From the Vault of old Blogs... What's in a name?

Lazy today. Well actually not lazy but rather the muse has completly left me. I have written two blogs both of which I have rejected as utter rubbish. So I thought I would bring you something from the vault! I may well keep doing this if it proves popular (with myself anyway..) So here is a blog I wrote back in 2008 about the great game of Rugby League and the great Australian tradition of nicknames...

The Hill at Henson Park had somewhat of a reputation for being uncomfortable and crowded. Crowded, because every weekend the Newtown jets played at home, we would all head to the ground and park ourselves on the hill to watch the game. Comfort was just not a factor. Mum and Dad would sometimes bring little fold up chairs, a blue rug to cover mum's knees in the winter. Always with her was a transistor radio to listen to the commentary and her copy of the Big League so as to be able to name every player and possibly keep tab of the penalties.

My sister and I would wear Newtown beanies when it was cold and eat meat pies and sometimes run around paying football with other kids. Sometimes we would even watch the game, totally captivated, if we happened to be winning. Eventually we would get season tickets in the grandstand but the memory of the noisy crowded hill lingers.

Over the hum of the crowd Dad would occasionally throw Mum a question. 'Who is the ref?' 'Who was that bloke that just dropped the bloody ball?' 'Who just came on as a replacement?'

Mum would use her binoculars and consult her Big League to answer the questions. My questions generally went along the lines of 'Can I have an ice cream? Or 'when does the big game start?' She did not have to consult her Big League or the binoculars for those.

'So who came on as the replacement?'
'What'
'Who came on as the replacement?'
'What'
'I SAID!! - WHO CAME ON AS THE REPLACEMENT??'
'I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID!!- IT WAS WATT!!!'

I am not making this up – it actually happened. A man named Watt came on as a replacement and much hilarity ensued.

So what is in a name? Generally Rugby league players go by a nickname. I am not sure what they called the fellow Watt but most players rarely get called by the name they were christened with.

I have a greater understanding of the game these days and am as fanatical as my mother was then. The Newtown Jets are no more and neither is Balmain, the club that replaced Newtown in my affections. Now my affections lay totally with the Wests Tigers, an amalgamation of Balmain and Wests.

I watch the Footy Show on a regular basis which is hosted by guys that used to play when I was younger. They may no longer be playing but they still seem to unable to appreciate the concept of a Christian name.

The footy show host, Paul Vautin is still (affectionately) called 'Fatty' or 'The fat man'. They even use it on the promos for the show. Really – 'The footy show hosted by the great Fatty Vautin. He is joined by Sterlo, The Chief and Matty with guest appearance by The Falcon.'

Some of my favorite players ever from the great Balmain team of the late 80's must sometimes have to look at their birth certificates to remember their names. There was 'Jimmy' Jack, 'Junior' Pearce, 'Blocker' Roach.

Yes just for the record Blocker was not known for his brains but also the terms suited his build and how it felt when you ran into him…

Then there was poor Paul Sironnen who only got 'Siro'. I suppose there is something to be said for having a name that shortens easily into a nickname rather than having to come up with something appropriate to the player's personality or the like.

These days' things are bit less interesting with name shortening being the option most taken. Though Andrew Johns was (and still is, in retirement) known as 'Joey'. His brother Matthew simply got Matty. Thought thinking about it, Andy would not have suited Joey at all…

So anyway in the Tigers, Brett Hodgson gets Hoddgo, Benji Marshall gets well Benji… I have no idea if his real name is actually Benjamin but he has only ever been known as Benji, even listed in the program. Or Robbie Farah. Is he a Robert? Same goes for The Storms Billy Slater. Is he really a William? Who Knows? Check the guides – he is listed as Billy. Does he have another nickname or is Billy enough?

Then there was the great Laurie Daley. Was he ever a Lawrence? Or Willie Mason? When did he decide he would be professionally known as Willie? Not that you would ever ask lest you get your head bashed in….

On a strange note Jonathan Thurston is known as Jonathan. I have never heard him referred to as John or Johnny. Very unusual, perhaps he is one of those people that insist he be called his full name. I wonder how he got into Rugby League?

Then there is the case of those that just have a great name to start with and have no need for anything else.

Ray Warren has been commentating for years and though he said some gems over the years he is always very careful to pronounce the names of the players correctly. As the game becomes more cosmopolitan his job is being made much harder. Little wonder some of the players resort to nicknames.

The classic at the moment and I mean no offence at all to this guy, who is a great player is Fuifui Moimoi. The commentators, including Rabbits (Ray Warren – get it?) love calling it when he gets the ball. They never use a nickname, his name is great enough. Neither do they simply say his surname (Moimoi) or his Christian name (Fuifui) but rather get a buzz out of shouting out the whole thing.

'The balls goes to ground and is picked up by FUIFUI MOIMOI!!!' It sounds as though he has won the game single handed every time he gets the ball. I have no idea if he has a nickname. I can only imagine.

Also enjoyable for Rabs and his ilk are Feleti Mateo and Setaimata Sa. The great coach and now commentator Phil 'Gus' Gould once said he longs for the day Setaimata and Fuifui are playing in the same game and involved in the same play just to test Rabbits' skills.

I think having a name like Braith Anasta is pretty cool as well. Can't think what you would shorten that too.

So while they might be prevalent in Rugby League I thinking shortening names and nicknames are something of an Australian institution.

There is something very informal about Australians and for some reason many of us feel that calling someone something different to their Christian name is a sign of affection. When people call me Kell for example I know they like me. Why else would they call me that?

So while many non Australians might be thinking we are all a bit strange. The truth is if you are being called Robert or William by an Australian then chances are you either insist on being called that (and run the risk of being called something much worse), are sitting on the High Court of Australia or else they don't like you. Chances also are you don't play much Rugby League