THE TREK down the highway to Geelong has been littered with the sorrow of many Victorian teams over the seasons, Melbourne not least amongst them.

From Round 14, 1988 to near the end of the 2005 season, Kardinia Park remained a regional stronghold, the second oldest team in the V/AFL defiant at home against the MCG pioneers.

But that all changed in Round 20, 2005, after all those seasons of frustration and experimentation.

One of the starring turns came from Russell Robertson.

‘We’d tried many things over the years - catching buses down there, staying overnight, we’d done it all.’

The prospect of taking on the Cats on their home ground was a formidable one.

‘That ground does something to your psyche’, says Robertson, with a reminiscent shiver. The game also meant a great deal to both sides - finals certainty, and, in Melbourne’s case, arresting a seven game losing streak.

But this time, despite the loss of personnel including captain David Neitz, Melbourne’s psyche was up to the challenge.

‘We had a decent side, we knew we could beat them.’  Robertson was an early contributor, along with Brad Miller, but nonetheless, the Cats led at quarter time.

By half time, the difference was 27 points - advantage Geelong. But still the faith held.

‘Every single game means something, and we’d built ourselves up.’

Robertson kicked his third goal in this - the premiership quarter - followed by Johnstone and Godfrey, to close the Cats’ advantage to two goals.

With his fourth goal for the day, Robertson completed a five goal turnaround and gave Melbourne the lead heading into the final quarter.

Even now, the story of the day leaves him stunned.

‘It was a hard game. It’s hard to win at Geelong. We knew we were under the pump. Bartram and Wheatley were amazing with their tackling in the last quarter. In this sort of game, it means as much as a goal.’

Speaking of goals, Robertson still had three to come in a phenomenal last quarter. It even looks good in the bland statistics - three goals, including the goal that put Melbourne in front. Geelong drew away to a fifteen point lead halfway through, but at the 20 minute mark, Melbourne grabbed the lead and held tight.

And there, forging the memories in the No. 24 guernsey, was Russell Robertson, riding every bump and thrilling with every goal - even as he does today.

‘When I kicked my sixth goal, I went to give Brad Miller a high five. I missed his hand!’  Laughter emerges, even in the midst of drama. ‘I took a chest mark from Stevie Armstrong, kicked the goal that put us back in front. Then I knew - we are going to win.’ Of such stuff is our game made.

Then the siren sounded. ‘Matthew Egan had a chance to score for Geelong after the siren.’ Robertson sat on the ground, put his head in his hands, and watched. But it was not to be. Melbourne - one point victors. One point - it was all that was needed.

‘There were hugs and high fives - we all had extra energy!’ Robertson chuckles. ‘Chris Fagan picked me up. There was absolute elation, and we completely screamed the song in the rooms!’ The echoes of the players’ joy came in the stands. ‘There was only a small crowd - but they were loud.’

It was one of those games. It was one of those days. And now, heading down the highway to his coaching role in Geelong, Robertson still treasures the day and the memory of Round 20, 2005, when he took on the game and his seven goals helped to deliver a wonderful win for Melbourne.