Friday Night Lights

In Western Australia, Footy rules.  All the boys play Aussie Rules Football- think of it as Canada and hockey.  Liam wanted to give it a go and we signed him up at the local club.  One practice in and then we had the first fixture last night.
Aussie Rules at the highest levels requires athletes to be able to run 10-15 km a game, who can outmuscle and outjump their opponents, and can then kick a ball up to 60-70m through uprights.  It is an entirely entertaining athletic display.
Aussie rules at the nine year old level ressembles a touch of beehive soccer with a sudden burst of one kid releasing himself from the pack to have a run and kick a goal.
Liam's team Forrestfield had to play in Muchea- an hour North of Perth in farm country.  We arrived and he was given number 14 (Daddy's old number).  It felt a lot like sports at home, being a West Hamilton/Coronation family- the other team was huge, we thought it was an older team (again, like the first select game Liam ever had), maybe a higher division, but no we assured they were the same age and division.

We were a little worried at how Liam would fare in a new sport with little insight into the rules or tactics.  Things started out slowly, for about ten minutes, while the other team racked up a few goals and then Liam seemed to figure things out.  He gathered in a mark, took off, had two bounces and then kicked it on the fly for the Rhinos first goal.  He then proceeded to notch four more goals and was absolutely beaming at the end of the match.  It seems we did not have to worry about Liam after all. 

We do have to figure out how to juggle soccer and footy, both of which are played on the same day!

Rotto

One of the "must see" sites of the Perth area is Rottnest island, located about 15 km offshore in the Indian Ocean.  Is consists of bays and inlets featuring gorgeous beaches and snorkelling.  The only way to the island is by ferry.  We chose the open air Mega Blaster for maximum bumps and speed.  The kids scored the front two seats otherwise known as the rollercoaster section.

Once we arrived on the island we cycled out to Salmon Bay for some mild reef snorkelling.  We got to seem some colourful fish, but no really big ones.  It is quite an experience to see water so clear.

The island is named for these large rodent type creatures known as Quokkas.  They are literally everywhere.  Meaghan and Liam saw this one at the Quokka Cafe-
go figure. 

 Our ride back was through calmer seas, but the Captain tried to get some air by whipping back and forth across the wake of another ferry boat.  It reminded me of trying to flip people on the tube in Muskoka.  We did get air, but luckily no flipping.