Grand Final – Melbourne v Bulldogs: A Grand Final victory

 

 

An ecstasy of pride and joy – the drought is broken.

 

Pre-game amusement at a newspaper article that it’s been 16 Prime Ministers and two currencies since the Demons’ last premiership success.

 

Trepidation and hope that it wasn’t going to be another false dawn.

 

Jumping out of the blocks in the first quarter.

 

Being challenged, losing momentum, how to stop Bontempelli. Then Jacko ‘hot’ in the centre square, Brayshaw selfless & inspirational, the turnaround, the onslaught, pivotal & dynamic performances. A rush of emotion.

 

Its been a long journey. Plenty of false dawns and bad days.

 

The Barassi rebuild & then realising if you haven’t got any socks on … you can’t pull them up.

 

Leaving the ‘G’ at half time after a Cats Demolition.  Standing on the platform and Jolimont & seeing former player ‘Spud’ Dullard who also couldn’t take the pain of staying there.

 

Being too young to remember 64, my first GF memory is being in the Outer & seeing Ross ‘Twiggy’ Dunne marking & goaling in the 1977 drawn Collingwood v North GF.

 

‘Tiger’ Crosswell, ‘Snake’ Baker, Dermott and all of the Abletts.

 

Early on, jagging the use of some MCC ‘Catering Passes’ [including white coats] to gain entry into one GF.

 

Cruising Yarra Park surrounds seeking spare tickets from Hawkers & the Salvos Tin Rattlers.

 

Thanking my father for putting my name down at birth, so I could enjoy the MCC members facilities.

 

Lining up in recent years pre-dawn for GF entry & being part of the build-up, including standing and chatting with the South Melbourne 1970 Brownlow medallist

 

Being able to attend the G for over 40 Grand Finals. My absolute favourite time being the few minute before game time, and the almost overwhelming feeling of emotion and expectation.

 

In my own way happy to be part of the Melbourne Football club family and to see the pleasure and delight when the final sirens blares out.

 

A spiritual ending – the Norm Smith Curse is broken.  Proud of the humility of the Dees leaders and with emotions nearly overflowing when Jimmy acknowledges Neale Daniher’s words – when all is said & done, more is said than done.  A non-stop smile on your dial.

 

The challenge – changing the perception for the future

 

 

 

MELBOURNE                   4.5     5.9     12.11     21.14 (140)
WESTERN BULLDOGS     1.2     7.5     9.5     10.6 (66)

 

 

GOALS
Melbourne: Fritsch 6, Brown 3, Petracca 2, Neal-Bullen 2, McDonald 2, Spargo, Brayshaw, Sparrow, Oliver, Langdon, Jackson
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Treloar 3, R Smith, Naughton, Hunter, Johannisen

 

 

BEST
Melbourne: Petracca, Fritsch, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem, Gawn, Jackson
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli, Daniel, B.Smith, Treloar, Macrae, Liberatore, Dale

 

 

INJURIES
Melbourne: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

 

 

SUBSTITUTES
Melbourne: Jordon (unused)
Western Bulldogs: Vandermeer (unused) 

 

 

Crowd: 61,118 at Optus Stadium

 

 

NORM SMITH MEDAL VOTING
15 – Christian Petracca, Melbourne – 33333
10 – Bayley Fritsch – 22222
3 – Clayton Oliver – 111
1 – Christian Salem – 1
1 – Caleb Daniel – 1

 

 

Luke Hodge (Chair) – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.
Harry Taylor – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Salem.
Tania Armstrong – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.
Andrew Krakouer – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Daniel.
Callum Twomey – C Petracca, B Fritsch, C Oliver.

 

 

 

 

The Tigers (Covid) Almanac 2020 will be published in 2021. It will have all the usual features – a game by game account of the Tigers season – and will also include some of the best Almanac writing from the Covid winter.  Pre-order HERE.

 

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