The dress code for Collingwood’s fan day at Gosch’s Paddock was very relaxed, which was a good thing.
And the players got into the spirit, getting up on stage in bright sunshine wearing daggy old cargo shorts, torn jeans, thongs, whatever.
Dayne Beams summed up the mood of the players when it was his turn to be presented before an estimated crowd of 20,000 fans celebrating Collingwood’s first AFL premiership since 1990.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m a bit dusty,” he said.
Crowd favourite Dale Thomas took a long time to trudge on stage where interviewer and ex-Magpie Brian Taylor was waiting.
Thomas said it was nice to have a good finals series including starring roles in the drawn grand final against St Kilda and the 56-point win in Saturday’s replay.
“But I’d trade it all for four shit games if I still got my (premiership) medallion,” Thomas said.
Taylor gently asked if Thomas had been out partying and the blond-haired star replied: “Pretty quiet mate. Just went home after dinner.”
This was clearly not the case and the crowd lapped it up, as they did when several players including youngster Steele Sidebottom and ex-Swans ruckman Darren Jolly struggled to make themselves heard, speaking with hoarse voices.
Rio de Janeiro-born defender Harry O’Brien dropped to his knees on stage.
“I’m so proud to be a Collingwood football player,” O’Brien said, admitting he had told his teammates “I love you” about 2,000 times since the final siren on Saturday.
Defender Ben Reid, who played on despite a suspected leg fracture on Saturday, bravely hobbled on stage wearing a moon boot.
Jolly, a premiership player with Sydney in 2005, said representing the Magpies was something different.
“This is awesome to have this amount of support,” Jolly said.
Asked if his second flag was sweeter, Jolly replied: “I think it is.”
Sydney’s win over West Coast was a tense affair, the Swans triumphing by just four points in 2005.
“We were winning quite easily in the second half and it made it more enjoyable to see the boys run around in the last quarter,” Jolly said of Saturday’s victory.
“We could really cherish that moment.”
Coach Mick Malthouse said it was a great pleasure to share the premiership cup, Collingwood’s 15th, with the fans.
“How many armies are as strong as that of Collingwood? None,” he said.
Malthouse launched a spirited defence of the club’s much-maligned fans who “cop the crap that they do from the other 15 clubs”.
“I suppose sometimes it may be warranted. You’ve all played a significant part in our psyche of wanting to win this premiership for you guys. So all I can say is thank-you so very much,” he said.
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