Round 22 – Collingwood v Geelong: Waltzing the Matildas at the ‘G with Pies and Cats
I WAS AT THE ‘G’
Where were you on perhaps the greatest day/night (to date) ever in the history of Australian team sport?
I know where I was and it was the culmination of two days at the coliseum of Australian sport the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
As far as this aficionado is concerned it put any thing that ever happened in a similar venue in Rome into a minor player.
The initial part of this story happened on Friday night when two of the AFL ‘s historic teams Collingwood (Carringbush) and Geelong (Pivotonians) played a classic game in front of nearly 80,000 fans.
The Pies had beaten the reigning champions in the first round of the year and were out to do it again. The Pivots on the other hand were playing for a place in the finals.
There would be no holds barred and that is how the night unfolded.
The Cats took early control through their veterans Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield. Then the Pies got their mojo up and running. The ‘other’ Daicos, Josh, in the absence of Brownlow Medal favourite Nick and the immortal Peter decided it was his turn not to be the other.
It worked as he dominated the game in the middle stanzas for the Pies and they looked invincible at orange time.
Not to be denied it was Cameron, who finished with 7 goals, and the now ancient Gladiator “Danger” who turned it on with better performances than the Rabbitoh Crow to give the Pivots a chance.
Not to be denied though the boys from Carringbush answered the challenge to win the epic clash with one of my favourites Brody Mihacek playing a starring role alongside Josh. Mihocek is the blue-collared player in the Pies lineup. Never gets many accolades but does his work. The Pies won by eight drachmas.
It was a sensational matinee with what was to take place on Saturday.
Saturday afternoon produced a typical Melbourne day drizzling rain that hampers mere mortals but not so sporting fans. Members arrived early and it was not to get a seat. It was to the watch the block buster soccer match between Australia and France live on TV.
This was the day that the Matildas Soccer (will we ever call it football?) team were taking on the might of France in Brisbane for a place in the finals of the women’s world cup for a chance to play in the semi-finals. A dilemma for this sporting capital of Melbourne.
What was the dilemma? It was massive.
Does the AFL open the gates at the “G” early for the game and show it on TV or do they retain the status quo and get things organise for another game for prospective finalists Carlton and Melbourne.
For once the AFL went cap in hand to ANOTHER competition and where able to show the Matilda’s game live
.
Sacre bleu.
The AFL bowing to pressure from the public.
Yes!
This was going to be the biggest, no, greatest day in Australian sports history and the true blue and blue and red supporters of the AFL wanted part of the action. Not that there was much green and gold to see. When are we getting an Australian flag?
The one proviso. If the soccer game has not finished by starting time of the Baggers and Fuschias then we revert to watching the AFL game.
Not sure how many screens the game was being shown on at the “G” but in true MCC member form every bar and eatery was full of people watching the Aussie Matilda’s in action.
We even knew their names and numbers. Kerr (20), Fowler (11), Foord (with 2 “O’s”) 9 etc.
The game was an epic and at full time nil all. After 15 minutes each way nil all.
Time for the shoot-out, time for the start of the other epic game. Bluebaggers going for eight in a row.
AFL live went on TV live.
The crowd booed.
Patrons advised to watch on their phone or go to a screen in the G under cover.
Patrons chose the former and for the first time in the history of the VFL/AFL/SANFL,WAFL and any other F….L . They voted with their eyes and it was heads down watching their phones as the Matildas and Le Bleus created an epic world cup record of 10 penalty shots each before the pride of Shepparton Cortnee Vine scored the winning goal.
Oh, by the way it was quarter time in the match between Carlton and Melbourne and the silence was broken with a deafening roar from the Oz crowd ,who for 14 minutes, were mesmerised by the soccer.
I have not heard anything like it at a footy game. The silence that is, before the roar erupted.
For me, old as I am, I was dancing around with a paralytic Nat Edwards (Ch 7) in a back room of the media centre. Tears? of course there where and even Nat had them.
This was a moment of a lifetime for this sports aficionado. The past 14 days had seen sport of epic performances of Australian men and women and this was the moment that topped it all off.
And, by the way Carlton won the other game, but that is another story.
Where were you when all this happened? Certainly not on the grassy knoll.
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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.
Hi Uncle Bob
Wonderful article again CB or UB, whichever you prefer.
It was even a privilege to watch the Geelong v Carringbush game on TV, never mind the result.
Jeremy Cameron and Patrick were sensational.
Feather John Brosnan and Frank Costa would have been pleased.
Cameron Ling awarded 1 vote to Jeremy Cameron
2 votes to Brody Mihocek
3 votes to Josh Daicos
I expected the Pies to regroup after their past hiccups, but the Cats weren’t disgraced and if they had a full strength side may well have got the chocolates, the Patra orange juice, Don small goods and the Ballantyne’s cheese.
Good luck to the Matildas.
I hope Rishikesh Sunak stays silent and meditates instead of making inappropriate comments like he did in the recent Ashes Test Series in the guise of winning votes.
Terrific Citrus. Captured the moment(s) really well.
Crazy days in sport indeed.
Thought the Cats were ok against the Pies. But not ok enough.
JOHN – many thanks for your comments. Carringbush’s continuing bad form against other sides does not say much for the Pivotonians.
DIPS – Good to hear you from SA/ Interestingly I know of 3 SA’s. Absolutely magic being a sports lover in July-Agust. Time The Knackers did a travel tour of the Old dart to watch live.
LOSING OUR “TOE-MAN” CAMERON GUTHRIE has really hurt more than just him. As for our ruck contingent I have spoken to Rod Blake, John Newman and Darcy Fort to see if they are available tonight( St.Kilda). Unfrtunately “Pol” is playing for St.Peter’s side tonight, and every other night.
Hi CB
Was Gary included in the St Peter’s side or was he named as an Emergency?
That is the infamous Gary Sidebottom..
Probably doing the half time ads was Stuart Faichney, son of a Reverend.
Stuat’s Mantra was State bank, no risk.
Unfortunately the SSB ran into difficulties and was swallowed up by the CBA.
Weren’t Larry Donoghue and Sam Newman ex SSB bank johnnies.
No 17 was a champion player and fellow, despite the dodgy ankles.