Banana Kick by Patrick Loughlin

Author:Patrick Loughlin [SLATER, BILLY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FICTION
ISBN: 9780857982674
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Published: 2013-09-24T04:00:00+00:00

Junior sat in the Ravens change sheds by himself, slowly sipping from his water bottle and staring at the brick wall in front of him. Plastered on it were a dozen or so stickers shouting ‘GO RAVENS!’ in big black and green letters. He took a final sip, then placed his water bottle back in his bag. The other boys had already left, but Junior couldn’t force himself off the bench. Two words kept echoing in his mind: Fat chance. It was the Hawks halfback’s parting shot to Junior.

The Ravens had been standing together after the game when the halfback and one of the Hawks forwards walked past, gloating. ‘Guess we’ll see you lot in the finals,’ said the forward.

‘Fat chance!’ The halfback grinned. ‘Get it?’ The pair walked away, howling with laughter.

‘I’m going to sort out that guy, once and for all!’ said Tai. ‘No one says that to our Cannonball and gets away with it!’

‘No, you’re not!’ said Coach Steve, stopping Tai in his tracks. ‘Look, there’s always going to be a few jokers that sledge us. The important thing is that we don’t sink to their level. Remember, boys, it’s not whether you win or lose –’

‘We know – it’s how you play the game,’ groaned Corey, rolling his eyes.

‘No, it’s what you do after the game that matters,’ corrected Coach. He looked around at each boy. ‘Win or lose, you shake hands and show respect for your opponents. Even when – especially when – they don’t respect you. Got it?’

‘Yes, Coach,’ the boys mumbled.

‘Good. Now, get cleaned up,’ said Coach Steve.

But while the rest of the boys had done just that, Junior had found it a little harder to simply shrug off the halfback’s words. They were about him, after all.

Coach Steve poked his head into the change sheds. ‘Junior, what are you still doing here? Your sister’s waiting for you.’

Junior shrugged.

‘Come on, mate, go home and get some rest,’ said Coach Steve. ‘Things always look a little brighter the day after a loss.’

‘Okay, Coach,’ Junior said quietly. But as he got to his feet and headed out the door, a new thought bounced around his brain.

Maybe I don’t want to be Cannonball anymore.

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