Scott Morrison in full flight kicking off local Sydney rugby match
He was at the rugby to do a celebrity kick off, but there was only one question the punters wanted answered: When would he kick off the Federal Election? But Prime Minister Scott Morrison wasn’t biting today. PICTURES: MR MORRISON IN ACTION
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He was at the rugby to do a celebrity kick off, but there was only one question the punters wanted answered: When would he kick off the Federal Election?
But Prime Minister Scott Morrison wasn’t biting today.
“I’m going to the footy today,” he said as he strode into Foreshore Park in Sydney’s south this afternoon deflecting questions from the waiting media about when he will call the election.
The PM appeared at the oval in Sylvania Waters to do a special guest celebrity kick off in the club rugby match against between Southern Districts and West Harbour to open the 2019 rugby Shute Shield season.
Mr Morrison performed the kick off just before the real kick off for “about seven years now” on his estimation — but this was his first as Prime Minister.
“It never usually gets this much attention,” Mr Morrison said.
What’s’ changed?
“The sun’s out,” he replied.
So would he favour the toe poke? The around the corner drop kick? A mangled combination of the two?
“Oh, the drop. Got to be the drop,” Mr Morrison said as he moved into position on the halfway line.
“As long as it goes 10 (metres),” he said.
In the end it went 17m, with the PM demonstrating good form and co-ordination.
Prior to taking the field, Mr Morrison pressed the flesh with the fans on “Favourite Son Hill” with many joking that the prime ministers team of handlers and the large media contingent he brought to the game was blocking their view.
“This happens every time I go to the football,” joked Murray Kellaway, 56, who played first grade fullback for Port Hacking in a different time and a different body.
Mr Kellaway was drinking a beer with a friend when Mr Morrison stood behind him resulting in a throng of television cameras standing a short distance from his face.
Following the kick, the Morrison circus moved to the inside bar where about 100 people watched as he ordered a Shark Island Ale.
Usually a dab hand at pouring a beer, the timing couldn’t have been worse for bar tender Dave Kadziela for the keg to run out.
Under the bright lights of the media and the glare of 100 rugby fans, Kadziela gave a wry smile as the technical malfunction would only allow him to pour a beer made entirely of head.
“I’m glad it’s you and not me,” Mr Morrison said.
With the keg changed and pressure mounting, Mr Kadziela tried again for the same disastrous result.
Out came a green bucket from behind the bar to run the keg out a bit.
Third try: even worse.
“It was the absolute worst timing,” said Mr Kadziela, who poured a perfect beer on the fourth try. “He usually gets a Four Pines so I think he was getting a Shark Ale for the cameras.”
Originally published as Scott Morrison in full flight kicking off local Sydney rugby match
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