This great adventure began late last year, with a chat at Uncle Lou’s funeral.
Cousin Stephen Gleeson and I were reminiscing about the times in the 1960’s and '70’s when Lou (Stephen’s dad) and brother Bill (my dad) took us to watch the Tigers, then in their Tommy Hafey heyday. We resolved to take our boys to see a live game at the MCG.
A couple of things made this no small undertaking. For starters, Stephen, his wife Robbie, and sons Tait and Tommy, have lived in Darwin for the last 20 years. For good measure, I run a music store in Albury. Tait and Tommy have never seen a live AFL game, let alone one at the MCG. But when there’s the will, there’s always a way.
So it was that we found ourselves at Dreamtime at the ‘G. Stephen was there with Robbie and his boys, me with my sons Jeremy and Shaun. Tait and Tommy had been signed up to the MCC members waiting list last year, so a visit to the MCC office seemed in order.
When they heard our story, the MCC generously offered the lads honorary members tickets for the day. Tommy and Tait could hardly believe their luck. Another bonus, they had a spare 25-year members badge they could lend me for the occasion.
It had already been a day of bonus surprises. Stephen had been feeling the Victorian cold, so his mum dug his old tweed jacket out of a closet. He hadn’t worn it since he was 17, but it still fitted like a glove!
After a tour of the National Sports Museum, it was time for the footy. The boys had never seen a crowd of 80,000 people. The noise had them awestruck. They rode every Tiger goal, and celebrated the victory when it came.
As one final bonus,Tait even scored a signed Dusty Martin football when he went down to the fence after the match.
This was a marvelous day none of us will ever forget.
Many thanks to the MCC and everyone who helped make it so special.
Peter Gleeson is a Richmond supporter and resident of Albury. To further his Tiger credentials, his dad Bill sometimes worked for John ‘Swooper’ Northey, who owned a nearby farm. Tait and Tommy hope they won’t have to wait until they qualify for membership before they return to the MCG. Stephen is still talking about the jacket.
RICHMOND: 1.2 4.7 8.11 10.13 (73)
ESSENDON: 0.3 1.7 2.10 6.14 (50)
GOALS
Richmond: Lynch 2, Castagna 2, Higgins 2, Baker, Prestia, Bolton, Rioli
Essendon: Langford 3, Begley, Laverde, Bellchambers
Official crowd: 80,176