I was pleased for Melbourne to win their first match for the season. After all, not even I am vindictive enough to want the Dees to go through their 150th season win-less.
(If it was Poor ol’ Footscray I wouldn’t give a stuff.)
Dees supporters enthusiastically reveled in the joy of hearing the news of their team’s remarkable Melbourne Cricket Ground comeback against that common team from the west, Fremantle. The Dees came back from 51 points down at half time to defeat those nasty Dockers by 6 points. The news soon spread around the snow fields that evening after being announced on the ABC at the Mt Hotham Chalet.
While sipping their mulled wine in front of the roaring fire, drying off the ski boots as Hobson polished the Range Rover and spare Bentleigh in the stables out the back, the Dees supporters soon were celebrating in earnest and re-living the good old days of Rob E Flower, Jim E Stynes and Greg E Healy.
“Another round of drinks and a toast to the new coach (whatever his name is)”
Now, as most of you will know, I am quite a lover of history and nostalgia.
In my search for great comeback matches to rival the heroic deeds of the gallant Dees of round 7 2008 AD, my memories took me back to Essendon v Melbourne, ANZAC DAY 25.4.1992 (yes the Bombers dominated ANZAC DAY – even back then).
On this particular day the Dees were 30 points up against Essendon at quarter time, 45 up at half time, 41 at ¾ time – the MCG member’s area was flowing with tea, scones and cream.
After kicking the first goal of the final term to be 47 points up, the Melbourne crowd was even beginning to huddle around the television set at the Chalet.
The sleeping giant however was awakening.
Those arrogant Bombers from that other side of town were slowly crawling their way back into the match.
Understandably Melbourne was always going to be in trouble since the Bombers that day boasted household names such as Flood, Considine, Sporn, Kilpatrick, Hills and Wallis.
When Somerville kicked his 3rd and Salmon kicked his 7th, the Bombers all of a sudden found themselves 5 points behind with minutes to go. Wanganeen then kicked a 55 metre goal to put those horrible Bombers 1 point ahead. Derek Kickett then saved the day by marking an attempted snap at goal on Melbourne’s goal line.
Poor ol’ Dees lost by a point in a touch of sadness.
The Bombers went on to win the flag the very next season and I expect no less from the Dees in season 2009.
(If only they would play the Grand Final at Mt Hotham).
Please enlighten us with your recollections of your own club’s memorable wins over Poor ol’ Melbourne (or anyone else for that matter).
2 Comments
May 8, 2008 at 7:44 am
Classic post CG, brought back some great memories of that Anzac Day classic.
From memory it was the worst game of all time until 3/4 time.
One thing I do remember is some D supporters around us (their chalet must have been undergoing renovations) packed up and left during the last quarter, when they were still 2 goals in front.
May 8, 2008 at 8:10 am
Who could ever forget the Round 16, 2001 game when the mighty Bombers were something like 69 points behind in the second quarter, fight back to be 3 goals down at 3/4 time, and then steamroller over the top of them in the last quarter to win by 2 goals….oh, wait a minute, that wasn’t against Melbourne…that was against NORTH Melbourne…where was your shinboner spirit that day you whinging girly boys…I bet you spirited that game away, never to be spoken about again…what the fark is a shinboner anyway…have a cry you sookie la-las!!!!!