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BOTN Opinion
Easter 'Gong Ground Hop
By Chris Dunkerley

Friday 21 March 2008

What else is there to do for a football tragic living around Sydney on Good Friday than take the increasingly traditional Easter 'Gong ground hop? Pop into an early church service if you wish but grab your anorak and head off to the Illawarra for an Easter treat!

The well run Illawarra Football Association laid it all out for us - a suite of games on Good Friday - with season 2008's Round 1 games set out all afternoon and into the evening (including Youth, Reserves) and three starting times for games in the IPL (Illawarra Premier League) or District Leagues).

The essence of these ground hops is to move between grounds, especially if public transport can be involved, and extra cachet can be gained for a new ground for a member/s of the hop!

I led the way on Friday morning with a City Rail train trip from Wolli Creek (in Sydney) to Dapto, to catch the Youth game between Dandaloo FC (the Dandy Lions) and Albion Park White Eagles. Although the weather had turned grey this is a lovely trip, with the changing vista of the southern suburbs of Sydney giving way to bush, and then after Helensburgh the coastal scenery is breath-taking; plus the back-yards of Wollongong evoke the working people who made football a great game in the Illawarra.

The nearest train station to Dandaloo's home ground is Dapto so this meant that I had to walk 1.4km to the ground. With the example of BOTN's writer Corinthian in mind (who has probably walked between most public transport routes and grounds in western Sydney) I set off past chicken shops and car yards but it was a surprisingly easy and enjoyable walk with paved footpaths all the way and quiet streets and even some far views to savour.

Arriving at the ground with a few minutes to spare before the youth league kicked off I noted the compact nature of the complex wedged between Freeway on-ramp and a small creek that suggested it may rise to fill the flood-plain on which the ground stood. Over the foot-bridge, and $6.00 entrance fee and I was among the mums and dads of the '3rd' grade on a very small open 'stand'. At one end of the ground were change rooms and canteen, two tin 'dug-outs' along one side and good (training standard plus) floodlights. The pitch was spongey from overnight rain and the grass species, but it was level and encouraged 'on the deck' football. A nice venue in most regards.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - the hordes entering Dandaloo's ground at 11:20am.)

The game was of a good standard for U18, if a little patchy. Dandaloo ran out winners 2-1 knocking in goals in the 35th and 69th minutes after Albion Park squandered chances early in the game - only getting a consolation in the 62nd minute.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - Dandaloo on the attack

Having enjoyed that contest and worked up an appetite I met up with Peter who had motored down, in the adjoining Dandaloo Hotel.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - The sign gets priorities straight at Dandaloo

That Dandaloo, now in Premier League, started as a pub team is self evident. Also self evident is the value of the off the board menu. Snags with chips and vegies for $9.00 is value. Washed down with an ale, it made for good conversation - about football of course (even Mariners and Sydney FC fans can be civil).

As 3pm approached we headed off north again to the ground of Wollongong United, once known as Wollongong Macedonia and in the NSL in the early 90s. Here they were to host one of the success teams of the decade, Picton Rangers, in an Illawarra Premier League game.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - the heritage of the home fans still to be seen.

A good crowd in for this opening round and we were met here by another keen hopper to the Illawarra, Mark, who headed off straight away for a couple of 'Kevap' rolls.

Picton alas are a shadow of their former self, and in the 18th minute Wollongong United's Steve Markovski guided a shot into the Picton net at the northern end.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - a nice ground in a lovely setting

Nine minutes later Steve Dimitievski made it 2-0, and as we sat in the plastic bucket seats in the second half discussing the fate of the NSW Premier League substitute Oscar Moriera put the game beyond doubt with a volleyed goal from a nice cross in the 69th minute. 3-0 the final score to dent Rangers title hopes already.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - Picton (in Maroon) could just get a hand on their opponents)

Peter and I drove north again to Unanderra (this one could be accessed by train on another day as it is 1km or so from the station) to Unanderra Park. This is basically a suburban ground with a cyclone wire fence around it, but the pitch is superb. Flat, with good grass cover, cut short this day. It encouraged a fine display of football.

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - Try the canteen at Unanderra Park.

This new venue provided a game in the Illawarra Credit Union District League (one pool of the old 1st Division) between Wests Illawarra (Red) and newcomers Thirroul Thunder FC (Blue).

(BOTN photo by Chris Dunkerley - West's and Thirroul's keepers were stars of the game

Wests led Thirroul a merry dance until the blues scored, then it was a tense time as the tyros gained in confidence - until Wests got a goal back to finally draw 1-1. That came when their star Shane McGirr hit a dipping free kick which the fine Thirroul keeper inexplicably let slide under him.

We could have taken in another game at 7pm but decided that our ground hop had been a great day out, and headed off home - already planning another trip.

Why don't you take the opportunity to catch a game this winter - no you don't have to ground hop - you will find action near you, or as we do in far paddocks! You won't regret the experience.

Story and photos by Chris Dunkerley