It's 3am Monday September 27 - 1999.
We're standing on the corner of King and Market streets in Sydney's CBD when, for no apparent reason, our scrumhalf 'Ruddy' climbs a street light and sits perched like a Koala somewhere near the top.
Seconds later a police car screeches to a halt next to the 30ft pole, the copper sticks his head out the window, takes a look, shakes his head, says 'too much paperwork' and drives off into the early morning darkness.
Among those cheering 'Ruddy' to go higher, at serious risk to everybody, is arguably the greatest Wallaby of all-time and a bunch of other 19 year olds who’d kick on to varying rugby dreams.
This was the Manly First Grade Colts Premiership winning team who, this weekend, will go hard again at their 20 year reunion.
There is something unbelievably unique about Colts footy, no matter where you play.
It's usually the last time most of us get a chance to run alongside childhood mates and school friends, and even the next generation of Wallabies and first graders.
The loose bus trips and boat races help thread the rugby fabric, which, in most cases, lasts a lifetime. It's the best.
Speaking of loose units, boat races and future Wallabies, back to ‘99.
At the end of the regular season we finished with the best points differential of any team. Grade or Colts.
The reason was simple too. We had George Smith. G. Smiff. ‘Miffy’ ‘The Freak.’ George.
It became very clear early on, the only way for George to be brought back to the field was to have him nobbled. So, being the generous guy he is, Smith blew himself up on the tins with his buddied John Payne and James Lakepa the night before we played Canberra. We in turn got spanked at Manuka Oval which led to some soul searching in Queanbeyan and nearby Fyshwick.
In the 90s, that suburb was mostly known for its range of red light and explosive shops. You can also find David Campese Oval there too.
Anyway, rattled by the rare loss, the squad of teenagers blew half their combined yearly salaries on fireworks to try and lift spirits. Yes, there was a time you could buy roman candles over the counter and it was amazing.
Following the bus trip back to Manly, our backrower 'Harves' who'd dumped close to six-weeks pay purchasing his arsenal, lit up our seaside town. Thrilled with his jaw-dropping pyrotechnics display, he threw the remaining 200kg of bangers over his shoulder and set off up Sydney Road.
Unfortunately a patrol car, which had been enjoying the 'New Years in August' celebration from six suburbs over, closed in on Harves as he walked home and confiscated his collection. The pyro still blames George and they haven't spoken since.
But the fireworks did the trick, sparking up a successful season.
Our forward pack was enormous. The big blokes were coached by local legend Barry 'Tizza' Taylor.
'Tizza's' philosphy around footy was basic but worked.
'SCRUM WELL, RUCK WELL, MAUL WELL.'
Makes a lot of sense really.
So, one arvo at Chatswood Oval, we got together before a scrum 25 metres out and settled on scoring a pushover try. It took a while, but we got there, just because we could. From 25 out.
In the final game of the year, we squared off against Warringah who had some seriously talented footballers.
Michael Lipman, who'd go on to play for England. Cameron Trealoar would become a QLD Red. Sam Harris crossed between Super Rugby and the NRL. A number of others including Michael Ruthven were successful First Graders.
That Sunday arvo at Concord, We had just enough in the tank to roll them.
Peter Playford scored a try to help seal the win. I appreciate George might be the greatest Wallaby of all-time, but, Pete has made a name for himself too.
During his time as coach of the now defunct Sydney Stars NRC team, Pete instructed his team to shake hands with Brisbane City before kick off in their elimination semi at Ballymore.
Brisbane - $1.05 favourites to win the game - were so rattled by the Under 6s approach from Playford's men they almost dropped the game.
In more recent times, Pete, Drew Mitchell and a homeless man squared off against rap artist Busta Rhymes and his crew in New York. I’ll let those two tell you that story.
Back to that magic day, two decades ago.
It's almost impossible to recreate that winning feeling, but we'll have a crack this Saturday at Manly Oval.
If all goes to plan, George and 'Harves' will settle their feud and we can go on another three-day bender to mark the occassion.
It's the way Ruddy wants it.
Sean Maloney has spent his life in rugby including professional stints overseas. He’s banked 15 years in Broadcast, is the host of Rugby Nation and can be heard next commentating the Rugby World Cup from Japan.
