The Perfect Summer's Day

The perfect summer’s day is at the beach. The feel of the hot sun burning my skin. Lying on the rough but comfortable sand while listening to the crashing of the waves. The sound of hungry sea gulls gathering to fight for food. watching the ball fly into the water when I’m playing beach cricket. The strong taste of salt in my mouth once I’ve dived into the icy cold sea water. Feeling the fizzy and refreshing lemonade going down my throat. Looking out at the spectacular view from underneath a shady sun shelter.

Blacky's Diary Entry

I can’t sleep. I’m as sweaty as a pig. The fear in my body is unbelievable. It’s the big grand final tomorrow and almost everyone in the port is coming to watch.

I’ve got a tough decision to make. Either face the Thumper, like a mouse facing a lion and get seriously injured, or stand back and watch my team get flogged. Then I’ll be called a gutless wonder for the rest of my life. Neither are all that appealing!

It will be good if my mum is there. She’s a tactical genius with footy and I really enjoy it when she comes to watch me play. The old man of mine should come out of the pub to watch me for once. Hopefully he does. I really hope Best Team Man finds the ball tomorrow because if he does I know he will use it well. It just seems impossible for him to get it. If my other brothers and sisters come I better do well because if I don’t and we lose they’ll bugger me about it for the rest of my life. They’re like that.

The only other problem I have is letting down Arks. He’s come so close to winning a premiership so many times but never has. I don’t want to let him down and that’s why I’ll try my best.

Where my name comes from

My parents named me George because it is a greek tradition to name the first child after the grandfather. I was the first born child and my grandfathers name in english was George so I got his name.

Deadly Unna? Questions

1.      What picture do we get of Blacky in the first chapter? Consider, for example, his sense of humour.

The picture that we get of Blacky is that he is someone with a good sense of humour because of the way he calls his coach ‘Arks’ and because he buys stale Polly waffles from Arks’s store because he might hear him say arks. We also find out that he plays football and he is now the first ruck for the grand final.

2.      In Chapter 4, Arks takes Blacky for some extra rucking practice. Before this Blacky has given the impression that he is always making fun of Arks. How does he feel towards Arks at the end of this chapter and why does he say to Arks, 'Don't worry, we're gonna win this one'?

I think that Blacky realises how serious Arks is about football and I think he also feels a bit sorry for Arks because he had been in eight grand finals and lost in all of them. By the end of the practice Blacky doesn’t want to feel as if he is letting down arks and wants to give Arks some hope and that is why he says , 'Don't worry, we're gonna win this one'

3.      We first meet Dumby Red in Chapter 5. What is your impression of him in this first meeting? What is Blacky's impression of him?

I think that in chapter 5 Dumby red seems like he thinks he’s cool the way he combs his hair and because of what he wears. Blacky thinks that as well and thinks Dumby red’s a bit of a show off. Blacky doesn’t like Dumby red the first time he meets him at all.

4.      In Chapters 6, 7 and 8 we get a good view of Blacky's family life. How would you describe it? What sort of relationship does he have with his siblings and why is Best Team-man called Best Team-man?

I think that Blacky has a pretty good relationship with all of his siblings. They all seem like a big close family except for his dad who is always down at the pub. Best team-mans real name is Timothy. Best team-man has very good football skills. He is a strong player who has plenty of pace, can kick with both feet and is a good mark. He is very dedicated player and always listens to the coach. The only problem is that he can’t read the game. He never gets the ball in a match. He was a hopeless player but because he was so dedicated he won Best team man every year. That is why he is called best team man.

5.      Why had Blacky never been to the Point? (Chapter 10)

Blacky had never been to the point because one day when him and pickles were walking there they thought of all the stories that were told at the front bar about nungas attacking people going to the point and they ran all the way back home.

My friend Fred- Colloquial language

My mate Fred is a fair dinkum bloke. We’ve known each other since we were real young. He’s got an Aussie background. The other afternoon he invited me over to his place, “Come over this arvo. We’ll put some snags on the barbie.” We’re very good mates. He’s got big brown eyes and dark brown oily hair. His hair is as oily as the tuna in a can. We go to the same school and he’s a great student. Outa School he loves playin with his pet roos. They live in his yard. We also play footy together for the Northern Warriors. Fred is a great kid and a great mate.

Michael Long Wiki

Michael Long

Michael long was born on the 1st of October 1969 in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. He is now 41 years old and was one of the best aboriginal AFL footballers to play. He is also a spokesperson for indigenous rights and against racism in sport.

Football career

Michael Long was first drafted from West Torrens football club to the VFL but West Torrens said that Michael long had signed a contract with them and he couldn’t play anywhere else. Eventually when Long said he wanted to play for Essendon football club in the AFL (Australian football league) let him go. Michael long played 193 games and 141 goals over 12 seasons (1989–1993, 1995–2001). He was one of Essendons best players and was a one club player. He is one of the best indigenous players to ever play in the AFL.

Career highlights and achievements

All Australian 1988, 1995

West Torrens Best and Fairest 1988
VFL Rookie of the Year 1989
Norm Smith Medal 1993
Equal 4th in the Brownlow Medal 1995
Essendon Premiership player 1993, 2000 
Australian Football Hall of Fame (inducted 2007)

After football career

After Michael long retired Following He became a spokesman for Indigenous Australians. He was also a critic of the Prime Minister John Howard. He was against John Howard's policies towards Indigenous Australians – most notably Howard's refusal to make an apology to the Stolen Generation.