Stu the Super Sub

Boffins Stu and Jenks and I were conversing yesterday afternoon.  Glass of red wine, glorious winter sunshine - check out the view - and Stu sheepishly lets on that he's got a fitness program underway for the inter-season break.  Planning to start running, he says.  

Well, to be more accurate, I think he said he was thinking about it. 

Here's the situation.  We play in the school terms.  So right now, after the 'autumn season', we have a break of three weeks before the 'spring season' kicks off.  

And Boffin Stu's planning a fitness regime for the break.  

It's a plan that may scupper our substitute strategy. 

I am entirely conflicted at this point.  Part of me - the part of me that care's about a mate's physical health and wellbeing - would love to see Stu able to run like a greyhound for the entire 45 minutes of a match.  Get on the treadmill, mate.  Pound out the creek track to the lake and back every morning.  I'll come with you!

But for the sake of the team, I'm thinking that Stu needs to hold off.  Wait 'til summer.  

As things stand at the moment, Stu's a weapon.  He's starting just about every match from the bench, but at the appropriate time comes on as the first - or maybe second sub.  He's into the fray, running hard from the back line to the forward line.  Occasionally someone passes to him.  Sometimes he connects handily with the ball, contributes to some constructive play.  Then he's off again, walking up and down the sideline.  Catching his breath, stretching sore muscles.  

Just as the opposition realises he's on...... he's off.  He's messing with their heads.  

No-one knows how good he is....

Actually, I don't even know how good he is.  Sometimes, it's his own teammates who are just coming to terms with his presence on the field when he's off again.  It's our heads he's messing with. 

But maybe it's best that things stay this way.  Stu the mystery Boffin; the stealth weapon; the Super Sub. 

Let's have another glass of red, Stu.