Round 11 – Geelong v GWS: Return to Kardinia Park after 41 years

 

 

It has been 41 years since my last visit to Kardinia Park. The match I attended in 1983 was between Geelong and the Swans – the original Sydney VFL/AFL team. Today’s visitors also come from the Harbour City … but their home is out in the Greater West.

 

Kardinia Park is a very different football ground these days. In ‘83 it was like a big country footy ground with just a few grandstands and spacious outer areas. Standing to watch the footy was as common as being seated in those days.

 

Today it has a new name – GMHBA – replacing Skilled Stadium and earlier sponsor’s names, including Shell and Simonds. For me, always Kardinia Park.

 

A week ago I dug out my 50 cent Football Record from Round 8 1983 to remind myself of that match. Adorning the front cover is a photo from Round 7 featuring Melbourne’s Tony Elshaug, Sherrin in hand, pulling away from a Saints’ opponent and as the caption says … “It’s a goal for (El)sure”. Digging deeper I discovered it was umpire Ian Robinson’s 250th VFL game that day. Yes, all six games were played on the same afternoon, with a big interstate match to follow on the Monday: SA v VFL in Adelaide. Further inquiries revealed that The Croweaters smashed the Big V. According to The Age (17.5.83), “South Australian football officials last night claimed that their State’s 56-point defeat of Victoria was proof that a local team should be admitted to the VFL.”

 

The Football Record’s double-page photo shows Essendon’s Simon Madden taking a mark amid two Richmond ‘spectators’ on the previous Saturday at the MCG. Thumbing through the pages I saw that smokes were still legally advertised, Tooheys beer ads got a run … to please the Sydney audience no doubt, while ‘Lethal Leigh’ and Wayne Harmes modelled footy supporter’s apparel. 

 

The line-ups included some handy players: Rod ‘The Tilt’ Carter, Max Kruse, Dennis Carroll, David Rhys-Jones, Anthony Daniher, Barry Round and Tony Morwood for the Ricky Quade-coached red and whites. The navy blue and whites, coached by Tommy Hafey, featured the selections of ‘the Leyland brothers’ (Ian and Bruce Nankervis), Andrew Bews, Brian Peake, Mark Yeates, John Mossop and Rod Blake. 

 

In ‘83 I was in rarefied political atmosphere around 1:30pm as we entered the ground. I ‘rubbed shoulders’ with Bob Hawke and his colleague, devoted Geelong supporter and Victorian Senator, John Button. As they hopped out of their government car the P.M. and his minister didn’t quite feel my presence. Walking towards the Members Stand, they waved to fans and enjoyed animated banter … maybe about who would win that day, or more likely, whose shout it was!

 

I recall standing in the outer on the eastern side, surrounded by Geelong supporters, and among them, unfortunately, one smart a*** Sydney supporter who pretended, all afternoon, to barrack for the home team. Every Geelong goal was greeted by my ‘friend’ with applause and acknowledgement of how well ‘our’ boys were playing. 

 

Well, his love of Geelong did not quite last all afternoon. At the 15 minute mark of the final quarter, just after Sydney kicked a goal to make the result certain, he gave the ‘we’ve got it gesture’ and announced to me with a big Cheshire grin …  “Didn’t you know? I really barrack for the Swans”. 

 

Being a naive Cats supporter from the country, I wondered if this ‘snake in the grass’ behaviour was a common practice for away team supporters at Kardinia Park. My final can of Fosters for the day tasted quite flat after he revealed his true colours. Luckily for him we were standing beside a 40 gallon rubbish drum, and he did not wear it, but the bin did. 

 

Final score: Sydney Swans 16.14 (110) defeated Geelong 11.18 (84) before a crowd of 17 650. [Check out the match details HERE]

 

It is Round 11 2024. Here we are at GMHBA Stadium to celebrate two Cats supporters’ 70th birthdays. No standing in the outer today. We have seats in the new Joel Selwood Stand. As we enter through the Polly Farmer Gate there is not a politician in sight. Plenty of navy blue and white, with just a tinge of orange here and there. 

 

Upon taking our seats and looking around, the transformation of the ground was an impressive sight. One obvious difference is the size of the crowd. Nearly twice as many here today I guessed, and it was confirmed later that 30 821 were in the stadium. I wonder if my Swans ‘friend’ is here this afternoon? No doubt, with a GWS members ticket safely hidden in his pocket! 

 

 

All 12 of our party are in their seats and ready. Three Cats, two Blues, one Bomber, one Tiger, two Saints and our carers. After a run of cloudy days the sun has appeared and I read that as a good omen. Hawk ‘bursts’ onto the ground accompanied by a litter of Cats – about to overtake his good mate’s record. The Darwin debacle of nine days ago has vanished from my consciousness and I relax, expectantly.

 

The first quarter has me applauding the ball movement, the intensity, the grit and the accuracy. A 14 point lead as the Cats prepare to change direction and kick away from us. Consolidate now and go in with a good lead at the main break, I urge.

 

The Giants regroup and come out with all guns blazing, leaving powerless pussies in their wake. Not good, we Cats supporters agree. Now we are suddenly 19 points adrift. Hot chips and a beer are consumed quickly while we plan our comeback from the heights, nervous as hell now in the shiny seats of the newly christened ‘Great Joel Selwood Stand’.

 

A sluggish opening to the third is quickly turned into a Geelong wave, bigger than Bells on a bright summer’s day. While still struggling in the centre and giving too many frees away, the Cats threaten. Lemon time arrives with a gettable 13 point deficit on the screen. 

 

Pour it on Cats and leave the foot down, we implore. First part of the equation is answered as the Hoops squeeze out to a narrow lead with about 7 minutes to go. No time to hesitate now. 

 

We don’t welcome the appearance of the Sherrin at the City End, but Toby does… it’s a goal for sure. And bugger it, his trademark finish sparks concern. There’s still time left, but unfinished forays and a lack of  composure prevail. Two match-saving marks by the athletic Aleer and our heads fall. Siren sounds… 4 points down and now four losses in a row.

 

No cheeky Giants supporters in earshot, thank heavens. Congratulations Giants, you arrested your slide with tonight’s nail-biting win on the road.

 

The walk back up the hill is slow and silent, with reflections of the second quarter capitulation the only thought possible.

 

A restless night’s sleep of tossing and turning eventually is ended by a bright and crisp Corio Bay morning. More reappraisals fill the breakfast room air, but an eventual acceptance of a better – but not good enough – performance by our team is agreed. We admit that in the month of May the Cats have given a lie to the club song, and are now playing “well off the boil”.

 

We hatch a plan to return to Kardinia Park next year. Third time lucky, surely!!!

 

 

GEELONG            5.0    6.2     9. 5     11.8 (74)
GWS                       2.4    8.9    10.12   11.12 (78)

 

GOALS
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Stengle 2, Close, Bruhn, Tuohy, Kolodjashnij, Holmes, Cameron, Neale
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi 4, Hogan 2, Greene 2, Daniels, Cadman, O’Halloran

 

BEST
Geelong: Holmes, Bruhn, Tuohy, Guthrie, Stengle
Greater Western Sydney: Riccardi, Greene, Briggs, Green, Taylor, Aleer

 

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio (left shoulder), Perryman (left hamstring)

 

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Jack Bowes (replaced Toby Conway in the final quarter)
Greater Western Sydney: Toby McMullin (replaced Stephen Coniglio in the second quarter)

 

Crowd: 30,821 at GMHBA Stadium

 

Read more from Peter Clark Here.

 

To return to the www.footyalmanac.com.au  home page click HERE

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.

 

Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE