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While millions of people around the world were asking what on earth Simon Orchard’s post-goal Ram celebration was all about on Wednesday, there were three people in the stands at Riverside Stadium in London who knew full well the meaning behind it.
Steve and Lynn Orchard had just seen their son score a goal at the Olympic Games and their pride was only enhanced by their son’s playful acknowledgement of his friends and teammates back home in Maitland.
For younger brother Josh it was confirmation that “you can take the boy out of Maitland, but you can’t take Maitland out of the boy”.
Their feelings of pride when Simon, at his debut Olympics four years after being named Maitland Sportsperson of the Year (2008), converted for the Kookaburras in the 29th minute of the second round victory against Spain were plastered in huge smiles across their faces.
“It’s fantastic,” Lynn said.
“Words just can’t explain, it’s just awesome.”
Steve echoed the thoughts of his wife and said Simon’s touch around the Spainish goalkeeper when one-on-one from a Matt Ghodes’ delivery was as spectacular as it was special for the Bolwarra Heights family unit.
“It was a terrific goal,” Steve said.
“You have got to be in the right spot to score and striking doesn’t come naturally to him. So a goal like that is a pretty spectacular and pretty spectacular to watch from our end as well.”
As for the Simon’s celebration, the “Ram”, a call to the logo of the Maitland club he was involved in while living in the area, should hold him in good stead.
“We saw the little Rammy in there,” Steve said. “I think he learned at least some of those skills playing with the Rams. I guess it’s starting to pay off.”
Simon will be hoping this is the first of a few more to come as the Australian hockey team attempt to complete a virtual clean sweep of major tournaments after success at the last four Champions Trophy, the 2010 World Cup and the
last instalment of the Commonwealth Games.
Orchard unleashed “the Ram”, a reference to the horns on the logo of his former Maitland club at home, after scoring in the 29th minute against Spain.
“The Ram is out there now,” Orchard said.
“I’m glad it’s happened early in the tournament to be honest, so now any more I get is just a bonus for the Maitland boys.
“I was always hoping to knock a few in and I had numerous opportunities yesterday so I’m happy I got one and hopefully everyone back home was watching and enjoying it.”
Many around the globe may have been caught by surprise when the 26-year-old excitedly performed “the Ram” on field but those in the vicinity of postcode 2320 knew exactly what was going on.
“Nice horns Orchy,” was one comment on social media website Facebook shortly after the match.
“King of the Rams,” said another.
In the end “the Ram” was part of a convincing 5-0 victory to the Kookaburras, which included five individual goal scorers.
Russell Ford was first in the 9th minute before Matt Butturini converted seven minutes later.
Orchard’s 38th international goal in his 110th appearance made it 3-0 almost half an hour in and he said it was one of the sweetest to score on such an occasion.