07-14-2023, 05:09 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-17-2023, 02:50 PM by Ajax. Edited 1 time in total.)
As related to Bill Sweatt, sports reporter for the Bondi Beach Sentinel:
How has it been overcoming the early season jitters?
BMP: My first few games were intensely nerve-wracking - I had a lot of trouble remembering the set plays, and our offensive co-ordinator chewed me out rather well at half-time in our first game. But after a disastrous first half, which reminded me of our terrible 10-40 preseason loss to the Pythons, we managed to turn it around and nearly took out Norfolk. Alas, it was not meant to be, but it was an early lesson in how sticking to the game plan translates to results. Our next game vs Dallas was another close game but we just couldn't convert on late game offensive opportunities, although I got my first TD (definitely got the gardener to mount that game ball for me!). We finally broke through vs Portland, and this gave us a huge boost in confidence. The rest of the first half was pretty rough, I certainly cannot lie, but looking at our results from the last few games, we know that if we stick to our systems, and especially with the young talent we have, we can have a much better year next year.
Is there a particular game you think back to when you review the season that was?
BMP: Oh Bill, I think we both know which game you're talking about! It was hands down our week 11 win vs London. Another close game where we made things a bit hard on ourselves, but my offensive game was on point with 136 yards on 33 attempts and another touchdown. In the end, I should probably credit our defense for coming through when it mattered, but this game really put into perspective just how far I've come, and I will always hold this game up in my mind as an example of what I can do when I put my mind to it.
Is there anyone that you'd single out for helping you develop?
BMP: My teammates have been very supportive, despite the yawning gulf between our social statuses, and I really think that has helped me sharpen my game sense. But the real credit has to go to our GM, who has gone out of her way to make me feel welcome, make sure that I have enough staff at my estate, and check in to make sure that I haven't sold all of the family silver <laughs>. But it really makes a difference to know that management is so invested into player development, and that they're not going to give up on us just because we need a little more seasoning.
BBB is sadly on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff positioning. How do you maintain focus for the rest of the season?
BMP: Alas, it's true, but I think of the rest of the season as an extended audition. I've still got a lot to learn about the game, and I'll need all the training I can get. There are no guarantees in this business, and taking a game or two off mentally just because you're not going to make the playoffs seems like a recipe for getting cut. I've also got the future in mind - with the upcoming draft, I need to make sure I'm in the conversation, even if I'm still some ways away from getting picked.
What is the atmosphere like in the locker room? Do the players spend much time with one another off the field?
BMP: It's pretty mixed actually. I think it's the same for a lot of teams in the DSFL. Some guys are here to make money, and that's all they focus on, which is fair enough for the working classes, I suppose. We've taken to calling these guys 'bots'. But I think it's plain to see that all the playmakers on the team are pretty close. We hang out once or twice a week outside of games/practice - sometimes we'll do mini-golf, bowling, that sort of thing. Don't want to take too many chances on the old external sports in case we get injured!
As a BBB ambassador, are there any local charity initiatives that you feel particularly proud of?
BMP: The Bondi Beach Hospice charity event we held last week was quite fun actually, I nearly won the wet t-shirt competition. But probably the charity that means the most to me is Bat Conservation International, which happens to have its regional office in Bondi Beach. Bats are an essential part of pollination for a wide variety of plants in the region, and yet their numbers have been decimated by an upsurge in white nose syndrome (and no, I don't mean cocaine, it's a terrible bacterial infection that kills them slowly and painfully). It's up to us to save the bats, and make sure our children can enjoy a world with sufficient biodiversity to help stave off the climate-related hellstorm that is to come. You can donate right now, and they'll even throw in a cool tshirt that you can wear proudly wherever you go!
Could you see yourself staying in Bondi Beach for the long haul?
BMP: Absolutely, I love it here. The cost of living is pretty high, but you can't beat the views, plus the fanbase is super respectful of our right to privacy, I hear that in some towns, the guys can barely go outside for fear of being accosted by manic autograph collectors. I'd love to bring a chip to Bondi Beach, and I know management is motivated to improving our lot quickly. And don't worry Bill, you're always invited to my summer garden party!
How has it been overcoming the early season jitters?
BMP: My first few games were intensely nerve-wracking - I had a lot of trouble remembering the set plays, and our offensive co-ordinator chewed me out rather well at half-time in our first game. But after a disastrous first half, which reminded me of our terrible 10-40 preseason loss to the Pythons, we managed to turn it around and nearly took out Norfolk. Alas, it was not meant to be, but it was an early lesson in how sticking to the game plan translates to results. Our next game vs Dallas was another close game but we just couldn't convert on late game offensive opportunities, although I got my first TD (definitely got the gardener to mount that game ball for me!). We finally broke through vs Portland, and this gave us a huge boost in confidence. The rest of the first half was pretty rough, I certainly cannot lie, but looking at our results from the last few games, we know that if we stick to our systems, and especially with the young talent we have, we can have a much better year next year.
Is there a particular game you think back to when you review the season that was?
BMP: Oh Bill, I think we both know which game you're talking about! It was hands down our week 11 win vs London. Another close game where we made things a bit hard on ourselves, but my offensive game was on point with 136 yards on 33 attempts and another touchdown. In the end, I should probably credit our defense for coming through when it mattered, but this game really put into perspective just how far I've come, and I will always hold this game up in my mind as an example of what I can do when I put my mind to it.
Is there anyone that you'd single out for helping you develop?
BMP: My teammates have been very supportive, despite the yawning gulf between our social statuses, and I really think that has helped me sharpen my game sense. But the real credit has to go to our GM, who has gone out of her way to make me feel welcome, make sure that I have enough staff at my estate, and check in to make sure that I haven't sold all of the family silver <laughs>. But it really makes a difference to know that management is so invested into player development, and that they're not going to give up on us just because we need a little more seasoning.
BBB is sadly on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff positioning. How do you maintain focus for the rest of the season?
BMP: Alas, it's true, but I think of the rest of the season as an extended audition. I've still got a lot to learn about the game, and I'll need all the training I can get. There are no guarantees in this business, and taking a game or two off mentally just because you're not going to make the playoffs seems like a recipe for getting cut. I've also got the future in mind - with the upcoming draft, I need to make sure I'm in the conversation, even if I'm still some ways away from getting picked.
What is the atmosphere like in the locker room? Do the players spend much time with one another off the field?
BMP: It's pretty mixed actually. I think it's the same for a lot of teams in the DSFL. Some guys are here to make money, and that's all they focus on, which is fair enough for the working classes, I suppose. We've taken to calling these guys 'bots'. But I think it's plain to see that all the playmakers on the team are pretty close. We hang out once or twice a week outside of games/practice - sometimes we'll do mini-golf, bowling, that sort of thing. Don't want to take too many chances on the old external sports in case we get injured!
As a BBB ambassador, are there any local charity initiatives that you feel particularly proud of?
BMP: The Bondi Beach Hospice charity event we held last week was quite fun actually, I nearly won the wet t-shirt competition. But probably the charity that means the most to me is Bat Conservation International, which happens to have its regional office in Bondi Beach. Bats are an essential part of pollination for a wide variety of plants in the region, and yet their numbers have been decimated by an upsurge in white nose syndrome (and no, I don't mean cocaine, it's a terrible bacterial infection that kills them slowly and painfully). It's up to us to save the bats, and make sure our children can enjoy a world with sufficient biodiversity to help stave off the climate-related hellstorm that is to come. You can donate right now, and they'll even throw in a cool tshirt that you can wear proudly wherever you go!
Could you see yourself staying in Bondi Beach for the long haul?
BMP: Absolutely, I love it here. The cost of living is pretty high, but you can't beat the views, plus the fanbase is super respectful of our right to privacy, I hear that in some towns, the guys can barely go outside for fear of being accosted by manic autograph collectors. I'd love to bring a chip to Bondi Beach, and I know management is motivated to improving our lot quickly. And don't worry Bill, you're always invited to my summer garden party!