Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

79: Unraveling

Ikon Park, Princes Hill, Victoria.
11:30am:

Zac Fisher tiredly paced around the carpark of the Carlton Football Club, cigarette in mouth as he desperately tried to remember the information his coach Michael Voss had told him the day before. Something about 'don't bother showing up to work if you do it again'. Zac couldn't remember what exactly 'it' was. He'd dropped in to see his twin sister Olivia Silvagni, to see if he could get a ride into work with Jack. Jack had the flu and wasn't expected back at work until completely recovered. Zac had to walk to Ikon Park from Balwyn - not the best way to get there, especially in the pouring rain. But his phone had died on the way, so he couldn't book an Uber, and he didn't know the public transport around the area. Maybe Voss had said, 'don't bother coming back if you're late one more time', or maybe it had something to do with his smoking habit. Maybe it even correlated to his new situationship with the Collingwood boys. Whatever the case, he was sure he'd done the wrong thing and was too scared to go in.

Paddy Dow was parked down the back end of the car park, listening to the radio, Nova. He, not unlike Zac, was also the receiver of constant bad news and threats from their coach. He'd played in one game so far for the season - and that was only as a medi sub. It felt like the end of the world. David Teague, Brendan Bolton - they'd had so much faith in him, even when the club wasn't travelling so well. At all. Even when there was no Charlie Curnow to uphold the margin at games with 9 goals, a career high, because he'd sat three years out with constant knee injuries. Sure, the prior year, Paddy had only played four senior level games - two as a medi sub where he'd gone on unused - and the other two, losses. The year before he'd played in nearly every game. It was strange, and then his best mate who was easily in the club's best 22 every week had been delisted out of absolutely nowhere. Liam Stocker.

There was something suspicious about the way the team had been handled since the new coach had assumed position.

Zac looked over at him, wondering if he should go up and say something. 'Morning mate' Adam Cerra said, walking past him, running a bit late himself. I had to walk the cat around the block. That would be Adam's excuse.

'Can you remember what Voss said yesterday? To me and Paddy? If we did something again, we'd be dropped from the-'

Adam stared at him blankly, and then shook his head. 'Sorry. No idea' he said, and then continued on inside without a care.

'Thanks for your help' Zac whispered sarcastically, rolling his eyes. An ever smiling face, Jack Carroll jumped up onto the footpath and walked over. 'Fish!' He excitedly exclaimed. Another one of the boys who wasn't being given much of a fair chance.

'Hey Jack' he said, trying not to appear a little too downcast, face a lot like Melbourne's weather.

'Woah, you're soaking. Did you walk all the way from Reservoir?' Jack asked, laughing and taking a photo. 'Yeah. I did' Zac lied, smiling. No need to dispel the story about Jack and the long walk - just no need.

Paddy slammed his door closed, looking a bit off colour, making his way up to his two teammates. Neither noticed.

'Hasn't anyone ever told you that smoking gives you cancer, mate?' Jack asked, childishly laughing. Zac rolled his eyes and smiled at him. Yes, Jack Carroll himself gave him that lecture everyday. And Jack Ginnivan, before smoking one himself.

'Paddy WOW' Jack said, patting his teammate on the shoulder. 'Hey guys' Paddy said downheartedly.

'What's wrong, mate? Voss done something again?' Jack asked, knowing there'd be bad news awaiting them inside. Patrick Cripps suddenly left the club in full polo uniform, walking to his car and leaving, expressionless.