Grand Final Week: Citrus Bueller’s Day On
It began on Thursday when I flew in to my accommodation in East Melbourne. It is a true footy fan’s refuge. Nothing flash, just full of footy fans; we all knew each other. Even my old mate James Walder (178 tests matches do you MIND!) who lives around the corner from me was there.
Friday morning for a jog (stroll) around the ‘G. Catherine Murphy from the ABC sees me. ‘Come here,’ she demands. You don’t cross this Irish colleen. Interview for national TV. Meet the stalwarts who sleep out on Thursday and Friday nights. MCC members are a unique bunch. Arrange an interview for my regular Saturday morning gig with Matt Tribe on ABC Rural.
Of to lunch at Harmsy’s not to be missed Almanac Grand Final lunch and another interview (although I mucked it up through my bad hearing!) Met the usual suspects including the superbly attired Marvin Vaas and a lot more Footy Almanac comrades. It’s great to catch up each year.
We are a unique group and coming from all walks of life. Should be more of us to take it up to the AFL.
There is no doubt red is a striking colour. It is everywhere in town although the Pivotonians colours stand out as well. It’s the place to be even though I am against it being a holiday. Some shops take no notice and are open. It is ridiculous, in my humble opinion, to have a holiday when there are so many people from interstate who just want to be in Melbourne on this weekend. P. Baulderstone take note!
The best two days of the year, everyone has joie de vie.
Absolutely stuffed after the lunch. Walking back I come across the diehards who have been given a ticket for their place in the queue. They are sitting outside a pizza café having dinner before they go back to their sleeping bags outside the ‘G. I remind them of our interview.
Go to bed early. Need to be up early for my regular Saturday morning gig and an interview with Rod Ryan from Perth, a real estate agent who loves to sleep out for the Grand Final.
There are people everywhere. The usual dog walkers who probably hate what has happened to ‘their’ park during the week, fans with tickets, fans without tickets, and even the casual visitor who wants to know what this is all about. The carnival atmosphere is in full swing. I am amazed when all the security people meet en masse for their briefing. Hundreds of them.
Back to the refuge but not before stopping at Michael’s Café for a coffee. Michael is chinos and an avid Bulldogs fan. He greets me like a long lost brother but he does that to all his clientele. No wonder the place is always full. Today it is booked out as it is only two Doug Wade spiral punts from the ground.
No rest! No sooner than I’d changed into appropriate football apparel, I’m back at the ground for a radio interview with Clinchy and Catherine Murphy on the ABC. It’s fun. Gee I would love to see Clinchy get a Grand Final. He has been a stalwart for years but we get the two foreigners from Perth.
People stream in at around 1pm, after all the main player will be on in thirty minutes. Robbie Willams is BOG with his performance. For once the AFL have got it right and Big Gil would be over the moon after a horrid week.
Loved seeing all the old members movin’ and groovin’ to Robbie. He set the day up beautifully for the big event.
The big event turns out to be a fizzer unless you barrack for the Pivots. They were on song if ever a team was. They did not have a passenger while Sydney only had a couple of people on the train and they travelled second class.
As usual BSA was correct ‘we will never win a flag while Franklin is there.’
The day belonged to Joel Selwod. Once described by Dips ‘as a piece of granite rock’ he choreographed the day beautifully. Carrying Gazza’s little boy through the banner, giving away his boots to a youngster at the end of the game, having water boy Sam on the ground at the finish. It was beautiful stuff and I am a real softy when it comes to things like this.
Got on the ground to give my grandson and his two nippers a hug and a weep and then back into the rooms until well after eight o’clock.
Daisy and Hamish interviewed me again and I interviewed number 35 for Cats TV. What a day and night!
Up early to catch the flight home. The young woman at Rex giving me my ticket recognised me because I still had the tie on that I wore to the game.
Home again and start looking at my computer and phone at the messages I had received.
If I was stuffed earlier, I am %*@$ed now!
I am blessed to be part of our great game and even more blessed to be a lifelong Geelong supporter.
More from Citrus Bob Utber Here
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About Bob Utber
At 86 years of age Citrus Bob is doing what he has always done since growing up on a small farm at Lang Lang. Talking, watching and writing sport and in recent years writing books. He lives in Mildura with his very considerate wife (Jenny) and a groodle named 'Chloe on Flinders' and can be found at Deakin 27 every day.
Ripping read CB, what a cracking week you had! I hope I have a similar one in the not too distant future!
Congrats Citrus. Living the dream. Well deserved.
I have often remarked to the Avenging Eagle that Grand Final week 2018 was the high water mark of my life. So many threads coming together.
For all our whingeing and chiacking (there’s another lost piece of strine) we truly live in a blessed country at a wonderful time. The Australian game is alive and well with marvellous commentators like Clint and Corbin in the ABC commentary box (best since Dennis Cometti) and players like Buddy, Duncan, Stengle, O’Connor and Tuohy gracing the stage it is a truly national and international event.
The AFL’s initiative in having the Grand Final rotate around Australia has further enhanced the sport. They may even have a final in Geelong one day!
Bob, it was great to finally meet in the flesh at the Almanac Lunch.
I was on Citrus watch when the post-match action switched from the oval to the rooms. You didn’t disappoint.
Magnificent Citrus. A big congratulations!
Excellent run-down of what must have been a big couple of days, Citrus.
There’s no holding you back CB. Congratulations on making every post a winner.
Fabulous Citrus. What a few days!! No wonder you were tired. More interviews than a seated PM.
Number 35 for the Pivots was outstanding. My Normie winner.
I can hardly recall a better few days in all my time.
Hope you’re rested now.