"25/5/00 - Broken Bones and shattered Dreams"
In one of the darkest days in Slammer history, Chris "Ice-man" Staff was dealt a cruel blow by fate. With the Slammers looking to end their 5 game losing streak, The team was buoyed by the return of the Disorderly Orderly Justin Gately. An original member of the Slammers, Gates has being living the life of a recluse over the last few months in Bendigo and has been in training to fulfil a life long dream of becoming a new member of the Christian Boys Choir. It was curtesy of a rocket like pass from Gates, which led to the demise of one of the WBA's favourite players.
Having started the game
at a frenetic pace the Slammers appeared to have put the game and not Staff's
fibular on ice after the first 13 minutes. Nugara had show glimpses of his
early season form with 5 points and his back court partner Grenfell was in
similarly devastating form with 4 of his own. The Slammers were dominating
every aspect of the game. Staff had already reeled in two steals, Block was
warming the bench as only he can, Teker had "things to do", Gates
had launched into a lovely rendition of Ave Maria, Harper had threatened to
head butt the referee twice and the crowd was beginning to sense a Slammer
whitewash. The opposition appeared shell-shocked after the Slammers unveiled
their new stifling "Trapezoid" Defence. Similar to the much-vaunted
Triangle offence that the Jorden led Bulls used so successfully, it involves
4 Slammer players actually playing a position on the floor with the extra player
" The Loose Cannon" always aimed at the oppositions best weapon.
All good things must come to an end, and this game came to a crashing end. Following a strong board and a quick outlet pass to Gates, who quickly passed it off to Staff on the fast BREAK to the hoop. Well the fast break was to be Staff's Fibula and Tibula as he was cleaned up by the opposition and came crashing to the ground with a cry of anguish which, could be heard to the ends of the Earth.
The nature of the injury meant that the game was immediately halted and as the staff at the stadium looked on in confusion, Block was quickly on the mobile to organise photos and then the ambulance. Proving that the ambulance service can saves lives, the meat wagon appeared 30 minutes later. A delighted Grenfell was giggling like a little kid when told that he could ride in the front with the Paramedic. He was however disappointed when told that he could not play with the siren.
On arrival at Monash Hospital, medics were treated to some classic Staffy commentary on Carlton, Arsenal and his dreams of running away to the circus as the bearded woman. Rumours about the future of the young stars basketball career are already surfacing, but as Slammer management was quick to point out, it is just too early to tell. Even after an intensive physio program, to be administered by Gates, it is uncertain if his career will be cut short in his prime, like that of Jamie Lawson.
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