It’s definitely one of the best views the great ground has to offer.
Its attached members-only watering hole nestles in beautifully behind the stand allowing the ardent supporter the luxury of remaining live even through an extended period of robust discussion around the bar.
The brains trust has unanimously agreed that today is the day of reckoning for the much-maligned Demons as to how much they have improved under the much-publicised and much-funded stewardship of St. Paul Roos.
So we have assembled in the room named after the great and late Frank Grey Smith whom we understand became an MCC member back in 1849 rising to vice-president in 1879 before taking on the presidency in 1886 - and raise a glass to him.
He was known by his contemporaries as ‘the most trusted and cautious financier in Australia’ and was credited with guiding the club through some difficult financial times in the 1890s, putting it on the sound financial base it enjoys today.
While his leanings were definitely towards cricket, if he were still with us today he may well be on the Demon coaching panel espousing virtues of caution and sticking to the plan. Frank’s attitudes to banking and cricket were very similar. Both were exciting and intensely competitive to be played according to firm rules.
He preferred a defensive innings to a lightning century and he would have been very pleased to see Jack Watts marking in deep in defence in the last quarter after only seconds earlier threading through a goal from an acute angle to put the mighty Dees in front. You see Frank GS also not surprising liked a long stop! We are not so sure about what he thought of Bernie Vince’s lovely pass to Tom Lynch. Certainly not part of the firm plan!
He also suspected that behind every clear sky were storm clouds - the psyche of most Demon supporters after 50 years of heartache and broken promises!
So we settle into the best seats in the house only to see Gold Coast burst out of the blocks in brilliant fashion. Skipper Lynch opens their account at the 80-second mark after a strong mark which could well have been the first half of some remarkable bookends had he kicked truly at the end! Further goals to their Garlett and Malceski give us the strong signal that we are not in for an easy drinking day in the bar.
Word had come through from the coterie lunch that our coach-in-waiting had been interviewed and promised a more adventurous style next year and when asked about his prediction for today told the baying audience that he would take a one-point victory. We are not sure what FGS would think.
The Demons steady. Maxie Gawn assumes control and provides us with opportunities to go forward. Jack Watts marks 50m out on an acute angle to get us on the board. A strong kick brings the members stand to their feet but his kick died on the line, hitting the post for a minor score to start the day. Disappointment all round in the stand!
However, their disappointment is short-lived as young Billy Stretch races through the centre of the ground only minutes later and finds Jack at the top of the goal square to get us firmly on the board. It’s been a longish wait for our first goal but all is forgiven and it’s all high fives and Jack is our boy! The Suns should be further in front as they have dominated play but both sides are struggling with fumbles, turnovers and some terrible misses in front of goal.
It’s a two-pot break in the very cosy confines of the Grey Smith Bar as we despair with our lack of skill and purpose in that first quarter. However the general view is that things can only get better.
And they do!
The Demons come out breathing fire and three quick goals put us back in the contest and the Frank Grey Smith stand is looking a much happier place. But the game quickly degenerates into a slog and smothers, inept kicking, poor decision-making and sprayed shots for goal are the order of the day.
We retire inside at half-time grateful for the two-goal lead but wondering about whether they are just more terrible than us. Our day of reckoning has us all depressed and the three sharpies at half-time are just the tonic to get our hopes up for a better second half! I think Frank GS would be disappointed with the standard of the game but would very pleased with the conviviality in his room.
While he would have been disappointed to have his stand knocked down in 1966 (The Grey Smith Stand) and replaced with the Ponsford Stand, I suspect he would have liked the more personal approach of having his own bar in prime position at this most famous ground.
So hope springs eternal and we make the very short trip back to our seats to see what surprises the Dees will serve up. It’s slim pickings for the members during the early part of the third quarter but the stand comes to their feet as we can see a collision looming as James Harmes runs courageously back into the play.
There is a sickening clash with the Suns Kade Kolodjashnij and Harmes lies motionless in the centre. The members are concerned for his well-being as he is physically ill while being helped off the ground.
Hogan slides into the goalpost and limps off with a sore knee, which is not what we wanted to see. Gawn continues to dominate the ruck and Dom Tyson and Vince are in amongst it and while Jack continues to look dangerous up forward the game continues to be riddled with mistakes.
Three quarter time and a miserly eight-point lead brings no one any joy except for our two-pot break to ponder the possibilities of the last quarter.
An early goal to Aaron Vanderberg provides some comfort which is short-lived as three successive goals to the Suns see the Dees in disarray as the possibility of losing this game is suddenly a reality.
The ball seesaws up and down the ground as the Demons try valiantly to manufacture something with time ticking away. A pressured kick from Tyson finds its way to Jack Watts’ chest in the forward pocket with only two and a half minutes to go. He is on a very similar angle to one he missed from in the first quarter but the whole members stand rise as one as our now favourite son has the chance to put himself into folklore.
He kicks truly and puts the Demons back in front and the Frank Grey Smith Bar goes berserk but the question remains: can we hang on?
Remembering that St Kilda stole a game off us last year with only 17 seconds remaining, two minutes is a lifetime. And also remember that behind every clear sky could be storm clouds!
The Suns play with unprecedented urgency as they realise their next forward foray may well be their last chance. And forward they go with three swift and accurate handballs and a raking kick to the top of the goal square looking for Tom Lynch only to find the safe hands of …yes Our Boy Jack Watts.
The bar goes up as Jack is now our favourite! Maybe of all time! But wait. What’s going on? Did Bernie Vince just short pass it to the Sun’s Tom Lynch? What about Frank’s policy of sticking to the game plan. Siren goes.
With the weight of the world on his shoulders acting captain Tom Lynch, in his 98th game, misses from the boundary from out at 50 and all Demons supporters breathe a huge sigh of relief.
Our boy Jack has not only kicked the winning goal and then marked the Suns’ final thrust forward, but he’s racked up 18 possessions, including 10 marks and three goals. He’s had three last quarter intercept marks and 10 score involvements, recording the highest scoreboard impact of any player.
So it was back to the FGS Bar for a cleanser and to salute Jack Watts, our superstar.
Not only did coach in waiting Goodwin get a win - but by two points!
We think Frank would have approved!
Bernard Dunn has spent a lifetime playing and coaching amateur footy. A handy district cricketer, he once had Gary Cosier caught behind. He came second in the Sunkick to Gary Living. He hits a mean golf ball. He knows the Frank Grey Smith Bar as well as anyone.
Match Summary
MELBOURNE 1.3 6.6 7.10 9.12 (66)
GOLD COAST 3.3 4.6 6.8 9.10 (64)
GOALS
Melbourne: vandenBerg 3, Watts 3, Dawes, Kent, Petracca
Gold Coast: Lynch 2, Garlett 2, Matera 2, Malceski, Shaw, Grant
BEST
Melbourne: Tyson, Watts, Harmes, vandenBerg, O.McDonald, Gawn
Gold Coast: Miller, Rosa, Lynch, Harbrow, Shaw
INJURIES
Melbourne: Hogan (left knee)
Gold Coast: Shaw (left ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Fisher, Margetts, Foote
Official crowd: 20,627 at MCG