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Twenty questions with Russell “Pikey” Pike 1. What’s your full name and what are you currently up to (this is your only chance to shamelessly plug yourself) Russell Colin Pike Graphic Designer by day, Gigolo by night
2. You came out of the Highvale High School Sporting Academy, how much do you attribute that to your success at Glen Waverley Hawks and the man you became over the years? A massive influence no doubt. Mr Lloyd would be best summed up as a life coach rather than a teacher! He was not only a mentor to yours truly, he shaped the careers of countless sporting luminaries at the Academy.
3. In these days of Internet Porn and Sony Playstations, do you think it's a lot harder for young cricketers to make it in the 'Big Time' who do not come out of such an Academy?
Back in my day it was the obligatory weekend binge drink and the Bluelight Disco. Harmless fun which did not hinder our cricket, nor did it cost us that extra 1 or 2% which the ‘Big Time’ demands. Today with the temptation of trawling the web for hardcore smut… it will be tougher no doubt about it!
4. You were seen as a tearaway fast bowler down at Highvale after school matches. What made you take up the wiley craft of offspin?
Aside from Tim May’s stellar 93’
ashes tour, my old man Col Pike was a big
5. Under the current incentives system, how many drinkcards do you think you would've staked claim to in your prime?
In a word… Dozens!!!
6. What was your greatest moment you achieved as a Hawks cricketer?
My 36 not out scored with less than 6 overs to go was a highlight. Turtle was umpiring and with the runs piling up, he baited me to go for the 50. A bottle of scotch was on offer but being the professional I am… I chose the red ink instead. (Bourbon being my preference over Scotch anyway!!!)
7. Who where the greatest players you saw at the club?
Glen Mahoney, Justin Goddard & Matty McCrae
8. Whats the funniest thing you ever saw on the cricket field?
Turtle spilled a catch in the slips once and the ball smashed into his face. That wasn’t all that funny for Turts with claret flowing freely from his gob! As we all crowded around the sprawled out victim, Mighty Mick McCrae grabbed one of his legs and began stretching his leg, lifting it up and down!!! To this day I still have no idea what Mick was trying to achieve!?!
9. Who is the most famous person you have met?
Graeme Cuddon. A close second would be playing 18 holes of golf with ‘Lethal’ Leigh Matthews. Strolling the fairways of Commonwealth GC with the AFL’s greatest player, talking footy… it was an awesome day! (He’s no good at golf either 10. If someone was going to play the part of Russell Pike in a movie about your life story, who would it be?
Tough one… probably Colin Farrell or any other Hollywood chick magnet. 11 . Which player at the club (past or present) deserves a smack in the mouth and why? Ivan Greaves for branding us cheats when we knocked him off in the club trivia.
12. Have you ever been arrested? If so why? No comment. (Due to Legal proceedings)
13. As a child you where often seen at Legend Park snapping goals from impossible angles during winter. How many goals do you think you have kicked there and are there any that stand out in your mind? Myself and Matty Moran (Former Hawks Full Forward & cricketer) used to have the best from 10 shoot outs around the arc. A banana I snagged from the right forward pocket at the residential or Police Academy end for a perfect 10, was one I remember fondly!
14. After a distinguished junior career you had a couple of seasons off before playing seniors. How were you enticed back to the club? One day when I wasn’t home my old man answered a knock at the door. As he put it two ‘big bruisers’ stood before him. (Turtle and Badcock) “Is Pikey willing to have a run at the Hawks again?” they asked. When the message was relayed, I thought I should get back down there and have a crack. Didn’t wanna upset the heavies!!!
15. If you won a million dollars what would be the first thing you spent it on? Charter a boat full of grog and strippers and get all the lads out for a bit of a shindig!
16. What is your biggest achievement off the field? Managing to stay employed while doing as little as possible for nigh on 8 years! Remember, kids, just look angry OK....
17. Who would you least like to see naked? Too many to mention. Majority still playing at the Hawks though.
18. Has Russell Pike Ever a. Signed an autograph? Plenty b. Owned a Billy Joel Cd? Got the Box set, big fan! c. Prostituted himself for a free bed for the night. Never an issue! d. Been kicked out of a club? Twice in one night at the Mountain View. Firstly for falling asleep in a corner. Then miraculously got back in only to be turfed out 20 minutes later for pissing in the women’s toilets! Costly error that…
19. Name the three highlights and 3 lowlights of Russell Pike’s life a. Highlight
1) The pies knocking off those Essendon jerks in ‘90 b. Lowlights
1) A king pair I made opening the batting. (My only flirtation
with the top order!) 20. Any chance of a comeback? A definite maybe…
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