Grand Final - September 2010
In hindsight, I was pretty confident the Pies were going to win on the big stage. I got all the emails in the lead-up to the losses. Saw Licca and Mick in tears, got told of the omen that was 1966 and was reminded that the Pies had no-one to stop Riewoldt, Hayes, Goddard, Montagna and Fisher.
Following the parade on the Friday, I scoffed at suggestions the Maggies were'nt up for the big dance. The City was a buzz of black and white (and a fair bit of red) just quietly. I'd gone for the scarf into the office. C'mon Pies.
Fair to say there was an equal amount of confidence and concern on the morning of the grannie. Barbies were planned, potential pubs pre (and post) game were arranged and plenty of money was taken from the ATM in anticipation of the Pies ending a 20yr AFL premiership drought.
The beers started early. By lunch I'd had bets on Leigh Brown and Harry O'Brien for first goal. Didak was my Norm Smith bet and I had the margin at 17 points. All good. More Bridge Road pubs followed before we jumped on a tram - bound for glory (ahhhh Angry....bless him).
Got to the park outside the ground and it was packed. Cars, streamers, barbies, bands, supporter decoration and beers flowing from every vantage point. I was definately swept up in the potential that today was the day that the Pies were going all the way.
Straight in and queued up for beer. The queues were so long, we decided to get a tray each. Silly in hindsight. That set the pace. 4 beers a quarter - followed by a 10min queue for a snakes hiss, only to get into another queue for another 4 beers.
First quarter the Pies started on fire. Dids nailed one from the boundary. Daisy's mongrel from 50 somehow floated over the pack. Pies had momentum - granted werent kicking everything that came their way but the game was played in our forward 50.
More beer required.
Second quarter, Saints started with a couple. Reiwoldt and Sneider got into the game. Goddard looked like he had multiplied. Fisher seemed to be a ball magnet and Pies were only too happy to get it too him.
Half time - Pies by 4 goals. Worthy time to make prediction....Pies kick 3 more they're home! Damn those beers for the uber confidence!
Third quarter and time in urinal is blowing out and all too frequent. Goddard starting to tear new black and white orifaces. Daisy and The Blair Witch missing montys. Clokey has a chance to stem the flow from 40 metres and aaarkin' misses! Started to cradle beers.
Last quarter and I'm barely conscious.
Beers, nerves and toilets all made worse by the fact that the Pies run had stopped. Goddard and Hayes both looked enormous. Goddard takes the best mark in a grand final ever captured on colour TV. Faark, Faark and FAAAARKK again!
One minute Goddard is at full back, then he's in the guts, only to end up sitting on Harry's shoulders in the goal square. Urine sample required UMPIRE!
Saints hit the front! I nearly pass out.
Game gone to a new level. Pies kick it long, Heater flies, ball spills - quick hands to Cloke *(argh) and goal. Pies up by a point. How long left?!!! Someone splutters 3mins. Geezus. I spill more beer and start looking for frees. 50 metres, in the back, BALLLLLLLL!!!! ump for faarks sake use the faaarking whistle?????
Hayes (no??!!!) to bluddy Milne. Surely not! But Milney pulls out (unlike a few years ago when he shouldve? - ahhh come-on - thats fair?!)
All square.
How long? 30 secs left. The longest 30secs of living memory follows. Thats where it gets fuzzy for this Nipster. The rest is a blur. Siren, Hayes Norm Smith, me toilet queue and the long walk home.
I'll be faarrked. Its a bluddy DRAW!
Swollen Nips
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