Siren sounds.
Somehow, we’ve pinched it by two points. Somehow, from directly in front, Redleg Tristan Binder’s kick swung late, like a Terry Alderman outswinger. Moments later, ‘We’re From Tigerland’ blasts out around Adelaide Oval. Despite finishing second, we played and won like underdogs.
Somehow, we’re in the Grand Final.
*
Mum and Dad live in the Barossa. Mum barracks for Sturt. Dad and I are Tigers faithful. This Sunday night, someone’s having disappointment for dinner. Sitting on the veranda, I ring.
Dad says, ‘We’ll really miss Max Proud.’ Matty Snook was Dad’s perpetual favourite.
I say, ‘Gee, it’d be great if Hosie, McBean, and Reynolds all have a day out. It’s been a while.’ We dissect Jonty Scharenberg’s enormous last month.
*
The City-Bay Fun Run is also Sunday. Usually, it coincides with the Preliminary Final. I formerly ran the twelve kilometres, but now I do just the six from Kurralta Park in the interests of, well, my interests. I’ll again wear my 2023 premiership guernsey. It’s a magnificent running top and attracts quips from cheering onlookers lining the (mercifully downhill) Anzac Highway route.
‘Go, Tigers.’
‘Come on, the Bays.’
And from a tiny, white-haired lady, ‘Go, you good thing!’
*
We all dig out old scarves and ancient yellow and black caps this week. For me, I’ll enlist a premiership stubby holder to chaperone me through. Like a sommelier, I pick each up in turn, study it, and turn it gently in my hand. Which vintage to savour? The 2023? The 2024? I settle on the superbly aged 2019. I inhale and it smells like victory.
Grand Final eve eve eve (Thursday) and we wander around Jetty Road to admire the decorations. Yellow and black streamers festooned in shop windows and across pub bars. Balloons bouncing on business facades. Tigers roaring.
Touring the holy trinity of B: Barb’s (Sew and Knits), the Broady pub, Butcher — SA Gourmet Meats (formerly Brian’s) I drink in their displays of communal celebration. Duck in the footy club for a brisk beer to appreciate the buzz — and under the darkening sky, scrutinise training and try to gather some heartening signs.
*
My wife, Claire, is a (mostly) lapsed Norwood fan from a big family of Redlegs supporters — her Dad introduced me to the idea of Port being labelled, ‘The Filth.’ Over beef curry one night she wonders aloud if it’s boring how Glenelg’s into a fifth grand final in seven years. I remind her of the conversation I once had at The Wheaty listening to her brother’s band: Don Morrison’s Raging Thirst.
It was with an old friend and mad Centrals fan. I said, ‘Your mob played in twelve consecutive grand finals, Smacka. Did it ever lose that excitement?’ Smacka instantly replied, laughing like a pirate, ‘No. Never!’
We’re with him.
*
When we win a grand final, my tradition is to swing by the Elephant and Castle (West Terrace) on the way home and buy a Coopers Sparkling Ale stubby (for whichever holder’s riding in the front seat). Here’s hoping that around 6pm Sunday I’m veering through the drive-through for a fourth beer.
I anticipate its zesty hoppiness.
*
Sunday afternoon drive into the CBD. Trust my secret (free) car park’s available. Kimba friends Mozz and Kathy will be with me, so I’ll ask them to not breathe a word of this clandestine location. Then, the thrumming anticipation when crossing the Torrens footbridge.
We’ll sit in the Ricciuto Stand. Looks like it’ll be showery. Max Proud is out — sadly, his remarkable career is done — but with significant upset Sturt captain James Battersby has not so much walked out as run out to Oxford Terrace, wailing and blubbing. Both teams need to absorb these seismic events. Our last three finals victories have been by a combined eight points. They’ve been gripping and frantic. We’re underdogs, again.
And then, there’ll be that enlivening, hot-blooded moment when all the energy of the players and fans explodes.
The opening siren.
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About Mickey Randall
Now whip it into shape/ Shape it up, get straight/ Go forward, move ahead/ Try to detect it, it's not too late/ To whip it, whip it good
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Living the dream Mickey. “Best of luck” and “Carn Tiges” stuck in my throat.
While not as hated as the Port Filth – your Tigers always had a Flash Harry vibe in my youth. A bit superior and full of themselves – which for a lowly Torrens supporter covers just about the entire footy universe. We were humble – because we had much to be humble about.
Your piece got me reminiscing about the Bays GF’s of my Yoof. Swish’s magnum opuses had me back on the concrete steps with an esky full of Green Deaths lulling me into a stupor by half time.
1969 is ominous for you. Playing a blow-in National Servicemen (Royce Hart) for his SANFL debut was always bound to end in tears. https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/1969-sanfl-grand-final-sturt-v-glenelg-a-greenslide/
1973 was finally a happy ending for you – and the greatest SANFL contest I ever witnessed. Cornesy’s five minutes of fame. He didn’t get a kick all game – then took a speccy and kicked a goal from deep in the deepest pocket in footy.
https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/1969-sanfl-grand-final-sturt-v-glenelg-a-greenslide/
Carn Blueys.
Did you mean this one PB?
https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/sanfl-1973-grand-final-glenelg-v-north-adelaide-the-stud-gets-up/
There’s always this one, which was my first GF in the flesh.
https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/1974-sanfl-grand-final-glenelg-v-sturt-whelan-in-the-years/
Hope there’s a good crowd. Enjoy your big day Mickey.
Enjoy the week, Mickey. We missed 87 (overseas) so still haunted by memories of 85 and 86.
Go the Double Blues! Ah, that last quarter in ’74 – only a few points ahead and about to kick into a stiff breeze. Enter Davies, Bagshaw and Nunan – and the rest is history. Not to forget ‘Wheels’ taking speccies. Must watch it again on YouTube.
Was that the day the Bays played in all three grades and lost the lot? I remember my mate ‘Fos’, an ardent Bays man if ever there was one, slowly sinking into the ‘Green Death’ torpor that PB mentions above.
Thanks everyone.
As a kid and to this day, some of my favourite footballers played for Sturt: Paul Bagshaw, Rick Davies, and Michael Graham. I’ve mentioned here before how the first SANFL game I saw was the ’76 grand final which is a pretty good one with which to begin! Bit like Waterloo Sunset being the first song you hear.
Unsure if the Green Death references are inspiring or horrifying!
Great stuff, Mickey. Grand final anticipation is a special feeling, even at local footy level.
I have no affiliation with any SANFL club, so I can honestly wish you all the best.
Good work Mickey
Can someone please write a book on the 1973.and 1974 SANFL seasons? There is much to be remembered and explored.
Broader context includes SA footy in the 1970s and the shift to Football Park.
Thanks Smokie. The anticipation and ritual are at least half the fun, agreed.
Barry, I reckon you’re the bloke for this! Have a go at ’76 too. There’s a book just on the grand final too, surely.
Good luck Mickey. I don’t have a dog in the fight, as my low-key allegiance is with South Adelaide, one of many lost causes I support. Consequently, I’m very happy to wish your Bays well.I haven’t ever seen a SANFL match, although I was at Glenelg Easter Saturday 1970 when they took on Richmond in a practice match. Because of the clash of jumpers, Glenelg were in all blue guernseys. I can’t remember if they were actual Sturt , but I do remember a spectator lamenting the fact that the Sturt-like jumpers were the reason for Glenelg losing to Richmond.
Based on your performance when we ran the Torrens Parkrun, I think that you’re selling yourself short and that you could easily manage the full City-Bay run. Of course it may be not be the ideal preparation for the afternoon challenge.
Thanks, Peter. Ahh, South Adelaide. I went to their home ground to see them play Glenelg this season, largely because I’d not been there and because you can park your car around the oval fence and watch, just like in country footy. It was great!
Appreciate your encouragement about the full City Bay. It’d be a doddle for you, but I’d need to do some serious training I reckon. Could be a retirement challenge!