Article by Macarthur Bulls Junior Reporter, Caitlin FINNEGAN
On Saturday I arrived at the stadium an hour earlier than game time for a backstage tour. We went to the backstage areas; the changing room before the players were there with all their jerseys hanging up ready to wear, we went on to the field and sat on the benches where the players sit during games. We also saw the media room which is where photographers and other media members sit.
We went to the production room where we saw what happens behind the scenes, and met the person who controls the slideshow on the big screen. We also were introduced to the announcer that yells goals and the lineup. I also went to the sky lounge where the CEO sits.
After the tour we left and came back when the gates opened. Most fans that I interviewed suspected the score would be 2-0 and a common favourite player was Filip Kurto.
Macarthur Bulls were up against Western Sydney Wanderers in the battle of the west. The team ran out onto the field with their starting lineup: 1 Robinson, 25 Talbot, 6 Uskok, 3 Da Silva, 18 Scott, 10 Caceres, 26 Brattan, 22 Rose, 24 Bosnjak, 8 Vickery, and 15 Duke, with Brattan leading as captain.
Not long into the first half, Macarthur had an early setback with the wanderers scoring in the first 10 minutes. The Wanderers had a goal disallowed that all the Bulls supporters were happy about. We were already two down when Uskok,was taken off the field, and number 9 Ikonomidis came onto the field. At half time the score was 0-3.
In the second half the team was clearly trying their hardest to make a comeback, as they came out strong and fast. Talbot got hit in the face by the ball after a player kicked it accidentally trying to clear it – ouchie.
Later, number 28 Sawyer came on for Bonsjak. Vickery was shoulder charged off the field by a Western Sydney player which had fans upset because it wasn’t called. 13 Duran, 17 Randazzo, 32 McKay came on for Vickery, Brattan and Talbot, and Caceres became our new captain.
By the final whistle, the scoreboard read 0–4. Macarthur lost but we played well and tried hard during the match.
After the match I got to interview Liam Rose, Alexander “Robbo” Robinson and Will McKay. I asked Liam about his top speed which he said was around 36km/hr. I asked Robbo if he was excited to be getting game time in the A League, and he said absolutely and that it was great to get some game time. which he agreed to and said it was great having game time. I asked Will McKay about his favourite ice cream flavour and he said he liked Tiramisu and Caramel.
In the press conference after the game I got to ask Mile the first question.
Even though we lost I had a really great time being the Junior Reporter for the Macarthur Bulls.
