IT'S almost two years to the day since the Brumbies made their first appearance in Melbourne against the then, newly formed Rebels.
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Confident after a good win over the Chiefs in round one, hindsight would suggest we were guilty of losing focus and taking our foot off the gas.
The Rebels won their first game that night, after the bell, by a single point and it started a chain reaction that would see the Brumbies play out their worst season on record.
Plenty has happened since then, with both sides undergoing plenty of personnel and coaching changes. But I know all the guys who played will remember how bad it felt to let that game slip through our fingers.
Saturday's win over the Reds was the result of six months worth of focus and planning, so it is vitally important for our season that we move on and make beating the Rebels our new priority.
It was great to be back at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night and encouraging to see such a big crowd turn up to cheers us on.
Off the field, the first game of the season decides a lot of the smaller details that fans don't get to see, like where new guys sit in the change room or which seat you get on the bus.
With Michael Hooper moving to the Waratahs over the off season, the cubicle next to mine opened up and has been occupied by David Pocock. Poey has been around for a while and has his game-day schedule finely tuned.
He's a pretty focussed guy by nature, so it's nice to have someone to level out Nic White, who's been sitting on my left for the last two years.
Some days, I leave my headphones on without any music playing just so he leaves me alone. I think he finds it hard to remember that pre-game isn't the best time to be organising his next Tango lesson or appointment at FitSistas.
He is a great dancer, there's no debating that, but I just wish he'd learn to leave his groove on the podium and pole rather than throwing out a few fresh moves in the Brumbies change rooms.
Speaking of short entertainers, the Circus is back in Queanbeyan this week complete with a pair of lion cubs. Not a bad night out for the family, particularly with the Brumbies out of town.
This week's tip: Mooney Valley, Race 6, No 6 LaterGator ridden by Luke Nolan.
Robbie Coleman plays fullback with the ACT Brumbies and is a Queanbeyan Whites junior.
