The emptiness that is...September

Wine of the Week:
Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 2008 - I have always liked wines coming from Vasse Felix Vasse Felix wines comes from the Margaret River in WA; one of Australia's major wine districts. This one was a Cabernet Merlot and has a fruity taste, is full bodied and is slightly dry; which is the Cabernet coming to the fore. Would suggest you give this one a decanting and some time as breathing allows it to get better and better. Have something to eat with it - perhaps a strong blue cheese...followed up by a steak. Just make sure you have enough to last for both!

Last year I wrote about the joys that September can bring when the St George-Illawarra won the NRL Premiership http://ramblingsoverared.blogspot.com/2010/10/we-are-champions-my-friends.html It was a time of great anticipation, drama, excitement and ultimately the elation of victory. This year is a different story.

In case you didn't know, the Dragons were eliminated from the finals series on Saturday after a golden point victory by Brisbane. After a year of season of riding the highs and the most recent lows, getting into the finals and being so close to progressing to the next stage; the result on Saturday has left me with a sort of empty feeling. 

Don't get me wrong, the team played the game of their life. It was nailbiting stuff and they left nothing out of the tank. However, like many fans have found once their teams have been eliminated out of the finals the question that is asked is "What happens next?". 

You are left in a sort of limbo really. You want to follow the remainder of the final series but you ask yourself who should you follow? Do you put your weight behind the team that kicked you out? Or do you take the moral high ground and put on your hat of impartiality and hope that the game is the winner? 

Or do you just walk away, pretend you didn't make eye contact and come back after your own off season break; fresh and ready to do it all over again the following season?

These are the questions that I am wrestling with at the moment dear friends. However, one thing is for certain. Being involved in the business end of the season is far far better than sitting around, watching the TV and wishing your team was there.