Gillard wants to replicate U13 final win

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be hoping for the same result on polling day as
the Under 13 Research football team achieved at their grand final on Sunday.
In a hard-fought game between South Morang and Research in AFL's Victorian heartland
at Diamond Creek, passions were running high.
Research held high the premiership flag after scores were even at three quarter time
but then stormed home in the last quarter to win by a comfortable margin.
The smell of liniment wafted from the change rooms where supporters of the losing
Northern Football League side were less than happy to have the prime minister and
the accompanying media throng distract from the dying minutes of the nail-biter.
"Get out of the way; we've been here for two hours," yelled one man as Ms Gillard
took her place on the sidelines.
Some in the footy crowd booed Ms Gillard as she presented the premiership side with
their medallions.
She then tried to toss the coin for the U15 match between South Morang and Eltham,
dropped it and had to do it again.
Ms Gillard, an avid Western Bulldogs fan, must be hoping she will fare better than
her beloved Doggies, who were dished out a thrashing of more than 100 points by
Geelong in Melbourne on Saturday night.
"After last night I'm not reading any omens out of AFL results," she told reporters.
After a hectic week of campaigning in every state and territory except the ACT, the
pace was leisurely in the seat of McEwen, which was held by the Liberals by just 31
votes at the last election in 2007.
In a press conference after the match on a cold and wintry day, Ms Gillard reflected
on the U13 game, comparing it to the close, tight result she expects at the August
21 poll.
Ms Gillard then laid down a challenge to Mr Abbott to debate the central issue of
the economy in Brisbane on Sunday night and said she was happy to debate him anytime
until polling day.
"The federal election is central about our national economy and who is
better-positioned to run our $1.3 trillion economy," she said.
After news of the death of Australian SAS soldier Jason Brown cast a shadow over
Saturday's campaigning, Ms Gillard was again pressed about how well-equipped our
troops were and if more helicopters were required to assist their efforts in
Afghanistan.
The prime minister said she hadn't yet spoken to Trooper Brown's family because
there was a clear protocol and they were not at the right stage yet.
"Of course I sent (on Saturday), as prime minister, the nation's condolences to the
family of Jason Brown," Ms Gillard said.
"What I also said is our troops are well-trained, they are well-led, they have the
best force protection we can provide them."