I started my junior reporter day with a stadium tour. Amelia gave me a Bulls jersey of my choice (home or away).
I chose the away jersey and guided me around the stadium’s various areas! Firstly, I got shown the field and had the opportunity to go onto the pitch! I also got to have a photo taken in the goals because my dream is to be a Macarthur Bulls goalkeeper!
Secondly, I got to walk into the Macarthur Bulls’ changing room/locker room and have a look around! Thirdly, I was taken upstairs in the elevator and got to go inside the camera room! The people in there were so nice. I even got to say something over the big speakers and change what was showing on the big screen!
I then got to walk over to the CEO’s box, sit on the lounge and have a look around. Finally, I walked into the commentary room, where the TV commentators call the game. Overall, it’s a massive, spacious stadium, and it was a great pleasure to be given a tour of it!
The Bulls fans were roaring as they entered the stadium, so we took the opportunity to interview them about the game! They were all excited about the game and having a new coach, as they had high hopes for Sasa Ognenovski. Their score predictions ranged from 1-0 all the way to 5-2! Thankfully, all of them predicted a Bulls win.
We also took the chance to interview injured players like Will McKay and Kosta Grozos. They shared their insights into their training experiences with the new coach and told us what they were looking forward to that day.
The game started very quickly as, in the 12th minute, Gibson rocketed a ball just wide of the far post, even though the Bulls fans thought it went in!
Nothing much happened for the rest of the first half. Just 13 minutes after half-time, Perth player Lawrence took the ball away in a dangerous position. He lined up a shot just outside the box and rocketed it into the far bottom corner.
1-0 Perth Glory, 59th minute.
It seemed like the Bulls players and fans thought there was no hope for the Bulls until a corner by Luke Vickery hit a Perth Glory hand, and suddenly, we had a penalty!
Ryan Fraser stepped up to take it, but he missed. All hope was lost until the referee pointed to the spot again! One of the Perth Glory players had encroached into the box before Ryan Fraser kicked the ball, so Ryan stepped up again.
Now, it was all mind games. He took his run-up and hit it straight into the bottom-right corner!
1-1, 86th minute.
The Bulls had newfound momentum, confidence and courage. They pushed hard and got what they were wishing for.
Ryan Fraser was taking a crucial free kick from a perfect crossing position. He hit it beautifully, sending the ball floating through the air until it found Jonathan Aspropotamitis’ head. The ball then flew straight over the keeper’s head before he could react.
The ball hit the net, and suddenly, the crowd cheered their hearts out! The ending they had hoped for was coming true. But from past experiences, the Bulls knew the game wasn’t over at the 90th minute. It was over at the end of injury time.
2-1 Bulls, 89th minute.
The Macarthur Bulls held on for six more minutes in a desperate attempt to waste time and, eventually, the time came! The whistle blew, and all the pressure they had been under was lifted off their shoulders.
After the game, I got to interview the Bulls first-time captain, Liam Rose, and hear his insights into how he played and how the team played. He was very optimistic, as anyone would be, and said that the team had a great game but was sloppy with its ball control, which led to the goal.
I also got to hear a second perspective from young Bulls keeper Alex Robinson. Their perspectives were practically the same, so it was great to see that the Bulls knew what they needed to learn from the game.
In the press conference, Sasa Ognenovski answered my questions enthusiastically, telling us that he wants to bring team spirit and culture to the club. He seemed like a proud coach when I asked how his team stayed motivated, and he replied that they did it all by themselves.
It was a great experience being a junior reporter!
