If Princes Park is my parish church, the MCG is my cathedral. I guess that makes Docklands some sort of Pentecostal temple!
On Sunday, I travelled to the `G on my annual pilgrimage with my brother-in-law Warwick Frost to see Carlton play Melbourne. I am Carlton, he is Melbourne. We don’t believe in driving to the footy so we took the 96 tram from Brunswick, then it’s a lovely walk through the Fitzroy Gardens.We were in very good time and, as the photo shows, had no trouble finding a good spot on Level 3. It had just gone 2.00pm and I was famished so I had a pie. Guinness and beef – several cuts above Four’n’Twenty. We met up with Warwick’s old friend Peter Dimsey, another Carlton man. Warwick is Full, Peter is Restricted and I am Provisional – the full set of members!
Although only in my second year as a Provisional member, I have been coming to the 'G, and the Members Reserve, for many years. My first time was in 1972, when I was eight. My Great Aunt Winifred Harper heard that I was a Carlton supporter and she had a spare Ladies’ ticket from her friend Mary Franks. We drove with her friend Gladys Fanning and arrived at about 10.30am. I remember sitting through the Under 19s and Reserves before the main game.
I will never forget my first sight of the ground – this giant circle of green surrounded by stands that is a cauldron of sound and atmosphere.
My first match was the second semi final replay between Carlton and Richmond. The Blues were in the white shorts and were soundly beaten. We came back the following week for the preliminary final, Carlton v St Kilda. I took an instant dislike to Cowboy Neale! Thankfully we won and I could come back next week for the Big One.
This time the Blues were in the dark shorts and they just seemed bigger. It rained goals – Carlton ended up winning 28 goals to 22. I didn’t know this was not normal – it just seemed wonderful! Jesaulenko, Walls and Big Nick I mainly remember, but also Royce Hart, Ian Stewart and Dick Clay. Could life get any better? I went back the following year with different friends and the result was very different – the Blues lost. The world had a dark side after all!
I went again with Aunty Win in 1974, but the stakes were not so high – it was Richmond v North Melbourne. Richmond won again. Little did I know it would be 25 years before I went to another grand final. They started televising grand finals live in 1976 and as our home was in Kew, I was able to adopt Hawthorn as my second team. It was a good time to get on board!
I watched the 1979 grand final on TV at home. By then I was 15 and it wasn’t quite as life-changing as 1972, but it was still pretty good to beat Collingwood by four points!
I was at a youth camp when we won in 1981 and I can’t remember where I was in 1982, but I do remember that we beat Richmond. So that was four premierships in 10 years, two over Richmond, two over Collingwood.
I made many visits to the 'G over the years, often as a guest in the Members Reserve. I even visited that Holy of Holies the Long Room and decided I preferred being outside. I had not been “put down at birth” and while often bemoaning this, did not get around to joining the waiting list until I was 34. I enrolled my son who was born the same year and he is now a Provisional member too, but he is just not that into footy.
I watched 1986 and the glorious 1987 on TV. I would like to forget the ignominy of 1993. I was at my cousin’s wedding in Sydney in 1995. Little did I know that would be my last chance to see a Carlton premiership live for 22 years and counting!
In 1997, I finally became a Carlton member and, in 1999, an AFL member. Neither of these was enough to get a ticket for the 1999 grand final so I bought a corporate package. I have to say the breakfast and the comedians were pretty forgettable – many told the same jokes. I have forgotten the match too – we were beaten by North Melbourne. But I have not forgotten the atmosphere of the `G on grand final day. I swore I would never miss another Carlton grand final but so far have not had to put that pledge to the test.
In 2004, full AFL membership came through and I was able to go to the 2004 grand final. I adopted Port and they won but it’s not the same as your own team. I went again in 2005 and saw the Swans’ first flag since 1933, sealed by Leo Barry’s incredible mark.
AFL membership was all right, but it entailed looking into the sun. The MCC Members Reserve is the place to be!
Back to today’s match. There was time for several beers before the bounce at 3.20pm. Carlton were playing in white – not ideal for the Old Dark Navy Blues! It was a close game and Carlton actually led at three quarter time, but in the final quarter, the Dees steadied and ended up winning by 22 points. Apparently it is the first time they have won their first two since 2005. Alas for the Blues, dropping our first two is not so unusual. Still, as last week, there is cause for hope.
Peter says Petrevski-Seton reminds him of Syd Jackson. I like Weitering up forward though he was well held today. Levi Casboult kicked straight. Matthew Wright showed flashes of brilliance. So I will keep coming in my 46th year supporting the Blues. We have Essendon at the 'G next Sunday and another opportunity for a pilgrimage with Warwick in July. And many other opportunities to come and enjoy my membership. Go Blues! Go MCC!
Dr Matt Harvey teaches law at Victoria University and researches constitutional law, wine, sport and music.
MELBOURNE 3.2 6.4 7.5 13.8 (86)
CARLTON 2.2 4.6 7.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Melbourne: Garlett 3, Watts 2, Weideman 2, Jones 2, Salem, Gawn, Petracca, Tyson
Carlton: Wright 3, Casboult, E. Curnow, Murphy, Armfield, Petrevski-Seton, Pickett
BEST
Melbourne: Salem, Tyson, Oliver, Watts, Garlett, Jones, Harmes
Carlton: Wright, Murphy, Cripps, Docherty, Gibbs, Curnow
INJURIES
Melbourne: Brayshaw (cut eye)
Carlton: Thomas (right knee), Silvagni (corked thigh and ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Meredith, Williamson
Official crowd: 46,727 at the MCG