Sydney FC (D20)

It's a leisurely morning and then over to Jocelyne's. There's a misty pal over Sydney as we drive from Five Dock to Drummoyne where she lives. Somethings not right. There isn't a cloud in the sky, but it's not blue. It is grey. Viv thinks it's pollution. When we arrive, Jocelynes thinks it may be a bush fire, but Rob's not so sure. There isn't a smell of smoke in the air. Everyone agrees there's something odd about it.

On the news Malcolm Turnbull's leadership has been terminally damaged by chaos in the opposition Liberal Party over the emissions trading scheme (ETS). While a clear majority of the public supported Mr Turnbull's decision last week that the Government Coalition should pass the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme 66% in todays poll), there seems to be a majority of grass roots liberal supporters against this position. There was an avalanche of criticism levelled at Liberal MPs after their position was announced last week. Joe Hockey, former opposition treasurer and supporter of the ETS, like Mr Turnbull, is seen as the candidate thought most able to reunite the deeply divided parliamentary Liberal Party.

I say goodbye to Viv and am introduced to my very nice room. Jos and Rob live on a wonderfully interesting street. The architecture of houses and building is quite remarkable. They live in a Federation Style house. It is semidetached and long. Along the adjoining wall is a corridor that runs the length of the house. Off this corridor are the bed rooms. At the end, the kitchen and living room. Loads of space for two people. Mathew and Philip, their sons, have move away. The street has many other styles of house, all with their own stories. I'm going to the football, so the original plans are changed. We go for a walk round Five Dock bay, a watery extension of the harbour, instead. We walk for about an hour, stop for a beer then back. Several boats are moored up, it's low tide. A few plastic bags and bottles are washed up, but generally it's clean and the scenery spectacular, except that sky just isn't right. All this within walking distance of home, how amazing. The houses on the edge of the bay go for about three million dollars. It's a prime inner city spot. Then Rob kindly drives me to the ground of Sydney FC. Dave Benett is waiting for me.

A procession of people waving blue flags and singing football chants approaches and passes. These are the hard core supporters, says Dave. They have an average age of about 18, and nearly half of them can shave already. Walking behind so as not to cause embarrassment are their mums. The whole atmosphere is a fun one and I don't detect any trouble. This is the sixteenth game of the season for each team. There is keen anticipation that Sydney will take all three points. They are currently second on 25 points. Newcastle only have 16 points so far and are second from bottom. They would do well to come away with anything. The crowd gather. Dave reckons the ground holds about forty thousand and is packed for big national team matches. The last game was against Holland. Dave went to it. I didn't catch the score but the Dutch were a fouling lot.

Until recently teams were based on localities, and in Australia as we've discovered, localities means ethnic groups. This caused a lot of agro with Greek against Italian for instance. The worst were the Serbs against the Croates. Kind of makes you feel warm to think these tribal loyalties have been sustained across the other side of the world. So bad was the situation that the Aussie FA banned ethnically based teams and names had to change. Today is a family day out. Newcastle supporters mix in with the Sydney supporters. The group of young lads with banners have positioned themselves behind the goal on my right. The away support is minimal, one or two hundred and are behind the other goal. The game kicks off at five pm, bearably hot, although the sun is right in our faces still. We took a couple of beers onto the terrace and sat in our places. The ground is no more than a quarter full.

Newcastle start the brighter. Come on Sydney. Dave points out the big Newcastle centre half. He's half Mauritian, half Russian. My allegiances start to slip. Oops, one nil down. Never mind, a quick response is needed. Ah, two nil down. Come lads, one back before half time. Oh well, half time comes and chance to reassess the tactics and reassert their dominance. Come on Sydney.

Before the game we'd been handed a rectangular towelling thing with Sydney FC on it. This is the time to use it. There's a 'waving it around competition'. The winner gets to go in the draw for tickets to the world cup. It's a bit unclear what the criteria are for winning, never mind, I can wave as furiously as anyone. Oddly a couple of good looking young men get chosen and get to tell the crowd how pleased they are and how all that practice has paid off. The sponsor also gets a chance to say how generous they are. Everyone's a winner. Well except Sydney FC yet. But another 45 minutes to go. Come on you blue and whites. I think there must be free tickets for under 11s. A lot of them gather pitch side, right in front of us. 'Hey kids clear off, this is a mans game' I feel like saying. Their dads don't seem to mind them running around and hitting each other with small towels.

Sydney start the second half well. They've had a good dressing down in the changing room. Here we go. Early goal and then. Oh dear, how did that happen, three nil down. I was distracted by those pesky kids. The big screen replay shows a well taken goal. Rooney, no not our one, their nippy striker got put through and bent the ball round the keeper. Game over. Come on Newcastle. Sydney get a consolation goal late on, which encourages the crowd, but there's no way back. Time to play for pride, and your position in the team next week. I tell Dave he should be a city supporter. He shares their hopeless optimism. Still I got a souvenir, a small bit of towelling with Sydney FC written on it. Maybe its for drying up tears.

The game over and we leave the ground. No-one seems too disappointed I'm pleased to report, although there's some half hearted booing by the home crowd. The ticket was $32 after all, and the beer $6 for half a pint. The Aussie are wanting to host the next World Cup. I don't think so.

I was going to get a bus back, but choose a taxi instead. The sky seems to be blue again. In fact it had got blue as the game went on, unlike the game. Ha ha. When I got back Rob tells me the radio says the sky thing had been dust, blown up off the dessert. Rob's not seen this before in nearly forty years of living here. They missed the red dust that covered Sydney a few weeks ago, as they were on their Europe trip. Twice in a few months. Don't tell me there isn't something weird happening to the environment you climate change deniers.