At the ‘G is the podcast for MCC members that celebrates the great moments in the history of the Club and the MCG.
Hosted by Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson, the series takes an in-depth look at the memorable Boxing Day Tests, the great AFL grand finals, the 1956 Olympic Games and the 2006 Commonwealth Games, as well as rock concerts, the Billy Graham crusade and moments of controversy.Hudson speaks to the people that were there: the athletes, coaches, officials, broadcasters, staff and of course – the members.
Episode 18: DK Lillee - a legend of the MCG
In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson speaks to Dennis Keith Lillee, a sportsman whose connection with the MCG and its crowd is as strong as anyone in the history of the ground.The Dennis Lillee story is also one of resilience; returning after being told he might never bowl again due to stress fractures in his back. In this episode, Lillee details the journey to overcoming the adversity which saw him sit out of Test cricket for 18 months and the recovery that led to his return as a different but no less effective bowler.
Episode 17: The 1977 Centenary Test – Part 2
The 1977 Centenary Test had it all, from jaw-breaking bouncers, incredible individual achievements, fierce rivalries, a Royal visit and an unbeatable atmosphere. But it was the feats of the second innings that had cricket fans calling it one of the greatest matches ever.In this episode of At the ‘G – Part 2 of our 1977 Centenary Test special – host Anthony Hudson is joined by Rick McCosker, Rod Marsh, Kerry O’Keeffe and more to recap how one of the great Test matches finished with the most historic of results.
Episode 16: The 1977 Centenary Test – Part 1
In this episode of At the ‘G – the first of a two-part special on the Centenary Test match played between Australia and England at the MCG in March, 1977 – host Anthony Hudson looks back at what is universally regarded as one of the greatest cricketing occasions, and matches, ever.Hudson hears from courageous opening batter Rick McCosker, Kerry O’Keeffe and the record-breaking Rodney Marsh while reflecting on the extraordinary hitting of debutant David Hookes against arch enemy Tony Greig, the eccentric Englishman Derek Randall who refused to be intimidated by the Aussies, and legendary Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee who had the crowd at fever pitch.
Episode 15: MCG Legend Leigh Matthews – the coaching years
In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson brings you the second part of the MCG story of the great Leigh Matthews, sharing tales of triumph from his September deeds as a coach.Lifting off from Leigh’s acceptance of an assistant coaching role at Collingwood as part of a succession plan to take over from Bob Rose, Huddo explores Leigh’s historic 1990 Grand Final win at the helm of the Pies, followed by the remarkable Brisbane Lions three-peat. Plus, Leigh reflects on the pressure and stress of coaching that comes hand in hand with euphoria an exhilaration and his thoughts and feelings in the aftermath of claiming the ultimate victory.
Episode 14: MCG Legend Leigh Matthews – the playing years
In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson explores the career of the formidable Leigh Matthews and the highlights of a playing career from 1969 to 1985 that saw Leigh play 332 games, kick 915 goals for Hawthorn, win four premierships and an incredible eight best and fairest awards.We hear from ‘Lethal Leigh’ himself on his memories of football growing up in Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs, his development into one of the most respected players in the game and the highs and lows of his journey at Hawthorn in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Anthony Hudson is also joined by Leigh’s former teammate and coach, David Parkin, who shares his memories of Leigh’s uncompromising style and a single mindedness that took him to the heights of the league.
Episode 13: Hearts Beat True
For the first time since 1964, the Demons were crowned minor premiers in 2021 following years of tribulation.Ahead of the Club's preliminary final match against Geelong at Optus Stadium on Friday 10 September, the latest episode of the MCC members’ podcast looks back on a decade of dominance for the Demons through the 1950s and 1960s that was followed by years of despair for the much-loved football club.
This episode of the MCC members' podcast, At the 'G, is for the thousands of success-starved MCC members who have followed their beloved Demons through thick, thin and their return to the top of the ladder in 2021. Host Anthony Hudson interviews respected journalist Mike Sheahan, former Dees assistant coach Chris Fagan and ex-Melbourne players David Neitz and Jordan Lewis.
Episode 12: Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games
In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson takes us back 65 years to the 1956 Summer Olympic Games which saw the Melbourne Cricket Ground play host to unforgettable sporting feats as the main stadium for Australia’s, and the southern hemisphere’s, first Games.Athletes from the 1956 Games, Marlene Matthews and Gloria Cook Wigney, reflect on the highs and lows of competing, Bruce McAvaney details the extraordinary feats of Betty Cuthbert and Shirley Strickland on the MCG track, while Gordon Bennett, David Studham and Jed Smith share little-known facts on how the Melbourne Games came to life.
Episode 11: Neale Daniher and the FightMND story
In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson pays tribute to the incredible contribution of former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, whose refusal to submit in the face of enormous adversity has seen him turn his personal battle with MND into an uplifting campaign to raise awareness – and important funds – in the fight against the ‘Beast’.We hear about Daniher from those close to him – daughter Bec, whose passion and drive is doing so much to lead the fight, and friends including Tim Watson, Garry Lyon, Chris Fagan, Nick Riewoldt, Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson.
Episode 10: In conversation with Brendon Gale
In this episode of At The ‘G, Richmond chief executive and former Tigers star, Brendon Gale, sits down with host Anthony Hudson to share his experience being at the helm of the rise of the current Richmond dynasty that has garnered three flags in the last four years.Gale and Hudson cover Brendon’s first days at Tigerland and his resulting days as player over a 12-year career, the lengths that have been achieved to save the Club and which game was the most important win for the Club in their modern-day history… and it wasn’t a Grand Final!
Episode 9: The 1981 Boxing Day Test – Part I
In this episode of At the ‘G – the first of a two-part special on the Boxing Day Test of 1981 – host Anthony Hudson takes a look at one of the most remarkable and dramatic days of Test cricket, when Australia faced the all-powerful West Indies attack and Vice-captain Kim Hughes delivered one of the most courageous centuries the game has ever seen.Bonus episode: Paul Sheahan
A talented Test batsman and fieldsman, Paul Sheahan surprised everyone when – at the age of just 27 – he retired from cricket to take up a senior teaching position.Sheahan would go on to become one of Victoria’s top educators and serve on the MCC Committee for 28 years, which included a four-year term as President. As Sheahan tells host Anthony Hudson in a new episode of At the ‘G, he always saw himself as a school-master who played cricket – rather than a cricketer who taught.
In this episode of the MCC members’ podcast, Sheahan reflects on his early life growing up in Werribee, his 31-match Test career for Australia including matches at the MCG, and what he might do differently if he had his time again.
Bonus episode: Tom Hafey and Kevin Bartlett
This year marks 53 years since Richmond last met – and beat – the Geelong Cats in an AFL Grand Final. At the helm in 1967 was coach Tom Hafey, who would go on to lead the Tigers to three more flags at the MCG.In this bonus episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson shares a never-before aired interview he conducted with the late Tom Hafey in 2001 and speaks to AFL legend Kevin Bartlett on their friendship, Hafey’s legacy and his ties to the MCG – where he was farewelled in a memorable funeral service in 2014.
Episode 6: The 2006 AFL Grand Final
“Who would’ve thought that the sequel would be just as good as the original?”One year and one week after Leo Barry’s match-saving mark saw the Sydney Swans triumph over the West Coast Eagles on the last Saturday in September 2005, the two sides met again on the hallowed MCG turf.
Facing off in back-to-back AFL Grand Finals, it was always going to be a tight contest. But as commentator and At the ‘G host Anthony Hudson summed up – nobody could have predicted just how close it would be.
Episode 5: Leo Barry, you star!
It’s one of the most iconic marks – and calls – in football history. But Sydney’s drought-breaking premiership was more than just a moment.In this episode of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson assembles a who’s who from the day: coaches Paul Roos and John Worsfold, Leo Barry, Brett Kirk, Michael O’Loughlin, Amon Buchanan, Chris Judd, Dean Cox and commentator Stephen Quartermain.
They discuss everything from the Swans’ migration to Sydney from South Melbourne, how they re-embraced their ‘Bloods’ culture, and the “forgotten moment” from the Grand Final that was arguably as big as the mark itself.
Episode 4: The Bradman Luncheon
Ordinarily one of the signature functions on the Club’s annual calendar and held at the MCG, the Bradman Luncheon comes to you in 2020 as a special episode of At the ‘G.Host Anthony Hudson reminisces about the importance and history of the luncheon through a virtual format to mark what would have been the 20th anniversary of this popular event.
He speaks to broadcaster and Luncheon host Gerard Whateley, operatic soprano Greta Bradman, grand-daughter of the late Sir Donald, former Australian cricketers Keith Stackpole and Wayne Phillips and Loris Charlton, wife of the late Tony Charlton who established and hosted the first Luncheon in 2001.
Episode 3: Mottram’s moment + Barassi walks on water
Every major games has a designated local hero and at the 2006 Commonwealth Games it was 25 year-old Melburnian Craig Mottram.In part two of this extended look back at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Huddo speaks to Mottram about the build up to the Games – all of which unfolded outside the front door of his Richmond home – and the thirteen minutes he had to deliver on ten years’ of preparation.
Plus, we go back to where the Games began – with a flying tram and a moment of magic from AFL legend Ron Barassi.
Episode 2: Kerryn McCann’s day at the ‘G
In episode two of At the ‘G, host Anthony Hudson looks back on the day in March 2006 when nearly 80,000 fans witnessed Kerryn McCann and Kenya’s Hellen Cherono Koskei battle it out in one of the all-time great marathons.McCann’s emotional win would take on even greater significance when the mother-of-three tragically lost her battle with breast cancer only two and a half years later in December 2008.
Introductory episode with MCC President Michael Happell
This introductory episode features an in-depth interview with MCC President Michael Happell, who discusses his early memories as a member, his first year as President of the MCC, the Club’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the path towards gathering together in the Reserve once more.Banner image: Stu Forster/Getty Images
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