time to salute the general!

Is it just me or does that sound kind of dirty?

Tonight’s game against the Panthers is the last home game of the season for the Doggies (if ANZ Stadium can in any way be described as having a home-like atmosphere. Maybe ‘windswept’ would be more accurate. Cavernous? Soul-engulfing? ‘Ikea-adjacent? Take your pick.)

This means it’s the last home game for Noddy Kimmorley and Luke Patten, and the perfect chance to honour two great footy players by wearing really, really ridiculous hats.

Such a happy gnome. Pic. Gregg Porteous

They asked the rest of the doggies, and this is what they said:

Luke Patten on Noddy: “What stands out for me is his enthusiasm for the game; it is infectious. He is a real legend of the game.”

Michael Ennis on the General: “General makes those around him want to play for him and compete hard.”

Josh Morris on the General – “General is a true legend of the Club and a gentleman of the game. We are going to miss you.”

Which is all actually really adorable. But forget about their playing ability, we’ll also remember Noddy for the time he dressed up in full gnome costume on channel nine, for the time he was kneed in the balls on-field, for the many many fights we got into over his infamous Origin intercept pass … and for the time the heavies at the NRL made him sit on Sassy’s knee and tell the whole of Australia what he wanted for Christmas.

Seriously, every time we see him now he eyes me off suspiciously. IT WASN’T EVEN MY IDEA NODDY, I SWEAR!

And I think maybe my memories of the General are the sweetest of all. How will I ever forget the infamous Country week when he was so traumatised by terrifying stalkers that I had to hug him and hide him like a mama bird. Later, he accidentally high-fived me in the head. Good times.

THANKS FOR THE CAP, SADIE!

General, we salute you.