Following Geelong’s recent dominance in the AFL competition and successive Grand Final losses to Brisbane, I questioned the possibility of ever witnessing Collingwood achieve ultimate glory.
Finally the breakthrough came in 2010. I was 19.
In 2002 when Leigh Matthews was at the helm of the Brisbane Lions, they challenged Collingwood’s Jock McHale’s four consecutive premierships wins and were the most revered in the competition.
They were fearless fielding – now veterans – Michael Voss, Chris Johnson, Martin Pike, Alastair Lynch and of course, the Scott brothers.
Courage was the Lions middle name and stars like Jonathan Brown was born. Although he was part of the key denying the Pies of a flag several years ago, you have to be in admiration of his ability and commitment to the football.
The Pies were so close yet so far in 2002, the year that Jason Cloke was suspended for striking Adelaide’s Tyson Edwards in the Preliminary final.
We lost by just nine-points but Anthony Rocca’s missed goal from beyond 50 should in fact been awarded and it would’ve been a three-point ball game.
Who knows what could’ve happened next?
When the final siren sounded, I slumped into my lounge room couch trying to restrict the flow of tears, as opposition fans leaped from their seats as if a firecracker had just exploded under them.
Guttered, I sat there in despair, watching Brisbane players receive their premiership medallion. I wondered, what if my team was up on that podium in the centre of the MCG? What would it feel like as a spectator? How would I react?
After two consecutive heartbreaks and a number of close calls, all I can say is it’s one of the best experiences of my life.
In contrary to 2002/2003, I was in the company of friends at AAMI Park for the second Collingwood v St Kilda Grand Final.
Thousands of Collingwood fans gathered around the big screen TV, creating an atmosphere than emulated that of one at the MCG.
Finally with countdown clock on the screen, then the final siren sounding, everyone embraced those around them sharing tears, laughter and excitement.
The ultimate has been achieved in my time, my era.
It was a fantastic experience to not only win the premiership but to share it with those gathered at AAMI Park.
A genuine crowd, who passionately barracked the entire afternoon unlike the suited corporates filling the MCG decks.
Is the MCG the place to be on Grand Final day?
I would love to be at the spiritual home of football for that final game of the year but the excitement of the crowd doesn’t get any better than the club live sites.
Every game is about the fans, unfortunately except the Grand Final. It’s all about the business world and who you know, I guess
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