Sledging was an unwanted hot topic at Catland this week, amid reports of Mitch Clark’s unsavoury comments about an opponent’s girlfriend – also and unfortunately the sister of team-mate Mitch Duncan.
It was a low point in the Cats’ otherwise fine history of sledging, the best of which has steered clear of the gutter.
Stevie Johnson did some of his best work in this field while still with Geelong.
“I accept cash or credit,” he once told the Suns’ Campbell Brown, alluding to the entry charge for the Stevie J show.
Cheeky defender Andrew Mackie (pictured) also has form.
“Do we get four points for this win or just two,” he once asked loud enough for opponents to hear during a flogging of North Melbourne.
Then there was the menace of Gary Ablett senior.
“I wouldn’t stand there if I was you,” he quietly advised a defender in the hole between him and the centre square.
Funny, infuriating, sometimes frightening, that’s the way it’s done.
But possibly the greatest sledge came from veteran sports broadcaster and Lara local Rob Gaylard (pictured) – directed at Double Take himself during, of all things, a charity golf day.
Double Take, who is to golf as Tiger Woods is to fidelity, was preparing to take the first drive of the day for Rob’s four-man ambrose team at 13th Beach.
“There’s a bit of s..t on the end of your club,” Rob advised on the backswing.
Double Take paused to inspect the club’s head. It appeared clean enough.
“Wrong end,” Rob said.
And while on local wits, a correspondent was pleased to hear shoppers’ spirits remaining high while navagating sodden city streets during this week’s Antarctic downpours.
“It’s raining cats and dogs,” said one half of a couple also crossing the intersection of Moorabool and Ryrie streets.
“I know,” said the other.
“I just stepped in a poodle!”
