Aussie Rod invited me to the NYC premier of Aussie Rules Football earlier this year.  Aussie Rod is a referee in the local league and referees in games around the country.  He is pictured below. 

 

  

 

 

As I have often written on SATT and told many around the world, Aussie Rules Football is the best sport ever because it combines speed, athletism, and team work.  It's played on real grass, NOT astro turf like other types of football.  Lastly, it's “kill the guy with the ball” as the ball is tossed or kicked like a hot potato from player to player.  Injuries occur but not as often as American Football because there are no metal helmets.

Though this event took place months ago, I wanted to include it as a highlight of the year.  A May Monday was a historic night because Manhattan finally hosted an Aussie Rules game.  It was a "State of Origin" game pitting the local NY Magpies versus a Victoria club from Australia.  The NY Magpies are the real deal on and off the pitch.  When bush fires struck Australia a while back, the Magpies organized a benefit at the Australian in Midtown.  I invited SATT readers in my Slam Dunk Leukemia and Australian Bush fires on Valentine's Day post.  The Magpies raised over $100,000 for the Australian Red Cross and were commended by the Australian Consulate.

The Lady Magpies played first and then the gents were played the nightcap.  Both teams played hard and gave their Victorian opponents all they could handle.  Aussie Rod refereed the matches and kept order on the pitch.  This historic group photos are below.

 

Ladies first.

 

The gents.

 

In the best spirit of sportsmanship, all teams descended upon the Rusty Knot near Pier 40 to rehydrate and rejoice in the awesomeness of Aussie Rules Football.

First and third photos courtesy of Aussie Rod.  I took the photo of the ladies.  Posted by The Tank reporting live from Pier 40 near Houston Street on the West Side of Manhattan.

The Mets finally did something and signed Jason Bay to a four year, $66 million contract.  Bay had been rumored to sign with the Mariners as he is from Seattle and his wife is from Vancouver.  There was some talk about returning to Boston.  Anyway, the Mets took a big plunge and trying.  Is it enough?  No, they need more but it’s a good start.

 

Posted by the Tank.

The Jets won a controversial game in Indianapolis yesterday 29-15.  The Colts were true to their "pitch count" and sat many starters including QB Peyton Manning part way through the third quarter.  The Colts had a 15-10 lead when the substituted in rookie Painter.  I never heard of Painter and certain most Colts fans like my brother Milan had either. 

 

Painter never played a regular season snap before.  How could the Colts play a sacrificial lamb up against the #1 Defense in the NFL?  He was sacked and fumbled the ball which was recovered for a touchdown.  Painter was booed on every play.  It wasn’t his fault. 

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: The Jets accepted the Holiday Gift they soon needed.  Everything went their way yesterday as other teams lost.    They are in the driver’s seat for a playoff spot.  Win and they are in.  Linda, Ngima, The Tank, and a fan to be named later will be at Giants Stadium for the final game of the regular season this Sunday night, January 3.

 

Posted by The Tank.

The Mets had their annual Holiday party a couple of weeks ago.  Why?  No reason to party.  They should have been working hard to sign players.  Look at this list of transactions.  Are you impressed?  Neither am I. 

 

Steve and Kathleen visited NYC this past week.  I was planning to travel with Steve to Queens to overthrow Omar as the Mets GM and install Steve as the Mets GM.  Steve had to go back to Hong Kong so Omar is safe for the moment.

 

I received a call from the Mets a few days ago to renew my partial 15 game season ticket plan.  They extended the deadline from December 22 to December 31.  I am in no rush to renew it as I have other bills to pay and want to see a better product on the field.

 

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

Jets Coach Rex Ryan had his Christmas Wish list out earlier this week at his press conference.  He hoped that many of the undefeated Colts will take a rest against the Jets.  He may get his wish.  Dwight Freeney said that many of the Colts will be on a “pitch count” or play count.  But will the Jets be able to beat the Colts?

 

Peyton Manning is the wild card.  Tom Brady has three Super Bowls and Peyton only has one.  An undefeated season would put Peyton ahead of Brady as Brady lost to the Giants two seasons ago.  I want the Colts to win so I can stop my brother-in-law Jim bragging about the Dolphins being the only perfect team.  Also, my brother Milan is a Colts fan so a perfect season would be great for him.  We’ll see where the dust settles after Sunday’s game.

 

Posted by The Tank.  

SATT and most of Team Figjam got together at Linda’s birthday party for this group photo.  Getting everyone was an impossible task.

 

 

Have a safe and happy Holiday Season.

 

Posted by a grateful Tank reporting live from Loreley on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

While traveling to the North Pole Marathon earlier this year, Editor in Chief and PermaGuest Outlaw Jack asked me to keep an eye for Santa Claus.  I didn’t see him at the North Pole.

 

 

But, I happened to run into him on the way home.  I put in a good word for Jack and Michelle, Steve and Kathleen, Linda, and the rest of the rest of the SATT family.

 

 

I hope you get what you get the gifts you want.  Most importantly, health and happiness to all.  

 

Posted by The Tank in a North Pole state of mind. 

Adam e-mailed the SATT Council of Baseball Experts on Tuesday that the Yankees traded Melky Cabrera for Javier Vazquez in a multi-player trade. 

 

It would be a shame to lose Melky but you have to give to get.  I like Gaudin more than Vazquez because he's younger.  But, you can never have enough pitching and Vazquez is going into the last year of his contract. 

 

As of now, the 2010 Yankees starting rotation appears to be CC, AJ, Andy, Vazquez, and Joba or Hughes.  I think Joba would be a the fifth starter and Hughes would stay in the bullpen.  Gaudin would become a long man and/or an emergency starter. 

 

Where Do We Go From Here: Will Johnny Damon return to the Yankees OR stay a special WWE guest host as he was on Monday night RAW?  Boras and Damon need to close the deal ASAP.  Time will tell.  Keep the Faith!

 

Posted by The Tank.

The Jets hosted the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.  After a Blizzard covered the area, logic would dictate that a cold weather team like the Jets would beat a Southern team like the Falcons who play in a dome.  Add a bunch of Falcon injuries and things should have broken the Jets way. 

 

But, no, the Jets lost late 10-7.  Their playoff hopes are on life support.  They are tied with five other 7-7 teams on the outside looking in.  They need more help but I don’t have the time and space to get into all of them.  

 

Posted by The Tank.

Wow!  What a weekend! 

 

The Super Shepa Ngima tour is in full effect.  Gautam and I took him to Hayden Planetarium on Thursday.  We then went to the Museum of Natural History. 

 

 

From the North Pole to NYC, I have been trying to keep one step of the polar bears.  Ngima and I thankfully do just that.

 

 

Super Sherpa Ngima went to his first basketball game on Friday night.  The Knicks hosted the LA Clippers at the Garden.  Linda, Editor in Chief Perma Guest Outlaw Jack and his girlfriend Michelle joined Ngima.  The Knicks were down about 14 points but rallied to win 95-91.  I wish I could joined them but had to work.  It would have been my first Knicks game since the infamous Knicks-Nuggets fight three years ago.

 

All play and no work make Ngima a dull guest.  Linda pressed Andrew, Ngima, and I into Christmas Cookie making duty on Saturday. 

 

  

 

After making cookies, we watched “Elf” starring Will Ferrell.  Good food and times.   We went to watch the Saints – Cowboys game.  The Saints unfortunately lost their undefeated season.  Darn it!

 

I dressed for the Blizzard for the long walk home.  Linda and her friend Pat laughed at my North Pole gloves.  Linda started a snowball fight soon thereafter.  :-)

 

 

Today was Linda’s birthday.  Andrew, Sara, and Rob joined us and we saw “Avatar” in 3D.  Even better times.  Happy Birthday Linda!

 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Steve and Kathleen better hurry home or “no cookies” for them.  :-)  Safe travels.

 

Posted by The Tank reporting live from NYC.