The build up, the colour, the atmosphere of footy's biggest day, then every kick, bump and reviewed score of the game itself, pitting the Swans against the Hawks.
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All is still, it is largely cloudless, you can see your breath, and the only sounds is raucous morning birds. This is where grand final day begins.
No, actually, it began hours ago, in brisk darkness, when thousands of hardy MCC fans began queueing up to reserve their perch at the 2014 decider.
Lionel Coomb, Tom Murphy and Peter Washington had been in the MCC queue since 5am, placing them about 800 metres from the front. The line of over 8000 people stretches from gate one up to the top of Yarra Park then back down towards the ground.
Peter Washington said fans have to queue much earlier if Collingwood is in the grand final. He had a specific seat first deck half forward flank earmarked. His son-in-law Tom, from Perth, was attending his first grand final. Fair to say, he found the Melbourne pre-dawn somewhat bracing.
The first climax of the day comes at 8am, when the members' gates are opened. They are reminded that no running is permitted within the MCC, but it's fair to say many have favourite perches in mind and they will walk as if at Boxing Day sales. The entire MCC grand final process is bizarre but extremely well organised. The attitude of most of the thousands lined up can be summed up by Lionel Coombs: "It's all a bit of an adventure".
An indefatigable announcer constantly reminds patient will-be patrons of new security measures. Every bag will be inspected prior to the opening of the MCC gates at 8am. He also runs through the day's events, which conclude 13 hours from now. Somewhere amidst flyovers, concerts and bag checks is a game of footy between the Swans and the Hawks.
The grand final opens for business. Disabled members and their carers are in first. |
So who is at the G at 6.45am on the big day? Queueing fans, security guards, coffee merchants, camera crews, Auskickers, St John's ambulance. And a bemused dog walker, wondering why his Yarra Park was so heavily occupied.
The mood is festive, the sense of occasion enhanced by hovering helicopters, an army of fluoro-clad volunteers and the inescapable tourist charity pin sellers.
The view from the queue outside the MCG this morning from the MCC Library.
#AFLGrandFinal MT “@MelbCCLibrary: @MCC_Members queue seen from the @melbcclibrary windows. pic.twitter.com/rVza03VVlo” — Mark Hawthorne (@HawthorneMark) September 26, 2014
Metro has put on extra services for the Grand Final today.
We've got extra services for the AFL Grand Final at the MCG today. More info at http://t.co/D0PwlRw298 — Metro Trains (@metrotrains) September 26, 2014
It seems Ed Sheeran is pretty stoked to be playing with Tom Jones at the game today.
Playing the AFL grand final on Saturday with this ledge http://t.co/USI9S20W55 — Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) September 25, 2014
Geraldine Doogue warns Hawthorn fans not to delude themselves that the Swans are some kind of 'one-trick pony' and says her team will fly by Hawthorn.
Martin Flanagan writes that today's grand final is a story of Buddy v Clarkson
Hawk diehard Richard goes to great lengths on the big day. He queues with his Hawkmobile from 3.30am in order to beat traffic to his shaded enclave outside gate three. His set-up includes a generator, two televisions, a very loud stereo - first song heard New Sensation by INXS - and of course fridges. He needs a permit from the MCC because he expects more than 50 guests -60 or 70 will pile in after lunchtime. He even has a professional singer who will perform hoping to catch the eye of the media.
Asked his prediction for the big game, Richard is typical of most Hawks fans - extremely confident. "Back to back to back". He's already claiming 2015...
When you're married to the Hawks mob, it's a lifelong deal, Lehmo reckons. I think these guys might agree.
Overheard: "I just want this game over." Nervous Swan struggling with the burden of favouritism.
The Nichol family will be among the Hawks fan at the G today, all carrying a lunched packed by family matriach Elva Nichol, 88.
It will be the 16th time Elva has prepared the lunches for members of her family with Nichols attending every Hawthorn grand final since 1971.
And the lunch has always been the same - salad rolls, sticky bun, bag of Minties, and unshelled peanuts.
Elva had to turn off the television during the Hawks' close game against Port Adelaide next week but is hoping today's game will have the same final outcome.
Two of Elva's sons and five of her grandchildren will be at the MCG today cheering on the Hawks.
What more could you ask for !
WEATHER | Melbourne's turned it on! 24C, partly cloudy. Bring it on. #AFLGF (Pic via @pauldowsley7) pic.twitter.com/ufP4gAwJRN — 3AW Melbourne (@3AW693) September 26, 2014
Announcement currently being made outside the Members: "MCC tickets are still available on level four".
Remember what happened last time the Hawks and Swans met in a grand final?
All bags entering the MCG are being checked twice, as part of more stringent security measures. At the nearby Hilton Hotel, half a dozen security guards are vetting anyone entering the establishment. There were more security guards monitoring the MCC queue this morning, but that was the only overt indication of the new regime.
St John's ambulance volunteers gather at 6am, eat collectively at 7am, and work in two shifts until after 9pm. They say grand final day is very different to any other game during the year, with many fans at the ground eight hours before the first bounce.
Their message is: it's a long day, drink water. At 8.10am, they already had a call-out to someone who had collapsed in the member's queue. Volunteer Peter said many of his fellow workers had day jobs in medicine, but they thrived on the direct contact with the public afforded by working for St John's.
Samantha Lane writes that $10 million has been Buddy good value
All the footy radio stations have a presence at the G, but 3aw take their commitment a step further, with a grandstand surrounding their outside broadcast. It becomes very popular later in the morning when tickets are up for grabs. Increasingly, the surrounds of the MCG are becoming a destination themselves on the big day.nullnull
Rest assured, if you wish to pay to predict, the GF will oblige.
At 9.55, the first siren of the day can be heard. Some sort of elite academy under age exhibition fixture has been contrived. Not surprisingly, this underpromoted and meaningless encounter between unknowns is not exactly dragging public patrons through the gates. With assigned seats and entertainment many hours in the future, most non-MCC attendees are staying in their salubrious tent city, or having brunch.
Leigh-Anne, pictured outside gate one with her family, grew up on Sydney's northern beaches with rugby league. But she says after living in Melbourne for several years, she is probably "more AFL" these days.
She still enjoys league and says partner Greg was watching the Rabbitohs' preliminary final win last night, but she says AFL is more interesting now that she understands it better.
League is more brutal where football is more about fitness she says. Her clan come to the 'G on grand final morning, soaking up the atmosphere, then head home to Diamond Creek to watch the game. Leigh-Anne has the train times programmed into her phone.
Salvation Army volunteer Laronie, a Bulldogs fan, loves her footy. Salvos are not permitted to be present after games so leave upon the first siren.
And yes, they do occasionally get given grand final tickets. Which they themselves give away, as they are not permitted to sell them.
Give generously, ticket-seekers.
Ross used to work for the Swans. Can you guess in which era.
A kewpie doll to all who said 'Edelsten era'. The understated dress sense is something of a tell.
He's been in Melbourne for over 20 years and says "the early '90s weren't flash, but it's been good since they "learn't how to win".
Ross is looking forward to adding another pin to his lapel.
Everyone's true colours come out one way or the other ....
@HawthornFC @ProudPassionate Balcony now "safe" for the kids. #everymoment #gohawks pic.twitter.com/ZsSW1Ch7TB — HawksNick (@hawks_nick) September 26, 2014
Retired Swans cult figure Lewis Roberts-Thomson is going to be late for lunch. The affable big man is being accosted by adoring swans fans every few strides and his gracious acceptance of photo requests means his ETA at the turnstiles a tantalising 100 metres away is 30 minutes.
Little things reveal Melbourne's big love affair with the grand final, like club colour streamers on Myki barriers at Jolimont Station.
.@jackgunston stretches and watches on as @JordanLewisO3 warms up #everymoment pic.twitter.com/Emngc40jyc — Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) September 27, 2014
The inimitable, un-imitatable Coodabeen Champions, veteran footy pisstakers, are holding court, a big crowd chortling along.
He they wisely sing the footy parlance 'it is what it is' to the tune of Let It Be.
Paul Daffey reports from the North Melbourne grand final breakfast that Kangaroos coach Brad Scott has tipped Sydney to win the grand final and Josh Kennedy to win the North Smith Medal.
Oh, and someone named and Adam Goodes to be the game breaker.
Scott, speaking under the roof at Etihad Stadium, said the Hawthorn’s intense focus on Sydney’s star forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett would leave the way open for Goodes to be a key scoring option.
“I thank Goodes is a real wildcard,” Scott said. “He just plays his role now. There’s no longer the need to win the game off his boot. He’s leaving that to guys like Franklin.”
Scott said Sam Reid, the fourth member of the Swans’ tall attacking quartet, would play a role in helping to isolate Sydney’s forwards one-out against Hawthorn defenders.
“The real strength of Tippett and Franklin is their ability to isolate defenders,” he said. “If Sydney can isolate their forwards and stay tight in defence, they’ll win.”
Come on, admit it. You wanted to know where Satan was from.
Turns out the Evil One is a friendly, nervous Hawks fan Justin, from Perth. Justin is honing his grand final technique, having attended for the first time in 2012, when he succumbed to a rip-off luncheon package in order to get in to the game.
This time Satan got wise, joining Richard's Hawkmobile party with friends he met last time in Melbourne. He has been to training and the parade and is now keen to witness what he expects will be a cliffhanger.
Much like the battle for our souls
There's a touch of Flemington creeping in at the 'G at contemporary decider days. The marquees are little more than cheap tents and umbrellas, but there are generators powering sound systems, massive fridges and TVs.
One group of fans has been coming to the same spot near Jolimont Station for 20 years. They even create hybrid jumpers featuring the two grand final teams.
Australians are serious about their fun.null
Dressing up is a tradition for Hawks fan Justin.
A group of rowdy Hawks fans are welcoming Sydney fans to their house and reminding them of the way out when they lose.
Former Essendon great and Fremantle coach Mark Harvey favours Sydney to win because of their forward options. He says the scenes outside the 'G are fantastic, heightened by the high stakes of today's game.
There's been lots of talk about increased security at the MCG today and here's one example from Tom Cowie. The children from the drumming band are having their drums inspected before entering.null
Lots of people trying their luck for tickets outside the ground. Tom Cowie has run into Swans fans Daniel Shaw and Jason Price, who drove from Albury yesterday are hoping to pay no more than $300 to get a seat.
Caroline Zielinski is keeping an eye on festivities in South Melbourne. Things are just getting started at the Drop Bear Inn.
Ten grand finals ... not a bad effort!
@theagesport my view for the day, 35 years old and my and my 10th GF pic.twitter.com/4mceIIUplv — Amy Kerr (@akerr2412) September 27, 2014
Not great timing for Swans fans to have a scare at Sydney airport this morning. READ MORE.
All's in readiness for the players' #AFLGF arrival. Just under 2 and a 1/2 hours to go till first bounce #goswans pic.twitter.com/2QzBaPVlfT — Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) September 27, 2014
Also at the North Melbourne Grand Final breakfast Dermott Brereton said Brian Lake, Franklin’s expected opponent, could again be a Hawks trump card. Lake won last year’s Norm Smith Medal after Hawthorn’s defeat of Fremantle in the grand final.
Paul Daffey reports that Brereton said: “If there’s one player in the league who’s in Buddy’s head for contests one on one, it’s Brian Lake”.
A beautiful spring day in Melbourne. The stage is set for what could be an epic grand final. Walking into the ground it was noteworthy to see representatives of the AFL Fans Association handing out cards calling for new members. With new AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan already pledging to tackle the issue of affordability as one the early themes of his leadership, it's going to be fascinating to watch how this new body impacts the footy landscape in the next few years. But for now, bring on the grand final!