MARCH 2007
Balmain’s legendary fullback Gary “Jimmy” Jack gives us his thoughts
in this months grill.
Siggy - Jimmy, how are things going mate.
Jimmy
- All is good and I am very busy with my work these days.
Siggy - Speaking of work what are you doing for a crust.
Jimmy - I am in real estate in the Blacktown area working for
a company called Harcourt’s Real Estate. I have been here for 7 years
and if any one wants to sell or buy properties give me a call. I am
sure they will get the “Best in the West” for valuation and someone
that is fair dinkum in customer service.
Siggy - That’s fantastic mate, I always said you were a good
bloke no matter what everybody else says.
Jimmy - Ha-ha very funny.
Siggy - Mate I meant it you are a good bloke, anyway you have
been called many things in your time but is it true people are now
calling you Fred McMurray, because of the TV series my three sons.
Jimmy - Only you but I don’t mind it.
Siggy - Speaking of my 3 sons Fred, oh sorry Jimmy, it sounds
like you spend a fair bit of time with your boys these days and its
great to see they all take after Dad in their sporting prowess.
Jimmy - Yeah you are right there. Kieran is playing with the
Sydney Swans, Rhys is playing SG Ball with the Balmain Tigers and
my youngest son Brandon is playing League with the Baulkham Bulls,
so you can see I am a family man that loves his kids and supports
them no matter what.
Siggy - You are the man, a real snag and great to hear. Speaking
of support Kieran needed plenty of that lately because a little while
ago he got caught up in the infamous betting scandal in the AFL of
having a $10 wager on the footy, is that all sorted now because one
of the things people said to coin a phrase, “I bet it wasn’t Gary’s
money”.
Jimmy - What a load of B…S…, 2 x $5 bets and compared to the
rest of what was going on it was nothing. Maybe he should have been
caught with drugs because he wouldn’t have been named and would’ve
had another two strikes to go before anything happened. The AFL should
have a good hard look at themselves in regards to their policies and
procedures manual. By the way it wasn’t my money and he should never
have been mentioned. But for a while there he wasn’t my son but it
is all is good now.
Siggy - A bit of stress buddy, glad it’s all sorted. What are
your favourite foods and a good night out for you these days?
Jimmy - Italian food with a nice red. The La Carretta restaurant
at Cherrybrook with the family.
Siggy - Sounds nice. Seen any good movies lately.
Jimmy - I saw Borat the other day but it was ordinary and
overrated. I would rather go and watch my sons play sport, to me that’s
more enjoyable.
Siggy - A real snag Jimmy, great to see. What about the game
today what’s your thoughts.
Jimmy - I would bring in the draft, its the one thing that
the AFL have got right because it distributes the player pool evenly
and the influential clubs cant get all the good young players. I believe
the salary cap can be easily rorted and it is. I would bring back
the 5 metre rule and this would bring back the deep attack as well
as bring back forwards who can ball play and coaches that can devise
good tactics. At the moment when I think of genuine ball players,
Jason Smith a man of 35 that plays at the Cowboys is one of the only
ones that can do it well and coaches seem to have a set menu for all
their specific tactics these days.
Siggy - Straight talking Jimmy but that’s what it’s all about
and what about best players.
Jimmy - Darren Lockyer, Greg Inglis and Benji Marshall when
his wings are OK.
Siggy - Best teams you like to watch
Jimmy - Tigers, Storm and Saints. I also believe that the coaches
of these teams can improve the individuals and that is what coaching
is about, coaching players to be the best and not coaching the best
players.
Siggy - How’s the body?
Jimmy - It’s fine. I am still playing in the FOGS games and
I like to do a little bit of training but its all maintenance. The
body still functions well and I have always liked doing a bit on the
physical side to stay fit and healthy.
Siggy - A real Trojan Jimmy and I must say a tough hombre to
go with it. Well Jimmy thanks for your time, good luck with everything.
Do you have any tips for me?
Jimmy - Enjoy your friendship with all your mates because life
is too short. Family and friends are really all you have in this world,
so keep them in constant repair and look after them, that’s my best
advice.
Siggy - Very philosophical my friend, thanks for the tip and
good luck.
Jimmy - Anytime. |
