Five minutes into Saturday’s match against the Eagles, a quick Hosie kick to the square spilled loose. The ball wobbled forward, bouncing here and there until Archie Lovelock suddenly worked himself free and flung a boot at the Sherrin, which obliged by skidding through for the afternoon’s first goal.

It was neat and one of those great moments when something jubilant is manufactured from very little. The soccer goal didn’t possess the explosive power of a World Cup strike by France’s Kylian Mbappé, but it did set an expectant, excitable tone for the match.

We were on our way.

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Today’s episode, as Sesame Street still announces, was brought to you by the number eight. It was Glenelg’s eighth successive win. We’re assured of playing in a club record eighth straight finals series and our number 8, Corey Lyon, is having another terrific season. He’s seventh — not eighth — on the SANFL disposals list and ninth for inside 50’s with 65 so far in 2026.

When our number 8 bursts from the pack or is in space with the ball, I simultaneously relax because I know he’ll do something constructive with it while I also become excited by everything promised as he streams through the centre.

Number 8 will be a massive influence next month as we hunt for, you guessed it, premiership number eight.

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The Eagles began their year well, but it was their turn to be raided by the Mid- Season Draft.

MSD. It even sounds like something nasty you’d rather not catch.

They lost three handy footballers and they’ve spiralled since. When Jimmy Rowe miskicked a gettable shot on goal on the fifty-metre arc near us, someone asked, ‘Hey Jimmy! Are you sure you’re not an Eagle with bird flu?’

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Next weekend we host Central District at the decidedly curious time of 1.10pm. I don’t think it’s the televised game, and there doesn’t appear to be another fixture before or afterwards, so I’m at a loss. Is there a secret Monster Trucks event scheduled after the final siren? Either way, it’s a lunchtime start, so the hot dog vendors should be delighted!

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With Lachie Hosie now having slotted 58 majors thus far — and with a few more bags to come — we’ve heard ‘My Way’ by Limp Bizkit blasting out many times across the Bay Oval. I recently learned that the goal celebration song of choice for GWS forward Jake Stringer is Shania Twain’s ‘Man! I Feel Like a Woman!’ I’m unsure if this is funny or strange or both.

Regardless, bring on Saturday — and hopefully another half a dozen blasts of Fred Durst.