should be something that combines with our national pride; to be proud of being Australians. 

Deciding to ignore this national day and to simply target a small group of people, about 0.12 percent of the national population is strange. That percentage combined with the rest of their community making up only 8 percent of the national population is just absurd. Yes I am talking about the gay community that is the 7.82 percent and the 0.12 percent being the trans community. I will further add that these communities are not, and should not be mistakenly lumped into one monolithic political group. They are unique individuals like you and me who have differing tastes and opinions. 

To say they are one monolithic bloc is rather insulting to them and to people like us who value our uniqueness and what makes us as individuals. Now I must apologise for the perhaps very first time in 11 years that this blog has had to delve deeply into a political issue, well as deep as appropriately as it should as this blog is about sport, food and beverages at said venues. Unfortunately such events have now hijacked events and turned what should be a degree of escapism from the drudgery of our lives into something pleasant and entertaining. Now let us get on with the blog and hopefully with all that said It wasn't my intention to hurt or offend, just to stop blurring the lines and making sport 'unfun' and the saying "taking work home with you". Not everything has to be political.

So the Brisbane Bullets hosted the top of the table Melbourne United, in a name that I still do not understand as they simply should still be called the Melbourne Tigers as this team feels and looks too close to the A-League team Melbourne Victory. While I am actually all for european style sporting clubs that have teams in many sports; creating a new name with similar colours and uniforms to another team isnt going to be 'unifying'. Ok now that I have that second gripe out of the way I will try and push on with this blog, certainly will not be the last time that I will be complaining about the name of their name, that is for sure.

The prematch enteratinment was from a man used to watching Perth Wildcats and then going to see NBA games rather spoilt. So what this was had me rather disappointed but I guess this is what is on offer and I just have to go with the flow as they say. But because of the absence of celebrating our national day, the whole matchday experience was severely lacking. It simply had no heart and was rather shallow. But I think that best reflected how Brisbane played as Melbourne were in complete control from start to finish with the visitors from the south leading at every interval and running home to finish the match 77 to 93. There was a slight spirited fightback from Brisbane in the last quarter. But it was too little and too late as Melbourne by that stage had the upper hand and would never feel threatened by any challenge mounted by the Bullets. 

As it was a public holiday of some description that the hosts cannot describe what for or why, there was a 15% surcharge on all things food and beverages at the venue. Oh and Nissan Arena is essentially a local council recreation centre that hosts basketball and netball games, or other things but a bit bigger to host these NBL games. Effectively a big gymnasium in the middle of suburban Brisbane. It was stinking hot so food was not on the menu for myself personally, but drink and an icecream certainly were. 

  

 

A chocolate drumstick was 6.50 with coke being 6 dollars and water also coming in at 6 dollars. A Bundaberg and Cola was 11 dollars. While they were hitting the spot on such a warm and humid evening, even inside the Basketball hall in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan, it was just so energy-sapping and I honestly needed more but with my good friend doubling up the amount of fluids, it still wasn't enough to satisfy the thirst and after the game we would have to stop in the city to grab something more to drink.

Despite the lack of celebrations over the national holiday, it wasn't a bad night to head out to watch some basketball. While it is a bit of a trek to get there on the Busways. It wasn't too bad and despite the rickety nature of the temperary grandstands for the game. I didn't mind it so much and perhaps one day I will be returning. But it made me see an area of Brisbane I normally wouldn't have gone out of my way to see.

Warm and Humid Arm-Wrestle Test Cricket in the Sunshine State

Australia played host again for the second test match with the West Indies in the two test match series. This is the second of the two test series and part of the World Test Championship with points up for grabs for the final in 2025. This game was played in trying conditions as it was very warm, sunny, bright and quite humid at the Gabba Cricket Ground. There was virtually no breeze to speak of throughout the day and it was a rather difficult time to watch the day's play in these trying conditions. I could imagine just how difficult it would be to play or even umpire in conditions such as this. I was lucky enough to be sitting in the member's section of the Gabba and picked my seat to make sure that my friend and I would not have any sunlight s I did not want to have to endure getting baked or roasted in the searing Brisbane humid heat.

With that all out of the way with me describing just how hot and humid the day was in many sentences, I should talk about what I saw and what was happening during the day's play of the test match. Had Australia kept going the way they did at the start of the day's play, this section would have been very short and very brief with not much to say about the West Indies. Only just how dominant and comprehensive the Australians were. While this was true up to the lunch interval, the visitors managed to put their heads down and show some resilience by showing the hosts that to take their wickets they would have to earn them.

The Australians had raced away into the West Indian batting card with 5 rather quick wickets for 64 runs. It was not looking likely that the West Indies would even reach the 200 mark and pose a challenge for the Australians who have come into this game from their impressive win against them in Adelaide and a strong 3-0 win against the Pakistanis earlier in the summer. Batting from Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva gave the West Indies something to be proud of and start to think that they could mount a serious threat to the WTC defending champions as they posted a 149 run partnership lifting their total from 64 to 213. Da Silva was the first to fall after a very determined, gutsy and at times scratchy 79. But he was not going to let the quality bowling attack of teh Australians intimidate him or push him around, despite the many occasions where he almost coughed up his wicket with close chances put to ground by the Australian fielding or just not quite hitting the stumps on close deliveries that he missed.

Hodge was still there and the West Indies kep pushing along as best as they could with Hoidge making 71 and not long after they were then 7 for 225. It looked like there would be a rapid collapse like a sudden and violent decompression in an airplane. It looked like the Australians had broken the will and resolve of the Caribbean visitors and thinking that they might not even make it to 250. While not a strong total to defend on the first innings, it was better than what they were on course for earlier on in the day. There was a spirited fight back from the tail with Kevin Sinclair making a short, but sweet 50. That effectively concluded the West Indian total and they were eventually all out for 311.

As this was a day-night test match I think that the cooler, well more cooler than during the day, weather and the slight dip in humidity made more comfortable for playing and watching. I think that these fixtures would be far more appealing for places such as India, Australia, Africa or the UAE where conditions can get very hot and stifling. This would mean that play can still continue, but playing the game in twilight and then early evening can take the sting out of the conditions and make it easier on players. Who knows, there could possibly be test cricket or shorter form of cricket played entirely at night time. Where no play takes place during the day to avoid such difficult hot conditions.

 

Now I should get on with the food and drink. It was just so warm, I was prioritising drinks and staying hydrated, however, i did have some food just to tick me over and to keep the energy levels up during the day. I had chips with crumbed chilli chicken strips. There were three of them and they were a decent size, not massive but of a reasonable portion. They were delicious actually I must confess as there was a hint of spices and a bit of a tickle, but not too spicy where it would make the person averse to spice coil in horror and displeasure. I would have preferred the chilli to be more spicier, but I think that my taste buds are somewhat unusual, not unique, but bit out there and willing to up the spice to more stormy seas. Yes some reason I am using nautical terminology for spice, I have no idea why but I am just rolling with that.

 

The chips were rather bland and I needed to add salt onto them to give them some fighting chance of being consumed and enjoyed. My friend wanted not so much salt, next to none, where I wanted to have a bit more as I wanted more flavour and taste to it than just the carboard feeling and taste of the rather soggy potato chips. That and some chicken salt never goes astray with chips, so it rescued what would have been in my mind a rather bland component to an otherwise tasty 'flagship'. The chicken just tasted so nice with the nice soft crunch of the crumbed batter and the flavours of teh chilli with the not too dry or overcooked chicken. Was just an enjoyable taste while watching the arm-wrestle take place as I was sticking to the vinyl Gabba seats sweating profusely along with my good friend.

The next thing I had was a 'supadog', which in all honesty and fairness is just a hotdog by Don, just a bit bigger. Don is a smallgoods company in Australia and a very popular and well known brand in the country with their slogan, Is Don, Is Good. Playing up on their Eastern European smallgoods heritage, a part of Australian history that largely goes unnoticed and unsung. Yet played an instrumental role in developing the modern Australian cuisine pallet we enjoy today. But enough of the divergance into Australian food and immigrant history, we are talking about a supadog at the Gabba.

It was just like any other hotdog that you encounter at any sporting even in Australia, possibly around the world. It was a longer and bigger dog, that is more akin to a subway footlong sub. The sausage itself wasnt anything gargantuan or oversized. It was a bit bigger and therefore, proportionate with the bread. It was more bread than dog making it a difficult chew, specially on a much smaller stomach these days. But I eventually muched my way long the entire foot I can only assume and it certainly filled a gap. Clogged it with bread and processed sausage meat for many hours in a crowded stomach already processing 3 delicious chicken strips and some chips. I needed to add sauce with the supadog and did cost a little extra, as is the case with Australian sporting events nowadays. But the bread was rather soft and fresh and the sausage wasnt offensive and was simply an edible processed bit of meat as you would expect that satisfied that need for food.

 

Onto the pricing of the food and the drinks I had bought. Powerade's were 7.25 and that is legitimately highway robbery. Water wasnt anything better being more expensive at 7.50. Coke was 6.55 and the chips and chicken chilli strips being 13.40 and the supadog being 6.50. Now I get the cost of the coke, while I am not happy about that price in itself. You understand why something like that could be set at that price. But for water and powerade being almost 8 dollars? That is completely insane and ridiculous when people want to stay hydrated and not pass out in the humid heat. When alcohol and cool drink is cheaper than water and electolyte drinks, then you have a problem there. The supadog and chicken is somewhat on par with other Australian venues, the drinks is where I was shocked and insulted. But this situation is not going to change and I find that aspect thoroughly disappointing.

Besides the highway robbery of food and drinks, we ducked out to the nearby 7eleven to buy a dollar slurpee. I mean to be honest we should have done that instead of buying any drinks within the ground. Perhaps I should suggest that to any regular visitors to the Gabba to do this. However, it was a nice day to watch some cricket and interesting first time experience to watch cricket in Brisbane.