Editorial: Footy and fritters go well together

There are parallels between watching footy and whitebaiting, writes Mark Story.

The Magpies' first match this month happened to coincide with whitebait season's opening week.

And so far, as I'm a fan of both pursuits, the respective seasons have been patchy.

There have been some good runs, a small taste of better things to come and much frustration on the sideline.

Like McLean Park's embankment, rivermouths are social places. At the weekend a chap fishing opposite me at Esk River's mouth shook his head at his empty net and said, "It's a mug's game".

Following his comment, and after fishing for two hours with little more than 10 tiny translucent fish to show, I realised there are loads of similarities in the parallel seasons.

For starters, they're both healthy ways to entertain the kids. Also you often need to battle wind and rain for results - and to show you're not just a fair weather enthusiast. To boot, both go well with a beer.

The other similarity is that everyone has a theory on how best to succeed. This week I've heard at least a dozen different conversations on how the Magpies should tackle the might of Canterbury this week.

It's exactly like whitebaiting, where the old diggers fishing alongside you are always quick to pass on tips, anecdotes and theories on how to best score.

It's what I like about both pursuits: the myth, the mystique, the opinions, the uncertain outcome, the smoke and mirrors.

In the next few days I'll indulge in both hobbies, waiting for that one, huge school to head my way, and, come Friday, hoping the Magpies school the southerners.