By Bill Hodges
They had a ballot in the newspaper for MCG Finals tickets, including the Grand Final. After a couple of failures, Dad got lucky in 1978.
North Melbourne v Hawthorn clashed for the premiership for the third time in four years.
Barassi v Parkin - two giants of our game.
Years later, I sat next to Barassi on 3AW Football for a couple of years.
Barassi was always pleasant, respectful and encouraging. One day I quoted a ladder prediction Barassi had made and I suggested he may be off the mark.
BIG MISTAKE!
“The season’s not over yet”, he said. At the same time, his piercing eyes ripped my soul from my stomach, spun it around and shoved it back in. I was speechless. Meaning, I physically could not speak. Shane Healy saved me and we moved on.
I understand now why veterans from the 1960s and 1970s at Carlton and North Melbourne can remember the exact time and place of a Barassi “free character assessment”, including every word spoken.
My dad became a full MCC member in 1980. Perfect timing!
Richmond were on the march and delivered in spades. Bartlett was unstoppable.
And I was so happy!
Unbelievably, it took 37 years to replicate that precise feeling.
Between 1979 and 1982 Grand Final Day involved the “big clubs”, Carlton, Collingwood and Richmond.
I was lucky enough to see them all. Even now, these great matches are a living memory for all those who saw them, heard them, lived them.
How times have changed. Back then, standing room prevailed behind the city-end goal and an entire grandstand was the sole domain of men!
But things stay the same. The excitement and energy of a Grand Final is universal and highly contagious.
I’ve been lucky enough to see 40 VFL/AFL Grand Finals, most from the MCC Reserve. Sometimes it’s been like a military operation to get a seat, but it’s always been worth it. This year, I’ve got reserved seat so that’s a relief.
Many are saying it will be a Richmond v Collingwood Grand Final. I hope they are right - as long as the 1980 result is replicated.
Bill Hodges has been a MCC member since 1988 and, prior to that, attended numerous matches with his Dad. He loves footy and attends almost all matches at the 'G. In fact, the first VFL final he attended was in 1975 at the tender age of six. Of the 58 qualifying finals played since 1972 in Melbourne, Bill has attended 53. Seriously injured in a transport accident in 2006, Bill walks permanently with crutches. Yet, he can still manage a spring in his step every September.