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Sporting Celebrations: The Weird and the Wonderful

Rhys Mathieson goes for the shotgun celebration (Image: AAP)
Roar Guru
20th July, 2016
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After the Pakistan Cricket Team beat the Poms at the home of cricket, the lads got a little excited. Following their 75-run victory the tourists did something a little different, celebrating with a set of push-ups on the hallowed turf of Lords.

Just a few hours earlier back in Australia, Brisbane Lions player Rhys Mathieson pulled out the shot-gun made infamous by ex-Hawthorn/Essendon player Mark Williams. Three quarters later I’m guessing he probably wished he hadn’t.

This got me thinking, what are some of the more unusual sporting celebrations we have seen in recent history? The following examples are by Australian athletes and are split into two groups.

The Unusual

‘The Choke’ – Mark Williams (AFL)
The 2004 Grand Final was a memorable day for the Port Adelaide Football Club and in-particularly their coach Mark Williams.

In 2002 and 2003 Port finished the home and away season on top of the AFL Ladder, but failed to make the grand final in either year.

Labelled as chokers and underachievers, the Power narrowly escaped a third-consecutive preliminary final loss in 2004, with a three-point victory against the Saints. Their first grand final appearance came against the mighty Brisbane Lions, going for their fourth consecutive premiership.

But it wasn’t to be for Leigh Matthews and the Lions. This was Port Adelaide’s day.

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After a tight first half, Port broke away from the Lions in the third and maintained their momentum into the last quarter. With the siren about to sound, Williams made his way onto the ground. The rest as they say, is history.

BT and the fistpump – A little early perhaps?
This comes from former Collingwood star and now commentary sensation of Saturday Night Football, Brian Taylor. After taking this mark just 20 metres out on a slight angle against the Saints, BT started celebrating like he had already slotted the Sherrin through the big sticks. Needless to say, the big boy missed.

Shane Warne and the cricket stump
This was just a little odd. Australia had won the Ashes and at Trent Bridge in the 1997, Warnie was in fine form as per usual. As entertaining as it is, this has to be a little embarrassing for SKW.

Pat Cash into the stands!
This was simply unusual because it had never been done before. Following his Wimbledon title in 1987, Aussie tennis ace Pat Cash decided he would climb into the stands of Centre Court at Wimbledon to embrace his support team. This started a tradition carried out by many champions including Maria Sharapova and Lleyton Hewitt. The celebration has since been dubbed the title the ‘Champion’s Climb’.

The Iconic

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Tim Cahill and the corner flag
An absolute legend of Australian sport with a celebration to match it. We first really recognised this celebration following his brace in Australia’s win against Japan in the 2006 WC. Since then Cahill has produced many memorable goals and celebrations to match them, including this corker against the Netherlands in the 2014 WC.

Lleyton Hewitt’s ‘c’mon!’
This is both famous and infamous depending on how you look at Hewitt and what you make of his attitude on and off the court. I always loved this celebration because it showed how much he cared for his tennis career but also for the ‘Green and Gold’. Throughout his career, the call of ‘C’mon’ was heard loud and clear and often was more frequent in tight and bruising encounters.

Brett Lee and the Chainsaw
Time and time again Binga would pull out the chain-saw after knocking over another victim through brute pace. At his peak, this guy was one of the toughest bowlers to face in world cricket. He had a brilliant yorker and when he was pumped up, this celebration got the whole Aussie team up and about.

Cathy Freeman and the two flags for one country.
Such a classy individual and arguably Australia’s best sportswoman of her generation. No need for an explanation for this one. A truly remarkable night in Australian sport.

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