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Well we’ve had a week’s break and now it’s time to knuckle down and focus on the remaining 12 games. The rest period gave me the chance to get away to Falls Creek for four days with my wife Elise, Scooter Thompson and another mate. It was good to get away and relax, even though there was barely any snow. I reckon I went on the snowboard for about 20 metres and that was about it.

While I was braving the elements, Aaron 'Fishy' Mullett was trying to hold onto his tan from the warmer months. He was looking forward to basking in the sun on the Gold Coast, but when he missed being picked, Fishy found another option.
The boys are pretty sure he and Wrighty (Sam Wright) have been getting spray-tans for a while, especially after they arrived back at Aegis Park with a bronze glow.

Our digital media guy Tricky Ricky Mangidis was left red-faced on Friday when he decided to change seats before our plane took off from Melbourne Airport. It turned out the seat belonged to Brad Scott and Ricky was pretty quick to offer the seat back!

I’m told that wasn’t the only mishap for Brad though. He, Crock (Darren Crocker) and Donald McDonald were in the Virgin Velocity Lounge before the flight and Lance Williams our team manager told them to leave for boarding. The only problem is instead of going right to get to the plane, they went left. They’d gone through a security screening at the wrong end of the airport and our plane had to be delayed.

When we finally arrived in Queensland, Gibbo (Sam Gibson) was given a nice surprise when Shane Watson picked up his bag from the baggage carousel. Watto told him it was a tradition for first-gamers to get their bag handed to them. Gibbo was pretty impressed with the treatment, and we were only too happy to sell him the story.

Speaking of treatment, Greg Sawn (aka Ben Mabon) has apparently found a new way to aid his recovery after games. He is indulging in regular bubble baths and even shows his masculinity by putting bubbles on his face and acting like he has a beard.

While I’m on the topic of Sawny, he was caught on camera fuming after a ‘short-sheeting’ prank. For those who don’t know, short-sheeting is when you make a bed, but double-back the sheet. The bed looks made, but when you try and get in your feet get stuck half way. It took him forever to work it out.

One of Sawny’s house-mates Shaun Atley is one of the suspects, but I doubt he’d have time to be planning pranks when he seems to have a new haircut every three weeks. I’m not sure how his hair can grow that quick, but Hamish McIntosh obviously knows the trick; he has a new do every two weeks!

Baz (Brad McKenzie) is lucky he’s got some sharp skills with the footy, because his spelling needs some work. I know he likes watching the state of origin rugby, but I thought his tweet ‘Come on the Morons’ was a bit inappropriate.
Luke ‘Flushrubs’ Warnett didn’t have the same problem. In fact, he had no hesitation putting his hand up as North Melbourne’s new ‘CIO’ last week. When I asked Flushy what a CIO was he tried to cover up his mistake and say that he wanted to be the new 'Chief Information Officer'. But he’s not the only one getting ahead of himself. Ryan Bastinac has been causing a stir on Instagram with his topless photos. Poor form Basti!

In my last blog I spoke of our esteemed Media Manager Heath getting close to popping the question to his long-time girlfriend. Well I can confirm exclusively that I was on the money with that prediction, so I’m sure you’ll join me in congratulating him.

But moving forward to the game. It’s always exciting for me when we play the Gold Coast to come up against my brother, but it seems my parents are only there to watch him. Mum and dad nearly didn’t make the trip with Dave not playing because of injury - obviously he’s the favourite child now.

It’s a massive match for us and a real chance for us to start the second half of the season on a good note. I hope there’s a heap of North supporters there to cheer us both at the game and on TV - we’ll be doing all we can to get a win for you.