In the spring of 1997 I was commissioned to create resources for the Gallery of Sport at the MCC and to reshape the tour of the MCG, with a view to attracting more tourists and school groups.
The launch of the new tour and resources was scheduled. The day arrived. I’d been told more than once I wouldn’t be required to give a speech. This would be a relatively low key affair. I walked in to find a room packed with media, famous sports people and politicians of the day. OMG.
A woman with a clipboard scurried towards me and breathlessly said “...now then, you’ll speak first for exactly eight minutes and you’ll be followed by Jeff Kennett and then the Olympians. Just talk about what the MCG means to you. We’ll be starting in 10 minutes.” And off she scurried again.
I was in shock. I stumbled to the rest rooms, splashed water on my face and said out loud: “think of something to say… think of something to say…”. I frantically scribbled a few ideas on the back of an envelope. Royce Hart. Maurice Rioli. Growing up in the Southern Stand.
The moment had arrived. I fought off feelings of nausea and shaky hands to take the podium. And so I began.
“This place is not just another sporting precinct. It’s different. It has a heartbeat. Many of us here today feel it. It beats in sync with us. I feel it when I walk towards the ‘G among the throng, with my Richmond scarf around my neck … the optimists hoping for the best for their team …the pessimists fearing the worst. It’s like we have all drifted into the gravitational pull of a planet and we are being drawn into its atmosphere. Such is the power of this magnificent stadium …”
I warmed to the task at hand. The crowd laughed.
I recounted what it was like to grow up barracking for Richmond, watching the game on my father’s shoulders at Punt Road Oval before the ‘G became our home. Sitting up behind the goals in the Southern stand with my parents and three siblings. Pencilling the goals and points in the footy record. Sharing the thermos and the Scotch Finger biscuits at half-time. Reading about the game in the pink Sporting Globe later that evening. Life was simple back then.
Tommy Hafey had just the one infallible game plan. KICK IT TO ROYCE! It served us well. Later the magician Maurice Rioli would weave through packs. They could never lay a tackle on him. I spoke of seeing Royce float across the pack to take that famous mark… of witnessing premierships on this hallowed turf in 1967, ’69, ’73, ’74, and ’80. Euphoria doesn’t even begin to describe the feelings that accompanied those wins. The loss to Carlton in 1982? I still need counselling. Thanks for asking.
And so I reached the end of my allotted eight minutes. Lots of clapping and laughing from an enthusiastic audience. Jeff Kennett took the podium and good humouredly said “Well that’s a hard act to follow”. I have no idea what happened next. I was just so relieved my part was over and I hadn’t made a mess of it.
Later that day I was invited to submit my application to become a member of the MCC. I’ve watched the Tigers with my brother John as his MCC guest for what feels like a lifetime. Patiently waiting for my number to climb to the top of the waiting list. Impatiently waiting for the tigers to threaten for another flag. I received the letter offering me membership to the MCC last year. My MCC card is more precious to me than my passport. It only took a week for my passport to arrive. I’ve waited 19 years for my MCC card. I plan to enjoy it.
About The Game
The crowd of more than 44,000 all seem to stroll up to the MCG at the last minute. The stadium is majestic against the city skyline. What could be better than footy on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the ‘G, as respite from this bleak Melbourne winter?
The irony of OPSM plastered across the umpires’ backs never fails to amuse me… but I digress. There’s no urgency about this game for supporters. No finals at stake. Tightened security means some miss seeing the Bombers fly out of the blocks to a three-goal lead before the Tigers seemingly unzip the tracksuits.
No one seems to mind. We are all here hoping for a win… of course we are. But it’s really about the future. Hoping to witness the emergence of the next generation who can bring that visceral enjoyment that non–football followers will never experience or understand. The next Dick Reynolds. The next Royce Hart. In the red and black it’s the lanky Joe, son of the famous Daniher dynasty, the strutting Fantasia and the gallant Parish. For the yellow and black it’s the ridiculously skinny but dashing Connor Menadue, Oleg Markov, destined for cult status with that lineage and porn star moustache, and he of the Rioli dynasty, young Daniel.
The game never threatens to reach lofty standards punctuated by helicopter kicks, handballs to no one, and, for the red and black, far too many heart-breaking behinds. The Tigers seem in control until midway through the final quarter when Joe Daniher lopes towards goal and kicks truly, putting the bombers within just a point. The unusually quiet crowd finally roars to life. Is an upset on the cards? The yellow and black squirm in their seats.
Rioli and McDonald-Tipungwuti contest as they might have once done on their Tiwi Islands oval. Rioli marks and goals to steady the ship. As the clock ticks down the tiger army finds its voice. Grigg goals, Griffiths takes a speccy, and Dusty marks strongly and goals to round off yet another BOG performance. Siren. Tigers win. Unconvincing but a win nevertheless. We stand as one to belt out the song. YELLOW and BLACK.
Best for the Bombers: Merrett (irresistible), Fantasia (cheeky), and Parish (persistent).
Best for the Tigers: Martin (does a Brownlow beckon?), Cotchin (brave), and Benny Griffiths (channeling Benny Gale the player more with every game).
I stroll way from the 'G humming the song, my foot fall in time to the tune. Back here next Sunday for the Tigers versus the red hot Hawks. You just never know…
Berni Murphy is a Deakin University academic. She can be found with her brother John on the balcony under the coach’s box whenever the Tigers play at home.
Match Summary
RICHMOND 3.3 7.3 11.5 16.6 (102)
ESSENDON 3.3 5.7 8.11 11.17 (83)
GOALS
Richmond: Lloyd 3, Griffiths 3, Grigg 2, Martin 2, Rioli, Miles, Menadue, Markov, Hunt, Hampson
Essendon: Fantasia 3, Laverde 2, Daniher 2, McKernan, Hams, Kelly, Merrett
BEST
Richmond: Martin, Cotchin, Griffiths, Grigg, Short, Castagna, Lloyd
Essendon: Merrett, Fantasia, Ambrose, Kelly, Parish, Gleeson
INJURIES
Richmond: Deledio (calf)
Essendon: Gwilt (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Fisher, Hosking
Official crowd: 44,908 at the MCG