In what is being hailed as a stroke of marketing genius the AFL in conjunction with the South Australian Jockey Club are about to announce an historic double debut.
On Saturday 12 May 2012, young small forward rookie Jordan Murdoch will make his senior debut in the starting line-up for the Geelong Cats in their eagerly anticipated clash against the Adelaide Crows at Adelaide’s AAMI Stadium. The match is scheduled to commence at 1.45pm.
In what is quite possibly a world first, by 3.00pm Geelong’s Coach Chris Scott will activate the team’s substitute and replace young Murdoch on the field. SAJC officials will be on hand at the Stadium, ready to whisk the kid away to Morphettville where Peter Moody has booked him to saddle up and pilot champion mare, Black Caviar, as she attempts to extend her world record undefeated winning streak to 21 in the Group 1 Goodwood Handicap.
A somewhat reliable source that is very close to Andrew Demetriou at the AFL explained to Boxer’s Blog that the AFL saw it as an opportunity too good to resist. “We were originally looking at changing the starting time of the match so that we didn’t clash with the mighty mare. I think it was AFL commissioner Billy Kelty who came up with the idea to cross promote the two events in this way. We understand that young Murdoch has been knocking on the door for senior selection and he is originally from Glenelg in Adelaide. What better way to generate a bit of extra local interest for the two events? He also wears number 21 for the Cats, so its befitting that Jordan Murdoch should pilot Black Caviar to her 21st victory.”
The source agreed to speak with Boxer’s Blog on the condition that his identity not be revealed. “Look mate when you been around as long as me you learn not to go off half cocked. You check your facts, check your sources, and then double check. The Black Caviar thing is virtually a done deal but believe you me, it is unwise for anyone to start blabbing about it until the chief signs off on it” explained Mr Mifsud the source.
The source went on to say all parties had agreed to the move, in principal. “Chris Scott was a bit reluctant but when the stable promised him a 10% sling, he reasoned that the opportunity to get another one up on his under-achieving brother Brad, was well worth a shot. As it happens Peter Moody had also started to feel that Luke Nolan was getting a bit greedy and hogging a little too much of the limelight. Moody was thinking of sacking him anyway. Once we explained to him that young Murdoch played at 80kgs and that with no breakfast, a good dump, and a hard half of footy, he could be expected to make the 53.5kgs, Moody was onboard with the plan. I understand that since Moody made up his mind he’s had the kid riding a bit of track work for him at Caulfield. He stands 190cms tall and Moody reckons that’s alright. He sees a lot of Stevie Arnold in him.” Jason the source told Boxer.
SAJC’s Chief Executive Brenton Wilkinson was also tight lipped about the plan but did give a little away to the Boxer. “Look Boxy I’ve been waiting for nearly 3 years to make my mark here. Surely Mr Peacock (SAFC Chairman) would forgive me for taking a risk or two? Let me just say this. There will be an announcement soon and it will involve the great mare and the AFL. However let me make it very clear; it WILL NOT involve those cellar dwellers Port Adelaide. We are after all the custodians of the ‘sport of kings’ not the ‘sport of clowns’.”
Mr Wilkinson would neither confirm nor deny that Geelong’s big forward James Podsiadly had recently been working with South Australia’s leading jumps trainer Eric Musgrove with a view to the big fellow throwing a leg over some nag at Oakbank in the near future.