THERE are some things you just cannot say no to - playing on the MCG in a team coached by John Northey and David Neitz and representing the Melbourne Football Club is my answer, of course.
It started with training on a sunny Friday afternoon at the new AAMI Park training venue - Gosch’s Paddock, with Peter ‘Max’ Maynard, Daniel Bell and Tom McNamara taking the Redlegs (a team comprising self-described misfits and Demon tragics!) through their paces.
Run-throughs, kicking drills and a goal kicking competition were intersected by multiple stretching sessions (Bell was keen to ensure all players could make it on the field on the big day).
There was a real sense that the Redlegs were on the cusp of something special. And our mission was to achieve a win over the Demons (a team made up of staff from Club Assist), who were coached by two other Melbourne greats - Robert Flower and Rod Grinter.
After the training session, it was off the MCG for the jumper presentation and team lineups announcement.
I got given the No.16 jumper and named in the middle alongside two young colts, Alistair and Brent, who looked like they could run all day!
This was an opportunity to bond with my new teammates at the heart of the Melbourne Football Club - the boardroom.
After this it was off home to start my pre-match preparations - Facebook status update, followed by dinner and drinks with the boys, who were hanging on my every word about my afternoon at the Melbourne Football Club.
Game day arrived and you couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.
After my pre-match preparations - a latte and baked beans, accompanied by the Sunday papers - I then headed off to the MCG. This was a trip I had completed many times over my 25 years as a Demons supporter, although this time I was going to be part of the on-field action. I was so pumped!
As I made my way into the change rooms in the Southern Stand, I could smell the deep heat and the echo of the footies being kicked around the rooms.
Ah, I thought - this is what it’s all about, and it was only going to get better.
Soon I was going to be out on the ‘G, doing my best to emulate the heroes of those great Demons before me. A light rubdown from the physio was followed by some intensive warm-ups.
Then Northey arrived. He hasn’t lost it. The boys and girls were up and ready to go.
With the full kit on, warming up in the rooms, you couldn’t help but get in the moment.
Today I was playing for my beloved Demons and it didn’t matter that I didn’t have ‘Beamdog’, ‘Greeny’, ‘The Russian’ or my favorite Jack ‘Frank’ Grimes on my side. I had the ‘Twins’, ‘Captain Kappa’, ‘The Don’, ‘Goggles’ and ‘Paul the Warden’ to do battle with me out on the G’.
Neita and the ever twittering Jeff White were on hand in the rooms; Chris Connolly came in and got us amped up.
Then it was into the debriefing room, where ‘Swooper’ Northey gave an inspirational speech. He focused on how special the day was, and not to take it for granted.
Up the race we went. This was it. A dream was about to become reality.
We reached the ground, and the banner was up and ready to be broken through by the Redlegs. I couldn’t help but aim a drop punt through the banner - after all, that’s what the real players do.
A quick photo and light run around was next, before slotting through a few from 50 metres (well, maybe 35!). I had to stop and take it all in. This place was massive, and so much bigger out on the ground. A quick check of the crowd, and I spotted a few friends and family.
Then it was game on. I got my hands on the Sherrin early, only to be tackled after trying to take on one too many players.
We got an early goal, and I played my part in helping our dreadlocked-sleeve-wearing small forward kick the first goal, by shepherding the ball through.
The rest of the first half was spent chasing kicks. I laid a few bone-crunching tackles, as I tried to catch my breath. But before I knew it, it was half time. We were in front, but ‘Swooper’ urged us to stick to our structure.
I had a few more kicks in the second half, as we sustained our lead. I heard a few mates in the outer telling me to keep running! All I kept thinking was ‘geez, how big is this ground and there seems to be a lot of players out here!’ As I glanced over to the bench, I noticed both benches were empty!
Late in the game, I sent a clean, sharp handball to a teammate, only to be taken out by my opponent. This bloke would’ve got weeks! I remonstrated, hoping a few of my bigger, stronger teammates would help out. (After the game, I found out they were keen to help, but too stuffed to run the 20 metres, which was fair enough!).
At the end of this passage of play, we scored a goal. A raw talent named Dougle kicked truly.
When the siren sounded, I didn’t want it to be over. Still, the Redlegs were victorious - could it get much better than that?!
We belted out a stoic rendition of “It’s a Grand Old Flag” in the middle of the MCG -another moment I will never forget.
This was followed by a quick lap around the centre square with the trophy. I slowly made my way off the ground - I reckon I was last off - I stopped for a moment and looked back, taking in the moment.
What an honour it was to play on the MCG, for the Melbourne Football Club!
The day couldn’t have gone any better, but the main game delivered a result that would make any fan proud. It was such an important win for the season.
For those who wore the Red and Blue (or white in the Redlegs’ case), the day couldn’t have produced any more pride.
