We got on the train at Glenhuntly Station.
It is standing room only, and the visual survey said Saints supporters outnumber the Blues, as they should bayside. But not in real life. Carlton have broken the 50,000 member barrier, while the Saints just shy of 40. Still, if you add them all up, there’s a lot of people who have paid to watch their teams lose more than they won in 2016. I like to think of that as a story of loyalty and resilience in Melburnians.
My strategy for arriving a bit early was thwarted by the hordes outside the ground (and apparently in) as the Balcony pass allocation was exhausted. My two guests (wife and friend) will have to ‘slum it’ with the regular collared members. Jean rips as common as tattoos. But it’s the members, the footy, we’re not here for a fashion show. It’s our chance to escape all that; dress daggily, eat poorly, litter at our feet and yell out when we feel like it!
So off to get the tickets for my guests. Queue. What can you do? It seems this clash was a bit more popular than was generally thought. Tickets obtained and we’re briefly reminded of the global context in which we exist as we hold our arms out and turn round to be scanned by the terrorist checker.
The first reaction is “Terrorism, here? Pfft! Bugger off with your intrusive swipers and intimidating fence plans…”, but then you look up at the magnificent structure that is the mighty MCG and you can’t help but think: “That would be a statement”… but then as you walk through, hear the anthems blaring through the speakers, and see, smell, and hear the familiarity of grown-ups, kids, staff, supporters and sundry enjoying the pre-game atmosphere, all those thoughts retreat to the recesses of the mind.
It didn’t take long to find my other attending friend and his young daughter, and younger son, in M46, row Y, right on the wing on the ground level and we were ready. As were the umpires and players, and that little buzz you fear will one day leave you was thankfully still there when the umpire blew his whistle and held up the ball to start the game.
The first quarter was somewhat lacklustre. I suppose the Saints looked slightly more urgent which resulted in a couple of forced turnovers. But both sides also demonstrated that they didn’t necessarily need to be forced into doing ‘The Turnover’. The Saints squandered a couple of early opportunities, but finished with a solid four goals to one lead, despite Cripps and Simpson’s endeavour and brilliance. It did feel like a squandered quarter for us though, one where the lack of scoreboard pressure had the potential to come back to bite us in what the member’s would call our ‘derriere’.
We also endured a couple of old muppets, a proper Statler and Waldorf pair, in row z, right in our ears. They are an essential part of the game, but can also be either humorous or irritating. They each had a team playing today, and unsurprisingly I was annoyed at the Carlton muppet who continued to ask “Who’s this”, then mispronounce his name deliberately, then state he’s seen such and such miss from here. Over and over. Thankfully Tim Wembley was on target.
The second quarter was similarly sloppy, and even our best players were making it look a bit slippery out there, but the scoreboard continued to tick in our favour, especially late with a goal being signaled right at the siren to give us a 10 goals to three half-time lead, with Riewoldt, Acres and Montagna the pick of our players at this point. By ‘our’ favour, I mean the Saints favour, and I should point out that my wife is a long-time Blues fan.
My wife comes from a long lineage of Carlton supporters, and often we watch this corresponding fixture with some of them. They of course have been spoilt in the modern era with premierships and champions. Although lately they have been finding it hard to pick themselves up from the canvas, until this year when Brendan came along with his game plan, and victories, and brave showings, including the last three weeks against quality opposition.
Yet the fact remained, we were in a mixed marriage, and had to somehow try and make it work. My wife had patiently accepted unintentional and minor (if not cute) whacks while my friend’s daughter waved St. Kilda apparati such as a flag and scarf next to her. All my beloved did in return was smile and offer some chips. She’s a lovely person and said she didn’t mind, and would never say otherwise, but I know her Carlton skin was a little bit burnt every time the red, white and black innocuously touched it.
Fortunately, the half-time break was upon us, and that was the end of the football I would see this day. My wife and Carlton supporting friend decided to head to the back of the Hugh Trumble Cafe Bar. Fresh air, no queues and lots of sun and city views.
My wife’s initial Cab Sav looked a bit shallow, thankfully a knight-like (possibly experienced drinker) type nearby pointed this out, and the staff were happy to add some volume. I did keep an eye on the scores throughout, a game we would win by 12 goals, and I dashed out to sing the song with my friend and his kids before they ran out to have a kick on the hallowed turf (and I love that’s even possible).
But I also see the whole experience as truly a win-win for everyone I was there with. The August sun was actually beyond warm and we were all able to enjoy an afternoon in the MCC members leaving our football prejudices and ideas of segregation aside, all looking forward to next time.
Chris is a married secondary school teacher and saints fan who enjoys all sports from all perspectives. One day he hopes to watch competitive cooking from the gantry. Other than that he likes karaoke.
MATCH SUMMARY
CARLTON 1.2 3.5 6.7 7.9 (51)
ST KILDA 4.3 10.5 14.6 19.8 (122)
GOALS
Carlton: Membrey 5, Bruce 4, Billings 2, Wright, Acres, Armitage, Weller, Roberton, Riewoldt, Hickey, Newnes
St Kilda: Tuohy 3, Cripps 2, Gibbs, Armfield
BEST
Carlton: Cripps, Simpson, Tuohy, Gibbs, Docherty, Curnow
St Kilda: Newnes, Ross, Membrey, Gresham, Ross, Montagna, Billings, Dempster
INJURIES
Carlton: Nil
St Kilda: Dunstan (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, O'Gorman, Ryan
Official crowd: 37,797 at the MCG