Formguide: The best people to have a beer with at the Commonwealth Games
THE Commonwealth Games are known as the “Friendly Games” and there’s nothing more social than having a laugh over an ice-cold beer. GREG DAVIS gives his ‘who-to-have-a-beer-with’ formguide.
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THE Commonwealth Games are known as the “Friendly Games” and there’s nothing more social than having a laugh over an ice-cold beer.
There’s certainly plenty of room in the pubs on the Gold Coast.
Let’s look at some likely types from the Commonwealth Games who would be good company over an over-priced plastic cup of flat XXXX Gold.
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CHRIS HEMSWORTH
Australia’s representative in the hammer throw, right? Well, he’s on the Coast at least.
We all Thor him at the swimming and gymnastics with his daughter (sorry).
But having the big unit in your posse would certainly open some doors to some A-List venues.
If all the attention from the groupies (his, not ours) got too much, we could always get an Uber down to his place at Byron Bay and kick on there.
CLYDE LEWIS
Was literally legless after winning gold in the 400m individual medley.
Don’t know how long the Aussie swimmer would last in the Broady Tavern’s Liars Bar during a solid Sunday sesh but geez he would go hard until he hit the wall.
There for a good time, not a long time.
ROBERT PITCAIRN
Sure, the Canadian shooter is the oldest competitor at the Games at 79-years-old so it would be an early night. But you wouldn’t have to cop any rubbish from unruly fellow patrons.
In 1974 when Pitcairn was a pilot, he foiled a hijacking attempt and kept 120 passengers safe from a knife-wielding maniac who was demanding to be flown to Cyprus to avenge the death of his two brothers.
You don’t mess with Rob.
CHRIS GOULDING
The Boomers star recently led Melbourne United to the NBL crown when he also won the grand final MVP award.
He won an unofficial award in the days after the decider – Most Valuable Party (Animal).
Just check out his social media after United won the NBL title.
GRENADA BEACH VOLLEYBALLERS
They certainly love a good road trip. They could tell you all about the time the bus driver took them to Chandler – not Coolangatta – for their pool matches.
You know they wouldn’t mind if the night took a few wrong turns.
FRANCOIS ETOUNDI
He seems quite mad.
A night on the town with the Australian weightlifter could all end in tears (so it would really be just like any other after-dark adventure on the Goldy).
Sent home from Glasgow four years ago, Frank the Tank has a bung bicep but will still power on with the gun show.
MARK KNOWLES
The Aussie flagbearer and hockey stalwart seems like a ripping bloke from salt of the earth stock.
His parents apparently stayed at the Main Beach caravan park before his big night at the Opening Ceremony.
That’s just a hop, skip and jump from the Southport Surf Club.
Sold.
We’ll be the blokes ordering the chicken parmy (chips to the side please).
ROB BEVERIDGE
You just have to have a beer with a bloke called Beveridge, surely.
It helps that Bevo – the Scotland men’s basketball coach – is a really, really good fella.
The proud Aussie normally coaches the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL but is working wonders with the Braveheart basketballers.
PETER BEATTIE
The GOLDOC supremo might not show up because he would be too worried about the traffic gridlock on the Coast.
But if Pistol Pete lobbed, he would do all the talking (just ask Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk) to fill in any awkward periods of silence.
AUSTRALIAN MEN’S TRIPLES BOWLS TEAM
Two of the team members – Aron Sherriff and Nathan Rice – belong to the Helensvale Bowls Club on the Gold Coast which was going to put on $1 pots if they won gold.
They fell short of that with a silver medal but clearly the amber ale is cheaper at the Helensvale Bowlo, so let’s brush the fancy official venues with expensive plastic cups and go there.
The boys are up in again in the men’s fours. Go you good things.
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