At last, the MCG

Spent a chilled, conversation-filled day with my cousin GH2, watching the Baggy Greens versus the Proteas. Above the throng but below the nosebleeds, we were mostly in the shade and neither of us got burnt. I was surprised to discover Red Rooster outlets within the ground - a better class of junk food :-) As randomness would have it, our block of seats was chosen to create a TV moment for Wolf Blass wines, so we all received matching yellow caps. Cricket-wise, the milestones were S. Katich passing 50, R. Ponting making an overdue century and O. Stralia finishing at a disappointing 6/280. Despite having consumed no alcohol, I took a tumble on a staircase while exiting the stadium. No damage to person or property, somewhat miraculously. [Attendance: 63k]

Keen to maximise my Melbourne sporting experience, I kicked on to the Hisense Arena, where the Souths Dragons smashenated the Gold Coast Blaze, 117-87. A scuffle on the siren was the only unprofessional aspect of an engagingly atmospheric night. OK, and the razzing of ex-Dragon Shane Heal. The Ds, with their tall timber, supercoach Brian Goorjian and rabid fanbase, are the No. 1 basketball team in the nation - sorry, Spirit - and give me hope for the continued existence of the NBL. [Attendance: 9k]