MEETING BENJI MARSHALL

4th April 2010

Happy Easter everyone. This morning I woke up feeling so excited because today was the day of the Canberra Raiders playing my team the Wests Tigers. But before all of this the Easter Bunny had come over night and left us a Lindt chocolate bunny each. We then went to running training and went for a walk around the AIS, I was tingling with excitement because I would be at the game in the next few hours.

When we came home I eagerly changed into my Tigers gear which was Orange Jeans, My 2005 Wests Tigers premiership T-shirt and My West Tigers jacket. The time then seemed to go really slowly, which seems to always happen when you are always looking forward to something. Finally with my Tigers flag held tightly in my hands it was time to go in the car and head for the game.

We met Kate who is the Marketing Manager for the Raiders, she took us to the room we could watch the game from and told us she would come and collect us when it was time for the toss of the coin. The reserve grade teams were versing and the Tigers won it, so that was fantastic! Kate came and collected us all to take us down to the tunnel where the toss of the coin was held. I got to meet Alan Tongue the Raiders captain, he is so nice and friendly, then Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah came, Benji Marshall gave me a humongous hug which was so cool. I then had to choose heads or tails for them and I chose heads and the coin landed on heads, Benji Marshall was so thrilled that I had won the toss for them and he gave me another gigantic hug. I wished both of the teams good luck and we headed back to get ready to watch the game.

Tess arrived and told us that her niece was going to come with her for this special day but she had cut herself and was at hospital. She has to have microsurgery to repair the damage, I hope she will be okay, I will say a special prayer for a quick recovery, she reads my blog all the time and it would have been really terrific to meet her.

The players did a warm up on the field, some of the stretches they did were like ones that Jarrett and Nalani do before and after they run. It was then time for the whistle to start the game. I felt really nervous because I really wanted the Tigers to win, I wonder if they felt the same way I did? In the first few minutes of the game the Raiders were strong and were all fired up and scored the first try, it was converted and the score was 6-0. The Raiders continued to dominate the game for most of the first half, by half time the score was 22-10 in the Raiders favour. One highlight from the first half was in the dying minutes when Benji Marshall scored a try, it was so great that he did that. Lots of people around me thought the Raiders would easily win it, but I have faith in my team and I knew that they would come back!

After watching some enjoyable half time entertainment it was then time for the second half of the game. It started fast and fiery and looked like the Raiders would pick up where they left off however a few mistakes and some great play from the Tigers saw the score become 22-22, then Robbie Farah scored a field goal and the score was 23-22 I felt sure then that the Tigers were going to win. The lovely Kate came and took us down to the tunnel again and we were able to watch the last minutes of the game from the mouth of the tunnel and that was so awesome. The Tigers scored two more tries including one right on the final hooter and I was cheering and a picture of me was on the big screen, the Tigers won the game 35-22. Benji Marshall scored 16 points in the game, he always gives 100 percent when he plays and shows courage also. It is sad that the Raiders lost because it was through their kindness that I was able to go to the game but I was ecstatic that the Tigers won. I was then taken to the field to present the trophy. I shook Alan Tongues hand and told him that it was a good game, I think he is a very nice and genuine person and then Benji Marshall came over and I gave him the trophy and said "congratulations, you played well", he did a little speech and thanked me for being there. I gave him a special gift it was a special bear that said 'You're a champ, You're a champ! You're number one to me, you always give 100 percent to be the best you can be!' I think he really liked it. He is so wonderful because he took the time to think of me when he did his speech and he made me feel special.

After the game was finished and the players had been in the change room and done their after game winning chant, Benji Marshall came out to see me and gave me one of his game jerseys which he had signed with the words ' To Dainere, Lots of love ( with a love heart) Benji Marshall. He told me that winning the toss was lucky for them. He gave me another hug and then went back into the change room. Dad got to go in the change room with my Tigers flag and he was able to get some signatures on it. When the bus with the Tigers players on it was leaving the ground I got to wave goodbye.

I also was able to meet some of Tess's family today at the game, they are all very friendly and kind just like she is and it was so nice to be able to have a chat with them. I was also able to see Mark the camera man again, he is a huge Tigers fan also and he got to meet Benji Marshall who signed his cap for him. I am glad that I can share some of the special things I get to do with other people.

Today was the most extraordinary, unbelievable, awesome and wonderful day that I have had for such a long time and it is a day I will remember for the rest of my life. I had to write it all down tonight while it was fresh in my mind. I am so tired now as it has been a huge day, I think I will go to sleep with the biggest smile on my face and I think it will last for days to come.