An ode to the MCG

As a youngster I sat amazed, by a roaring MCG
Ten years old but certain, it’s one of the greatest sights I’d see

The Great Southern Stand extending high above my head
The Olympic to my right, but awestruck by the members now instead

And though astounded by the moment, my beloved Cats look beat
But Brownless comes from nowhere, and suddenly I’m standing on my seat

The cold night air engulfs us, as silence infiltrates the ground
60 thousand speechless, ooh you want to hear the sound

The rush it finds me soaring like I’ve rarely felt it since
An if Ablett was the king, well the fanatical found their prince

He kicked it straight, we roared out loud, as some turned for the aisle
But I kind of liked my position, thought I’d stand here for a while

And I peered around this mighty ground, at its beauty and its splendor
And now composure finds me, I take the time to remember

That night and countless others, those we come to watch
The moments that were ignited by the heroes that rose a notch

For the old man tells me I was there, when the bravest went to battle in ‘89
And I’ve seen countless images of Brereton, but they still get me every time

And I’ve sat amongst the nameless faces until the bugle fills the air
And had the Anzac emotion remind us, just why the days are rare

But imagine also if I could have witnessed Mr. Football bid goodbye
To have shed a tear for EJ on a day when brave men cry

Oh and what I’d give to go back and watch Barassi in the mix
Or to cheer home Betty Cuthbert and the heroes of ‘56

To be there on boxing day as punter leads them out in baggy Green
To have watched Brett Lee on debut and just maybe shared the dream

To take the third with Warney, then bear hug David Boon
To stand at the other end from Tugga as he fought all afternoon

And finally I think I’d go back in time, for just a single day
And see the grace of Miller and the greatness of Bradman on display

Yes I’d like to ask Leo Barry what the atmosphere is like
And check with Billy Brownless what meant to him that night

For as some say sport’s a theatre, and there ain’t no better stage
And always will I remember a youngster’s endless gaze

The feelings never left me, like a ghost that haunts the past
And I’m smiling for I’m certain, more heroes will be cast

In the role of champions they will grace the people’s ground
They will liven up our lives, and make the times profound

And I’ll be happy in the outer, just another proud unknown
For it is the players field yet still a place we call our own

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