Forgive me for talking in third person, but it’s a habit that you better get used to because Lay-Up Larry plans on sticking around for a while. That’s the only apology you’ll get from LUL, now it’s time to have a chat about the pre-season shibangabang.

There was plenty to like about this year’s MSAC shindig. New teams, new players, new coaches and new ref uniforms.

Did you see those fancy little whistle-blowers? Very nice indeed. It’s about time the old prison stripes, bright oranges and dull greys were given the boot.

I also noticed some newbies running the floor with a whistle in their gob and they did a good job first up. Credit where credit is due.

One thing you won’t hear LUL banging on about is the refs. Like all sports, you’ll win some and lose some. Move on. LUL is a fan of everyone involved in the game, especially those that set the table at the after-match functions.

Now, back to the action. While I was warming up with a few of my famous lay-ups that usually attracts plenty of admirers, I heard a roar coming from one of the back courts and thought it was merely a group of youth league ladies finding voice over the latest Lady Gaga song.

Always up for bo-peep, LUL flexed the pecks and headed to the backblocks to flash the pearly whites only to find a young bloke from out Waverley way known as Deng Deng throwing down a couple of flashy tomahawks.

Man, can this lad fly! Sure, some refinement and timing wouldn’t go astray, but if you’re looking for a loping gazelle to take the ball coast to coast and slam the rock down harder than a strong black coffee after a hard night out, get along this season and see Deng Deng go Bang Bang!

And what to make of the bloke who sweated so much that at one stage it was thought he missed the gents on the way out to the court? No questioning the work ethic on this one, this little dynamo made the energizer bunny look more like a tea-sipping, vanilla slice eating, soft as butter snail.

During the season Mr Sweaty might need a towel (or three) stored at both ends of the court, or better still the floor wipers could give him a quick rubdown during any stops in play.

In between entertaining the fans, LUL enjoyed the action across all divisions. The Devils from Werribee showed some good signs in D1 men, the Hawthorn lasses were simply magic in D1W, while the Vic U18 lads dished up plenty of talent in the YLM1 competition.

Championship Women finally look like they’ve got it together, while for some of the Championship Men’s teams the tournament was obviously a case of being too cool for school. Hopefully a few more turn up in 2011.

The Venom boys in D3 men certainly had the flashiest uniforms on show, while the ice had melted and made way for the Cranbourne Cavaliers. Welcome aboard guys.

Meanwhile, the scorebench officials stood tall once again, but LUL did get a few whispers that if the refs could manage flashy new uniforms, surely the scorebench crew are in line for an upgrade?

Not withstanding the goofy smiles on show in the ‘Photography Room’ (and yes, that bloke sitting in the corner playing with the building blocks, LUL did see you) or the blushing girls when the Melbourne Football Club players hit the MSAC pool (yes, I saw you too), there was more than enough ‘off court’ action to keep LUL a happy man.

Best of all was the little summer downpour that drifted across the city on Saturday. That monster storm did produce a few interesting tales that will no doubt be written into pre-season folklore.

At least one player was more than a little concerned when they returned to their car and found an Albert Park Lake yachtsmen doing circles around their brake pedal.

And spare a thought for the lady who stopped to give way to three swans and a duck when she exited the car park. How thoughtful.

But the yarn that takes the cake was the wise-cracking young lad that pulled his 1980s speedster up in pit-lane on the F1 track and asked some unsuspecting passer-by to whack on a full set of wets!

Despite the ‘once-in-a lifetime’ storm, it was all systems go back in the safe confines of MSAC, where despite having to wear earmuffs, the players kept focused on the job at hand.

LUL did front up on Sunday morning wearing flippers and a snorkel, but the puddles had subsided and it was back to long white socks and a pair of Air Jordans.

Anyway, it’s back to training now for LUL. Not many sleeps to go now. See you next week folks and keep your eyes peeled for my championship predictions.

Until then, if in doubt which move will most bamboozle your next opponent …… just think LUL!

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