TED: I didn’t tell them any such thing. I expressed an opinion that he shouldn’t be dropped and they happened to agree with me. Aren’t I allowed to express an opinion? Am I supposed to go around this place with adhesive tape over my mouth. I might have known that Geoff Hayward was at the bottom of all this. What have you all got against him? He’s struggling for form at the moment but he’s an absolute champion. What have you got against him?

LAURIE: Nothing. He’s playing badly and should be dropped to the reserves.

TED: That’s your opinion, but the other two selectors happen to agree with me. Tough luck. Don’t try and make a conspiracy out of that. In my opinion it’s no wonder the lad’s a bit out of touch. The team’s made him feel as welcome as a blowfly at a butcher’s picnic.

DANNY: I’m sorry. We were all going to give him a big kiss, but we thought he’d be in a hurry to get home and count his money.

TED: We’re not still back on that issue, surely? The Club did not pay a hundred thousand for him as reported in the press—

DANNY: I know. You paid eighty.

TED: How did you know?

LAURIE: I told him.

TED: Thanks. That was meant to be confidential. Geoff didn’t get it all. His club got the bulk of it. My God, if what you’re trying to tell me is that the team’s playing badly because it’s still sulking over a little bit of money that went into the pocket of a legitimate champion then I’m disgusted.

DANNY: There are a lot of legitimate champions in this club, Parker, and all we got for joining was a guernsey and a pat on the back. I’ve given the Club ten years of my life and all I’ve got in the bank is eighty dollars.

TED: Well you must be a hell of a fast spender, Rowe. You’re on a bloody good contract and you’re due for your provident fund when you retire.

DANNY: I can hardly wait. I’m taking my two best friends out to a Pizza Palace and putting the other half in the bank.

TED: You’ve done pretty well out of the Club, Rowe. If you can’t organise your finances then that’s your fault.

DANNY: What’s that meant to mean, Parker?

TED: Nothing more than what I said.

GERRY: This is all beside the point. We’ve spent the money on Hayward and there’s nothing much we can do about it. If you don’t think he’s worth his place in the team you’re entitled to want him dropped, Laurie, but if Jock and Tony vote against you it’s scarcely a reason to go running to the press.