Saturday 11th May, a few days after the China tour finished, I was fortunate enough to play footy (Aussie Rules) with the Beijing Bombers against the Shanghai Tigers in Shanghai. It was a perfect day for football, blue skies & a gentle breeze sweeping across the oval in Pudong. Playing at full-forward for the Tigers was ex-North Melbourne defender, Shannon Watt. I was ‘running’ around just in front of him on the back flank. Luckily for me, our paths never crossed on the field.

Marty & Shannon Watt, after the game at The Camel, Shanghai 11th May 2013.

We had a beer & a chat after the game at the infamous Camel Sports Bar, where the players & supporters gathered for all-you-can-eat pasta and beer. Shannon played 155 games for North Melbounre, retiring in 2009 at the tender age of 29, plagued by injury in his final season with the Roos. He now works and lives in Shanghai. I met him before the game at the Camel bar (waiting for the bus to take us to the ground) – didn’t realise who he was til we were playing. Bloody nice guy.

Shannon Watt, North Melbourne Kangaroos 2009.

Fires out.