It seems like yesterday that #0 was king of the kids, the marquee signing, mr perfect gliding across the blue fields of Belmont, scoring goals effortlessly and regularly. According to Udesh himself, his only peer was Bebe and that was only if Pete was having a down night.
Whiskey sessions and Swingers Party’s elevated him to new levels of stardom and it was fair to say he had become his own brand. One that transcended 1740. He had the world at his feet, girls wanted him, guys wanted to be him. Zeros were plastered across backs of kids kicking cans in the slums of Lonny Lakes. The big house on the hill, the lovely wife and a couple of happy kids and of course those 25 year warranty Solar Panels. Then disaster struck. A cracked elbow following a reckless challenge ended it all. The reality that was many moons ago, 0 was long retired. Until last night.
With the Dutch Enforcer, Martin ‘the car park king’ Monster out due to a street brawl in Melbourne, this was gonna be tough.
Needing to win to retain top spot in B grade against an experienced Power Surge, 1740 let go of the sentiment and dusted off the 0 to another player he’ll bent on winding back the clock, the man known simply as Riccardo. Ankle taps, wily passes and some dazzle dazzel had fans reliving the glory of the name and the number. 1740 has moved on emotionally, the game was on.
A cagey affair early, Powersurge kept themselves ahead most of the night by a goal, yet 1740 would find a way to level scores and at 4-4 mid way through the second half, the game was a real spectacle. Noodles was making some solid saves, Arazani played one of his best games of the season and Thee Vortex and Van Der West were getting involved out wide. Farr was finding the back of the net, the tide was turning.
1740 hit the lead and Powersurge replied. 5-5 and Noodles was asked many late questions to which somehow he found a reply. Zero Riccardo was tapping ankles and cutting defenses open with deft touches when he found Farr in space who fired with 18 secs to go from his glory spot, but it sailed high and the game ended in a draw.
In a move also reminiscent of the glory days of yesteryear of the original #0, a beer was cracked in the car park. A fitting tribute for a team that grew up and showed they had moved on and are ready to collect another runner up medal.
