We’ve known each other for close to 20 years. Our friendship was forged at uni, and a love for the Dees brought us closer together.
Together, we’ve seen many a MFC game, cheered on Ben Holland in our self-formed Dutchy Cheer Squad and dissected games on the walk back to Richmond Station. And our little band of diehard Dees-supporting friends join us for most games, even though some live in other corners of the state, creating a footy family that makes the highs and lows of the season more enjoyable.This season, our group has watched some incredible wins and horrible close defeats. Last week’s effort against the Eagles started a torrent of messages between us all, from the oft used ‘Come on!’ to the subtle optimism of ‘Remember to renew your MCC membership before Sept 1’. We met with confidence on Sunday, a state most Dees supporters are not used to, hoping that the Jones-led team would give us a win and therefore a home final.
A home final!
What we witnessed was a dogged and determined Dees side that methodically outplayed GWS. After a string of play through the middle to set up the opening goal – a goal any top four side would be proud of - GWS hit back through a combination of some luck to Coniglio and some very good play. But, after an injury to Kent, the Dees hit back with multiple goals and take a one-point quarter time lead. Gawn puts a full-stop on the quarter with a strong defensive mark to snuff out one last Giants attack.
Our group is also always up for a road trip. Travelling to Geelong for that match was an experience in itself, one that gave us thicker skin for standing in enemy territory. Discussions started about travelling to Sydney if the Dees were to lose this match. We needn’t start making plans, as it soon became obvious the Dees didn’t want to travel far for the first final.
The second quarter was a little wasteful, but the defensive pressure meant the game was by no means lost. This was a Demons outfit so different from ones that we had watched in the past; teams that had no answer to rebound 50s and capitulated easily. GWS missed some set shots and could have been closer at the long break, an opportunity Joseph used to drop off an MCC nomination form for the son of a friend, five year old Leo, who pre-game was adamant the Dees would win comfortably.
Lots has been said about Max Gawn this year, and like many others, our group have enjoyed watching Gawn dominate in the ruck, and in the media. When the ruckman slotted the first goal in the third, it wasn’t long before Cat’s phone pinged, with her mum knowing how to play up to our friends – ‘Google… play Max Gawn goals’ was all the message said. Oh, mum!
A brilliant third term was enough to send us all into delirium. It was looking like a home final to the Dees. Frost was running with confidence out of the backline, his speed giving the GWS midfield some trouble. Weideman takes a huge grab and the MCC fans yell “WEED!” When Jones helps himself to one, the crowd stands and roars for their long time hero who will finally see September action again. The Dees were comfortably in front at the final change, and we were just as comfortable in the knowledge a home final was within our grasp. Little Leo was right all along!
The start of the fourth quarter showed that the Dees wanted to put an exclamation mark on an impressive outing. We, and the rest of the crowd, started to celebrate. Each contested possession, each small moment was applauded and each goal met with cheers of joy. Max came to the bench towards the end and a “Gawny” chant rang out across the northern wing.
The siren sounded and there were hugs all round. Forget about the road trip, because we are coming back to the `G to watch our boys in a final! Were we over-celebrating? Never! We have twelve years of no celebrating to make up for! Who knows what will happen next, but we can’t wait for that first Friday in September. We’ll be there again, decked in red and blue, and ready to make some new history – history that’s much more than twenty years in the making!
Joe Ryan follows golf, cricket, Aussie rules and rugby league. Still hoping for a Demons flag before climate change floods the MCG.
Cat Jones' heart has beaten true for the red and the blue since birth. After working in secondary schools for years, she's now in her dream job at the National Sports Museum. You'll find her at the MCG most weekends too.
MELBOURNE 4.2 7.6 12.9 15.12 (102)
GWS GIANTS 4.1 5.5 5.8 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Melbourne: T.McDonald 3, Petracca 3, Neal-Bullen 2, Harmes, vandenBerg, Brayshaw, Gawn, Jones, Weideman, Melksham
GWS Giants: Coniglio 2, Tomlinson, Lobb, Cameron, Himmelberg, Langdon, Finlayson
BEST
Melbourne: Gawn, Harmes, Brayshaw, Oliver, Petracca, Jones, Frost
GWS Giants: Coniglio, Ward, Shiel, Haynes, Kennedy
Crowd: 37,285