I have mentioned this before but I feel I need to say it again, because it’s such a central part of being an MCC member.
By Bob UtberOne of the great delights for me is catching up with old friends on the balcony at the `G. I always make it my business to catch up with friends and even former foes at this time of the year and there is no better place to renew acquaintances.
The wonderful Test match against Pakistan was no exception.
On Day 1, I caught up with St Kilda Cricket Club’s newest Life Member Rod ‘Rocket’ Jude. Life member Number 109. Rod and I have been friends for many years and it was great to see him with his new honour. A retired engineer, Rod spends his days now curating the history of the Saints in their clubrooms under the Blackie-Ironmonger Stand. It is well worth a visit as Rod is bringing back to life the history of the club. All sporting clubs should have a look. There is nothing like the history of any club.
On Day 2, I caught up with proud Arrernte elder and passionate Pivotonian Alan Liddle. Still feeling the effects of the recent referendum, we turned our discussion to the mighty Cats. Alan just happened to be sitting in the same seat on Level 3 that he had during the 2022 Grand Final. I am pretty sure he would like to take it home. Well played Cats!
On Day 3 it was with pleasure to find that fellow English cricket tourist in 1997 Peter Sells was at the ground with a mate. “Sellsie” and I had toured with the Centurions that year playing in England and Germany. Somehow I mentioned the name of Luke Ball to Peter’s mate Paul and I found out that Luke was Paul’s cousin.
I then regaled Paul with the history of the Russo, Ball, and Kennedy families even bringing him up to date with their present movements.
Sellsie is a mad Demons supporter and is concerned about Number 13 at the moment but Paul looked very sheepish when he said he supported St Kilda. I should have realised he was a Saints fan as Uncle Felix and cousins Luke and Peter Russo played there as well.
It seems a lot of people, me included, have sympathies for St Kilda.
On Day 4 I caught up with an old university mate, Chris Bracher and his son Max. Max is a member, but Chris isn’t. Chris’ grandfather H.H.G. “Harry” Bracher represented Victoria at cricket and plied his trade with North Melbourne. Once again, just as it was during Days 1, 2 and 3, our discussion turned to football as Chris and Max are one-eyed ‘Blood-stained Angels’ aka Sydney Swan supporters. Chris played cricket with South Melbourne at one stage.
Mention of the 2022 Grand Final received scant discussion though. Oh, what a day that was for Geelong fans such as me.
Not only do we make acquaintance again on these days but by doing this we can all find out from acquaintances “what is so and so doing these days?”
Everything is grand at the grandest stadium of them all especially keeping up with friends and acquaintances.